"Waffled" House...

I realize that chain restaurants have long been something of an anathema with many folks on this site, but I’ve always patronized them in balance with indies, believing that a well-managed restaurant deserves loyalty regardless of its origins.

Among the chains that I (typically) enjoy is Waffle House, and the location in LaGrange (Oldham County) has long been the standard by which I judge other WH’s that I visit. The service is friendly and prompt, the menu items are well-prepared, quickly served and accurate. If (on the rare occasion) there is a miscue, it is quickly fixed with a smile and apology. The perefct dining experience? No – but it’s the best-run Waffle House I can remember, and I remain a regular customer. My only current criticism is the reduction of parking space they shared with “Ponderosa”, next door, which at times makes access to WH a guessing game.

Other WH’s in the area could learn from the LaGrange location as a model, and (IMO) none are more deserving of this than the Waffle House located on Chamberlain Lane, near Westport Road (next to Moby Dick). I’ve made previous visits to this location, and was never very impressed – while the food was adequate (at best), service and organization always seemed disjointed. A recent visit unfortunately solidified my opinion of them, and I doubt that I will return.

I had a bad feeling about things the moment we entered, when the young man responsible for seating guests casually told us to “take a seat in the back booth”, and pointed to an empty table. The restaurant was busy, and the line crew was scrambling to prep orders, but there seemed to be an atmosphere of disorganization that I couldn’t get out of my mind. At least ten minutes later, the server approached us and inquired about drink orders. Taking advantage of the opportunity, we also ordered our meals, which finally appeared after about 30+ minutes (and incorrect). My wife TWICE requested iced tea (specifying plenty of ice), and on both occasions, the server brought tea in a glass that was (maybe) half-filled with ice. When my wife asked (politely) just for a cup of ice, the server returned and (none too gently) placed it on the table, walking away without expressing a word of apology.

Having working in both the QSR and FSR segments for a number of years, I know that sometimes restaurants just have off days…but you get through it, fix the issues, and make the next shift better.

Unfortunately, every one of my visits to this WH location appears to have been an “off-day”, and I won’t be back...sorry.

I realize that chain restaurants have long been something of an anathema with many folks on this site, but I’ve always patronized them in balance with indies, believing that a well-managed restaurant deserves loyalty regardless of its origins.

Among the chains that I (typically) enjoy is Waffle House, and the location in LaGrange (Oldham County) has long been the standard by which I judge other WH’s that I visit. The service is friendly and prompt, the menu items are well-prepared, quickly served and accurate. If (on the rare occasion) there is a miscue, it is quickly fixed with a smile and apology. The perefct dining experience? No – but it’s the best-run Waffle House I can remember, and I remain a regular customer. My only current criticism is the reduction of parking space they shared with “Ponderosa”, next door, which at times makes access to WH a guessing game.

I also patronize such non-local establishments on a "balanced" level...with the only prerequisites being good service, good food and reasonable prices (WHAT ? No beer list ?). As a result of health issues within our extended family, the lovely bride and I find ourselves "back home" (NE Ohio) on a fairly regular basis...To a town where aside from our favorite tavern/s the local restaurants pretty much close when they roll up the streets around 10pm. Given that we often don't arrive in the area until after most establishments are closed, we sometimes find ourselves eating a midnight to 1am late dinner/early breakfast at the local Waffle House. I can't say that I've ever had a complaint...The place is always -spotless-, the food is always well prepared, the service is excellent and I can get out the door for less than a 20 dollar bill. It's a win-win situation for us.

Waffle House is also one of the places we get a craving for on occasion. No matter what time of day or night we go we always end up having breakfast food which seems to be their specialty anyway. We know we go to the one on Shelbyville Rd in Middletown and like the one you described they always seem to get everything right and are friendly while doing it. Maybe they're not a great culinary experience but they certainly have good reasonably priced food no matter what time you want it!

I have regularly eaten at the WH on Blakenbaker. Nice people and it's often fun to talk with the cook. He taught me about piercing the "2nd white" when frying an egg.

You are correct about Chamberlain Ln WH, John. Duncan and I were there last Saturday morning and the District and Regional managers were in with a huge inspection process spread out on the counter. They looked irritated. Since these are company owned I would expect a staff shake up soon. We avoid this location in favor of the LaGrange and Middletown stores. Wish we had a Huddle House close by!

OK Margie. Explain this piercing of the second white. I have to know.

Waffle House on Fern Valley thumbs up, WH on Preston at Grade Lane thumbs down. Apparently some chains are truly defined by the local franchisee/manager. Case in point is the Subway at Fern Valley and I-65. After meeting the manager and experiencing the level of service there I won't eat at any of their other stores.

You are correct about Chamberlain Ln WH, John. Duncan and I were there last Saturday morning and the District and Regional managers were in with a huge inspection process spread out on the counter. They looked irritated. Since these are company owned I would expect a staff shake up soon. We avoid this location in favor of the LaGrange and Middletown stores. Wish we had a Huddle House close by!

Ed...the dining experience that I recounted in my post occurred the day after you were there; so I would submit that the staff shakeup couldn't come too soon. I haven't dined at the Middletown WH, but will put that on my list -- I can also recommend the WH in Shelbyville, KY (Hwy 53 & I-64). We haven't visited a Huddle House, yet, but I see them around the central/southern part of the state...when I was a kid (living in Indy) there was a restaurant near us called, "The Huddle House", which was comparable to a full-service "Jerry's" or "Ranch House" (back in their heyday) versus the "diner-like" environment that I've seen with the current "Huddle House" around here...don't know if they have the same origin.

As functionally satisfactory as our visits to Waffle House have been, if I am given the choice I'll take IHOP or Perkins over easy...any day.

I haven't dined at the Middletown WH, but will put that on my list -- I can also recommend the WH in Shelbyville, KY (Hwy 53 & I-64).

Im not a fan of the Middletown one, but the Dalton, GA one is excellent.

OK Margie. Explain this piercing of the second white. I have to know.

I asked him how he cooked a sunny side up and over medium egg perfectly and avoided having any runny white. He cracked an egg onto the grill and showed me how most of the white spreads out, but there is an inner circle of thicker white just around the yolk. Then he took the edge of the spatula and carefully pierced the thicker white. Perfectly runny yolk, no runny white.

As functionally satisfactory as our visits to Waffle House have been, if I am given the choice I'll take IHOP or Perkins over easy...any day.

I am a fan of IHOP -- largely because I can get Eggs Benedict on their menu.