Waffle House — Restaurant in Hot Springs

Walked in at 6:11 a.m. The sky was starting to soften, but inside, time had stopped somewhere between midnight and the end of the world. The floor was sticky, the air was thick with smoke and fryer grease, and the jukebox whispered sweet silence.

My kind waitress took my order, then turned toward the cook who had just walked in from his smoke break outside. She shouted out a series of phrases that sounded less like English and more like the Navajo wind talkers had gotten jobs in short-order cooking. Scattered, smothered, capped, Red 40, whatever she said, it worked. The cook didn’t flinch, just muttered, “Why do you do this to me,” and then moved like a man who’d traded punches and pancakes in equal measure.

A little while later, my waitress hollered, “I’ll be right back,” and strolled off toward the sketchy little gas station across the parking lot like it was just part of her route. Soon I saw her crossing back, fresh pack of smokes in hand, cigarette already lit, coughing gently as she walked. She took one last drag, exhaled slow like she had done it a thousand times, and flicked it into the void before grabbing the door. She walked in and soon asked, “You need anything else?”

Peace, waffles, and nicotine in the air. I was good.

The food was exactly what I needed. The waffle was perfect. The peace was imperfect but real. And sometimes that is all you need at 6:00 a.m.

Five stars. This place will...

Very sweet young lady served us. She was a bit soft spoken and you could tell she was new to the location. The cook and the other older woman working there were rude to her. Reached over her while she counted money... I wanted to get rude! We ordered double smothered, covered, chunked and peppered... I heard her tell the cook what we ordered. A few minutes later she asked the cook where our hash browns were, as she had cooked them and didn't give them to her. She said, "well, maybe you should tell me what you want!! I already gave that order to her over there!" As she handed her two plain hash browns. Poor girl was so quite when she brought it and we could obviously hear the rudeness if the established employees. So we did not complain. One, don't treat your employees like that!! Two, everyone can hear you two older woman being hateful to the young girl!! How rude!! I wanted to go back and say something... But I'm just not into arguing with hateful people so much anymore. I hope that young blonde sweetie gets treated better in the future!! If I do come back... I will not be so silent when I see that ganging up on the new chick stuff. You work in a restaurant, not a bar!!! I wish I had gotten her name. But I was upset and wanted to leave!!! Nobody thinks a bossy bee is funny. She was mistreated and I don't like it!! Good food......

My husband and I go here every week or more. Food and service are usually good. But not this last Sunday. Got double pork chop meals to go for us and my elderly mom. So go home to eat our food and something just wasn't right. The pork chops were spoiled and after only eaten half it messed our stomachs up for a few days. Had contacted the manager of the store the next morning ( Joshua) He says he can't do anything about it unless we bring back the meals and then he would replace only the pork chops. I kindly said that I didn't want any more meat that could be spoiled and make us sick again and yes I would bring back the meat. Then he called me back and said nevermind don't bring the meat but he would refund me the money of $10.50 . The meals I paid for was $44.98 plus a $10 tip. . I never got a real apology for making my elderly mom and I sick for 2 days. So so rude. I still have the tainted meat in freezer and should take it to the Heath department and have them fined. Not sure. But I'm definitely sure I will never eat there again!!! This was the waffle house on central in hot springs by...