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What does the opening of the World’s Largest White Castle in Orlando mean for the Burger Beast? Plenty. I’m a giant fan of White Castle, particularly the Jalapeño Cheese Sliders. I love those guys!
I know I can buy the sliders at my local Walmart, but there’s something about hunkering down in an actual White Castle or picking some up through the drive-thru for an afternoon snack.
The announcement was exciting, especially since I was in Orlando. While I couldn’t make it to the Grand Opening Party, there are a bunch of pictures below.
Let’s cross our fingers that White Castle heads South, aka Miami.
White Castle in Orlando
White Castle Orlando Grand Opening Party
In November 2019, I attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the White Castle in Orlando. It had been a long time coming. Their Cravemobile visited Orlando and Miami for a few weeks in 2015.
By then, it had been almost 50 years since White Castle had set foot in my home state. From 1958 to 1967, there were two White Castle restaurants in Miami.
I found it odd that they had driven their Cravemobile to the Sunshine State since White Castle is based in Columbus, Ohio. But I knew they had to be up to something.
The Bring White Castle to Florida Facebook page did much of the virtual legwork to bring White Castle to Florida. They rolled the first pebble, eventually becoming the World’s Largest White Castle, so we have them to thank!
The day before May 3rd’s grand opening, White Castle invited friends and family to get a taste. Unfortunately, I had committed to a book signing in Jacksonville and could not attend. So I asked a friend of mine to go in my place and asked only one thing of him: Please snap plenty of pictures!
He did. Please enjoy them.
P.S.: Order at least one of the 1921 White Castle Sliders. The Orlando restaurant is one of a handful of restaurants that serve this fresh beef slider and have the Crave Pallet!
It’s Official: White Castle in Orlando
It is official: the White Castle (11595 Daryl Carter Parkway) in Orlando made its long-awaited debut on Monday, May 3rd, 2020. This restaurant is the World’s Largest White Castle.
On grand opening day, White Castle Orlando was open for take-out, dine-in, and drive-thru service from 8 AM to 1 AM. The regular store hours will be 9 AM to 1 AM every day of the week. Eventually, this castle will become a 24-hour-a-day joint.
There was a maximum order of 60 White Castle Sliders that day, so I hope you didn’t make promises you couldn’t keep to your friends and family.
Official White Castle in Orlando Announcement
November 26th, 2019 – I woke up, showered, and jumped in my car by 5:15 AM. Why? I’m heading to Orlando for White Castle‘s official statement regarding its future in Central Florida.
A few years back, White Castle‘s food truck, the Cravemobile, made a few appearances in Orlando, drawing long lines and hungry crowds. It followed that up with a couple of appearances in South Florida, one of which I helped organize in Miami.
White Castle Expansion
After considering all the facts, White Castle was likely announcing an expansion into Florida. However, since its opening in Wichita, Kansas, almost 100 years ago (1921), White Castle has stuck to the Midwest, except for two Miami locations in the late 1950s and mid-1960s.
Then, in 2015, they opened in Las Vegas, Nevada, and more recently in Scottsdale, Arizona.
After the three and 1/2-hour drive, I try to find the future castle’s location. All I know is that everything is going down at Daryl Carter Parkway and Palm Parkway. As I approach the stoplight at that intersection, I see the Cravemobile in the distance. I’m so distracted that I miss the turn and must go down the block to make a U-turn.
Talking to the VP
When I arrive, I’m greeted by White Castle VP Jamie Richardson, whom I’ve met on two previous occasions. Just earlier this year, I was able to do a signing for my book All About the Burger at their flagship store in Columbus, Ohio.
Jamie is like a steel trap and will not divulge any info yet. However, I see a few signs with the hashtag #WhiteCastleFL. I’m early, but we can discuss the Scottsdale location’s recent success and whether a Miami spot is possible.
Just kidding, we didn’t discuss that ::: wink wink :::
White Castle in Orlando Announcement Event
He starts the event by mentioning that they just announced on the Bring White Castle to Florida Facebook page that White Castle is opening in Orlando. Jamie also thanks their cravers for their devotion and loyalty to returning White Castle to Florida.
Then, the White Castle Royal Town Crier shows up in a whole period outfit with a hat and reads the official proclamation from parchment to us.
The town crier was a nice touch.
Here’s what we know about White Castle‘s Orlando location:
- This will be the largest White Castle in the chain at 4500 square feet.
- The castle will be at the Village at O-Town West.
- There will be 145 employees at this location.
- Florida makes the 14th state where White Castles exist.
- It will be open seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
- In 2 months, the ground will be broken.
- They hope to be open by late 2020.
While Jamie didn’t answer my Miami question, he did mention that their 1921 slider will be on the menu at the Orlando castle, which should be music to everyone’s burger-loving ears.
Also, I didn’t mention that everyone in attendance ate two cheese White Castle sliders, which were worth the drive to Orlando alone.
(Please note this article contains affiliate links. Your purchase will support Burger Beast by providing me with a small commission, but it will not affect your pricing or user experience.)
Do you think WC will open a place in Charlotte, NC? There’s a whole lot of northerners here that miss their sliders.
There’s always the possibility but they need to know you want White Castle in your area. My suggestion is you make a Facebook and try to rally the troops to let WC know that you mean business.