What is a slider?

[luckyfatima]

I have seen "slider" mentioned a few times on CH. Google only yields results about baseball. So, what is a slider in reference to food?

[JohnE O]

Typically a small, greasy cheeseburger like the ones served at White Castle's.

[smartie]

I see them all over the place these days, mini burgers (2 or 3) with a small helping of fries.

Why the word slider? Is it because the innerds of the bun slide out when you bite?

[JohnE O]

I believe they're called 'sliders' because they're small and greasy and slide easily down one's gullet.

[Sargent]

You have to have them from White Castle. Best from the restaurant - tho the ones in the grocery store freezer will do in a pinch.

[jfood]

A Slyder with a "y" is served at White Castle, a steamed burger that many people love, including jfood. You can eat 4-6 of them without a blink. Normal size is 2" X 2"

Then the Slider with an "I" became popular at many restaurants. They can be prepared using beef, pork, turkey, tuna, etc. Jfood has seen many proteins used.

[smokeandapancake]

pranna (NYC) makes a delish lobster slider...buttery, tender...oh so good.

http://www.cheese-burger.net/stories/...

[KTinNYC]

Interesting that White Castle no longer uses the spelling "slyder" in their ads or on their website. I wonder why it fell out of favor.

[jfood]

OMG it must have occured over the last year.

Thanks KT and have a happy NY (that's new year)

[KTinNYC]

Happy New Year to you too.

[boagman]

Pay no attention to those who like White Castle...their foodie status is entirely in question based on this alone. ;)

A slider is, indeed, a small greasy *hamburger* which, yes, can have cheese added to it. A standard slider has a bun, beef, pickles, and grilled onions. Ketchup and mustard can be added if you like them that way (I don't). A great slider is just plain wonderful, and a lousy one (such as the atrocities they serve at White Castle) is reason enough to make you give up on the human race.

But yes: they're so-named because of the way they can "slide down" the gullet because of the greasiness. I grew up eating some *seriously* good sliders at Green's Hamburgers in the Detroit area of Michigan. We also have White Castles here, and I *never* patronize them at all. They are *disgusting*. Why *anyone* would "steam grill" beef (I'm not even kidding about that!) is beyond me...but not only does it *sound* gross, it tastes even worse!

[worldwarz]

You don't belong in Detroit if you DO NOT EAT AT WHITECASTLE.

[FrankD]

+100

[SonyBob]

Sorrry, warz, I've gotta' stick with boagman. Sure, most of us Detroiters of a certain age have experienced White Castle, usually after experiencing something of a somewhat more herbal persuasion, but as far as an addictive taste sensation, nothing approaches a good 'ol Detroit family run slider place, be it Brays, Greens, Bates, or even Hunters. There's something about a White Castle that makes the first one or two taste okay but then they start to taste awful.That's only my personal opinion.
Bob

[worldwarz]

While I have enjoyed the many other fine slider establishments in the Detroit area there is nothing that I miss more then White Castle. Since moving to SW Arizona there has been nothing left to fill the void of a sack of ten after the bar. The little taco carts down here just can't do it. My favorite in my younger days was a sack of cheeseburgers and a sack of chiken rings. You take a chicken ring and put on top of the patty then enjoy.

[soupkitten]

ah. the "chicken ring." so what part of the chicken--or any other fowl or mammal-- is ring shaped? ;-P

[SonyBob]

The same part of the chicken that nuggets come from: the processed, extruded, slurry of glop part!
Bob

[worldwarz]

Not to worried about where it comess from. But it tastes Magical on top of the cheeseburger.

[ScubaSteve]

they slide in and slide out.

steamed hamburgers are a religion in some parts.

[nomadmama]

I grew up around the Detroit area as well and had the GREAT PLEASURE of really experiencing a real slider! Greens and Hunter House Hamburgers are truly the definition of an honest slider.

