Investment banker Harold Lee is coerced by his colleagues into doing their work while they go out partying. His friend, Kumar Patel, attends a medical school interview, but intentionally botches it to prevent getting accepted. After Harold fails once again to talk to his attractive neighbor, Maria, he and Kumar smoke marijuana together, during which they see an advertisement for White Castle and decide to get hamburgers. They travel to the nearest one in New Brunswick, but find it replaced by “Burger Shack”. However, they are told of another White Castle in Cherry Hill. On the way there, Kumar stops at Princeton University to buy more marijuana.