White Castle is now open in Orlando: 7 fun facts you never knew
ORLANDO, Fla. - Central Florida diners are getting anxious: the largest free-standing White Castle in the world opened in Orlando on Monday.
White Castle opened its highly anticipated Orlando location shortly after 8 a.m. on Monday. The tiny-burger chain will stay open until 1 a.m. but workers anticipate that they will be serving the line until about 4 a.m.
Known for its little square-shaped hamburgers, the menu also includes a variety of sliders like sloppy joe sliders and chicken and waffle sliders. If you need a side to go with your main entree, you can choose from a variety of options like mac 'n cheese nibblers, chicken rings, corn dog nibblers, and of course, french fries.
Photo from WOFL
Photo from WOFL
RELATED: White Castle announces official opening date for Orlando location
You might be wondering what the big deal is. After all, Florida has had White Castle's rival, Krystal, around for years. Here's something to keep in mind: back in February, White Castle had to shut down its virtual kitchen completely after just a couple of days in operation because of the overwhelming demand!
Expect the lines on opening day to be long, so while you're waiting, check out these fun facts about White Castle.
One of White Castle's original owners invented the flat patty
Walt Anderson was reportedly working as a cook and became frustrated with meatballs sticking to his griddle, Mental Floss reports. Out of frustration, he smashed one. Thus, the flat patty was invented.
The White Castle name was chosen to combat the negative image of 'unhealthy' burgers
Food Beast reports that because Upton Sinclair’s 1906 novel, The Jungle, exposed the harsh working conditions and unsanitary standards in meat-packing facilities, America wasn't too keen on the hamburger biz. That's when Anderson and his business partner, Billy Ingram, chose to call their business "White Castle" to convey a "sense of purity and strength."
Photo from WOFL
What does the number 103 mean for White Castle?
That is reportedly the most sliders eaten in one sitting, completed by food-eating competitor Joey Chestnut in just 8 minutes.
You can celebrate Valentine's Day at the castle
What better way to show someone you love them then to promise them a romantic date over tiny cheeseburgers? Valentine's Day is a longstanding tradition at White Castle where they take reservations for couples to have a delicious meal. "Every year, reservations fill up quickly at most of our Castles," the company says.
White Castle was the first fast-food chain in America
Started in Kansas in 1921, White Castle is widely credited as the first fast-food concept in the U.S.
The company's website reads: "In 1921, Billy Ingram launched a family-owned business with $700 and an idea, selling five-cent, small, square hamburgers so easy to eat, they were dubbed Sliders and sold by the sack."
White Castle is also recognized as the first fast-food hamburger chain to sell 1 billion hamburgers!
You couldn't get a cheeseburger at White Castle until 1961
According to the company’s website: "Forty-one years after opening our doors, we [took] a calculated risk and added our first new menu item: the cheeseburger!"
Star of 'Harold and Kumar go to White Castle' is a vegetarian
Turns out Kal Penn, who starred in the 2004 comedy, was faking 'the crave' the whole time.
Now we can add that the largest, freestanding White Castle exists in Orlando, Florida!
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