I’ve asked a number of Yanks what they remember about the south, and the first thing that comes to mind is almost always Waffle House. There’s nothing extraordinary about this 24-hour diner chain except the fact that, well, it’s a 24-hour diner chain and they’re ubiquitous. Whether you’re on the highway, in the city, or the suburbs, you’re bound to see the bright yellow sign.
There are 22 Waffle Houses within the city limits of Atlanta, and I pass by 5 on my way to work (that’s about one per mile). Not overly suprising considering that the original restaurant still exists in the Atlanta suburb of Avondale Estates.
W.H. on Cheshire Bridge
The menu
Waffle House owns a lot of titles in the food world: top waffle dealer, #1 omelet peddler and largest T-bone pusher in the world. Do Waffle House doors have locks? Maybe you should ask the burgeoning Waffle House fan club, or post your question to alt.food.waffle-house. And if you have a chance to visit one, don’t forget the rules to the Waffle House drinking game.
overstated 
[ Things like the above always start with “so I’ve got this Perl script…”. ]
Waffle House is my favorite example of America’s triumph over social castes. At the Waffle House everyone is truly equal, no matter their race, gender, social group or tax bracket. There is nobody so elite or powerful he doesn’t have to wipe down his own chair and tabletop if he desires a clean seat. We all get the same shitty service. We all get the same arterial congestion. Your table will not be bussed, no matter who you might think you are. I love the Waffle House. I love me some hashbrowns, scattered and drowned in ketchup.
Why I deleted the flashblog comments:
I’m a social network researcher. I think flash mobs are an interesting social invention, and that doing that in a virtual form is equally curious.
However, most flash mobs are interesting because they create the sensation that the group is plausible. Your off comment posts are just uncreative blather.
Futhermore, a majority of them came from one IP address, 65.49.231.185. That’s not fair! You can’t approximate a flash mob by just posting a bunch of time! Silly kids, weblogs are for adults!
About a year ago I was reminiscing about Waffle Houses seen during trips to Disney World and discovered this page on their website. Check out the proliferation on Route I-75 alone in Georgia:
http://www.wafflehouse.com/cities/georgia.html
I have been trying to explain to a Brazilian guest enamored of Stranger Than Paradise why Brooklyn is not a microcosm of our great nation. Waffle houses are one reason (although a nice chicken and waffle feast is to be had at the diner on the Fulton Mall). Another is the largest watermelon in the world.
I was only following orders.
Would you say this is a salon of Georgia?
where can i find the (not-so!) nutritional information? thanks!! cp
I think you should have a waffle house in california i think a lot of people including my whole family (which by the way is huge) would love it. I mean the waffle house is way so better than baker square. if baker square makes a lot of money the waffle house will certainly make way more. there is room for a waffle house by union city maybe they can have one .All Im saying is that the waffle house would make a hit in california. I love it my whole family loves it and my families friends.that is a lot of people right there plus many more who decide to try something new for the day.
you know that miranda girl is right i’ve been traveling with my husband to florida and we eat there every time we visit. that place is good no great as a matter of fact I happen to live in union city. that would be greatyo have a waffle house there.I am 36 and already I have done a lot od traveling and the waffle house has the great taste in it we love the waffle house!!!!!
I am a waffle house employee for ten years now, I really enjoy reading this site and knowing i have a job in the future.
unit 925 orangebeach, alabama
I fly a coporate jet for a living. On trips up and down the eastern seaboard we always search out a Waffle House. IHOP or Denny’s, no way.
It didn’t matter if it was 6 in the am or 11 in the pm. Only a Waffle House will suffice to satisfy us.
T-bone steak and eggs….Makes my day.
I AM A WAFFLE HOUSE WAITRESS AND I’D LIKE TO THANK ALL THE LOVING AND SUPPORTING CUSTOMERS THROUGHOUT MY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE HERE!
UNIT 1326 / HOUSTON
I too am trying to find the NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION for waffle house menu items=
Why is this not on the company’s main website? Is a nutritional guide available in hard copy form at any of the restaurants?
Does anyone know?
