A Waffle House Thanksgiving
Posted by CMH Gourmand on November 23, 2007
I started Thankgiving breakfasting at Waffle House many years ago. My mom worked third shift and typically was in need of sleep on Thanksgiving Day while I cleaned the leaves out of my grandmothers gutters (traditions!). I also encourage my mom not to cook so dining out helps. One Thanksgiving morning we searched all over for a breakfast spot that was open – and we found every place closed except Waffle House. We have been back every year since and not just for the food.
Waffle House is open 24/7, 365 days a year, so it gets a diverse range of customers. The crowd of diners is even more diverse and entertaining on Thanksgiving. There are so many stories going on in a place like this during a holiday – the people watching is incredible. There are some people on their way to somewhere, others that can not get to where they want to be and some that have no place to go at all but everyone is equal waiting in line and passing the time. The servers soldier on although I am sure most would rather be somewhere else. I have always walked out after breakfast thankful for what I do have and that I can go to Waffle House by choice and not by nessessity. This year, while waiting in line, I chatted with a gentleman that goes to Waffle House every day at 10 AM – the employees and regular customers all knew him by name and he would not have chosen to be anywhere else any day – especially on a holiday.
Another thing I like about Waffle House is they have HOUSE RULES posted everywhere. The rules cover all types of things such as table selection, waiting in line, and how everyone should be treated – we might all benefit by reading these rules from time to time (am I becoming Andy Rooney in my old age?).
There are over 1500 Waffle Houses in 25 states and what they do they do well – cook fresh food fast for the masses without any apologies or excuses. I only go once per year but I will keep on going just for the experience alone.
CMH Gourmand - Eating in Columbus & Ohio 
Columbus Foodie said
I love Waffle House – had a cheesesteak omelete, scattered and smothered hash browns, grits, and an order of the best bacon I’ve had in a long time this morning while waiting for the electric to come back on (since no microwave and no stove = no breakfast).
I never thought to go there on Thanksgiving though…I think it’s so cool that your family has made it a tradition.