Miriam: Waffle House
Corey just flew in from New York for a couple days R&R - coinciding with my 5-day Fall Break. Upon arrival at 10 a.m., we took him to that Southern staple: Waffle House. I had first heard of Waffle House from my friend Rosie who ate there in Alabama when her man was in Marine training. I thought she meant that there were many privately owned places that served waffles, not that there was a chain. Oh, but what a chain. They are one of the only places open 24 hours, they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and they are known for their hash browns. I know, I know, it's called Waffle House. But I've included a snap shot of their menu so you understand the complexity of the hash browns. Having only been there once before in January, I had wanted to try the hash browns "all the way," but was reticent. That could do a number on a stomach and not all of the items sound like they would combine well. Today was the day, though, so as Corey and Aaron ordered a ton of food for $7 each, I just got a plate of hash brown and oh my goodness. I'm not posting a picture because you wouldn't even be able to make out what's happening, so use your imagination after reading the menu. I am so full... yet completely satisfied. I'll need to take some more pictures to show you just how far a buck goes here.
Here's the review part: while most of the food lacks bold flavor, the all-the-way hash browns are bursting with it! Chili, cheese, jalapenos, onions, mushrooms, ham, and whatever else they could find combine to make a steaming plate of yummy-yumness. The waffle batter here is made with vanilla so it has a pleasant, sweet flavor and they are not Belgian. Belgian waffles always strike me as being cardboard-like, but these are the standard waffles and you can get them done crispy. Once you butter and and syrup crispy waffles, they still have some crunch! The grits here made Aaron a convert to the way of gritiness, the coffee is good and strong, and really the only thing I don't like is that they have plain white toast instead of sourdough or 9-grain! All in all, a worthy choice on any road trip or late-night drunken binge.
