Mackenzie Martin, a reporter-producer at KCUR Studios known for her work on "A People's History of Kansas City," joins Jeremy Brooks, a dedicated White Castle enthusiast. They dive into the cultural impact of White Castle, exploring its unique square sliders and the nostalgic flavors that define American fast food. The discussion unveils the origins of the modern hamburger and White Castle's pioneering role in the fast-food revolution. They also reflect on quirky traditions like celebrating Valentine's Day at White Castle, emphasizing its role in community and shared experiences.
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A Lifelong Craving
Jeremy Brooks, a lifelong White Castle fan, reminisces about going to White Castle with his dad.
He highlights the unique square patties, onion flavor, and soft buns, emphasizing the love-it-or-hate-it nature of the food.
insights INSIGHT
More Than a Punchline
White Castle's limited presence contributes to its unique cultural status.
Despite its obscurity, it holds a significant place in American history as a fast-food pioneer.
insights INSIGHT
Pre-Burger Era
Early chain restaurants served fancier clientele and weren't truly "fast food."
Typical food carts and automats lacked what we now recognize as hamburgers.
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In 'Selling 'em by the Sack', David G. Hogan explores the history of White Castle and its influence on the rise of the hamburger as a symbol of American cuisine. The book tells a story of entrepreneurial success through luck and hard work, highlighting how White Castle became an integral part of American food culture.
Drive Through Dreams
Adam Chandler
The Jungle
Upton Sinclair
Published in 1906, 'The Jungle' follows the life of Lithuanian immigrant Jurgis Rudkus and his family as they navigate the brutal realities of working-class life in Chicago's meatpacking district, known as Packingtown. The novel highlights issues such as public health hazards, extreme poverty, and the cruel treatment of workers and animals. Despite Sinclair's intention to expose labor abuses, the public reaction primarily focused on the sanitation issues in the meatpacking industry, leading to significant legislative changes, including the passage of the U.S. Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act.
White Castle has its own take on fast food hamburgers. For starters, the patties are square, with five holes in each patty. And they’re small, too –- two-and-a-half inch sliders. Just big enough to fit into the palm of your hand. And since they’re steamed on a bed of onions, everything is infused with this very specific onion-esque flavor.
Today, White Castles can be hard to find, depending on where you live. But KCUR's Mackenzie Martin, a producer at A People's History of Kansas City, says that it’s time to stop thinking of White Castle as a semi-obscure cultural punchline, because over a century ago, White Castle invented something that became so important and all-encompassing that, today, it touches pretty much every person in America. Sometimes several times a day. Something that, in other countries, has almost come to define American culture: it has a strong claim to being the first fast-food restaurant.
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