Being treated special on Valentine’s Day has become standard for many, and come Feb. 14, local residents can receive a taste of royalty by dining at the castle. The White Castle, that is.
“We give everyone that walks in the door the royal treatment,” said Patricia Cawthron, general manager of Murfreesboro’s White Castle. “Everyone gets to feel special in the castle.”
A White Castle employee for three decades, Cawthron said she and her team are gearing for the local store’s second Valentine’s Day celebration, wherein the public is invited and encouraged to spend the evening at White Castle on Valentines Day. Specifically, between 5 – 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, the White Castle on Old Fort Parkway will be transformed for a fine-dining experience to take place, complete with white tablecloths, dimmed lighting, Valentine-themed decorations and centerpieces, live music and a professionally dressed White Castle staff. Local diners can expect to be greeted at the door and seated by a host or hostess, and then offered the opportunity to order off the regular menu or from the day’s special menu. The meal will be served at the table by the restaurant’s staff, while a former employee and violinist plays for patrons. Following the meal, customers will have the option of having their photograph made, free of charge, to commemorate the evening.
“Everyone is all excited about it, (and) the whole crew gets involved,” Cawthron said. “They all want to dress up and . . . when the customer comes in, everyone on the front (serving) line is strictly there for our customers who are sitting in the dining room.”
Shanda Rodriguez, a team member since 2003, is among the White Castle crew who look forward to the heart-filled holiday event.
“I asked if I could help out,” she said. “It’s a different experience from standing behind the counter that you don’t get everyday.”
Patrons may make reservations by calling the White Castle store. But they’re not limited to the 5 to 8 p.m. time span.
“I would not have a problem letting people come in an hour earlier or later,” Cawthron said. “I am not going to turn anyone down. I will see that there will be someone here (to attend to them).”
Although 2007 was the first time the Murfreesboro location hosted the Valentine experience, the result “was just overwhelming,” said Cawthron, who added the store has already received calls regarding this year’s Feb. 14 event, which?at $13 or less for two?fits most everyone’s budget.
In spite of the savings involved, the White Castle staff takes its Valentine’s Day dining mission seriously, Cawthron noted, and last year’s diners reportedly were impressed.
“We had a couple that walked in (in 2007),” she recalled. “He was taking his date to Red Lobster, but the line was unreal so he asked his date, ?How about we go to White Castle?’ And she said, ?You know, I could not have asked for anything better.’ That really made our night,” Cawthron said, smiling.
While last year was Cawthron’s first time planning the event, “It was wonderful,” she said. “We started out with three reservations and ended up having 12 couples that came in.”
The store’s GM, along with her staff, immerses themselves into the event. In addition to the standard Cupid’s Crave Case offered last year, they added special touches to liven it up, including a small box of mints in the shape of a heart bearing the White Castle name. Cawthron said she lined the box with decorative tissue paper and added a picture frame that doubled as a magnet for the refrigerator.
One of the most memorable patrons from last year, Cawthron recalled, was a woman and her children.
“Her friend came in, made reservations and paid for everything, because she was going through a real hard time. The lady had no idea what she was getting when she walked through the door. All she knew,” she said, “was that she was told to come to White Castle and there would be something special for her and her children.”
“I will never forget this, her and her children sat over in the corner,” continued Cawthron, gesturing to the booth by the window. “She was in tears and said, ?We have never had anyone to do anything for us.’”
Because she’d had notice there would be children with the woman, Cawthron purchased, in advance, a small box of Valentine’s candy for each of the children and presented them with free hamburger coupons. Then, after their meal was over, the woman’s friend who made the reservations came in and Cawthron who was able to witness their special moment of crying and hugging.
“I really felt honored, that I was able to be here for this,” she said. “Just to see the smile on the children’s faces was unreal; it’s one of those things you never forget.”
To make your Valentine’s Day reservations at the local fast-food location or for more information, call (615) 895-7977 or visit whitecastle.com.
THE DISH
Name: White Castle
Location: 2206 Old Fort Pkwy.
Phone: (615) 895-7977
Hours: 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sun. – Thurs.; 8 a.m. to 3 a.m. Fri. and Sat.
Prices: Hamburger 56-cents; Cheeseburger 64-cents