Chris, Mobile, AL
I’ve been a waffle house waitress for a few months. I think the worst part about working at waffle house is the smell. My watch now constantly reeks of hashbrowns. I don’t really get the idea of a Waffle House fan club, nor do i understand why we have so many regulars. The food is mediocre at best. Wanna know why there’s no nutritional info to be found? Because there’s nothing nutritional about the food! I’m sure it exists somewhere, but my manager just gave me a strange look when I asked about it.
It’s a pretty good place, we’re paid more than some waitresses, but the tips are pretty awful at times. So tip your waitstaff, it’s not a freaking hobby. My manager lets girlscouts and their like pawn their cookies when the time comes, which no other 24 hours places will allow.
If you want cheap food at 2 AM then Waffle House is the place to be. But I’ll be at Denny’s if you need me.
The Waffle House off Exit 110 on Hwy 53 in Manchester, TN is the worst example of possible food poisoning and worst customer service and food handling of any restaurant I have ever eaten at. My family and I frequent restaurants because we are very mobile and dont have time to eat at home and I am a former employee of a govt food safety program, so I am familiar with safe food handling.
Our waitress was sweeping when we entered, had the cook tell us that she would be with us shortly (which she was not), did not wash her hands prior to placing our utensils on the table. The eggs were cooked in blackish gray grease, as observed under the eggs on the white plate.
A family most likely related to one of the employees came in and overcame the establishment, interfering with the employees and customer service. Among those was a preteen girl who was smoking (isnt legal age 18 at least)?
If I could find a comment section on the Waffle HOuse main website, I would respond to it but I guess I will vent here.
If they had waffle house’s here in California, I’d eat there!!
I am doing a project at school right now about waffle house. Can someone e-mail me some menu prices?
I need help too. I have to write a research paper on Waffle House and I need to know why everybody likes going there so much. I know why I like going there, but my teacher won’t accept my opinions, he’ll only except other people’s. Please help me!
Oh wait, and one more thing. If you’re a regular, has management ever treated you badly or made up new rules to stop you “regulars” from staying so long? I know they did in my hometown, but I was wondering if that was just us, or if that happens all over.
I have been working for the AWFULL WAFFLE for 3 long years. They should make a soap opra called, “As the Waffle Burns”. telling stories about some of the strange, twisted, unfair, or embarassing things that go on behind the counter of waffle houses around the country… I believe costomers and employees of the awfull Waffle would love to send in there experances to be told in sitcom….
i have worked at waffle house for 5 years and i love it. i started as a waitress and now i am working my way into management. waffle house rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!
i have worked at waffle house for 5 years and i love it. i started as a waitress and now i am working my way into management. waffle house rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am a manager for Waffle House, and its like any other restaruant some of them are really horrible, and some of them are great… i like to think mine is awesome, but all in all, you can “usually” gaurantee at least an half-decent meal is a fairly clean restaurant…. hard to find elsewhere…. trust me…
I am a District Mgr. for WAFFLE HOUSE , I started as a salesperson in 1992 then started cooking. There is NO other Rest. that you can work your way up from ground level making 15-20 thousand a year to making 79,000 a year. We have great service friendly atmosphere and great food. We are not bankrupt like Denny’s or shutting down rest. like hardees and mc donalds. I have a stable growing career, and with the stock options i have as associate and mgmnt I will be able to put my children through college, provide for their future and retire comfortably by the time I am 50. So if you think Waffle House sucks then maybe you should take a second look, I bet your career is not as promising.
Nutritional info is available…I asked a manager and he gave me a placemat-thingy with all the info in an organized fashion. Every WH I’ve been in (at least 30 in my Southern lifetime)has been convenient, clean and friendly. I have found the only thing wrong with Waffle House are the occasional malcontents like Apr and Reb (supra), who infect the staff and clientele with their attitudes but WILL NOT LEAVE!!! There’s a message there….
I’ve eaten at Waffle Houses since I can remember… I am divorcing soon and will have to find a job. The first thought that came to mind and keeps coming back to mind… “Waffle House!”
And a brand new one just opened up a block from our new apartments. 🙂 So I hope once we are done with the move and all… I can get a job at that one.
