The Waffle House – before I first came to the South of the US, I didn’t know anything about that nor had ever even heard about it. This restaurant chain can be found anywhere in the South. But what exactly is The Waffle House? Are they only selling Waffles?
The Waffle House: a typically Southern thing
To us, The Waffle House was something totally new in the US. We have never seen a restaurant in the North or West of the US. In Southern Florida, we saw it the first time. It became really dominating in the South, no matter where you are, a Waffle House is already there. There are more Waffle House restaurants that Starbucks, Subway or McDonalds. Its logo can be seen anywhere: black letters with yellow background. Check for that sign to find a restaurant. To me, it’s the face of the South.
I have never seen a Waffle House ad anywhere, neither posters nor TV spots. I only discovered it by looking out of the window while we were driving. I think here in Germany, the brand itself is totally unknown, that is why I call it an insider’s tip.
Restaurants are generally open 24/7 and are breakfast restaurants. All meals are available all day long. To me, American breakfast is a full meal, something I can eat for lunch and dinner as well.
Information about breakfast in the US can be found here.
Menu: All Kinds of Combinations
The menu itself is small, even though there are many ways to combine things. There are all kinds of fried food: waffles, eggs, hashbrowns (a kind of potatoe pancake), ham, bacon, sausages, toast and sandwich. All these single elements can be combined, for example fried egg with cheese toast and ham or hashbrowns or raisin toast with scrambled eggs. Hashbrowns can be combined with many different vegetables (tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, etc.). Cheese, bacon, sandwiches, toast and eggs can be added to anything. All sweet meals (anything with waffles) come with maple syrup, chocolate sprinkles, peanut butter, blueberries and strawberries. The dinner menu also offers steaks and burgers, again many ways to combine things. For drinking, they offer sodas, coffee, tea, cocoa, orange juice. Not a huge variety of drinks, but for me more than sufficient.
All in all they have a variety of savory and sweet single elements that can be combined. I think this place is good for anyone who expects basic food. You won’t find anything sophisticated here but all kinds of normal, regular food. Of course, not terribly healthy, everything fried in oil and no low calorie meals. But that is American hot breakfast.
Their restaurant themselves are rather small the kitchen is open, small in width but long and covers one side of the restaurants. The first row of tables is directly next to the kitchen; that is how waiters served you, directly from the stove. Also, there is a “bar area” everywhere, with a counter for single visitors. The atmosphere is rather personal and convenient at the same time. The furniture itself is basic and modest, even compared to other American restaurant chains like Denny’s and IHOP. It really feels as if you are in someone’s kitchen that is making food for you.
To me, The Waffle House is a good way to eat without having to spend too much money. The food is good and filling. I would recommend to everyone in the South to go The Waffle House at least once.