When & Where Did That Eating Place Start?-- Part 4: Taco Bell, Wendy's & White Castle

19.  SUBWAY--    Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 1965.  At first known as Pete's Super Submarines, then Pete's Subway and then shortened to Subway.  They have 37,000 places in 100 countries.

20.  TACO BELL--  In 1948, Glen Bell opened  hotdog stand in San Bernardino, California.  In 1951, opened a taco stand and the first Taco Bell in Los Angeles began franchising in 1964.  When he had 868 locations in 1978, he sold Taco Bell to PepsiCo for $125 million.

21.  TGI FRIDAYS--  Manhattan in 1965.  Currently  300 locationsin U.S..

22.  WAFFLE HOUSE--  First one opened in 1955.  Now  1,900 locations in 25 states.  I always chuckled when my nephew referred to it as "Awful House."  Great food though.

23.  WENDY'S--   1969 in Columbus, Ohio.  Named for his daughter.  March 2022, opened 7,000th restaurant.  I'd put their chili up against anybody.

24.  WHITE CASTLE--  1921 in Wichita, Kansas.  Some 400 locations, mostly in the Mid West. Love Them Sliders.

So That's How the Bell Came In.  --RoadCastle

Back to Indy-- Part 2: A Great Spot to Stay at the Track and Cicero/Chicago Neighborhoods

May 28, Friday

I managed to eat four Sliders despite efforts by two long-eared mutts intent on joining me.

We were not able to attend the Indy 500 last year because of you-know-what.  I had been to nine before that.  We were all looking forward to going back.

I doubt anyone can have a better place to stay for the race than us.  We have been at the Speedway American Legion Post 500 for the last six years.  How do you like their post number?  I've been told they had quite the time to get that number.  Works for me.

We are right across Georgetown Road from the Speedway.  You can't get much closer than that.

Plus, we have electricity, a big plus in an RV when you're "camping" as it were.

After picking up John at the motel near the airport, there was some discussion as to how to get back to the interstate.  This caused a rather long drive through busy streets with lots of stoplights.  And, then we ended up driving through quite a few neighborhoods, but I enjoyed looking at some beautiful landscaping in from of Chicago's famed bungalow.  Plus, there were blocks and blocks of square houses.

Just Along for the Ride.  --RoadDog

Back to Indy-- Part 1: Cold and a Case of Sliders and We're On Our Way

Last weekend, I went back to the Indy 500 race after a one-year period because of the you-know-what.

We left on Friday, May 28, 2021.  I went with the usual cast of characters.

MAY 28 2021

I got up early and managed to get blog entries into six of them before driving over to Ingleside, Illinois, with Liz and meeting Sue and Paul, whose RV I was riding there.  They moved from Long Lake, Illinois, a little over a year ago and now live by Santa Fe, New Mexico.  They are staying at a friend's house there.

I also got to meet my two new travel companions, Stella and Chico, a brother-sister pair of  King German shepherds.

And, it was C-O-L-D!!!  Way too cold for this time of year.  Sadly, it was also cold in Indianapolis.  Plus, we had sprinkles and light rain on top of it which stayed on and off the whole way to Indianapolis.

The owner of the house has done a great landscaping job and has a pool of giant koi and gold fish.

Once we left, we drove Rollins Road east to Grand Avenue where we stopped at the White Castle by Gurnee Mills for our annual Slider Fix, much to Sue's chagrin.  Now we had a 30 case with plenty of extra pickles and Dusseldorf mustard.  (To me, a proper Slider must be "fixed" with plenty of pickles and a slab of that mustard to be right.)

Of course, those Sliders drew the attention of Chico and Stella.

Breakfast of Champions as we got on the Tri-State to pick up Paul's brother John at a hotel near Midway Airport.  John is the fourth member of our contingent.  

--RoadDog

Back to My 20.4 Mile Road Trip-- Part 4: Hitting the Garden Centers

Like I said, this was the farthest I had drive from home since the coronavirus hit and Illinois closed down back on March 17, 2020.

Munch sliders as I drove north on Illinois Highway 31, I went to two stores in McHenry, Illinois, to check out what they had in the garden supply nursery area.  This is also one of my favorite things to do in life.  I especially enjoy this as the winter doldrums and cold are leaving and spring is springing.  Nothing like those smells to put you in the mood.

I went first to Home Depot and then Meijer, both located north of McHenry in Illinois Highway 31.  I didn't buy anything at either place.  Meijer had very little left and Home depot had a lot.  But there wasn't much on sale.