I’ve been a Waffle House unit manager for one year. I have never felt such a family subculture at any other place I’ve worked compared to WH. That includes the hourly associates and customers. I’ve had days I’m ready to walk out of there and never look back but most of the time the work is fun but demanding. The WH culture is what draws people back to the store at any hour of the day or night. You always have someone to talk to and a good cup of coffee.
I always feel at home at most Waffle House restaurants. One thing, I’m a rebel. Not quite a
Redneck, but close. I like the food, etc. One thing I will say though that your food-server bears watching in some cases when you pay, are billed, etc. Being elderly and looking a bit slow and careless, attempts are made at short-changing,
but I usually catch them. Sometimes I may know it, but after having some eggs and grits, don’t even care or pay attention to it. Always tip real well. If you hand someone a twenty, count your change. If you are not given a check, careful!!, etc. This doesn’t really apply just to Waffle House of course, and seems to be less likely in Tenn. and Arkansas, and more likely in West. It’s the only place I can get the food I need. Regards
Let me say as a true veteran,….(clearing throat)….Waffle House is truely an institution of fine cuisine. I love the post above about Waffle House tearing down our social castes. It’s true. Every type of person imaginable loves Waffle House. I myself am particularly fond of it on 2 occasions, night and day. A good beer buzz only adds to your waffle house experience, and if your just plain drunk, nothing’s finer than a big greasy patty melt plate, scattered, covered, smothered, well. Oh, and be sure to play one of the Waffle House theme songs on the jukebox. The waitresses will all thank you. If you see Cooter, tell’m I said hey.
HC
I have worked for Waffle House and made manager in 3 years. It is an awesome place to work. I have never had a better paying, loyal, fun and fast paced place of employment. I totally love my job, emplyoyees and CUSTOMERS… they are the one’s that make the differance!
I’m doing a project at school about the Waffle House…Can anyone please e-mail me a price menu?? I just wish they would put prices on the main website. Thanks!
I have worked at waffle house since I’ve turned 16.I love my job it was my first and my last I’m gonna go back to school and get my ged a couple managers I’ve talk to said they would pay for me to get my ged.They also told me that if and when I got it they would put me in the managers training program they take care of there employees well there the benefits are out standing compared to other fast food places.If you need a job waffle house is always hiring people it doesnt matter where your from.Yes waffle house has its ups and downs put every job is like that the customers are great and the people you work with treat you like family.I’ve tried working at other place but waffle house was the only job I really loved the food is great.You wont walk in to waffle house without a smile on your face and leave with one.If you’ve never been there check it out,it will be in experince of a life time
I WAS IN TAMPA FL. ON BUSINESS AND HAD SOME TIME TO KILL SO I WENT TO THE WAFFLE HOUSE (WHICH IS MY FAVORITE) TO EAT AND WHILE I WAS SITTING THERE I WAS OBSERVING THE COOK. I COULDN’T BELIEVE THE PROFESSIONAL AND GREAT STEADY WORK SHE WAS DOING. SHE DEFINATELY KNEW WHAT TO DO. I’VE SEEN “2” COOKS WHO COULDN’T DO WHAT SHE DID. SHE HAD SO MUCH CONTROL OVER THE SITUATION AND IT AMAZED ME. OUR FOOD WAS GREAT AND SHE GOT ALL THE FOOD OUT TO PEOPLE IMMEDIATELY. HER NAME IS “DAINA PONDER” AND SHE DESERVES GREAT RECOGNITION FOR A JOB VERY WELL DONE. TO ME SHE CAN DO CIRCLES AROUND OTHER COOKS. I PLAN ON GOING THERE AGAIN AND HOPE THAT SHE IS MY COOK. ALSO SHE HAS THE PERSONALITY TO GO WITH HER GREAT COORDINATION AND COOKING!!!
YOU GO DAINA PONDER AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK….
I think I could eat waffle house waffles every night.I also feel there should be a web site of nutritional facts. The only thing I don’t like about waffle house, is the fact that the wait staff are never very friendly, at either one of ours.
I agree with Lindy. I like being able to have
some good old rebel food every now and then. The
cooks are O.K. I always tip real well, but the
waitresses are generally honkey-tonk types who are
unpredictable, typical of low-class undisciplined
gals who are better suited for slinging hash in some low-class joint. My opinion FWIW.
