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Friday, May 29, 2009 10:41 PM CDT
Letter: City crews praised; how about a White Castle?

This is to the City of Charleston road and concrete crew and the Street Sweeper: a big thumbs up.

Charleston is starting to look good. It keeps looking good, it draws stuff to Charleston.

I have an idea for Charleston. I believe this idea could bring money to Charleston. How about a White Castle hamburger place? The nearest White Castle, I believe, is in Indianapolis. Again, City guys good job.

ERNIE STRUSKA

Charleston

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medic57 wrote on May 30, 2009 4:32 AM:

" The nearest White Castle, I believe, is in Indianapolis.

And that is plenty close enough. "

Early Bird wrote on May 30, 2009 5:02 AM:

" White Castle? Ugh! "

pj1983 wrote on May 30, 2009 6:10 AM:

" you believe wrong, they just put one in terre haute. "

Violet wrote on May 30, 2009 7:29 AM:

" Ernie, man, you really know how to shoot for the stars. White Castle? "

M wrote on May 30, 2009 12:15 PM:

" One of the most disgusting things I have ever had the misfortune of witnessing in my life happened in a White Castle. I can't stomach the idea of a slider. lol Harold & Kumar (in person) would be a fantastic addition to an opening day, though. "

Harry Potter wrote on May 30, 2009 1:05 PM:

" Just what we need, another greasy buger joint. Wow! I'm in agreement with Violet on this one. "

Responsible Party wrote on May 30, 2009 4:39 PM:

" I agree that the City of Charleston employees do a great job. You can include those in utility and other service departments.

As for getting a White Castle---don't hold your breath. Companies look beyond pretty when choosing locations--they want quality streets, adequate water and sewer facilities, reasonable taxes, incentives, stable populations, and professional amenable city management. They also look at success rates of like restaurants.

Considering that Wendy's, Hardee's, Sirloin Stockade, Little Mexico, Burger King, Reflections, Snappy Service and a long list of others did not survive, Chucktown wouldn't make the short list--or even the long list. After all, you are talking about a prestigious and accliamed eatery with a history of firsts...first industrial-strength spatula and first mass-produced paper hat. We don't stand a chance. "

jrmyers85 wrote on May 30, 2009 7:31 PM:

" I did contact White Castle a couple of months ago and they said that they already have plans for new stores for a couple of years from now and Charleston/Mattoon were not in the plans. I even started a group on facebook and no one wanted to join. "

medic57 wrote on May 30, 2009 8:58 PM:

" Harry Potter wrote on May 30, 2009 1:05 PM:

Just what we need, another greasy buger joint. Wow! I'm in agreement with Violet on this one.

White Castle doesn't even come close in taste to any other burger joint.

The Recipe for Sliders, Get ready.

100% Grounf Beef
Strained Beef Baby food mixed in.
Mustard and Ketchup mixed together.
Some kind of rehydrated onion bits.

In their favor, they are the cleanest restaurant in the country, Everything in the place is made of Stainless Steel. "

illinibill wrote on May 30, 2009 9:56 PM:

" Yo, Ernie - Don't set your goals too high now..... "

HisChild wrote on May 31, 2009 12:47 AM:

" How about a Red Lobster, a Juice Bar, a Sushi Bar, and a Vegetarian Restaurant complete with grill, patio & pool? "

medic57 wrote on May 31, 2009 12:10 PM:

" Hischild

All of these restaurants including White Castle draw from a certain kind of people, coles county does not have the population to support them. Hey Ernie, are you from the Chicago area? If so, that explains wanting a White Castle. "

Harry Potter wrote on May 31, 2009 12:31 PM:

" After all, you are talking about a prestigious and accliamed eatery...

What?

You see a lot of crazy things on here, but prestigious...come on!

Some how put the word prestigious in the same sentence as White Castle seems a bit of stretch. "

wmegan85 wrote on May 31, 2009 2:38 PM:

" WOW lets just say that the guys that work for city come on. The tire place across from bank of america says shop local, do they really think a white castle is going to do any good? I guess when college kids are in town it would because they all will head over there after the bar closes which will just cause more problems. Why don't we look into a strip mall that has more than 2 clothin stores and 2 places to eat? WHY not put a mall in. Yes we have a mall in mattoon but why doesnt anybody go there, because there isnt anyting there. I think people need to start thinking what will bring people into this town. If a hobby lobbys would come in we were be getting out of town people like crazy. They than will have to go out to eat some where so why dont we put a good sit down restruant like an apple bees or fridays Yes lincolns food is good but If i want a sit down meal i get tired of going to the same place over and over again. So my thing is wouldnt it be smarter if a store like hobby lobbys comes in than a sit down restruant before we know people will be stopn here just to go to 2 places just something to think about "

medic57 wrote on May 31, 2009 4:16 PM:

