Waffle House — Restaurant in Bristol

This waffle house location, today, was humming on all cylinders. With many places closed the day after Thanksgiving, this place was packed, with people waiting. Rather than wait for a booth, we took four seats at the bar, in front of the dishwasher, and catecornered from the grill. Veteran waitress Sylvia was on a roll, keeping it real, with her banter with the customers, and other staff. The Waffle House code is a veritable concert, converting customer orders, into a string of orders for the two short order cooks in constant motion, grabbing eggs, and cracking, taking a handfull of bacon out of the cooler and laying the strips out neatly on the grill, grabbing slices of bread cartoon like fan loading them into the toaster. Dip a cup into the shredded potatoes and turn out on the grill. Lift the lids on the waffle irons, spray them liberally with non-stick, grab the ladle and container of batter, and ladle out two waffles’ worth. Return to the grill and scatter the hash browns, take the eggs off and turn onto a waiting plate, flip the bacon, grab a knife and take a scoop of butter from the elevated butter pan, and butter the bread slices that have just emerged from the toasters. Meanwhile, the non-stop stream of orders continues, with the sub-text of human interaction that today, equaled the best sit com, but this was real life. Medical challenges, child custody, one woman enters pregnant and needs an egg right now, the manager emerges from the office and reaches for an egg and cracks it on the grill, and winks at the pregnant woman, “We’ll have it right up.” Meanwhile, Sylvia had finished her dishes, groused about doing dishes for the other waitresses, and eventually got around to getting our order. She started with, “If it’s too complicated, you might not get it, just so you know.”. We ordered hashbrowns scattered, smothered (grilled onions), ham, mushrooms, tomatoes, and peppers. In the event, the peppers didn’t make it. A Vegan among us ordered hashbrowns with onions and mushrooms. One of us had a chicken steak and a waffle and coffee. Had two hot teas. And a pecan waffle. I asked for bacon. Sylvia said, “You want the ‘Senior bacon’ - it’s only a dollar more?”. “Sure”, I said. She asked, “Do want want the double hashbrowns - it’s only a dollar more?”. “Sure”, I said. My lovely spouse spoke up, “One egg, over easy please.”. Sylvia winked, “That’s mighty complicated. I’ll see what we can do.” Into the steady stream of coded orders, like a driver waiting her turn to enter traffic on a crossing road, Sylvia waited and then it happened, the code for our order was inserted into the stream. With the constant motion between two cooks at the grill, it was hard to tell what was what. At some point, Sylvia moved toward the grill, grabbed some plates and set them down in front of us. She refilled the tea and coffee. We set to consuming the wonders Waffle House has to offer - the hashbrowns hot off the grill just right — the pecan waffle delivered with extra butter and the obligatory sticky jar of syrup, the single egg over easy, and three strips of bacon done just right. During this time, the two cooks at the grill went on break, and the manager came out, without missing a beat. A man showed up, saying, “I’m here to pick up my son,” and the manager, continuously in motion, said, “I’ll call her.”. This place is more than a food establishment, it is a center for life well lived. Many pass through anonymously, while others become part of the play. Your choice. The comfort of the food, and the good cheer with which is delivered, is simply amazing. If you’re in the neighborhood, say passing on I-81, by all means, recommend adding this place as a destination on your navigator. 24 hours. ...

Stopped in at the Pinnacle location for breakfast after a doctor visit. This location is on the main entry road of the Pinnacle - traffic can be crazy at times. But we got a booth and we’re greeted by all of the employees in less than a minute. We ordered the breakfast that had a little bit of everything - eggs, bacon, toast, hash browns and a waffle. The wait was not long because we we entertained by the conversations between customers that eat here very often and the waitress. Our food arrived quickly - it was delicious, hot and prolific! More food than we could finish. After I finished my food I went to the cash register to pay for our meal, only to find out that the frequent customer had taken care of our food. There is still nice people in the world. I picked another table out of the guests and paid for their food. Hopefully the pay it forward movement went on all day. This location is the best Waffle House that we have eaten at in multiple states and cities. If you are in the are looking for breakfast definitely give the...

It’s has been over 25 years since I’ve been to a Waffle House. The food is much different from back then of course and the restaurant seating had changed. But the overall feel for the place is the same. Kind of that familiar feel you get when you go to your Aunt Gladys’s house. You know, the one with 3 unlicensed pit bulls, an old Pontiac up on blocks and she uses canned milk? I felt like the Waffle House did not disappoint. I love it. The waffle is much thinner than it used to be, but things change in 25 years. Though the buttery delicious flavor was still as I remember. My hash bowl with gravy was on point. The cost seemed so reasonable to me. Two of us ate for $27 and then we tipped. Our waitress was so sweet and even helped a single dad entertain his kid so the dad could eat. The place wasn’t very busy with customers inside, but the take out orders kept them busy. Pretty much just the way I remembered, less the take out option. I can’t wait to try it again in...