Waffle House — Restaurant in Middletown

I was in for a late breakfast travelling through Delaware. I'm a Jersey guy and while we have plenty of awesome diners we don't have any Waffle House. I spent a few years in GA and FL so I know what I'm missing. Also, I've worked every position in a restaurant from top to bottom and I have over 20 years in the industry. My experience today was one of the best examples of what the hospitality industry should be... I walked into a gentleman putting down a new floor mat by the door. He said "good morning c'mon in, we have a fresh red carpet for you" I laughed said thank you and headed to the counter. Nicole greeted me and took my order and then I got to enjoy the show. My breakfast came out quickly and correctly. It was somewhat slow but the entire staff was still engaged and helped each other. I quickly noticed that the man who greeted me was the manager. Not by name tag but by his energy. He owns every piece of that restaurant. He watched the grill register and every table while he was doing other tasks. All with a beaming smile. He even gave the heads up to the staff as he saw a regular pulling in. I believe I overheard the man likes well done bacon so they started cooking it before he was even parked. Shortly after that the manager was holding the door for the regular, who is older and uses a cane. Everyone was all smiles and happy to see each other. As the gentleman walked to his table the manager threw some James Brown on the jukebox. I thought... man did he do that just for the customer? Sure enough the regular then starts talking smack to the younger staff that they don't know nothin about James Brown lol. Rory Douglas is the manager. I know because I went out of my way to call and ask after I left. I was blown away by the phenomal experience Rory provided. He is an absolute shining star in his field. It's clear the pride he takes in his work. You can see it trickle down to his staff as well. It seems he's established a great work environment. Here's the part where I could say something like "keep up the good work" but it's a waste. I know Rory is going to keep absolutely crushing it. If this location isn't a training store you're making a mistake. Rory is an absolute professional and he could easily be the model for all waffle house management. Thank you to Rory...

I want to say that the breakfast food is so good. Yet...I couldn't give this place 5 stars and I wanted too. The cook I had was a very nice guy, and it's not his fault; he just isn't aware. I want to thank Jesus Christ the Creator of All; for prompting me through his Holy Spirit that lives inside of my spirit, to say my grace before I eat. For it was God alone that prevented me from ingesting the guy that cooked my foods, facial hair that was in my cheesy eggs w chopped onions. I came here labor day weekday of 2024, and everything was perfect except that as a first time customer there. I had to post this, to let them know to use beard nets or be clean shaved as men, when cooking people's food or else do register only. The caps and gloves are good, just add beard nets or be clean shaved or avoid cook task. I could have ingested that man's beard hair, and once hair is in the digestive tract; it stays there til death, and too much hair digestion will kill a person. Praise to the Lord Jesus Christ, for allowing me to see the beard hair mixed into my cheesy eggs w chopped onions. Other than this, excellent breakfast across the board; and no adjustments need to be made except to add beard nets or be clean shaven when cooking food. I had to bring this to the forefront, for the seriousness of the matter needed for the adjustment to be made, for the perfection of...

I just moved to Middletown from Atlanta, so believe me when I tell you, I have a great reference of perspective.

Service: I came to put in a to go order. First, there a 20% cases charge. 10% goes to the preparer of your order, 10% is a just because. None of the Waffle House in ATL had this (one at every exit).

My order was placed (3 waffles, Texas melt, has browns with add ons)

After a while, I saw my prepared food just sitting on a counter as staff members were having a heated conversation about something operational I’m sure.

Well finally someone decided to move my food down the counter and it sat for another while waiting for my preparer, who also had an operational conversation.

In the end, my waffles were cold, one of the add ons was missing from my hash browns (I should’ve checked on the spot considering what I already saw) and the melt was warm. For example, typically the butter is put in the plate of the angle to melt it. After a 12 min drive home, the butter was still hard.

Food: Tastes ok, but cold. Had to warm it up. I live less than 15 mins away. Disappointed my chili was missing. It’s typically the highlight of the hash browns.

Atmosphere: places wasn’t crowded, sense of urgency was non existent.

I’ll try this spot one more time (operated by East Coast Waffle) and see how it fairs. I believe in trying things out to...