Waffle House — Restaurant in Pinellas Park

I went in the evening this week to the 54th Waffle House. I had driven by many times but had never eaten there. I have at Treasure Island and I think St. Pete Beach. So I go in as a young couple is leaving, ONE family seated waiting to give order and three young men waiting to each pay their check. The server cashier was somewhat preoccupied and took forever to acknowledge me. Finally did and said he had his hands full he was the only handling things besides the fry cook who was there. I assume they were also busy readying to-go orders which by they way have a MANDATORY 20% tacked on (10% server - 10% establishment) - so after about 15 minutes easy I had noticed two women (workers) come by 730pm and stand outside talking talking and even by the time I walked out and went to car they had never gone in. Nice. So finally he gets to me and says what do I want. I said my sandwich and french fries (simple?) He answers, SORRY, we dont have a deep fryer, no french fries, just hash browns. ICK! Maybe this is a new thing but I had checked the online menu before I left and Waffle House serves fries. I understand we all have bad days, bad times, but his personality needs an upsweep. Perhaps if he had initially told me that I wouldn't have wasted my 20+ minutes there. Better yet how about a sign posted WE DONT HAVE FRIES like the rest of the world and all of our competitors? Ive seen Pinellas Sheriff and others eat there but it still looks like a greasy spoon inside and out. Oh yes coming into the establishment is NOT handicap friendly. Keep that in mind. You go in the door which is way down and then once in through another narrow door. Then their aisle is tight. So have no idea how a wheelchair or walker would work. Well, Cracker Barrel is almost next door. Yes I had forgotten WAFFLE HOUSE is the coldest place...

As a frequent visitor to Waffle House restaurants throughout the Tampa Bay Area, I feel confident that my experience should have been much better. I have weird hours so it’s a convenient place to eat some decent inexpensive food and use the table like a desk for a little while if it’s not busy.

On the 12th of August I was given ice cold coffee, then my bacon was undercooked and my waffle was nearly raw. As they tried to correct these problems, it just got worse. They forgot my syrup, took my spoon away - so I just figured my knife would do as a way to stir my coffee.

It became almost comical. I ate what I could. Drank my now hot coffee, and figured it was a really off day for the usually great staff.

I had been giving this chain a chance since my review. But now nearly every location shuts down like a Super Max Prison at 10 PM, or 11 PM. You can go down the street to any number of restaurants that don’t need armed guards and a security glass pass through because you can’t eat at a RESTAURANT. They must attract the worst people in this once great country to need such absurd measures that all the nearby restaurants don’t need. Sorry, but my business is going elsewhere from this day forward. What a sad day for yet another failing...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We popped into the Waffle House on 54th Ave N around 11 AM on a Sunday, just craving a simple breakfast without needing to remortgage the house (have you seen weekend breakfast prices lately?!). Thankfully, this WH is still holding it down—quick, hot, satisfying food without the sticker shock. Staple breakfast items, no hype.

What really makes this location special, though, is the vibe. The staff and customers seem to have made an unspoken pact to just be ridiculously nice to each other. It’s like breakfast therapy with a side of hashbrowns.

And the entertainment? Top tier. This visit featured an impromptu Boston accent competition between the grill cook and our server. Picture two grown adults shouting “eggs ovah easy, with a side’a baahcon an’ a wawfle...” across the line like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Hilarious.

Bonus points: they’re super accommodating for dietary restrictions even in the land of everything-smothered-and-covered.

Affordable, cheerful, and weirdly heartwarming—this Waffle House gets it right every time. We'll keep coming back for the food...