Krystal Restaurant

Krystal was my first "favorite restaurant" that I can remember.  I was about four years old, and our parents would take us to the Krystal that was then across Baxter Street from the high-rise UGA dorms in Athens, Georgia.  

I've had Krystals only a couple of times as an adult.  The last was 12 or 13 years ago in the wee hours, after a good French Quarter bender.  In that context, they seemed like friggin' manna from Heaven.  (But then, a half-loaf of Wonder Bread probably would have, too.)

In the context of a long road trip during which I was stone-cold sober, though, I totally understand why I loved this crap when I was four.  (Or hammered.)  Krystal burgers are like baby food:  all soft mush, including the cardboard-thin "meat" patty, which has almost the same texture as the fluffy white buns.  The patty is also a rather unappetizing grey-ish color.  Only the slightly soggy pickles offer an alternative, vaguely crunchy texture.  Almost all of the flavor is supplied by the grilled onions, the yellow mustard, and the griddle grease Krystal smears on the buns.  

In short, Krystal burgers really aren't all that good.  You really do need to be a child to love this pablum.  Or really drunk.  So this experience did not live up to the very fond memories.  But, yeah, as road food, you could still do a bit worse....

Fries were surprisingly good.  I hadn't recalled that.  

Upped at least a half-star for sentimentality.

N.B. It was only relatively recently that I learned that this Southern "tradition" was basically a complete rip-off of a quite-a-bit- older Yankee tradition, White Castle.  This was a somewhat depressing discovery.

Yummm Krystal burgers!  We stopped at Krystal on the way home from the Smokies, and it was delicious fast food; as good as it gets!  Obviously, you're not getting gourmet from a cheap fast food spot, but the Krystal burgers were spot on sliders, and I was really impressed with the delicious chik sandwiches.  For those of you from the midwest, think White Castle, but the mini burgers are all beef, a definite attraction!  Also, Logan behind the counter was one of the best, friendliest cashiers that I've experienced at a fast food restaurant.  Thanks, Logan!