That is one thing I have been noticing during the pandemic and that is that prices have gone up some, there are not as many plants and flowers for sale and there just isn't much on sale either..  Usually this time of the year there are a lot of great sales with very low prices and that is when I really start buying.

Actually, we had another MCCWRT discussion group meeting at the Alginquin Panera Bread store and this time I remembered to set the trip odometer (the last time I just looked up distance between Spring Grove and Algonquin and it said 20.4 miles).  Today, the distance from home to Panera was 22.3 miles.

Must be a Virus Thing, You Know.  --RoadDog

Back to My 20.4 Mile Road Trip-- Part 3: A Slidering I Go

July 25, 2020.

Back on Randall Road driving northward for the next place I really like. And that meant all the traffic and all the construction and changing lanes and fun and games.  Fortunately, the stop lights (and there are a lot of them) are set so it mostly a straight run, at least until you get to Algonquin Road and then a stop for generally at least two cycles.

Remember, there are probably every single big box store, smaller national chains and national restaurants, usually in several rows going back off Randall for a four mile stretch.  So lots of cars.  They are expanding Randall to six to eight lanes, but I doubt even that will be enough.  Very close to gridlock.

Anyway, my last stop in Algonquin (or Lake in the Hills as both towns/villages are in that area) is at the Home of the Slider, that would be White Castle!!!  Before the virus, I would often leave the MCCWRT discussion group meeting at the Panera Bread in Crystal Lake and drive to Algonquin to go to Half-Price Books and White Castle.

Well, since I was already in Algonquin, Sliders it be.  And, they had a special of 10 sliders for $6.99, so I figured to get twenty.  (They are excellent nuked the next day or two.)  I went inside to get 'em, figuring I would eat four or five then go on my way.  But, in these v days, I did not.  The inside was closed for everything except take out.  I mean, even the bathrooms were closed.

So, I got my twenty Sliders and enjoyed four of them while driving.  A Slider is just the right size to eat while driving and I didn't have to worry about getting a ticket like I would if I was on the old (2003) flip phone.

And, they were perfect.  Right off the grill and piping hot with a bun that literally melted in your mouth.

Few Things Finer Than a Fresh, Hot White Castle Slider.  --RoadSlide

About Last Weekend-- Part 2: Civil War, My Favorite Store, Slider Fix, No Band, Sunnyside, Band

SATURDAY,  JULY 27TH

Drove to Crystal Lake, Illinois, where the McHenry County Civil War Round Table discussion group was talking about turning points of the war.  I have a deep interest in this war (as my two blogs about it attest).  Afterwards I drove to nearby Algonquin to my favorite store these days (one of the few where I understand everything in it) Half-Price Books.  I bought a Civil War book and three CDs.

Then, to White Castle for my Slider fix.  We wish there was a White Castle nearer to us, but then we're glad there isn't.  Too much temptation, you know.

It got to be too late for the afternoon band at Choppers so ended up at Sunnyside Tap and a real good time with our jukebox karaoke.

SUNDAY, JULY 28TH

Enjoyed the FP and the gazebo.  Listened to Rock and Roll Roots and recorded Breakfast With the Beatles. on my cassette tape.

We went to Stucky's in Johnsburg and had a good time with Jim Sieg and his band.  I had the premium bucket of bottles, 5 for $15).  Afterwards to Sunnyide.

Why Go Anywhere Else?  --RoadFun

About Last Weekend-- Part 1: Brews, Sliders, Bars

Some say summers are for vacations.  I agree, unless you already live in a vacation spot as we do.

THURSDAY, JULY 25

Few things finer than sitting out on the front porch (FP) and having breakfast, coffee, reading the newspaper, looking at the flowers and listening to the birds.  I do this most every morning during the summer and fall.

In the afternoon, we met friends at Bulldog Ale House in McHenry and enjoyed the $3 craft and import beer special.  Then went to the PLAV (Polish Legion of American Veterans) for their $1 version of sliders.  We were thinking of going to the Big Band concert in Veterans Park but decided not to.  Ended up at Sunnyside Tap in Johnsburg.

FRIDAY, JULY 26

FP.  Met friends at the Fox Lake American Legion in the evening.

--RoadDog

One Really Good Weekend-- Part 2: The Civil War, CDs, Sliders and a Bar Crawl on a Hay Wagon

SATURDAY, JUNE 22

Drove to Crystal Lake, Illinois, for the McHenry County Civil War Round Table discussion group meeting at Panera Bread, this month's topic "The Union Navy at Vicksburg."   This Navy is my favorite aspect of the war.  I talked about Porter's run past  Vicksburg with his fleet and his attack on Port Gibson.

