Sometimes I just get hungry for good comfort food. And for me, comfort food is a hearty breakfast. My husband and I have very different schedules so from time to time we go out in the evening ... for breakfast.
We recently stopped by the East Patrick Street location of Waffle House. They offer just about everything you could imagine for breakfast, and lunch and dinner time too.
On this particular visit, business was a bit slow. Service was fast and friendly. Menus are on laminated placemats. I chose the All –Star Breakfast — two eggs, choice of sausage or bacon, toast, hashbrowns and a waffle. My husband ordered fried country ham with eggs, toast and hashbrowns. Not meals you would or should eat every day — it’s just that comfort food craved every so often.
The hashbrowns are legendary at Waffle House. Available in regular, double, and triple size portions, they also come in many varieties such as smothered (with onions), covered (with cheese), chunked (with ham), and peppered (with jalapeno peppers) to name just a few. Or, you can get it all by ordering “scattered all the way.” My husband chose “covered” and “peppered.”
The eggs were cooked perfectly, whites fully cooked, yolks nice and dippy for the toast. The portion of bacon served was generous as was the country ham. I reached my limit when I finished my waffle, but I sure did enjoy it. It reminded me of vacation time and all the times we have stopped along I-95 when traveling just to eat at a Waffle House.
My husband and I first ate at a Waffle House about 15-16 years ago while traveling to Florida. I believe it was in North or South Carolina when we stopped for something to eat. We walked in the door and it seemed that everyone turned around and smiled at us, while at the same time a waitress called out to us, “good mornin’.” We just sort of stared for a moment and I am sure everyone immediately thought “d---Yankees!” But we recovered quickly and I said, “good morning” right back to everyone.
Walking into a Waffle House is like walking into the past. The first one opened in the 1950s and I doubt that much has changed ... and that’s just fine. There are booths, tables and counter service, and plenty of chairs to sit on while you wait for a table. They have a juke box for playing tunes and feature lots of music including Waffle House tunes. In fact, during our first visit I walked over to the juke box, popped in some change and played what I simply call “The Waffle House Song” (I believe the real title is “Waffle House Family.”) My husband laughed and now I rarely visit a Waffle House without playing one of their special tunes.
Every time we dine out I think how I would like to see the kitchen and how everything is set up. At Waffle House you see everything! I am always impressed with how efficiently everything runs and how well laid out everything is. Plates are stacked on shelves above the grill and it seems everything is less than an arm’s reach away.
They have lots of offerings — not just breakfast. But it seems we always order breakfast when we visit! Lunch and dinner-type menu items include steaks, burgers, chili, soup, pork chops and sandwiches.
Our breakfast for two was under $20 and left us feeling satisfied, full and comforted. Portions were generous, prices modest and quality and service were excellent.
I know we will be back again and again.
And if I get the urge to hear one of their songs, I can simply visit the website at www.wafflehouse.com, click on music machine, and listen to portions of their tunes — without my husband laughing and rolling his eyes.
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