Waffle House

 By Bruce Shawkey

A welcome sight along the Interstate as you begin to enter the South are Waffle House restauants. Comfort food at a reasonable cost.

On a recent trip to Chattanooga, my buddy Chris Vandall and I stopped at a Waffle House outside of Nashville to take a break and avoid some of the rush hour traffic.

I ordered a plain waffle, a side of bacon, and coffee. Chris ordered a pecan waffle and loaded hash browns. Mine was the usual excellent. I think Chris erred on the loaded hash browns. He could only eat half, took the other half to go, and eventually threw them out. 

Waffle House was founded by Joe Rogers Sr. and Tom Forkner. The first Waffle House opened on Labor Day weekend in 1955 in Avondale Estates, a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia.The founders aimed to create a restaurant that provided good food, friendly service, and a welcoming atmosphere for locals. It was designed to be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to cater to any time of day or nightIn the 1960s, Waffle House began franchising its concept, which spurred significant growth. By the end of the 1960s, there were 27 Waffle House locations. The chain continued to grow rapidly through the 1970s and 1980s, expanding its presence primarily in the southeastern United States.

The menu remained relatively consistent, focusing on breakfast items like waffles, eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns, as well as diner staples like burgers and sandwiches.

By the 1990s, Waffle House had become a cultural icon in the South, known for its reliability, straightforward menu, and consistent quality. Waffle House gained a unique reputation for staying open during severe weather events, earning it a place in FEMA's disaster response system, where the "Waffle House Index" is used to gauge the severity of disasters.

The chain continued to expand, with more than 1,500 locations by the early 2000s, and it now boasts over 2,000 locations across 25 states. Waffle House is known for its community involvement and support for local events and causes. One of Waffle House's hallmarks is its round-the-clock operation, making it a popular spot for late-night diners and travelers.

The menu has remained largely unchanged, focusing on breakfast foods, diner classics, and comfort food. The chain has built a strong base of loyal customers who appreciate its no-frills, reliable dining experience.

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