In my comment, I made a reference to Lindy’s comment but I misread the name. I was really referring to Robin’s comment. Sorry Lindy!
In reference to the “insult” made by billus c, what in the world did Theresa do to make you think that all waffle house employees are sub human? I worked waffle house for four years and I do not consider myself pathetic (by the way, it’s not spelled pithetic). In fact I thank waffle house for giving me the money management skills that got me the better job I got now. And another thing, the only one who is white trash is the one who feels the need to talk trash about other people on the internet!
I am an employee. Most of the time it is a fun job…most of the time. Do drunks and old people think we are there for our looks???? Granted I am fine as hell, but give me a friggin break….”Papa needs a new pair of shoes!!!!”
Long story short……Tipping well would be appreciated!!!!
Waffle House/Savannah Ga
send me the prices for all of the meals at Waffle House.
i wor at waffle house # 664 & no we do not have locks on our doors & just for future refrence we do not have light switches
Dear corp.
I hear the tells of waffle do to my mother working at Waffle House. I can’t understand that you have no knowledge on how your restaurant is being run on Rt.17 in Newport News, Va.. The things she tells me. Waitresses pushing each other on the in the restaurant in front of other customers on first shift and the manager in trainning calls all the bosses and they don’t do anything about this situation. She also tells me how they put down the M2 is always put down nothing good comes out of there mouths. Even the girls on third shift knownest this of the manager of this restaurant. One waitress cleaned very hard and the M2 came in and said the place looks wonderful and the waitress had stated thank you, at least you notice what I have done. No wonder they can’t keep people on third shift. If I worked there and the manager didn’t notice my hard work and saw the negative I wouldn’t work there long either.
I hear ever since Janene had left that store and became district in another area that store has falling so much. Just in attitudes. Some of the people that work including management comes in late alot. I don’t know if u know about this problem or your just turning away from the problem. Even the customers are noticing the problem and talking about it. I laughed when I heard this. It’s one thing having problems but when your customers know about it’s not a laughing matter. Thank you for taking the time to read my e-mail
dollfhinz
could some one send me prices for a breakfast at any of the waffle houses in the us thanks!
Who do I have to blow to get a Waffle House in Pittsburgh? I’m serious. All we have is Eat & Park and it’s not as great as everyone makes it out to be.
Waffle houses are the most entertaining places to eat!!!! BAT CAVE ,NC ROCKS but Richmond KY is calm. The best fights, love making , preaching, & singing & dancing were all at THE WAFFLE HOUSE!!! Now as I stare into a sunlit night here in Alaska , I reminise about how a plain ole waffle can do the same a bottle of Jack or a hit of acid can do!!!! AWESOME RESTURANT SEEE YA IN TENNESSEE ( MORRISTOWN)
I work at Waffle House #1376 in Clarksville, AR. I love my job! I have the greatest manager in the world! Love Ya Debby! Also, for the most part all the other Salespersons and Cooks are great too! People come in and tell us we have the cleanest Waffle House they have ever seen. It makes me proud to hear that. Anyhow, If any of ya’ll are in the area, stop by and see me on third shift! Make sure you tip good though! *grin* Just Kidding…or maybe not!
Is there a reason why there isn’t a Waffle House in California? Does some large restaurant chain, i.e, IHOP or Denny’s, have a legal stranglehold on California that prevents the Waffle House from opening a new franchise there?
The reason there are no Waffle Houses in California is because it is too expensive to build them there. Waffle Houses have to be built on major freeways and the property costs in CA are too high.
I AM PLANNING ON TAKING A YOUTH GROUP DOWN SOUTH AND WE WERE WONDERING ABOUT THE MENU PRICES, WE NEED TO KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY TO RAISE FOR THE YOUTH GROUP TRIP AND CAN’T DO IT WITHOUT KNOWING THE GENERAL COST OF THE MEALS WE PLAN TO EAT. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFO!!! I HAVE READ THAT THE PRICES ARE REASONABLE, BUT THAT DOESN’T OFFER MUCH FOR KNOWING WHAT THE COST WILL BE FOR THE ENTIRE GROUP AND ADULTS TO EAT!!! THANK YOU!!!
