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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[@sherylwallace3393]

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.

[@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.

[@b-genspinster7895]

Oh yeah!

[@chanceDdog2009]

In the 90s we would club hop in Mexico till 4am then have Street tacos before heading back home. . Good times..

[@boohere2]

never been there before.heard of it last year some time.

[@carlcrow5990]

@@b-genspinster7895 hey brad,some black woman with a yeast infection made your last order of cheezy grits! think about that sweetheart.

[@Chutney1luv]

Now that's the TRUTH!! 😁

[@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.

[@MrBluoct]

Don Smith “ desperate”. Really?

[@mrdonsmith]

@@MrBluoct Really. You weren't there.

[@Bageera63]

@@mrdonsmith I understand. Our local WH in SC was open after Hugo. No electricity, just the gas grill. We were thankful.

[@hatcher2262]

Wow

[@UncleDonDon]

I've lived in Moncks Corner, SC for 10 yrs now. Numerous hurricanes, tropical storms, ice and snowmaggedon, and a thousand year flood..........never closed.

[@TheLDG1981]

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

[@melissawilson5975]

I cant believe they didnt mention that!

[@Alex-qi6pn]

I thought she looked familiar!

[@brskeen]

I was wondering...

[@lojosol]

I was wondering who was going to notice

[@sircarek]

maybe she owns this location?

[@theylied1776]

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.

[@lobitome]

Kreme. You must not go there.

[@theylied1776]

@@lobitome It's called talk to text, if you have a problem with it take it up with Google, princess.

[@jasonle520]

theylied1776 do they serve pancakes at Waffle House?

[@theylied1776]

@@jasonle520 I'm going to file that under an IHOP kind of question.

[@theylied1776]

@@jasonle520 But no, they do not serve pancakes at Waffle House.

[@mdtaylor2274]

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.

[@melterrell5724]

Don't come to the one in downtown Athens on a sat night and you'll be able to keep that illusion alive

[@mikeelek9713]

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.

[@Fictonalicious]

The waffle house has found it's new host.

[@dabooper4207]

The Waffle House has found it’s new host

[@hojo70]

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

[@gordon4385]

You got your 4 basic food groups right there.

[@grbmajor6645]

recipe for mmm mmm good

[@wturner777]

@@grbmajor6645 More like mmm mmm AAAAAAAAHHH!!!! HEART ATTACK! 🤣🤣 JK..... or am I?

[@yummi4tunekookie]

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!

[@TedKrunich]

Benedick Cumbersnatch ... yeah. I was a fan .. been a critic .. but do wish her well

[@Gonken88]

If you have your own home to pay for, it's kind of hard to just stop working and go to school.

[@BunnySlippers82]

Gordon Ramsay said in an interview that she did attend culinary school, but there's word as to whether or not she finished. It may have been difficult for her to keep working full time and going to school too.

[@oriana_fortunato]

I think we shouldn't judge her. We don't know her life, her struggles and what life threw at her. Also she's still in charge of a kitchen, making food (that I guess is high quality) and making people happy. AND we shouldn't forget that Heather, another Hell's Kitchen contestant, worked at the LV restaurant for a year and then left. You know, people's dreams change, they take new roads.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

@@oriana_fortunato No judgement on her. But you can be sure she's severely underpaid. Especially for who she is. But everyone there is underpaid

[@jackjames1]

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

[@wadeshive223]

Jack James She was on a season of Hell’s Kitchen.

[@jackjames1]

@@wadeshive223 oh yeah! Thanks it was killin me i knew id seen her before

[@nyracingfan]

Jack James too bad she never progressed farther than Waffle House, but you have to be happy with your job!

[@jackjames1]

@@nyracingfan well shes like the leader there i bet shes like a local star. Waffle house rules.

[@Migz2682]

She was in 4th place and Gordon paid for her to go to culinary school but she wanted to stay there

[@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.

[@seanriley1603]

I spent Thanksgiving 2017 at Waffle House because I had to work the day before and after and was going through a divorce. Not a good time in my life.

[@paulsuprono7225]

For Thanksgiving . . . so they serve turkey waffles ?

[@seanriley1603]

No but I’m hoping they’ll add that to the hash browns and then you could ask for scattered, smothered, covered, chunked and gobbled.

[@thetoddsmith]

Yup, unlike those Chik-Fil-A religious nutbags.

