Readers from other countries and some parts of the U.S. may not know what White Castle is, but St. Louisans sure do. I love White Castle. There was one in my neighborhood in Queens when I was growing up and I became devoted to it.
The chain serves tiny, square, steam-grilled hamburgers, so moist and aromatic. Many people look down their noses at the place, as if it were the bottom rung on the fast food chain. (Wrong - that honor goes to the Hardee's / Carl's Jr. chain, headquartered in our city, a major promoter of obesity and cardiovascular disease.) I don't eat there often. It makes me feel a little guilty and heaven knows what's in those burgers (never looked at the nutritional data) but if I need a little cheer-up, it's the best comfort food around.
The entrance looks ominous, particularly in this Lensbaby B&W. Makes me think on the sign on the gates of hell in Dante's Inferno: lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate, or, abandon all hope you who enter here.
The chain serves tiny, square, steam-grilled hamburgers, so moist and aromatic. Many people look down their noses at the place, as if it were the bottom rung on the fast food chain. (Wrong - that honor goes to the Hardee's / Carl's Jr. chain, headquartered in our city, a major promoter of obesity and cardiovascular disease.) I don't eat there often. It makes me feel a little guilty and heaven knows what's in those burgers (never looked at the nutritional data) but if I need a little cheer-up, it's the best comfort food around.
The entrance looks ominous, particularly in this Lensbaby B&W. Makes me think on the sign on the gates of hell in Dante's Inferno: lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate, or, abandon all hope you who enter here.
I have never had White Castle, despite innumerable opportunities. And now that I'm far far away in the UK, you're making me regret that decision!
ReplyDeleteI ate there at least twice while I was working in St. Louis. They are tasty little bite size burgers. We don't have this chain in Arizona but you can buy a box of them frozen in most supermarkets.
ReplyDeleteWhere I grew up in Quincy Illinois, our "back-home" treat is the Maid-Rite sandwich. Yum!
Oh man I miss White Castles...home of the fart burgers! I loved watching them make peoples' orders and I'll never forget the intoxicating smell. It's been almost 5 years since I've savored their cheeseburgers. When I get back to the US, one of the first things I want do is go to White Castles. Thanks for posting this picture!
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