I just started working at a waffle house and I love it. I have always LOVED the food there. The managers are the nicest, and my co-workers are helpful. The customers are fun. I plan to be there for a while (even though sometimes I am worn out and sore when I get home from a shift)
On some of the prices, I can give you a general idea of what some of them are:
Two eggs toast and grits – 2.25
Chopped steak and eggs, hasbrowns – 5.50
Tbone and eggs w/hashbrowns or Tbone dinner with hashbrowns – 7.85
Waffle – 2.25
Bowl of grits – 1.15
Soda – 1.15
Coffee – 1.05
Pork Chop Dinner w/hashbrowns – 6.85
Pork Chop and Egg w/hb – 6.40
Chicken dinner w/hb – 5.85
Chicken and eggs w/hb – 5.40
Dinners come with a salad or bowl of chili
Hashbrowns – 1.20 additional charge for toppings
Hope that helps.
I HAVE WORKED AT WAFFLE HOUSE FOR 8 YEARS. I ALSO FREQUENTLY TRAVEL.I WISH I COULD SAY THAT ALL WAFFLE HOUSES ARE THE SAME BUT THAT IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE.I LOVE THE ONE I WORK AT IN NEWNAN, GEORGIA , BUT I HAVE BEEN TO A FEW THAT I WAS ALMOST ASHAMED TO SIT IN KNOWING I WORK AT ONE. WE LOVE OUR TEAM AND OUR DEVOTED CUSTOMERS HERE AT UNIT #888. SOMETIMES THINGS DO GO WRONG,AS YOU MAY KNOW NOONE IS PERFECT AND EVERYONE HAS A BAD DAY NOW AND THEN. WE LOVE THEM ALL STILL. JUST BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN ONE BAD EXPERIENCE, DON’T HESITATE TO TRY MAYBE ANOTHER ONE. THANKS TO ALL OF OUR CUSTOMERS. YA’LL GIVE US SUPPORT AND ARE DEVOTED. THAT ALWAYS MAKES A DAY BETTER FOR US ALL.
Waffle house absolutely rules.
I just got offered my own waffle house to manage and I need someone to tell me whether I need to work there or not. Please?
I love waffle house food! The strange thing about every waffle house I have been to is that all the employees look like red necks and/or white trash. Love them all anyways, really friendly!
I tried the Waffle House on Powers & Galley in Colorado Springs. Ugh! I asked for eggs over well..got them scrambled. I asked for bacon..it was paper thin, had no flavor, and no meat.Only the grits were worth eating.
Great goodness, I didn’t know that waffle house was such a big thing. Web sites dedicated to it? Then again, here I am at 2.00 am searching for a waffle house menu…posting a comment about it…
Man, I miss the ole Waffle House. I moved up to New Hampshire, no such thing as a good place to get breakfast at 2am. 😦
This restaurant sucks! The food is bland and the service is lacking.
Spike made a comment about Waffle House waitresses being “low-class undisciplined gals.” Oh how very nasty and not completely true. I have been a Waffle House waitress for 5 years, was in School Cafeteria Management for 10 years prior, and an Executive Secretary for 10 years prior to that. I was raised in a christian home, am educated and certainly not “low-class.” Not every Waffle House employee is the same. I personally make great money. If you ever get to Wilmington, NC, SPIKE, I challenge you to come meet the waitresses on 1st shift at the Monkey Junction unit. Sorry, but we would certainly prove you WRONG.
MY WHOLE FAMILIY LOVES THE
WAFFLE HOUSE. I WAS A MANAGER IN ONE FOR TWO YEARS IN OKLA CITY
AND MY OLDEST DAUGHTER WAS A
WAITRESS IN WAFFLE HOUSE FOR TEN
YEARS. SINCE WE HAVE MOVED TO
OMAHA NEB THE ONLY WAFFLE HOUSE THEY HAVE IS IN LINCOLN. 60 MILES
AWAY, BELLEVUE NE IS OUTSIDE OMAHA
AND IS THE TIRD LARGEST CITY IN THE STATE AND GROWING FAST EVERY WAY YOU TURN A NEW RESTARUANT IS GOING UP. I JUST WISH THERE WAS A WAFFOE HOUSE.