[@seanriley1603]

Todd Those Chick Fil A religious nutbags are awesome. They make great chicken, fantastic service and have high morals. Anytime the Cathy family say something against gay marriage or homosexuality, their business quadruples.

[@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.

[@stevelogan5475]

They are consistent and good with reasonable prices.

[@BluePhoenix559]

The Waffle House has found it’s new host

[@crimsonfungus]

The Waffle House has found it’s new host

[@dinismatias4142]

The Waffle House Has Found Its New Host

[@crapiefoods432]

The Waffle House has found its new host

[@GentleeDuckie]

The Waffle House Has Found Its New Host

[@youtubethingorwhatever6071]

The waffle house has found it's new host.

[@aaaaaaaaaaaa808]

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

[@robertrodgers1423]

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.

[@tootz1950]

Waffle topped with an egg and lots of syrup. ;-)

[@melterrell5724]

It's only because we put the eggs in the blender before put them in a pan

[@abram3283]

Yeah. Waffle house is legit.

[@petecapravos3044]

Burger all the way, bowl of chili with lots of onions, scattered hashbrowns. Yum!

[@geraldmcdevitt3996]

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!!!

[@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.

[@Sunshine-bh8ki]

I miss them sooo much after moving back to Fort Wayne Indiana. But when I really need a fix I will drive south till I find one Daleville, Indiana

[@Oo-lf1mu]

The fema part had me laughing 😂

[@matthewmartin7639]

I work third shift and many times it's the only place open. I love it and they know my order. I'll go there either before or after my shift.

[@sspeck8154]

Hash browns all the way with a side of grits, eggs, sausage cheese and butter with salt and pepper...

[@roachtoasties]

All of a sudden I'm having a craving for waffles, hash browns and pork chops. Thanks CBS.

[@antwonbrown7732]

That's the lady off of he'll kitchen

[@darrellm.9622]

Yep.. I saw her on there...she can cook

[@aidenford8637]

@Schandoro07 your everywhere like whats your point go do your awesome job and keep the 2 cents your putting on her life

[@CoochieMonster22]

3:07 Must...appear...on...TV

[@CWSLesley]

One of my fav restaurants!! I miss it sooo much now that I’ve moved to California.

[@CWSLesley]

Me neither. I tried being a waitress at a restaurant and quit the 2nd day!!

[@williambagley5415]

Another great Atlanta-based restaurant chain is Chick-fil-A! Love both of them!

[@wturner777]

Ah yes, Chick-fil-A, aka the homophobic chicken shack.

[@catherinenelson4162]

Best Waffle House meal: double hash browns with tomatoes, onions, ham, and then gravy on the side! I can have that any time of the day, but I limit it to a few times a year!

[@MrBluoct]

Catherine NELSON how much do you weigh?

[@peiwu979]

Back in the 90's, WH offered all you can eat. My friends and I must have eaten 20 plates of food. I thought I was going to die that night! I was the best deal ever!

[@TheStandThatBringsMeteors]

The Waffle House Has Found A New Host

[@TheTarrMan]

I wish Waffle House would come up to the north. I live in Peoria, IL and people here would love it!

[@rocnnrollbus]

There is one here in Collinsville, IL..at the intersection of I-55 and I-255. About the only one I know of in southern Illinois, though.

[@EbikeAdventuresSD]

So your crime rates can go up

[@apierce914]

I worked at one years and years ago. One night it was just me and the cook. I must have ticked him off because he walked out and never came back! Pretty scary as a 18 year old girl in a big city. I had some really sweet customers who stayed with me until someone else could get there. Also at the time, the only phone in the restaurant accessible to employees didn't dial out. I had to go out to the pay phone to call someone and leave all the customers alone in the store. Crazy night.

[@scottyjett6017]

Some of the best breakfast I had.

[@markmohr463]

When I was in the Navy stationed in Gulfport, Mississippi. I have found memories eating at a Waffle House. A lot of times 2 in the morning after leaving a bar.

[@bluehavencd]

About one of the few things I miss being stationed in NC.

[@agm6095]

i Love Waffle House, the employees are always nice and the food is very consistent. I wish they would have stores in California.

[@grabobbill6543]

Gary R both words are used interchangeably especially in franchises

[@junioralvarado2384]

i think we gotta drive to az for waffle house we have norms tho🤷‍♂️

[@rockyracoon3233]

Ditto to that!

[@williambagley5415]

The closest Waffle House locations to southern California are over in Phoenix, AZ. I always try to stop in for a good breakfast when visiting friends/family in Phoenix 😎

[@stankormy5717]

They have Norm’s in California!

