Anthony Bourdain eats at Waffle House, and declares it good:
For some reason, my dad isn’t a big fan of Waffle House, so I rarely got to eat there growing up. And inexplicably, Denny’s, where Dad did like to eat, didn’t offer waffles. So I lived something of a waffless household.
Imagine my surprise when I grew up to discover… I didn’t actually like waffles very much. I mean, they’re okay, I guess, but pancakes tend to taste better. Or maybe it just didn’t live up to ten years of hype in my mind?
But I do, it turns out, like Waffle House. There is a Waffle House in Millsburg near Clancy’s workplace there (she also works in Stonebridge, right by our old house). Whenever I have to take Lain up, we do go to Waffle House. Not to get waffles, though. And pecan waffles sound pretty disgusting. But the general menu is pretty greasy and good. The atmosphere is pretty nice as well.
You can tell who they cater to by the signs of the signs politely asking you not to sexually harass the waitstaff and informing you of the steps they may take if you do.
One of Lain’s favorite books is Curious George Makes Pancakes. If you’re at all familiar with CG, you can probably guess the plot. We’re at the phase where I like to ask Lain “Where is the X” and she points to it. Or I point to something and she tells me what it is. She likes to book about pancakes so much, I thought she might get a real kick out of trying some. But the couple of times I have tried to take her to IHOP, she has sort of gotten into a fit and doesn’t want them.
I wonder if she’ll like waffles.
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21 Responses to Waffles & Pancakes
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I’ve never actually been to a Waffle House. Have to try it
Much like Turkey Hill, Waffle House is one of those chains that has a tough time making it across the Delaware. Why? Maybe because NJ is the diner capital of the world, and they can’t get a toe hold in.
The one closest to me is in Bethlehem, which I drive past on my way to the Sands. I have never been inside it, though.
In an episode of The Office, they go to the local Benihana. The problem is that the closest one to Scranton is in Short Hills, New Jersey, which by coincidence is the one closest to me.
Growing up, my favorite Curious George book was when he ate the puzzle piece and had to have an operation to get it out.
I’ve never been to waffle house, either, and am not sure where there is one in Big City. My wife and I go to a really good breakfast place. It’s local, but very close by and not too expensive.
One of the things that’s struck me about Denny’s is how few of the breakfast staples they offer even though they’re the type of restaurant you’d think would offer a lot more. It’s been a while since I’ve gone, but I seem to remember they didn’t even have biscuits and gravy. Maybe they do now, or maybe it depends on the particular store, but I’d expect that, even a poor version of it, to be on the menu. In short, it doesn’t surprise me if they don’t offer waffles.
My favorite Curious George book was Dreams From My Father.
… Not sure I like that one.
I’m surprised you didn’t censor it.
I should have.
If I’m going to one of the breakfast food chains, I go to Village Inn. They’re mostly a Mountain West and Great Plains chain, but have been expanding. For the record, they have both waffles and biscuits and gravy.
Haven’t eaten there before. I do miss Perkins sometimes.
Again, living in the diner capital of the world, there is no need to go to Perkins. There are a few here, but they aren’t very popular. They tend to be down the shore in the more touristy parts of NJ.
I’ve never actually seen a Perkins east of the Plains, though looking it up they are not western as I thought they were.
I remember Village Inn and I remember liking it. It’s been years, probably decades, since I’ve been there, though.
Not to brag on my own cooking, but I have yet to find a chain place that makes pancakes as good as I can make myself. I get that that could be an issue when one is traveling, of course. But it’s disappointing to finally get an outlet of a major chain with PANCAKES in its name in your town, and find that those pancakes are really pretty meh.
I’m not sure if I’m a believer in “really good” pancakes. Or more precisely, that my mouth can taste the difference. Now a really bad pancake I can detect, but the difference between a median pancake and a great one is probably lost on me.
Bug (who is close in age to Lain) loves pancakes. Specifically, Trader Joe’s Frozen Silver Dollar Pancakes (45 seconds in the microwave, 5 minutes of peace while he is too busy shoveling them into his bottomless pit to talk).
He also enjoys the Eggo version (if you have no Trader Joe’s handy).
He’ll also eat waffles at home or at a restaurant.
Honestly, though, I don’t think it has anything to do with pancakes or waffles, except that they are an acceptable Butter & Maple Syrup deliver vehicle.
Apologies in advance, this really is not a reference to current events.
Aren’t there any fans here of French toast?
Not a “fan” but I do like it from time to time.
Yep! 🙂
Yes, love it. Je suis Toast de France.
I didn’t know anyone liked pancakes better than waffles. I figured the only reason pancakes even exist is that some people don’t have waffle irons.
Pancakes are easier to butter.