Waffle House — Restaurant in Sanford

Went in for a breakfast, our server was pleasant and attentive and there were good tunes on. We placed an order and as we waited became immediately aware this was not going to be a positive experience and needed to leave immediately. A line cook was training a new hire, not a problem, however, after further observation, proper and safe food handling was not being demonstrated AT ALL. The female trainer had, with gloves, reached into the fridge to grab bacon, opened it and laid it on the griddle. No problem so far, right? Well she then, with the same gloved hands, proceeded to touch the fridge handle again, a frying pan handle, the bacon press handle, the counter in several places, her shirt, her own hat, her right forearm she used to close the fridge door she already touched, more bacon and food in the fridge as she grabbed more and fresh plates above the line and plates with food on them waiting for what she was making. Not once did she change her gloves, absolute health code violation, after contaminating literally everything in the kitchen with bacon schmutz. We were only there for 7min and able to witness all this. There was a male, experienced, younger thin cook who did change his gloves regularly, however, he was not preparing food directly and only doing prep off to the side. The offending party above was running the line. We quickly asked for a manager to explain why we would not be dining and leaving immediately. She understood and said she would provide further education and instruction to her staff and off we went while unfortunately watching the dining room begin to fill. I can only hope they stopped what they were doing to take the time and fully sanitize the kitchen.

We will not be returning as this is massively unsafe and I value my health more than a...

Come for the buttery eggs.... come for the smoked sausage.... or come for the armed security guard who alerted to your advance towards the door, barks "window service only". But if you plan on coming to THIS Waffle House after-dark, DON'T plan on settling in at your own little private little table or grill-top bar stool to enjoy a cozy hot breakfast or an offer for seconds on your coffee. Of course, you are welcome to order at the outdoor window, then anxiously wolf down your food as you nervously peer across the parking lot for quickly approaching throngs of gangmembers wielding machetes or semi-automatic weapons. Or....... you could do what I did which was to simply get back in my car and drive about a block away where I was warmly greeted at Denny's and proceeded to sit down for an outstanding breakfast with friendly service, in a calm environment surrounded by other seemingly happy patrons.

Call me crazy but, I just don't find quite the same appeal for those restaurants that will not open for guest sit-down service as a result of their heightened crime risk concerns should I or others opt...

Got a really bad experience when me and my family went. We was able to get a table without any wait. The waitress who we had was horrible. We ordered our drinks. My husband and two older kids got there drinks before me and my youngest daughter did. And I had to ask for a straw. We ordered our food. My son and I had the All Star Breakfast which as you know comes with a waffle. She gave us the food and asked if we needed anything else. And I said yes please syrup. That should of been the second thing on the table after we ordered our food. Then when I used the ketchup it was empty. She never came and checked up on us. Never once made sure our drinks needed a refill. Had a different waitress come by and grabbed our dirty dishes that we stacked up for them. I used to work at Waffle House so I know how it is. And that experience wasn't a great experience. Next time we go back and she is working there I will definitely ask not to be in her section. She didn't have a lot of tables either. And it wasn't that busy. Wanted to leave her a penny tip but I didn't bring in any change. So, she didn't get...