WAFFLE HOUSE
LOVER
DAN
I live in LA having moved from Atlanta. That’s the one thing I miss albeit I didn’t keep enough tp stocked for too many frequent visits while I resided there. The hashbrowns are just too good though. Always make it in when I’m back in Atlanta for work each month. Wonder when they’ll expand to the west coast.
I lived in the Georgia for 15 years 2 years in TN and I now live in WA. I’m originally from WI. Please bring the House to the Tri-cities in WA. I miss it so. I go to other places to eat my “hashbrowns all the way” but they don’t even come close. Please come to Richland, Pasco or Kennewick. We need you here.
I work at Waffle Hoouse. In June it will be 11 years. Waffle House is not a bad company. It happens to be a wonderful place to work with many options to move up. The problem seems to be poor management, employees and training. If the management doesn’t care, neither will anyone else. Just ask Troy Lewis of Newnan, Georgia. He has ruined unit 888 to the point that food safety and handling is pathetic and sales have dropped over 1000 a day in less than 1 year. He is awful, and has made a bad name for that store.
All the houses in Northen Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati are pretty good.
Why can’t a decent menu be down-loaded?
thanks to the wafflehouse staff at the SAV/HH airport. you guys have brought many a smile to all us late shifters. the reason for restaurant regulars is the PEOPLE who work there and i couldnt ask for a better bunch. thanks again guys and see ya thurs!
Absolutely LOVE the Awful Waffle! I sat with my writing partner in those booths many a night while we were dreaming of TV careers. Moved from the Southeast to California and made sure to hit the westernmost Waffle House in the nation before arriving in the land of fruits and nuts. (It’s in Goodyear, Arizona by the way – or at least it was when I moved out there.) I was always sure to hit the Waffle House when I came back on trips. Now that I’m living in the southeast again I make sure to pay my respects at the House of Scattered, Smothered, *Double* Covered, Chunked, Diced, and Peppered at least once a week!
Beware Folks out there ! WAFFLE HOUSE is the dirtiest place I have ever been. Floors,tables and kitchen,etc.are all dirty. I cannot believe how the management of this restaurant can have a business like this and lasts that long. I am sure they are not the only place that serves a better waffle,we will not ever go back there again.
True, Waffle House is a good place. I have worked there for three years and gained knowledge in multiple areas. I started out as a salesperson when i was 16, learning people skills. I soon became a Grill Operator, and learned how to cook. in the process, you learn how to clean, count, and be a plumber*(clogged drains and toilets. lol)*. I then went on to be trained as a lead associate and assistant manager. unfortunately, before I became a manager they dropped the assistant manager position, so you only have unit and district. Also, I have the menu prices for anybody who needs them. Also, I have nutrition facts. *I had to learn them* so if anybody has any questions or comments, you can email me at SexyPREP0590@aol.com. Also, I work at a waffle house in virginia, on boydton Plank road in Dinwiddie. If ever you get a chance to stop by, do so. You won’t regret it. The PICKLE *(acronym for our services)* starts here with Dinner and a show where the employees are number 2 and the customers are number 1. SO stop by and enjoy americas best coffee, our famous hashbrowns served smothered,covered,chunked,diced, peppered, capped, topped, and any other combination you could possibly put together.
David Little
I am David Adams District manager along side with my lover and franchise owner Jim Dyer we run 6 stores in Phoenix az pop into one of our lkocations 51st&McDowell 59th and MCDowell 83rd &MCDowell or goodyear deer valley and bell road locations say David Adams sent you fora free waffle and a coffee mug
California is a progressive in recognizing it has no need for another FAT FOOD RESTAURANT. With escalating health problems to match the economic downturn, in the next ten years that shitty little blubber making dive will be out of business. That waffle shack is not in California for that reason and will NEVER enter California. The owner lacks an important ingredient for the success of hid business. COMPETENCE! The shitty little existence it has at this point is run by a bunch of ignorant fools that do not know how to bus tables, so try not to talk to the employees; They will not acknowledge you because they are void people skills. ITS A WAFFLE HOUSE – ONLY! DA!