[bbqboy]

original sliders
http://cozyburger.com/

[SonyBob]

A great history on this place. If I can locate Gary Bates, I'll try to get some history behind the Detroit establishments but 1922 sounds about right. I'm an old K-Stater so Salina would be okay with me!
Bob

[soupkitten]

well, Worldwarz, i guess i know why i don't feel at home in detroit.

a slider is a tiny sandwich, served on a teeny bun, with extra grease, fer cheap;
or it's the same thing with a premium protein and an artisan garnish at 10x price on the small plates menu.

[shaogo]

The only thing I have to add is that when making sliders the patty should be cooked on a griddle, and onions have to be involved in some way.

White Castle hamburgers may not be the crusty, medium-rare, juicy burger that we've all come to know and love. But that little piece of meat, steam-grilled over onions, is a taste that just can't be duplicated (believe me, I've tried). It ain't gourmet, but methinks it's Chowish.

Soupkitten hit the nail on the head... all the restaurants that have embraced the "slider" craze have lost sight of what they're all about. Instead of "pork, beef and salmon 'Sliders' with onion conserve, arugula and artisan cheese" they should just say "three elegant little sandwiches etc..." Pork, salmon, turkey and (ick) tofu have no place in a sandwich called a "Slider."

[SonyBob]

Several references to Detroit on this thread. Gary Bates, Bate's Hamburgers in Novi, offered classic sliders. Gary always claimed that what made them a true slider was that the onions were cooked in with the meat. He also mixed a little pickle juice in the mustard. Didn't necessarily have to be with cheese.
My Bate's slider story: There used to be an Oxford Inn in Novi, across the street from Bates. Bobby Higgins, the owner and gracious host of the Inn always throw's a New Year's Day appreciation party for his employees and a few good patrons. He pulls out all the stops, a catered affair with live music, entertainment and everyone dressed to the nines. Anyone who knows Bobby, knows that he's 100% class. The catered buffet was wonderful - meats, seafood, pasta - everything top notch. As the evening wore on, Gary Bates and his wife went across the road, cooked up about 150 Bate's sliders and returned with a bunch of grease soaked bags filled with the goods. It was hilarious to watch the whole crowd, in suits and evening gowns' stampede for the sliders after dining on an exquisite buffet! Just goes to show you where our priorities were.
Novi Bates is long gone and Bobby Higgins is still working his magic in Royal Oak but I'll never forget the famous Bate's burger episode!
Bob

[foodiesnorth]

We see sliders on occassion but never really thought of making them until we saw this rather handy BBQ kit for just that purpose. It was at Sur La Table in the Miracle Mile in Planet Hollywood in Vegas. Very cool...came with little burger holders for 9 burgers in a grill holer that let you flip all 9 at the same time. It also came wit a bun cutter an a mold for the burgers. I think it was $40.

Kids love them an they need not be greasy...the slide I think refers to the size (as in sliding down the throat.

[JohnE O]

The easiest way to make sliders is to take ground beef, mix in a package of onion soup mix and press the mixture into a jelly roll pan so that it's about 1/4" in thickness. Then bake and cut into squares the size of Parker House rolls. Top with cheese and pickles.

[pasuga]

Some fast foods are addictive. If you like silly movies, rent "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle." It pretty much explains everything . My Mom was a terrific cook who could make anything taste good, but she would drive miles out of her way to get a White Castle burger.

[duck833]

Hmmmmmmmmm, Sliders!

Just ordered a togo order of them at The Cooler Tavern, just down the street from Autzen Stadium in Eugene. Got half with cheese, the other half with cheese and bacon.

Sent the queen down there for the pickup, don't want to miss any football. Bunch of sliders and a few good local micro's make a great lunch!!!

Go Ducks! Pac-10 champions

[Midlife]

You've gotten lots of help on the definition of 'sliders'. Sounds like you could also use some help with Google. When you want to find something on Google (or ANY search engine) it helps to add a second search word that is more specific than the non-specific term that you're looking for. Googling 'slider food' brings up lots of things that would have answered your question, while 'slider' alone doesn't.

Hope this will help you in the future.