White Castle...Worth the Hype?

The play-by-play of my first time.

Greg grew up in New York where White Castle was super popular. Me? I don’t think I ever heard of White Castle until I meet him. He would tell me how amazing White Castle burgers are, and he couldn’t believe I’d never had one let alone heard of it. You can imagine my surprise when a movie came out in 2004 that revolved around these tiny nuggets of magical beef. Naturally, we had to watch Harold and Kumar’s life-altering adventure.

In our 21 years together, I still have never had these infamous White Castle burgers. Apparently, they are little sliders, so you get like 4-6 of them. Not sure why it’s so difficult to simply put the meat together and make a normal burger, but I don’t know what I’m talking about since I don’t own or run a burger empire.

However, today is the day! Greg and I were deciding what we wanted for dinner, and he flat out told me that I had to at some point try them. So, 20 minutes later we found ourselves in the drive thru line at White Castle. The dinning room wasn’t open, forcing us to join the line that wraps around the restaurant and weaves around the parking lot.

I can be a pretty picky eater if I’m being completely honest. I’m a simple person with pretty simple tastes. You’ll probably never find me in upscale or chic and trendy little restaurants. I’m definitely more of a comfort food kinda girl. Because of this, though, I’m very picky about those basic foods, leaving me concerned if the wait in the line will be worth it.

We got in line at 5:40 pm for, as Greg told Patrick O’Dowd, my “first foray into this culinary delight.”

It’s currently 6:01

I decided to document my experience in real time. After all this has got to be the most delectable hamburger ever. I mean, come on, after 20 minutes in line we’ve only moved maybe 50 feet. Of course, I’m the worst estimator ever. I’ve never in my life won a “guess the number of jelly beans in the jar” game. Ever. That used to crush me as a child. Now I just want jelly beans - red ones.

It’s now 6:14

We have finally arrived at the point in line where we break into two lines. How do you choose? I don’t because I notoriously pick the line that takes longer to get through. There are still at least 20 cars in front of us. I’m not completely sure since I obviously cannot see through the building. Yep, after 34 minutes, we are still on the other side of the building from the pick up window. I did just confirm that they have French fries. I would have major issues if I couldn’t get French fries with my tiny little burgers, especially after this wait.

The time is 6:20

I’m happy to report that we have entered into one of the two lines. Fingers crossed that we chose well. In case you are Interested in our music choice “Rocket Man” just ended and “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” is playing. The local classic rock station is doing a top 500 classic rock songs of all time over this holiday weekend, but I’m pretty sure these songs aren’t part of it. We have already had some issues the their choices, though. “Blaze of Glory” was like in the 230s! Really? But, back in reality, Greg just asked if I thought we were going to make it to an hour. Good Lord, I hope not.

OMG... 6:33

These better be the best burgers I’ve ever had. They better knock my sandals off. We are still 2 cars away from ordering, but for the most part it seems like we did a decent job picking our line. Thank goodness I enjoy being with my husband. He is also getting some good laughs as I write this blog in the notes app on my phone and share some of my comments with him. I think he secretly love when I complain in my unique snarky way.

6:40.... it’s been an hour!

We finally made it to the menu board and this is at the top of the board:

The most influential burger? Who comes up with this stuff? I was never asked for my opinion. What is this burger influencing? Other burgers to be better burgers? Harold and Kumar? Me to rethink my life choices?

IT’S HAPPENING... 6:44

Greg is ordering! We should have ordered on the app! Didn’t know there was app until we saw it in all big letters on the menu, but the order has been placed. Greg is now reading me all the random menu options. I hope he realizes that he just ordered.

White Castle has a runner who comes to the car right after you order, since you have to provide your name and color of car, to collect payment. Our hope is that it speeds up the food-getting process when we get to the window. The guy came up to the car and called Greg George! Lol! This is not a good sign.

Our next mission is to merge back into one line to get to the food window. We’ve been sitting in the car so long that my watch just notified me that it was time to stand up.

I could go for a snack.

7:00 - We finally merged back into one line. Three cars separate us and our food.
7:05 - Two cars between us and history’s most influential burgers.
7:10 - 90 minutes later; we are NEXT!
7:18 - finally our turn. Eager to see just how long it takes to get the food though.
7:19- SUCCESS

I’m really confused as to why they are so slow. Are these the most influential burgers because they are convincing the meat to become burgers? I feel history has be made while we have waited in this line, and we missed it! Maybe history has chosen a new “most influential burger.”

7:31 - Food has been ingested and the verdict is in. Greg ordered the original with no pickles… he got pickles. I ordered the 1921 burger. It was to have lettuce and tomato. Tomato was fine, lettuce was one tiny shred. Not sure it that even counts as lettuce. Overall, it was mediocre at best. 100% not worth the 1 hour and 40 minutes in line. The fries, which I am a connoisseur in, were soggy and flavorless. Sigh.

Lesson learned today is that White Castle is not worth 100 minutes of waiting in line. It is clear that my first foray was also my last. We could have binge watched almost 5 episodes of Park and Rec in that time!

Let’s hold out hope that the Baked Bear redeems the night.