" wmegan85

Charleston has had JI Worthy's, Krackers, 2 places downtown, Reflections, all decent places. They are all gone now because no one would support them. Charleston couldn't even keep a Hardees or Famous Recipe. "

DONEdone wrote on May 31, 2009 4:42 PM:

" a person doesnt have to be from chicago to want variety. it is sad the only variety around these parts is whether to have fries with your burger or coke with your pizza. you can always go to lincoln and get dirty looks from the kitchen staff if you so desire. as for white castle, their food is actually decent compared to some of the slop that passes for food. what i notice is that alot of people are scarred of a little difference in the world, and that which you fear, you also despise. "

devilishangel61401 wrote on May 31, 2009 5:50 PM:

" WMegan I do think that Red Lobster was suggested when the new shopping plaza was being introduced to Mattoon, I know the paper had a poll of what stores people would like to see in the Charleston/Mattoon area and there were several that were listed, such as Red Lobster, Target, I think Hobby Lobby made the list too. I think it would be great for Charleston and Mattoon to work toghter to draw new businesses to the area; some of my ideas : Red Lobster, Hobby Lobby, Golden Corral or a Sirloin Stockade, Fashion Bug, Target, Khol's, Circut City ( I think Best Buy is totally out of businesses now) Kmart, ( they still have lay-a-way good for this economy when we are all watching our money) Old Navy ( so we don't have to drive to Tuscola or Champagin to shop in one) just for a few suggestions. I did eat at EL Krackers once they were too pricey for my wallet, thankfully my mom was visiting and she paid for the meal. I try to shop locally as much as possible, but I know several people who shop Effingham or Champaign because as they say " the Mattoon/Charleston area doesn't have anything." If there are stores that draw people from out of town to shop they will be likely to eat here as well, not only will a variety of businesses bring in new business but keep more people who live in the area's dollars here as well. "

medic57 wrote on May 31, 2009 6:21 PM:

" As far as shopping goes, I miss Hueys. If they didn't have it, you didn't need it. "

kamfong wrote on May 31, 2009 6:59 PM:

" Hows about Bob Evans or Ihop ? "

AnnaNiemaus wrote on May 31, 2009 8:45 PM:

" I've always heard that Red Lobster won't locate here because there is no major airport close enough for the food to be shipped timely enough to be fresh ... not sure how much truth there is to it.

Also, lots of businesses will not locate in a town if the population doesn't meet some minimum requirement - so be sure to mail in your census forms next year! "

Harry Potter wrote on May 31, 2009 8:52 PM:

" Mattoon and Charleston can't get any of these name brand restaurant franchises because they're all going to Effingham. Instead of wasting her time on FutureGone, perhaps the Queen of lost causes, Angela, should focus on getting some chain restaurants here. Actually if one opened up here and created one job that would be one more more than FutureGone ever will. About the only thing FutureGone ever did was to keep Angela in a job for far too long. It's time for her to take her dog and pony show down the road. "

medic57 wrote on May 31, 2009 9:06 PM:

" IHOP would be great, Bob Evans sucks. "

Billie Brant wrote on May 31, 2009 9:34 PM:

" I like Bob Evans! "

Responsible Party wrote on May 31, 2009 10:34 PM:

" Harry Potter wrote on May 31, 2009 12:31 PM:

" After all, you are talking about a prestigious and accliamed eatery...

What?

You see a lot of crazy things on here, but prestigious...come on!

Some how put the word prestigious in the same sentence as White Castle seems a bit of stretch. "

Come on, Harry....what about the first industrial strength spatula and the first mass-produced paper hats? How much more prestigious can you get?

I happen to like the slyders...it brings back a fond childhood family memory. But, you must consider that I am somewhat tolerant of a lot of things---even some very rude posters (not you, Harry...at least not yet) "

northsider wrote on Jun 1, 2009 4:52 AM:

" The purpose of Coles Together (Angela) is to bring INDUSTRY to Coles County not businesses. If you want more restaurants, see the chamber offices. "

kamfong wrote on Jun 1, 2009 6:59 AM:

" anybody remember Gracies Roast Beef,or Mrs.Stablers Pie House? "

just watching wrote on Jun 1, 2009 7:16 AM:

" "its time for her to take her dog and pony show down the road" lmao "

Harry Potter wrote on Jun 1, 2009 7:42 AM:

" " The purpose of Coles Together (Angela) is to bring INDUSTRY to Coles County not businesses. If you want more restaurants, see the chamber offices. "

Well, no kidding...

It was a tongue in cheek post, northsider. Sorry you didn't get it. "

medic57 wrote on Jun 1, 2009 7:42 AM:

" DONEdone wrote: what i notice is that alot of people are scarred of a little difference in the world, and that which you fear, you also despise.

Especially when it come to White Castle.

northsider

Tell the Kroc family that mcDonalds is not an industry. I would imagine McDonalds has as many employees in Coles County as G.E. does.

