If you've never seen White Castle burgers before; you might be turned off by these soggy little bites. They don't look like the all American hamburger at all, bearing a closer resemblance to dim-sum.\r
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So set your idea of what a burger should be aside for a moment, and just enjoy this unique snack on it's own terms. The White Castle ""slider"" (as the burgers are called) is small. How small? For a medium sized lunch I eat 4. I've eaten 9 in one sitting before, but was...uncomfortable. \r
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They are all beef, but very thin - the meat patty being about as thick as 2 CDs pressed together. The patty is square and has 5 holes, which allows the meat to cook completely without being flipped. They are 'steam grilled' on top of a bed of finely diced onion. If you don't care for the smell of grilled onion - just turn back now. White Castle isn't your thing.\r
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Still with me? Good - now where were we? Oh yes, steam grilled on onions. As they cook, the buns are set on top of the burgers. This softens the bun with onion steam. The burgers are then placed on the bun, dressed with a pickle slice and boxed. Cheese is available for an extra charge, but purists look down upon such practices. \r
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The fries are fairly standard crinkle cut. Other sides are available, such as onion petals and cheese sticks.\r
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Service tends to be decent, as White Castle is a good place to work, offering regular raises and health care benefits to even part time workers. The coffee is widely considered to be excellent.\r
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I've relocataed away from the midwest, and my only White Castle fix has been via the frozen ones that I pick up at Aldi. They're not bad - if you add your own pickle they're about 90% identical to the fresh variety, but the atmosphere is sure missed. Many White Castles are open 24 hours, which inevitably makes for good people watching, and my wife is not a White Castle fan, so I'd always go in to order as I wasn't allowed to eat 'em in the car.
Pros: Something different
Cons: Not for everyone
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