Welcome to the Waffle House

Founded in 1955, the first Waffle House was just a tiny rectangular box; it has since grown to a chain of 2,000 restaurants, mostly in the South, that serve up grits, hash browns, and of course waffles, all day and all night. Luke Burbank talks with the customers who come at all hours to sample the Waffle House's menu that Atlanta Magazine food critic Mara Shaloup calls "meats and starch and sugar and butter and grease and everything that's comforting and wonderful."

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[sherylwallace]

Julia was, by far my favorite. She had so much to offer Hells Kitchen. Very rare to see someone with class and integrity on a competition show. Hats off to you Julia. Oh yeah, you can definitely cook.

[TheLDG]

Julia from Hell's Kitchen season 3!!!! She finished in 4th place!!! Love her!!!!

[patsycav]

You haven't lived, until you've partied all night and then had breakfast at Waffle House. There's no room for a hangover, after eating breakfast there.

[mrdonsmith]

I worked as a network news cameraman covering Hurricane Hugo (for another network). Looking for stories in the storm's aftermath my correspondent and I came upon a Waffle House where its sign was blown over and it crashed through one end of the building. Part of the side of the building was missing and it's power was out, BUT IT WAS OPEN! The manager was making scrambled eggs using its gas-powered cooktop! We were so grateful because it was next to impossible to find something to eat in the storm's aftermath and we were desperate. Thank you Waffle House and thank you nameless manager for being such a trooper.

[mdtaylor]

I have nothing but respect for restaurant workers. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication. God bless!

[JackCamino]

I've eaten at many Waffle House and the staff is always excellent.

[yummitunekookie]

I love, love, loooove Waffle House--but I'm shocked that Julia Williams never took up Chef Ramsay's offer of free culinary school so she could move on up. She was definitely a fan-favorite as the underdog in Hell's Kitchen (Season 3), so it's a little disappointing. Oh, well; I don't know her life, and I don't know what influences her decisions. I just hope she's happy and doing well!

[theylied]

In the South, there are two things that make you a true southerner. Being at Krispy Kream at 6 A.M. when the Red Neon, "Fresh Hot" sign comes on.... and Going to a Waffle House at 4 A.M. after a night of partying.

[mikeelek]

You can see how she brought her Hell's Kitchen experience with her to the Waffle House in how she calls out the orders and controls the staff. I bet she puts out a great breakfast.

[hojo]

Calorically dense with meat, starch, sugar, and grease. Mmm

[dogbarbill]

Yes, Waffle House is open 24/7, but there's one more little fact that was not mentioned: they are open EVERY DAY of the year. They simply don't close, even on holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving. I love them for this.

[LandNfan]

I’m a huge fan of Waffle House breakfasts, and it annoys me greatly that we don’t have any in Evansville, IN. The nearest one is almost a two hour drive. So I rarely get to indulge in my favorite morning feast, a western omelet plate with scattered, smothered, covered, chopped, and diced, and coffee...oh, that coffee! No one has better coffee! Although, that other southern classic, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, comes close.

[geraldmcdevitt]

I always go there when back in South Carolina. The best place to mingle with your neighbors, family or friends. This I think is the reason why the people are so friendly and down to earth in the south. I love you all!!!

[jackjames]

I think that julia woman was in an episode of kitchen nightmares years back

[robertdozier]

My dad LOVED Waffle House!!!
R.I.P Dad...

[JacobMutumbo]

One good one he wont wake up to see tomorrow 👊🏽-x

[robertrodgers]

Even Anthony Bourdain approved of Waffle House. My favorite is the ham & cheese omelette (how they get it so fluffy is still a mystery), plain hash-browns, toast with strawberry jam and black coffee.

[aaaaaaaaaaaa]

This place is one of the sweetest memory I have with my brother. Pork chop and sweet tea.

[moparedtn]

Something this story neglects to mention is that Waffle House is also among the first to load up mobile kitchens and heard towards disasters when they strike as well.
It's a good-hearted company, a national treasure if you ask me.

[stevelogan]

They are consistent and good with reasonable prices.