White Castle opens in Apple Valley

Wayne Olsen of Apple Valley, a World War II veteran who says he’s been enjoying White Castle burgers since the 1940s, was presented with the first Slyder off the grill at the newly opened restaurant on Cedar Avenue. Olsen is pictured with City Council members John Bergman and Ruth Grendahl. Photo by Andrew Miller
City leaders tout long-awaited burger joint on Cedar Avenue as economic asset
by Andrew Miller
Thisweek Newspapers
The wait is over. Apple Valley has its White Castle.
The fast-food chain with its signature Slyder burger and ubiquitous “What You Crave” marketing campaign opened Sunday, Aug. 15, at the former location of Boston Market at 15101 Cedar Avenue.
City officials and business leaders touted the new restaurant as an asset to the commercial district at Cedar Avenue and County Road 42.
“It’ll be a draw,” said City Council Member John Bergman, who actively campaigned to bring White Castle to Apple Valley following the announcement of Boston Market’s closing two years ago. “My understanding is once they open, they never close.”
Ed Kearney, president of the Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce, said the restaurant’s popularity among fast-food consumers will create a “spillover effect,” drawing residents of surrounding communities to the city.
Factor in the relative paucity of White Castles in Minnesota (Apple Valley’s is the 17th), combined with the already high traffic flow at County Road 42 and Cedar Avenue, and you’ve got a winner.
“This business corner, this is one of the two busiest corners in all of Minnesota with 78,000 cars daily,” Kearney said.
The Columbus, Ohio-based company, which bills itself as “the first fast-food hamburger chain ever” as well as the first to sell a billion hamburgers, announced its plans to open an Apple Valley location more than a year ago, and the buzz had been building.
“During construction, we had people coming through every five minutes and asking when it was going to open,” said Robert DeYoung, White Castle’s regional director of restaurant operations.
Wayne Olsen of Apple Valley, who was on hand for the restaurant’s ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Aug. 13, numbers himself among the restaurant’s legions of devoted customers.
A World War II veteran, Olsen says he’s been a fan of White Castle burgers since the 1940s, back when the burgers sold for a nickel.
As city leaders waited in line to sample the Slyders following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, White Castle management presented Olsen with the first burger off the grill at the new restaurant.
The verdict?
“They still taste the same,” Olsen said with a smile as he munched on the inaugural Slyder.
The Apple Valley location is the second White Castle in Dakota County and only the third south of the river, with restaurants at 4515 S. South Robert Trail on the Inver Grove Heights/West St. Paul border, and at 8011 Old Carriage Court in Shakopee.
Andrew Miller is at andrew.miller@ecm-inc.com.






So happy they are in Apple Vally. We’ll be patrons often
Should be where Canes is – the BEST corner in the city and they put some average chicken place there
BK was there before Canes…..that corner is great for eye candy but getting there isn’t the easist of places.
JP
Thank God for Capitalism. I bet they do not have any goverment workers that we are not paying taxes for. Not like the City of Apple Valley Liquer stores. Maybe White Castle should take them over. That’s why I shop in Rosemont.
Hey Mike, Raising Cane’s is NOT your “average chicken place”! They are far and above “average”! They blow the doors off of KFC any frigging day. I’m willing to bet you’ve never had chicken at Raising Canes, have you?? Besides, White Castle got a great location in one of the busiest areas of Minnesota. I was glad to see Boston Market go out. I will be an often customer there.
I agree, Raising Cane’s should not be dissed. The chicken fingers are meaty and moist, the crinkle fries are righteous, the toast is flown in daily from Texas, and even that eccentric dipping sauce has grown on me. I need to get it off somehow.