One of our favorite - if not a bit corny Valentine's Day traditions is celebrating your love for someone special at White Castle. Despite COVID, love is still in the air at White Castle! COVID-19 might have prevented the family-owned fast-food hamburger chain from offering indoor dining the past year, but it won't stop them from providing a unique dining experience on Valentine's Day. In fact, we think that this year's "Drive-In" Valentine's Day experience might even be their most romantic iteration of the tradition yet.
Love is still in the air at White Castle. COVID-19 might have prevented the family-owned fast-food hamburger chain from offering indoor dining the past year, but it won’t stop them from providing a unique dining experience on Valentine’s Day. This year, White Castle restaurants will transform into classic drive-ins, complete with carhop service, allowing customers to celebrate the holiday while remaining socially distanced. Reservations can now be made via the OpenTable website or app.
Love is still in the air at White Castle. This year, White Castle restaurants will transform into classic drive-ins, complete with carhop service, allowing customers to celebrate the holiday while remaining socially distanced. Reservations can now be made via the OpenTable website or app. Just for the day, the 20-Slider Crave Clutch will showcase a new, irresistible design befitting the Valentine’s Day festivities.
This year, White Castle restaurants will transform into classic drive-ins, complete with carhop service, allowing customers to celebrate the holiday while remaining socially distanced. Customers with reservations will pull into a parking space, where they'll be greeted by a White Castle team member who will take their order and deliver it to them in their cars.
Reservations for this limited experience are expected to go quickly, so customers are encouraged to reserve their parking space now through the OpenTable app or website. Hours vary by Castle.
"COVID forced us to re-imagine our annual Valentine's Day event," said Jamie Richardson, a vice president at White Castle. "This creative and safe solution allows us to celebrate a tradition our customers love. We're happy to share that once again this Valentine's Day, White Castle will become Love Castle."
Since 1991, White Castle restaurants have been celebrating Valentine's Day by transforming their dining rooms into fine dining establishments complete with hostess seating, tableside service and festive holiday décor. About 30,000 people – both first-timers and repeat customers – dine at a Castle each Valentine's Day.
White Castle didn't want to abandon the annual tradition because of COVID, especially since 2021 marks the 30th anniversary of the event. So more than 300 participating Castles will turn their parking lots into "Slider Lover's Point" and invite couples, families and friends to celebrate the holiday of love with a drive-in dinner at White Castle.
Customers will receive a brochure with suggested activities to entertain them while they wait for their food to arrive. And if that's not enough, a specially curated Spotify playlist will add to the entertainment. Called "Slider Lover's Luv Channel," the playlist will feature shoutouts to loved ones and love stories from Cravers around the country. White Castle will solicit shoutouts through social media prior to Valentine's Day.
For those who can't get a reservation or simply prefer to celebrate at home, there's always the option of getting White Castle to go. Customers can pick up a few boxes of Sliders from grocery stores and retail outlets across the country that carry White Castle's famous fare. They can pick up a carryout meal in the drive-thru by ordering on the spot or in advance using the White Castle app. Or, customers can remain in the comfort of their homes by ordering through one of White Castle's delivery partners. Just for the day, the 20-Slider Crave Clutch will showcase a new, irresistible design befitting the Valentine's Day festivities.
"What better time to host such a one-of-a-kind celebration than the 100th birthday of White Castle and the 30th anniversary of our Valentine's Day festivities," Richardson said. "Castle is the epicenter of where love is alive in 2021!"
Frequently Asked Questions About White Castle Valentine's Day 2021
Each year is a bit different and well ... man oh man is this year different than anything else we've faced before. Don't worry, White Castle has got your back, so grab your sliders and let's take a look at some questions you might have.
Q: What is White Castle doing for Valentine’s Day in 2021?
A: We’ll be celebrating Valentine’s a little bit differently in 2021 with a socially-distanced car hop
event at select Castles. Instead of dining inside the Castle, you’ll book a parking spot and enjoy your
meal car-hop style with car-side service.
Q: How does the Car Hop work?
A: Customers who have made a reservation on OpenTable.com will pull into a marked parking spot
at the Castle at the time of their reservation. A Team Member will greet them at their car to take
their order and provide a brochure with Valentine’s Day activities to enjoy while they wait for their
food. Team Members will deliver customers’ orders to enjoy in their car.
Q: When is the Valentine’s day car hop event?
A: Sunday February 14th at participating Castles. Hours for the event vary by Castle (some Castles
will have a daytime event while others will have an evening event). Visit WhiteCastle.com for more
information on participating Castles and event times.
Q: How do I book a reservation?
A: You can make a reservation for our Valentine’s Day Car Hop as early as January 7th! Please visit
www.whitecastle.com/vday to choose your location, you will then be sent to OpenTable.com to
confirm and choose your reservation time.
Q: When can I book my reservation?
A: Customers can book their reservations online at OpenTable.com or through the Open Table app
beginning January 7
th. This allows customers the ability to select their reservation time when it’s
convenient for them to do so.
Q: Can I get a table inside the Castle?
A: As social distancing measures continue; our Castles are not offering the traditional Valentine’s
Day dine-in experience this year. Please consider trying out our Car Hop event this year by booking a
Parking Spot on OpenTable.com!
Q: Can I get White Castle to-go on Valentine’s Day?
A: Our drive thrus will be open for to-go orders on Valentine’s Day!
White Castle Safety Measures in response to COVID-19:
- White Castle Team Members will receive a temperature screening prior to entering the Castle for their shift
- Team Members are required to wear face coverings during their shift—We also request that customers wear a face covering when speaking to Team Members at the Car Hop event.
- Increased Team Member hand washing
- Increased cleaning and sanitizing of kitchen prep surfaces and high touchpoints
- Minimum social distancing of 6 feet, whenever feasible
- Car hop orders will be delivered to customers in a sealed bag
- Contactless payment option available for the car hop event—order and pay from your car using the White Castle Mobile App! See car hop attendant for more details.
So, who's ready to take someone special to White Castle for Valentine's Day this year?!
