I only just recently learned that former burger giants White Castle and White Tower were once raging competitors.

Why does this matter in a world where McDonald’s reigns supreme? Sorry, WC and WT but it’s true.

Sure, White Tower went by the wayside a long time ago, though White Castle still continues to stand royally in many a U.S. city to this day. But really, what’s the point?

No offense WC but really, I don’t think most of America knows you exist.

Sure, maybe in some big markets (or perhaps really small ones?), White Castle regally remains. But again, I must ask, why, exactly?

Trying to outsell burgers from the McMasterbrand seems not only silly but inane.

Yes, I meant inane and not insane. However, there is a strong argument for the latter, if you consider it. I mean, why try to compete with the mighty Mickey D’s when they are clearly the burger choice of the entire world?

I absolutely do not mean to belittle Burger King or Hardee’s, friends, but I checked into it and discovered the following per Burgerpedia, er, I mean Wikipedia:

“Burger Chef was an American fast-food restaurant chain. It began operating in 1954 in Indianapolis, Indiana, expanded throughout the United States, and at its peak in 1973 had 1,050 locations, including some in Canada. The chain featured several signature items, such as the Big Shef and Super Shef hamburgers. In 1982, the General Foods Corporation, owners of the Burger Chef trademark and name, divested itself of the restaurant chain, gradually selling to the owners of Hardee’s. The final restaurant to carry the Burger Chef name closed in 1996.”

Now, I can’t give you any logical rationale here, my peeps, but for some odd reason, it bums me out that Burger Chef is no more.

Perhaps it’s because I remember them being so popular in my youth. Perhaps it’s because, at least in my mind, a chef has a lot more culinary experience and know-how than a king? Then again, perhaps it’s simply because I’m a sucker for nostalgia. Methinks that’s the most likely culprit, BT dubs.

But I am aware that capitalism is alive and well here in the old US of A. And thank goodness for that. It’s just me, being silly, I suppose.

However, any way you slice it, burger palaces serve a whole heckuva lot of hungry Americans each day. And I don’t even mean that as a Jib Jab at hot dogs, honest!

Kimerer is a columnist who should probably just cook at home more often. Send her your juicy, tomato and lettuce-topped thoughts at pkimerer@

zoominternet.net.