Afterwards, I went to two of my favorite places:  Half-Price Books and White Castle in Algonquin and took care of my book and CD needs as well as got my Slider fix.

Later in the afternoon, I went on the Sunnyside Tavern's bar crawl hay ride to places in Johnsburg.  Going bar to bar in a hay wagon is something I don't think I've ever done before.  We started with food at Sunnyside and then rode the hay wagon over to Stucky's and Raymond Bowl.  Then to Half-Times and then to Oak Park Lounge and Cabana's on Pistakee Lake.

Oak Park Lounge has been open since the 1890s and still looks about the same.  They had a fundraiser for the Johnsburg 4th of July fireworks which will be taking place there and had a pig roast and band.  We returned to Sunnyside and enjoyed a great soul band, Peter & the Versatiles.

Now, This Is How To Spend a Day.  --  RoadDog

2017 Indy 500-- Part 6: Good Eating and a Hockey Playoff Game (Not the Hawks)

Continued from February 25, 2019.

MAY 25, THURSDAY

We now returned to the RV and had Sliders and Paul did some grilling.  We eat well the whole time we're at the Indy.

Afterwards we went to the American Legion where they had a deejay and $2 drafts.

We watched the hockey game between the Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins.  Sadly, no Blackhawks as they were swept in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  One time during the much ballyhooed "Dynasty" days of the Hawks when they played a must-win game against the Detroit Redwings.  A loss and the Hawks went home.

At first there were a few Detroit fans in the Legion, but more and more Hawk fans began arriving and with our guys playing well and all the cheering, pretty soon the Detroit fans were gone.

--RoadDog

2017 Indy 500-- Part 1: We're Off With the Sliders and Bumps

MAY 25, 2017, Thursday

Met Sue and Paul and later John, Paul's brother, at their place by Long Lake (Chicago Northwest suburbs) and left.  Made our prescribed stop at the Gurnee, Illinois, White Castle for a case of the good stuff (20 Sliders) and were on out interstate way at I-294 to I-65 in Indiana then on to the racetrack.

We go in Sue and Paul's RV who take turns driving.  But, it always seems that poor Sue gets the roughest driving stretches.

This section of I-65 has to be the worst for bumps, clatters and teeth-rattling anywhere in the U.S. (yes, even worse than the manhole covers on US-12 in Fox Lake).  Of course, RV suspensions aren't the best, but golly.

Gas in Lafayette, Indiana, was $2,26, in Indianapolis $2.18.  Always, the closer you are to expensive town Chicago, the more expensive the gas.

We have had a camping spot at the American Legion Post 500 in Speedway for the last several years and this is a prime spot as we are right across the street from the race track.  Makes getting back and forth mighty easy.  Just a short walk.

We are in a small grove of trees and in the past on grass, but most of our site now is asphalt.  There was a lot of standing water around as they have been hit the last few days with heavy rain.

Rattle Me Bones.  --RoadChatter

Trip to the Indy 500, 2012-- Part 2: On the Road Again

MAY 25, 2012, FRIDAY

Liz drove me over to Sue and Paul's place in Long Lake and we left at 8:05 a.m..  Other than walking through an RV on rare occasions, I had never spent much time in one, but that was to change over the next four days.  It was my Home Sweet Home on Wheels.

We picked up Paul's brother John at a weigh station along the interstate.  He lives in Batavia.  I immediately found out a major drawback to RVing when we filled up with gas in Rennsalear, Indiana, and the bill came to $211!!  OUCH!!

We stopped at West Lafayette at a Meijer's and a White Castle Craver attack.  Sliders for the race.  Not much better than a hot, greasy, oniony slider.

Lots of fun on I-465 with all that traffic and then even more as we got off and made our way to the racetrack area.  A lot of people make a weekend out of the Sunday Race.  Some even get there a week earlier.

Sliding Away.  --RoadDog

Easter Trip Back to Our Past-- Part 5: Sliders and Wauconda

Shopping done, it was time to eat.  Since Photos was closed, we stopped across the street from Half Price Books at the White Castle.  As usual, we both ordered deal #1: 4 Sliders, fries and drink for $5.19.  Hard to beat Sliders when on a trip back to the past.  The taste brings back the memories by itself.

Then, back to US-12, Rand Road, and heading home.  We took Old Rand Road through Wauconda.  The current US-12 is actually a bypass, but the original is still marked through this town and Lake Zurich as Old Rand.  Remember, the 1926 US Highway system was cobbled together using paved main streets in towns as part of the improved road.  Stretches in between were then paved.

