Sliders

Recently, the Significant Other and I met friends for a drink at a local bar during happy hour.   The place was full, mostly of men in their 20s and 30s.  They all seemed to have ordered the same food from the happy hour menu: sliders.

The waiters carried out plate after plate of "short rib sliders." Virtually every young man had a nice plate of tiny sandwiches sitting next to his glass of craft beer.

Other menu items -- pizzas, salads, even cheese-stuffed dates wrapped in bacon -- were nowhere in evidence.  The evening was all about sliders.


Sliders in Recent History

I first became aware of sliders several years ago, when we visited a new steakhouse in the next town over.  The menu included "sliders," a term new to me, and I asked the waiter that it meant.

The waiter, a New Jersey native, explained, with a petulant roll of his eyes, that sliders were small hamburgers, served in groups of three. Then he walked away.  It's a Jersey thing.

During the evening, I observed the slider popularity.

All the men ordered plates of sliders as their first course.  All the women ordered sliders as their main course.  Sliders were selling like hotcakes.


The Origin of Sliders

There are many people on the internet who take their hamburgers -- and sliders -- very seriously.  Most of these people are men.

The generally agreed-upon history of sliders is that they were invented in 1916 by the founder of the White Castle hamburger chain.  (Just think: Next year will be the Slider Centennial!)  Sliders sold for a nickel apiece.

According to the Kitchen Project blog, the definition broadened some years later.  I quote:

      "There is considerable evidence that 'slider' was a term used for a hamburger in the United
         States Navy, perhaps as early as the 1940s or 1950s.  The term 'slider' meant a greasy
         burger that slid in easily.  A 'slider with a lid' was a cheeseburger."

Now the term "slider" has reverted to its original definition.  It is discussed widely in culinary blogs, almost always by men.  The men have posted several recipes for slider patties and tiny buns.

My general take is that authentic sliders are steamed with chopped onion, but that is as far as I dare go.  People who want food preparation advice should not look to me, as my many relatives will attest.


Advice to Restaurateurs

The popularity of sliders seems to be a male thing, just as fast food seems to appeal mainly to young men such as those I observed the other night at the bar.

The McDonald's restaurant chain is going through a tough patch right now.  If it wants to regain its mojo, I recommend adding slider appetizers and slider entrees.  Or slider appetizers with great big hamburgers for the main course.  Pairing these items with beer would be a sure-win strategy.  

I'd buy stock in a company with a menu like that.