An interesting article about regional Burger chains

Thought this article was kinda cool. Not sure how many are in our area (other than 5 Guys).

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38420989/ns ... _business/

I lived in Birmingham, Ala., for a few years and they have a burger chain called Milo's. The burgers come with a barbecue-style sauce and are pressed panini-style. I pass through there occasionally and always pull off the interstate for a Milo's burger.

Where is Home Run Burger on this list?

We have in Louisville the finest regional hamburger chain. WHITE CASTLE Many of us old folks still whine about the location closing at Bardstown Rd and Eastern Parkway. A great late night meeting place. Had a few for dinner last night and the dog proved they were good. Normally well behaved he got into the garbage can and empty containers were scattered about in a couple of rooms.

Years ago, my dad got a case of authentic uncooked White Castle burgers. He tried various ways of cooking them. They were OK but not White Castle.There must be some strange force that transforms them into White Castles instead of hamburgers.

It's a good thing there can only be one gutbomb burger chain per region, because Krystals is far superior to White Castle. The onion/grease/mystery meat ratio is in nearly equal portions on a Krystal unlike those wannabe squares.

Is it a good or bad thing that I've been to most of those places on that list? Kinda sad Pal's from VA/TN didn't make the list, regional classic. Usually try to make it by one when visiting my parents even though it's an hour and a half to the nearest one.

[Robin Garr]

It's a good thing there can only be one gutbomb burger chain per region, because Krystals is far superior to White Castle. The onion/grease/mystery meat ratio is in nearly equal portions on a Krystal unlike those wannabe squares.

Is it a good or bad thing that I've been to most of those places on that list? Kinda sad Pal's from VA/TN didn't make the list, regional classic. Usually try to make it by one when visiting my parents even though it's an hour and a half to the nearest one.

I think this is a matter of what we grow up loving, Madeline. I'm from here and was weaned on White Castle. I'll eat Krystal when I'm in the south, but they seem dry to me and just don't "slide" like real sliders do.

As you know, we're close to the WC/Krystal line here. I think Krystal starts in Nashville, maybe even Lexington. Funny they don't overlap ... I wonder if that's contractual, or a gentlemen's agreement.

OMG I never thought I'd see someone mention Pal's on here! It is hands down THE best fast food restaurant I have ever eaten at. I used to go there for lunch every day. Still do when I'm visiting my parents. It's the first place my uncle stops when he goes down there for the NASCAR races. My parents have to bring Pal's tea to any family gathering up here too. I just wish the Frenchie Fries would travel!

While I would love to see Pal's go national, I understand why they choose not to franchise. Pal Barger and Thom Crosby want to maintain and control the quality at all times, and if the chain got too large they wouldn't be able to do that, and then Pal's wouldn't be Pal's.

They are the only restaurant to ever win the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award...and they routinely score 100s on their health dept inspections. I've heard that the stores are so clean you could practically eat off the floor.

As you know, we're close to the WC/Krystal line here. I think Krystal starts in Nashville, maybe even Lexington. Funny they don't overlap ... I wonder if that's contractual, or a gentlemen's agreement.

There is some overlap. Bowling Green and Nashville have both. There are Whitecastles in Lexington, and Kystals in Mt. Sterling and Richmond. There used to be a Krystal in Danville (made the last year of college extra special for me), but I think it's closed now. I think the north/south divide is beginning to blur.

[Robin Garr]

There is some overlap. Bowling Green and Nashville have both. There are Whitecastles in Lexington, and Kystals in Mt. Sterling and Richmond. There used to be a Krystal in Danville (made the last year of college extra special for me), but I think it's closed now. I think the north/south divide is beginning to blur.

Well, I'll be durn. I started to challenge that, but had the good sense to go look on their Website first.

WC does indeed have a few locations in Tennessee, and some in Lexington, Bowling Green, Glasgow, etc.

As far as you know, though, Brad, is that a recent development? WC's traditional zone is definitely the "Rustbelt," and Louisville makes that cut as well as being "Gateway to the South." I know I researched their locations for an article not TOO many years ago, and Louisville and Cincy at that point were the southern extent of the empire, marking a clear geographical distinction between WC-land and Krystal-land. I guess that's changing in the age of deregulation.

There is some overlap. Bowling Green and Nashville have both. There are Whitecastles in Lexington, and Kystals in Mt. Sterling and Richmond. There used to be a Krystal in Danville (made the last year of college extra special for me), but I think it's closed now. I think the north/south divide is beginning to blur.

Well, I'll be durn. I started to challenge that, but had the good sense to go look on their Website first.

WC does indeed have a few locations in Tennessee, and some in Lexington, Bowling Green, Glasgow, etc.

As far as you know, though, Brad, is that a recent development? WC's traditional zone is definitely the "Rustbelt," and Louisville makes that cut as well as being "Gateway to the South." I know I researched their locations for an article not TOO many years ago, and Louisville and Cincy at that point were the southern extent of the empire, marking a clear geographical distinction between WC-land and Krystal-land. I guess that's changing in the age of deregulation.

To be honest, I don't know, Robin. I knew that there were both in Bowling Green (I have family in that area), and that Krystal had at least ventured as far north as Danville, but it was website research that gave me the Lexington/Richmond/Mt. Sterling and Nashville overlaps. The Bowling Green co-presence has been around at least 3 years though.

The Bowling Green WC has been there for at least 15 years.

I went to college in Bowling Green. I landed there in 1989, and the WC was already there.

It was a minor cause for celebration when WC opened in Etown back when I lived in Nelson County.

I'm not brand loyal. When I lived in "dual" towns, it just depended on my mood. I'm not a big mustard person, but sometimes I just wanted the different taste. Unfortunately I can't take off and drive to Mt Sterling every time I get a K craving.

Now back in the good ole days, one could find Mom and Pop type mini-burger places, and those were the best! I haven't seen one in years though. I still have memories from childhood of little roadside burger stands. It was such a treat to get those back then as we did not come to Louisville very often.

I do remember when I was 8 years old and hospitalized at St. Joe's. When I got well enough to fuss about hospital food, my Dad went to the Eastern Parkway WC and brought contraband burgers to me.