As a young boy in the summer of 1962 I visited an older brother and sister-in-law in Atlanta for a few weeks and discoverd the Krystal in downtown Atlanta near the Atlanta Journal-Constitution building. I thought their little burgers were great; they were certainly a novelty. My brother agreed to breakfast at their suburban location a few times, so I could again have the hamburgers.

In the summer of 63, I was introduced to White Castle, while visiting another older brother in Indianapolis. I liked them immensely.

Unfortunately, I cannot eat WC burgers anymore. Though I’d like to enjoy them about once a year, I always get ill. I cannot help but think they’re sometimes undercooked (make that under-steamed). To be fair, maybe the problem is with me, or the particular WC near my home.

I haven’t had a Krystal burger since that summer of ’62. For some reason, I’m never willing to stop at their quick service drive-thrus. Maybe I should give them a try. Maybe they won’t make me ill.

A brief historical note from Krystal’s corporate Web site:

"Founded in 1932, The Krystal Company is the oldest quick service restaurant chain in the Southeast and the second oldest chain in the United States. Enjoyed by three generations of Americans, Krystal is a cultural icon……

The first Krystal restaurant opened in 1932 on the corner of Seventh and Cherry Streets in downtown Chattanooga, Tenn., amid harsh financial times of the Great Depression."