I happen to like the slyders...it brings back a fond childhood family memory.

What memory, drinking lots of Kaopectate? they are called sliders for a specific reason you know. "

Harry Potter wrote on Jun 1, 2009 8:06 AM:

" I'm with Billie on the Bob Evans idea. Sorry medic, but you have your assessment backwards, in my opinion. I've always though IHOP was overrated and overpriced. The question is probably moot, because neither one of those chains are likely to come to our area, well Effingham, maybe. "

misterdeez wrote on Jun 1, 2009 8:32 AM:

" Terre Haute will soon be the nearest one.

But if this area gets one, it will more than likely be in Mattoon. Charleston has an image problem that the town fathers really need to do something about. "

Becky wrote on Jun 1, 2009 10:33 AM:

" I like "Perkin's" :D "

zeldalu wrote on Jun 1, 2009 10:37 AM:

" Bob Evans and IHOP are both good places to eat, but who can afford to eat at those places? Especially if there is no place to make any money to go out to eat in the first place. The city needs to get somewhere to make money first, then maybe just maybe we can get some good places to shop and eat at. Just my 2 cents! "

medic57 wrote on Jun 1, 2009 11:49 AM:

" misterdeez

Nope, it would be in Charleston because about 60% of EIU students come from the Chicago area.

kamfong wrote on Jun 1, 2009 6:59 AM:

" anybody remember Gracies Roast Beef

Oh, man, it makes my mouth water just thinking about Grace's Roast Beef, I live about 4 blocks away and I can still smell it. The finest BBQ Beef sandwich in history. New Orleans couldn't touch it. "

Becky wrote on Jun 1, 2009 12:08 PM:

" kamfong wrote on Jun 1, 2009 6:59 AM:

" anybody remember Gracies Roast Beef,or Mrs.Stablers Pie House? "

Yes I do!!! And it was great food. I used to help Mrs. Stabler make her pies when I was a teen. She was a great lady. "

CrowWoman wrote on Jun 1, 2009 12:55 PM:

" I'm with Billie B. and Harry P. I would like to see a Bob Evans located in the area.

I don't care for IHOP, at least the one I've been to. The food was pricey and not so good--plus, it seemed to be barely warm. And then there was the hair I found nestled in among the fixings on my hamburger.... "

Harry Potter wrote on Jun 1, 2009 1:31 PM:

" Come on, Harry....what about the first industrial strength spatula and the first mass-produced paper hats? How much more prestigious can you get?

OK OK I give, RP. Upon deep reflection on the issue, I have come to realize that White Castle does represent the ultimate in prestige dining. Maybe we can get Angela to go to work on them. "

Responsible Party wrote on Jun 1, 2009 2:04 PM:

" medic57 wrote on Jun 1, 2009 7:42 AM:

What memory, drinking lots of Kaopectate? they are called sliders for a specific reason you know. "

I think that specific phenomenon applies only if one is already full of "it". "

Responsible Party wrote on Jun 1, 2009 2:12 PM:

" Harry Potter wrote on Jun 1, 2009 1:31 PM:

" OK OK I give, RP. Upon deep reflection on the issue, I have come to realize that White Castle does represent the ultimate in prestige dining. Maybe we can get Angela to go to work on them. "

Welcome to the club...at least it can fill an empty spot and bring in some McJobs and cash---which beats what we have now. "

Mcough wrote on Jun 1, 2009 5:37 PM:

" White Castle is an absolutely terrible place to eat I wouldn't feed a dog one of their sliders. The reason a franchise or (chain)restaraunt won't come to charleston is because for 3 months while the college is gone there is no business BW3's wouldn't build here, neither would applebees. Why? because there is no profit in a business in a town where there is very limited help, and business! "

Hooligansmom wrote on Jun 1, 2009 5:48 PM:

" White Castle? My cousin took me to one in Indy in 1979 and I soon realized why all his friends called them "Maggot Muffins" What Coles County needs are more jobs not low wage jobs but higher paying jobs. Jobs that have decent wages and benefits. Jobs that actually support families. If good jobs come and stay I think other businesses will follow. "

hammbone wrote on Jun 13, 2009 1:08 PM:

" Arnt these the people that butter the buns? Sliders are greasy enough! let alone add butter.I'm sure I will soon be corrected If I'm wrong.
Anything is better than White Castle
Olive Garden,Red Lobster,How about a Trader Vic's Or a Class act Like Morgans Steakhouse,or less Class Ruth Chris Steakhouse.You wont go into a Morgans in a tee shirt though.
I ate at a Morgans and Ruth Chris in San Diego and it was Great.Nothing low class about that place. Not like the run of the mill stuff we have around here.Dominics would also be a nice place.Anything has to be better than a White Castle for pete's sake. "