Have you ever thought of what inventions came from Kansas, or what foods have been made here for the first time? The first slider ever made and served to the public happened right here in Kansas, and caught on to be a worldwide trend. This special burger slider made its way to a true food legend in no time, and we’re lucky enough to be part of the beginning.

In Wichita, the first slider was born when Billy Ingram’s first restaurant opened up and started the craze.

White Castle Facebook

Back in the year 1921, no one expected White Castle to be as big as it’s grown, least of all Ingram. But we’re thankful for the invention of sliders, because mini burgers never tasted so good.

White Castle Facebook

That small slider shop eventually turned into the national craze as we know it, and restaurants would pop up all over looking a little less like that brick building and a little more like a miniature white castle.

raymondclarkeimages/Flickr

Even a Time Magazine poll named this simple slider the most influential burger ever, surpassing 16 other burgers on the list. Sliders are just that special.

prettywar-stl/Flickr

Sadly, Kansas no longer has a White Castle within its borders, but we luckily have someone one year younger. Starting in 1922, a restaurant opened up in Salina to make sliders of their own, seeing how popular White Castle was already.

The Cozy Inn Facebook

Today, you can still pick up a bag of burgers at Cozy Inn, fresh off the oniony grill.

elaine banman/Google

For more bites from our history, check out 10 of Kansas’ longest running restaurants, where you can eat the same foods your grandparents or great-grandparents would have.

White Castle Facebook

raymondclarkeimages/Flickr

prettywar-stl/Flickr

The Cozy Inn Facebook

elaine banman/Google

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Wichita, KS, USA