Downtown Wauconda now has n Irish Pub at Middleton on Main, in an old 1880s hotel with one of the most interesting bars you'll find anywhere. Wauconda was at one time a summer resort area for Chicagoans who would take the train.  It is on Bangs Lake.

Just north of downtown is the site of two beaches that used to be major spots for teens in high school back in the 60s and early 70s.

--RoadDog

White Castle Debuts Slider for Veggie Lovers-- Part 2

Regular beef sliders range from 140 to 220 calories depending on toppings.

The Veggie Slider did well during testing in New York and New Jersey.  And, the company claims it is unlike anything else on the menu, which includes sandwiches made with beef, chicken, fish, cheese and bacon.  (Even occasionally pork.)

White Castle says they are committed to keeping up with customer tastes..

A petition on Change.org. is going on around Chicago to bring the Veggie Sliders here.  So far it has more than 107,000 supporters.

Of course, I like my Sliders covered with onions, the more the better.  And, on top of those, there needs to be wall-to-wall pickles and, of course, Dusseldorf Mustard.  Would that be considered a veggie slider?

Still Wondering Why the Indiana White Castles Do Not Have Regular Diet Coke and Duusseldorf Mustard.  --RoadDog

White Castle Debuts Slider for Veggie Lovers-- Part 1

From the Jan. 2, 2015, Chicago Tribune by Tim Barker of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

White Castle restaurants, the long-time home of the proverbial Slider with all its meat, grease and onions (and pickle) is about to have a Veggie Slider.

The Ohio-based fast-food chain is now offering just that at its 400 restaurants around the country.

This new tint sandwich sells for 99 cents and features a Dr. Praeger's veggie patty, chock full of carrots, zucchini, peas, spinach, broccoli and more.  They have between 150 and 270 calories and are topped by your choice of three sauces: honey mustard, ranch and sweet Thai (What! No Dusselforf Mustard??).

Said the Slider-Lover.  --RoadDog

Doing My Lincoln Highway Centennial Thang-- Part 3: Sliders and Hawk Gear

I went to White Castle for my Lunch of Champions, namely the #1: 4 sliders, fries and drink for $5, less senior discount.  I was shocked at how fast they got the order out to me.  Usually a visit to the Castle requires a wait. 

As usual, I didn't get very many onions on my sliders.  It is a standing joke for Liz and myself that whenever we go to White Castle and order out #1s, she gets the sliders loaded with onions (and she doesn't like them) and I get the ones with very few.  We end up trading sliders so everyone is happy.

Then to Wal-Mart to look at the nursery for plants and see if they had any Blackhawk gear with the Stanley Cup on it.  After all, our guys won the Stanley Cup Monday night.  They had stuff so started gathering items until I noticed that most of them were for Western Conference Champions, meaning they were going to play for the Cup.  I wanted stuff with Stanley Cup Champions.  So, I put everything back except a cap that had Stanley Cup Champions on it.

Looking for Blackhawk Stanley Cup gear would be a running theme the whole way back home.

Then to Lowe's to look at the nursery and bought an interesting hosta.  I received a call from Denny while there, saying he was getting lunch with the other caravan folk at the Joliet Museum and would be on his way after that, so I had plenty of time to kill.

Love My Grilled Onions.  --RoadDog

And, An Airporting I Go: Some Trials and Tribulations on Tuesday-- Part 1

MARCH 20TH

Liz and I drove to Milwaukee, making our usual stop at the White Castle in Kenosha on Wi-50 and I-94 to take care of our slider crave. We usually get the 4.99 4 sliders, fries and drink special and use that wonderful senior discount. Of course, I then have to customize the burgers to my criteria.

Gas was $4.16 to $4.20 everywhere in Wisconsin. On the 11th, it was $4. Sure is an early summer driving excuse this year from the money grubbers.

I had already gotten my boarding pass at home and only had my carry on, so no wait at the counter. I always make sure I get to go to that great Renaissance Books in the terminal. This is one of the best used book stores you will find anywhere and who would have thought you'd find it in an airport terminal. Even if you're not flying somewhere, they will validate your parking for an hour if you buy something.

I found a book on Fort Fisher, "Hurricane of Fire: The Union Assault on Fort Fisher" by Charles M. Robinson. Of course, Fort Fisher is the battle that got me interested in history and particularly that of the Civil War back 53 years ago. And, even better, this is a book I didn't have. So, bought it for $25.

A Great Experience So Far, But Wait. --RoadDog