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9 Facts You Probably Didn't Know About White Castle

Do you have the Crave… for trivia? We can relate.That’s why we’re handing out these juicy and delicious White Castle facts by the sack. So slide-r on over and learn these 9 bite-sized facts that might change the way you think about one of America’s most-beloved burger joints.

Original Owner Invented Flat Shaped Patties

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One day, frustrated by his inability to handle meatballs on his griddle, Walt Anderson smashed one flat with his spatula. The pancake-like shape was infinitely easier to handle, and Anderson adopted the method moving forward. Maybe that’s why Time named the White Castle Slider the most Influential Burger of All Time in 2014.

White Castle Was the First Fast Food Chain in America

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When Anderson started flipping burgers in Wichita, KS in 1921, he created the industry standard low-cost, fast prep burgers' on-demand business model. The end result was a ringing success, leading them to start opening shops outside of Wichita as early as 1922. Even though fish and chip stands had existed in England since the 1860s, White Castle was the first American establishment to catch on.

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The Name Was Chosen to Combat the “Unhealthy” Image of Hamburgers

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Upton Sinclair’s 1906 muckraking novel, The Jungle, exposed the harsh working conditions and unsanitary standards in meat-packing facilities, leaving a sour taste in America’s mouth. The book had impacted the name of ground beef so much, that Anderson and business partner Billy A. Ingram choose the name “White Castle” to convey a sense of purity and strength.

White Castle Building No. 8 Is a Historic Landmark

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Photo: Wikiwand

One of the earliest franchises (the 8th, to be exact), White Castle Building No. 8 features the architecture that the chain was known for early on: white exterior bulwarks designed after the Chicago Water Tower. Measuring only 28 x 28 feet, the building is completely moveable and functions today as a souvenir stand.

The Most Sliders Eaten in One Sitting is 103

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This gargantuan feet of miniature beef was completed by Joey Chestnut in only 8 minutes. The current no. 2 ranked eater in Major League Eating (MLE) also holds records for eating hotdogs, pork ribs, and steak. Guess he’s earned the nickname “Jaws.”

White Castle Used to Deliver Burgers

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Photo: Pinterest

Because the Crave is so damned powerful, White Castle created a hugely successful “Burgers to Fly” program in the mid-’80s. No matter where you were in the US, they would deliver frozen sliders to your door within 24 hours. While it sucks that they don’t deliver anymore, the service paved the way for the freezer-aisle sliders that can help satisfy cravings.

Crave Mobiles Also Deliver Sliders to Castle-less Areas

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Photo: Bloomberg

If you don’t live in one of 13 states with a White Castle, then you’d better pray that the Crave Mobile is headed to a town near you. While the frozen sliders will do in a pinch, we know you’ve been looking for fresh steamed Sliders to come your way—which is exactly what this food truck offers.

They’re a Hot Spot on Valentine’s Day

You’ve decided to share your lives together, but will you share that last slider? White Castle is currently accepting reservations for Valentine’s Day dinner, so if your love is strong enough, hurry up and call. They’ll decorate the store and maybe even light a Slider Scented Candle to set the mood.

Kumar Was Vegetarian

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What the…? Huh? Kal Penn was faking the Crave the whole time? Give that man an Oscar.