Slider Sensation!

Unless you've been living under a rock the past couple of years, you MUST have noticed the increasing love we've been giving Sliders, Hamburgers' baby brother. These little guys have been popping up on the menus of all sorts of eateries, from diners to the Cheesecake Factory. The itty-bitty burgers offer all the delicious juiciness of a full-size burger with a fraction of the guilt (that's if you can resist chomping down on more than one). Sliders first took their spot on our plates thanks to Walter Anderson & White Castle.

White Castle and its infamous burgers came about in a time when the general public was weary about consuming ground beef in an "on-the-go" sort of way. It was 1916 and bad publicity concerning low-cost beef had been looming for years. It had been10 years earlier that the novel, The Jungle had been released and people continued to be disgusted and questioned the purity of America's beef supply. Anderson made it his mission to create an extremely clean image for his emerging fast-food chain. He also wanted the burgers to be as low-cost as possible and, thus, the Slider was born.

The 5-cent Slyder (as WC spells it) was unique in its size and in the process in which is was cooked. The pounded 2.5"-thin patty was and still is steam-grilled on a flat griddle over a bed of chopped onions. The famous square bun is also steamed with the burger to soak up its juices. No oils or fats are added in the steaming of the burgers. Successful marketing strategies and the increasing appetites of White Castle's fan base has led to most patrons consuming at least four of the burgers in one White Castle trip. The Crave Case is the answer to many a frat boy's prayers.

Not a bad looking frat boy...

Handsome or not-so-handsome, the Crave Case is always sexy

The original slider was prepared in this steam-grilled way, but in the last few years there's been quite a development in taste, presentation, and creativity. Today they are served more like "mini-burgers" as opposed to sliders. The difference is in the harder bun that keeps the burgers standing tall, as well as the traditional flame-broiled method of cooking. Toppings have been used from bacon to jalapenos to guacamole.

The options are endless, and as the late Billy Mays (RIP) showed us, we can make them right in our home. The Big City Slider Station is VERY easy to use and makes yummy, equal-size sliders in minutes!! When making sliders at home, which of course I've done on many special occasions (as well as regular Friday nights with no plans), the best bun I've come across is the Pepperidge Farm Classic Wheat Sliders. Soft. Delicious. Healthy.







The ever-growing popularity of sliders and mini-burgers has given way to the inception of other mini versions of our favorite sandwiches, including the Reuben, pulled pork on a roll, and Philly cheesesteaks. For a snack or for dinner, they are the perfect meal. Whoever said good things come in small packages was onto something.

I couldn't resist!


https://www.bigcityslider.com/flare/next