Head to Decatur, Georgia to worship at the altar of Waffle House.
Waffle House is a legendary , 24 - hour food chain that ’s more than just a staple route slip stop to some . It inspire superfan position . And if your love for the chain ca n’t be quell bymerchor even a guest stintworking at Waffle House like Lana del Rey , it ’s time to take a trip-up down to Decatur , Georgia .
There , you ’ll find theWaffle House Museum , locate in Avondale Estates at the land site of the first - ever Waffle House location . The in - depth look at the diner ’s story is an iconic walking - down retentiveness lane , but the museum is n’t quite a reliable wayside spot like the rest of the 2,000 - plus locations across the country . rather , the museum ’s waitlist stretch six months .
design ahead and you ’ll make it at a meticulously re - created version of the original restaurant open by Joe Rogers Sr . and Tom Forkner on Labor Day almost 70 years ago . Walking through the door feel like stepping back in clock time , with every detail carefully preserved to ponder the era — from the chrome - snip counters to the classic menu boards .
Photo courtesy of Waffle House
This place is also filled with more than 60 age of the restaurant ’s memorabilia , pop the question a entrancing glance into the chemical chain ’s storied past . Among the exhibits are old mugs , vintage fare , and uniform from dissimilar decades , each piece telling a part of the Waffle House story . Visitors can see how the menu has evolved over the geezerhood , with some items that have stood the test of time and others that have come and gone .
One of the museum ’s most famous features is its Reconstruction Period of the buffet car ’s bar and grill area from the early Day . Although it does n’t function as a working Waffle House , guests can still sit at the riposte , just like the customer did back in the ’ 50s , or even assume a Waffle House lid and pretend they ’re part of the crew .
The exhibit floor go beyond just the physical artefact , offering multimedia elements that wreak the Waffle House story to life . The museum delves into the famed “ Waffle House Index , ” which is used by FEMA to gauge tempest severity , and visitors can also heed to transcription of the founders to learn about the blood line and growth of the chain . A nickelodeon fill up with classic air adds to the nostalgic ambience , providing the perfect soundtrack to the museum experience .
Look at those prices!|Photo courtesy of Waffle House
settle at 2719 E. College Ave . , the Waffle House Museum is free to visit , but due to its popularity , visits are by appointment only . This year , the museum will offer an loose house on September 7 and December 7 from 11 am to 2 phase modulation , but otherwise , private tours are already fully booked for the remnant of 2024 . Those eager to visit in 2025 can begin scheduling tours as early on as December of this year through the Waffle House Museumwebsite .