I am currently attempting to do a waffle house photo project in 10 states and I need votes to get the cash to do so, it only takes a minute.You can read about it on the link below. This is a dream photo assignment project and yes I picked Waffle House…After you vote you can right your waffle house in the comment section. THANKS
http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/DMONA/smothered-covered-the-way-of-the-waffle/
Of all my past experiences, I’d have to say that the one I rue the most is my involvement with the Waffle House as a Manager Trainee and then Unit manager. From the very beginning the relationship cost me more than it was worth. I had just moved to Atlanta and had moved in to the spare bedroom of my brother’s apartment.
As I was searching for gainful employ, I responded to an ad in the Atlanta Journal-constitution. I had at the time just separated from four years of service in the Marines as a Food Service Specialist (cook) and it was the base of my experience. The ad as it turns out was from AAA Employment. I had no experience with these kinds of services and quickly found myself being taken advantage. I interviewed twice, once with a management recruiter for Waffle House and then with my future division manager Jim H. We negotiated a salary and the fee for AAA was supposedly added to it. Once I accepted the terms and had started the training program, AAA contacted me wanting their money right away. Waffle House had pulled a bait and switch! I discovered after I had started, that the “Salary” we negotiated was simply the basis upon which a hourly wage was determined while I was in training and once I actually became a Unit Manager, I would make a base salary plus a package of bonuses. AAA was adamant when I tried to explain my situation to them that I had to pay them or I could not take the job. I should have taken the “or”. So the next six weeks of hourly pay, or practically the whole training period at “Waffle House University” went to AAA and I depended heavily on my brother’s good nature. In retrospect I should have seen what was coming when I had to sign a contract that essentially made me financially responsible and accountable for all food and money in the restaurant.
The next chapter in this story opens with me moving out of my brother’s place and into a one bedroom apartment in Lithonia, GA in order to be assigned to my first Waffle House as a prerequisite. The restaurant I was eventually assigned after working “Internships” at other Waffle Houses in Jim’s division was unit #580 on Evans Mill Rd. in Lithonia. I showed up at 6:30am to discover I was replacing one of my management training classmates. I was instructed to send him to the district manager’s other store which was on the opposite side of the interstate exit we were adjacent to. I then proceeded to meet the staff of my first restaurant as manager and worked the entire day with them. Unit Manager at Waffle House is pretty straight forward. You cook the first shift of the day, 7:00am to 2:00pm. You then change shifts, count out the sales from the first shift, replace the cash register drawer with the new shift, fill out a sales report and make a bank deposit for sales from the last twenty four hours. After which the manager inventories the food on the floor and replaces what was used during the last day from the commissary which is kept under lock and key.
My mistake as I would later learn was that I was not properly “Checked in” to the restaurant by the district manager that morning and had thusly assumed all responsibility blindly. The district manager “Darrel” showed up at the next shift change (9pm) to do a audit of food and money. As this was all new and exciting to me and I have a habit in general to trust people, found myself being taken to the bank. Darrel audited the cash which came out just fine. Then we went to the commissary and inventoried all the food, which also came out fine. BUT, when we came back to the office we discovered we (I) had not secured the cash in the safe and after recounting discovered five hundred dollars missing. I was afforded the opportunity to replace the cash personally or it would have to be reported and I would most likely lose my job on the first day and the money would have been deducted from my pay and a bill sent to me for the remainder. Thus was the nature of the contract I had signed.
A EMPLOYEE BEHIND THE COUNTER WAS SLICING CARROTS, DROPPED ONE ON THE FLOOR , PICKED IT UP,
ALSO SLICED IT THEN DELIVERED IT TO A WAITRESS AT THE END OF THE COUNTER THAT WAS MAKING SALADS! GARDENDALE, AL – ONE OF THE LOWEST, NASTIEST
RESTAURANTS I’VE VISITED.
I have been a regular at the local Waffle House in Corydon, IN. for several years, and I have had some of the best times of my life in that place, and yes, there have been some wild things happen there, and that’s what I love about the place… it feels more like a home to me at times, than my actual home does. I have made many wonderful friends there and have have had more laughs there, than just about any other place I can think of… and wouldn’t have it any other way.