[@AntonioCostaRealEstate]

Spare ribs , waffles , hash browns . Ate in Atlanta, St Louis, North and South Carolina.

[@christopherliston2371]

smothered , covered , chunked, diced, peppered, capped , and topped with chili and some coffee on the side. Good Parenting, musta been a good night.Drive carefully, Cheers!

[@darrellm.9622]

The girl called out the order...she was on Hells Kitchen

[@robertdozier9481]

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

[@QAsession]

Mine too. Sorry for your loss. My dad passed away last month. He was a foodie all the way to the end.

[@leighannesmith9483]

I used to live in McDonough georgia and i used to live in Atlanta Georgia and when i was living in McDonough georgia they were 2 waffle houses on the same street about a mile apart on different sides of the street. And i think that is so funny to me. Take care everyone.

[@christophersnow1153]

Leighanne Smith I know exactly where you're talking about, I grew up in Henry County. lol

[@MrRonaldlee5467]

they got the same thing in Florida too

[@leighannesmith9483]

@@MrRonaldlee5467 i live in north lauderdale fla. And they have one in ft. Lauderdale fla.

[@remolandlife5642]

I been to both of them...I couldn't believe they were that close to each other

[@leighannesmith9483]

@harvey carter i think it is so funny to me about the same store's and the same restaurants on the same street.

[@nyracingfan]

Julia Williams was a contestant on Season 3 of Hell’s Kitchen with Gordon Ramsey.

[@youlittlestinker5503]

She was one of my favorites on that season

[@Kendell062]

I've passed the Waffle House in my city many times ,going to make a point of stopping by hungry next time I'm near it.

[@firedude5135]

Last one I was at there was a fly floating in my coffee and they sat us right by the dishwashing station. So my "breakfast" got covered in soapy dishwater. Thanks.

[@stevenkloepping2953]

The worst part of living in Illinois....no Waffle Houses. Is it wrong to say they are the best restaurant in the world? God I love Waffle House!!!!

[@irafair3015]

There's a "worst" in Illinois? How is that possible when it is all so bad. Oh wait, I'm thinking of Chicago, never mind lol.

[@JacobMutumbo]

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

[@MRGJHW]

It's very popular here in Indianapolis too!

[@gumpthompson5139]

Is this the same Luke Burbank that was on Seattle talk radio back in the day ??

[@carlcrow5990]

no

[@crayray1310]

"Omg! Everyone stop ordering food." 😂

[@OhHenri]

The Waffle Houde Has Found Its New Host

[@9ramthebuffs9]

Chick-fil-A is another Atlanta based chain. Opened up just after the war.

[@Stevepoku]

@John Whirling ningen wut chick fil a is good

[@melterrell5724]

The company Chick-fil-A started selling their chicken biscuits out of a Waffle House in Atlanta

[@2332Stephen]

The war of what exactly? lol

[@9ramthebuffs9]

@@2332Stephen The war, 1946.

[@gazzybishop8320]

@@melterrell5724 Truett Cathy "allowed" Waffle House to sell his sandwich in their restaurants, but WH backed out on the deal because of it's popularity - customers weren't ordering WH's food anymore.

[@mookiekashif]

From TN thank you I had to go after I saw this I wasn't gonna go.

[@thesamedufus2012]

Not one second of this video has ANYTHING we ALL don't already know.

[@sjplwc]

what a great story about a great place!

[@j.m.r.f6286]

Thank you

[@pyenme]

I live in Indiana, right next to the Ohio border on Interstate 70, and there is a Waffle House about 20 minutes from my town across the border in Ohio. We will make the drive for no other reason than to eat at Waffle House. It is really nice to know there are some things you can depend on, and we want to support that spirit and positive attitude whenever we can.

[@patrickvanrinsvelt4466]

Cheesy grits! My Waffle House experience was typically 3 o'clock in the morning with friends after a night on the town. Best breakfast in the world.

[@CRAFT7445]

Scattered, smothered, chopped, and diced

[@KasumiRINA]

1:17 that's Julia from Season 3 of Hell's Kitchen

[@pixinjing5066]

The Waffle House has found it's new host

[@itsmebaige9804]

The waffle house has found its new host

[@theylied1776]

I'm going to get one of those brown Waffle House baseball caps. They should sell more merchandise.

[@melterrell5724]

They do online

[@tommybutler8631]

Hello from Maine!

