My Elegant Valentine's Day Dinner at White Castle

a paradise for two,

a place without a hassle,

our exotic, local White Castle!

hamburgers, a cup of coffee,

a feast for you and me,

what a wondrous place to be!

What joy! What ecstasy!
by Robert O. Adair

This year we did not dress up and stress up, do the gourmoo, order the wine, (he did bring me roses) and blow the budget. Nope, we made reservations and we went to a castle. A White Castle! It seemed like a reverse cool kind of thing to do. Sort of like buying a diamond at WalMart. We saw there were tablecloths and candle light, fake flowers and menus, and we thought "This is White Castle?"
We thought we might splurge and get the double jalopeno cheeseburgers for $1.70 each. Or the double bacon cheeseburgers for $2.12 each. Or the Sweetheart Special, 10 sliders, 2 fries, and drinks for $11.14. But instead I got the fishwitches, and he got box after box of sliders, fries, onion chips. They give you a menu, they take your order, they bring your drinks, they serve your food, you just think the word ketchup, and they bring you some. Refills. Free pink iced cookies. This is White Castle?

Sam Cooke was even singing "Cupid, draw back your bow" over the sound system. We posed in front of the special White Castle Valentine's Day back drop for a souvenir picture. (Mustn't forget to download it from the White Castle web site later in the month.)

Our friends think we're crazy. I think we're crazy. My date thinks he really got away with something. Valentine's dinner for two for under twelve bucks! Not everybody knows about this romantic White Castle promotion though. One couple wandered in, were asked if they had reservations, and then went back out and checked the sign. This is White Castle?

Surprisingly, I didn't hear people saying "This is where we met." Or, "this is where we had our first date." Nope, it wasn't sentimental. It was a kick. But not in the pants. (Where the wallet is.)

Tell you the truth, I have never liked White Castle food. I have never liked the White Castle smell. But the White Castle staff at the Noblesville, IN location put so much heart into this night, decorating and taking pictures, and rushing around with food and drinks, I had to love their spirit. And the crowd was having so much fun, showing up in tuxes, or t shirts that looked like tuxes, kissing and laughing and carrying on, I couldn't help but have a great time.

Planning to go back next year? That depends. If they bring in a strolling violinist and serve champagne. And they really should up the prices.

Source:
Personal experience