Not all of the employees there are as friendly as the ones on 3rd shift, but then again, going there during 3rd shift is when all the fun and crazy stuff takes place… I guess that what I’m trying to say is, Waffle House isn’t just a great place to eat, but it’s also one heck of a place to go to meet old friends, and to make new ones… And to those people who have only negative comments to make… “It may not be your most favorite place to go when you’re hungry, or just wanna’ sit with friends for a while, but to me, and many other people that I know, our local Waffle House is one hell of a great place.”
I would like to let Jim Dyer know one of his stores, number 972 in Phoenix Arizona, 59th Ave and I-10, is in serious trouble. The manager Shannon M. is doing all the right things, but she needs help from you so her store can pass BASIC HEALTH STANDARDS. I suggest HIGHLY you contact her and let her know what your plans are for repairs in that store. She has need of a competent plumber to repair the plumbing in that store. The request was submitted for repair, and the plumber was sent out to fix the problems. I am not a plumber BUT I KNOW I CAN DO BETTER than the repair I saw. The water was still leaking when he left. I hope this notification will suffice in regards to the problem. I am not trying to cause anyone grief, but my job would allow me to if is needed. I hope you understand. I also would like you to check on that overwhelming smell of fuel from, I suppose, the fuel stop next door. There is a leak somewhere, or it would not smell that bad all the time. Thank You for you immediate attention in regards to this simple problem. RLT
HEY I WAS JUST TRYING TO FIND OUT FROM ANYONE IF POSSIBLE IF YOU KNOW OF ANY JOB OPENINGS FOR A COOK AT ANY OF THE WAFFLE HOUSE IN PHENIX CITY ALABAMA MY FRIEND NEEDS A JOB REALLY BAD CAN WORK ANY SHIFT PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU CAN BE OF ANY HELP IT WOULF DEEPLY BE APPRECIATED SO VERY MUCH GOD BLESS AND HAVE A NICE DAY OUR PHONE NUMBER IS 706-289-5943
i always use Ceramic Coffee mugs because they are quite tough, i dropped them on the floor without breaking*;:
it seems like most of the comments here are posted by waffle house itself. waffle house sucks, anyone who has eaten there knows it.
rape
my favorite coffee mug are those that are made from porcelain or ceramic.~`
Who was Waffle House’s employee of the month? Nobody. How do you sing the Waffle House commercial jingle? You don’t sing it; you fart it. How do you tell the difference between an omelette made at the Waffle House and a big pile of steaming vomit? The vomit has more flavor.
Good info. Lucky me I reach on your website by accident,I bookmarked it
Thank you for all of the effort on this blog
I just got hired by Waffle House as a Manager In Training and fired up about the company that gave me a chance to have a FULL-TIME JOB!!! Now for those of you posting negative comments about my employer I disagree with you!!! The Food is Great and so are the Waffle House family. Thank God for the good ole USA and Praises for the Wonderful Waffle House INC!!!
Who’s Hiring in this Bad Economy? Who’s Hiring at a time when people are struggling to find a job? Who’s Hiring when all these other businesses are falling apart and laying off their employee’s?
WAFFLE HOUSE BABY!!!! Scattered Covered and Smothered!!!!
michael c., so how has your experience been so far? I am in the process of interviewing, and it seems they are going to hire me, but I am a little nervous because I have no experience in this area at all..Any suggestions or advice?
Incredible points. Great arguments. Keep up the great effort.
I worked at the old waffle for 10 years. I loved my home store in Davie florida (yes the one where people were murdered in the freezer) But when i transferred to my new store i never knew there could be so many mean,nasty people under one roof at one time. Its located right next to a crakle barrel and if you were lucky you might walk out the door with 20 bux only becuase there was no bussiness whats soever. I could go on and on about this place but i wouldent waste my time working at a waffle house again.
I just finished my first interview and going in for my second tomorrow. I think I,m going to enjoy working at Waffle House. The one in Slidell LA is nice. After working at Holiday Inn for 4 yrs. waitressing and bartending, this is going to be a positive change. Everyone is friendly and works well together. I eat there often and never could get hash browns so great anywhere else.
Wendy