[@chocolatechipslime]

Really nothing southern about Waffle House except grits. I’ve ate at Waffle House in Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, New Mexico and Alabama. They are all the same. Some are hit and miss. But they have some good food!

[@itstrue2599]

If I lived close to there I'd be there at least once a week!!!

[@robinreece920]

Waffle house is my family's go to place. We would always eat at the one in Roanoake Rapids,NC. Which was on the way to see our daughter at Chowan University. There were 2 restaurants 2 blocks from each other! Best southern breakfast ever!

[@dbcooper9943]

Atlanta, famous for the most boring Superbowl EVER!!!

[@thetoddsmith]

Don't forget the Falcons loss!

[@lancehurley9743]

db cooper Waaaaaaaaaaah!!!

[@alex042687]

I live in WA. . .but want to try a good location. Where should I fly to?

[@tommybutler8631]

Peanut butter and honey on a toaster. Love ittt please try

[@wturner777]

Tommy Butler Why would you want peanut butter and honey on a toaster? Would you rather want it on "toast"? 😂🤣🤣

[@irafair3015]

I'm from NY State and I love Waffle House! I ate at them all the time when I was an OTR truck driver. Love em.

[@dunoa1141]

So we’re just going to ignore the fact that he had a spatula in the restroom

[@nola694]

I can’t believe baby girl still working at Waffle House even tho Gordon Ramsey said she had the potential to be Extraordinary chief.

[@irishpixierose]

Waffle House does not use butter, only margarine. Out of the hand full of times we went three of them involved police being called because of criminal activity. It was never late at night either.

[@Grit489]

Brown menu, sounds good to me.

[@benbernal6455]

Living now in the Pacific Northwest missing Saturdays and Sundays Breakfast at Waffle House in South Florida. 😩

[@skeleguns10oooooo10]

One is in Goodyear Arizona

[@Goat10Solos]

Say it with me now everyone. The waffl-

[@westtexasbaja]

Do fights break out at the museum after midnight too?

[@Dangic23]

Never been in one, and don't think ever will.

[@RudieObias]

God I wish there was a Waffle House in NYC!

[@dontbugmeatthistime]

God I wish there was a White Castle in Baltimore!

[@harvey5869]

No you don't.

[@wturner777]

I wish there were White Castles in the south. But we only have Krystal's.

[@williambagley5415]

The Waffle House rocks! My first WH experience was in Pensacola, Florida at the Navy Blvd location just outside of the Naval Air Station. It was back in October of 1982...Johhny was the cook. He was fast and the food was great!

[@PaulGreen11]

The basics works.

[@KennyLamTravel]

The BEST..

[@LTDANMAN44]

those hash browns!

[@brendalittlejohn5070]

Used to work for waffles house in Augusta Georgia bel air and love there steak

[@aequitas8749]

Southern waffles? hmm

[@StripperLicker]

They aren't "servers", they are a "salesperson" according to WH training videos.

[@mattlawrence1932]

Come to Waffle House between 1am - 4am & get to watch a free "boxing exhibition" with your meal🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣💯

[@jaykaynum5569]

I'm from NY. Going down South, there's one thing on my mind. Going to a Waffle house

[@moshe3278]

He said EYES OF THE WORLD!!! Weir everywhere!!!

[@user-ef2eu7kn1t]

Диктаторы приходят и уходят, а кушать хочется всегда. Открывайтесь у нас в Сибири. Заходите к нам ,хорошая готовка приветствуется. ! ! !

[@AnthonyWilliams-tq1ol]

@cbssundaymorning How did y’all not mention Julia as being a contestant on Hell’s Kitchen season 3. (She was eliminated episode 8)

[@MsWill]

JULIA WILLIAMS! Chef Ramsay said he will pay for your culinary school and give you a job. Waffle House is a lovely nostalgia but reach for the stars, girl! ❤️

[@brianreardon7700]

Can we get one of these in New England!!! Please.

[@citrine65]

The hash browns look good.

[@rockyracoon3233]

Wish we had a few in Los Angeles.:'(

[@MrBlue3rd]

I’m thankful Waffle House came to where I live in Kansas. It’s so good.

[@janeblue3053]

Anthony Bourdain said Waffle House is better than the famous French Laundry. That says a lot coming from a guy that has traveled the world eating everything under the Sun.

[@kaylawalker312]

Breakfast!! Best meal of the day!!! Eat up!!!!