For all you Waffle House fans

found this on line and just couldnt resist bringing it on over here!
Waffle House Hash Browns

Source: newsradio710.com

4 cups peeled and shredded potatoes
1 teaspoon salt
Water
1 cup ice
Vegetable oil for frying

Place prepared potatoes in a 2-quart bowl, and add salt. Add ice and pour enough water to cover potatoes. Stir to mix salt and ice in the potatoes. Cover and place in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

Place shredded potatoes in a colander, rinse with cool tap water and drain completely. At this point you can place potatoes back in the refrigerator covered until ready to fry. The uncooked potatoes will keep up to 5 hours.

Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add enough vegetable oil to lightly cover bottom. When skillet is hot and oil has been heated, place two cups of drained shredded potatoes in skillet. Fry until crisp, shaping with a spatula. Fry about 12 to 15 minutes, without turning. Time depends on the temperature and size of the shredded hash browns. When potatoes are golden, flip over carefully and fry tops of potatoes for 2 - 3 minutes. Do not cover hash browns while frying or stir through them.

Waffle House Hash Browns Scattered all the Way!

1 slice American cheese (covered)
1/4 cup diced yellow onion (smothered)
Sliced jalapeno peppers, to taste (peppered)
1/4 cup diced fresh tomatoes (diced)
1/4 cup mushrooms (capped)
1/3 cup diced lean ham (chunked)
1/3 cup chili with beans, heated
1 serving Waffle House Hash Browns

Prepare Waffle House Hash Browns as directed. Leave them in the skillet, and add cheese, onion, jalapeno peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms and ham. When done, add chili on top of all.

Enjoy!

Tiki, Waffle house potatoes are my favorite. In my opinion they are the best in the USA.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

I always wondered why Waffle House wasn't more of fixture up north (in fact, in New York, it is non-existent). It sounds as if the food quality and value is much better than Cracker Barrel, and if Cracker Barrel has "infiltrated" and found success in the Middle Atlantic/Northeast region, why shouldn't Waffle House, given that Cracker Barrel's quality and prices don't seem to be on the same level?

I can't ever seem to get Mrs QFan to go there as she doesn't like the smell and the closeness. Personally I agree w/ Sundancer. If any RF-er found a place like Waffle House all by itself out back of nowhere, we'd all say what a GREAT roadfood treasure it is. But because it's a cursed "chain" it gets no respect. Thanks, tiki!
QFan
Bonita Springs, FL

A few years ago I was allowed to don an apron and a paper hat and work the grill at my favorite Waffle House on a Thanksgiving afternoon (I hunt pheasants Thanksgiving mornings). I never saw any hashbrowns being kept in water, They just came out oa a carboard container, sort of like a gallon milk container. A scoop of potatoes would go on the griddle, and then a quarter-cup ladle of cooking oil was added. For smothered, a scoop of chopped onion was added. Three minutes later the potatoes were flipped and then cooked for about three more minutes. If tomatoes, ham and jalapenos were to be added (this was before they added mushrooms to the list of possibilities) it was after the flipping when you'd add them. If you were going to cover the potatoes (cheese) you'd do it with about a minute left of cooking time, then, if it was to be toppped (Burt's chili) you'd do so after plating.

I have mine scattered all the way, at least once a month.

Waffle House was born in suburban Atlanta exactly 50 years ago. For the most part, the chain reflected, throughout its formative years, peculiar tastes of Southerners (grits, country ham, pecan pie), items considered faintly exotic north of the Mason-Dixon line.

Of course, you must also remember that Cracker Barrel and Waffle House, from an industry standpoint, are two entirely different specimens, one being a full-service restaurant with a "country store" gimmick, and the other a no-frills, working-people's diner. From the stereotypes in my mind about the East Coast, diners still abound in most every neighborhood, and Waffle House, oriented as it is to the Interstate system, wouldn't stand much of a chance against "Joe's Eats" or "Lou's Grill" or what-have-you in Hackensack, Levittown, or Bridgeport. However, the kitschy appeal (homemade crafts, nostalgic toys, and knick-knacks) of CB is something else entirely, something not available outside Dixie, where the real country stores on which CB was based still, political correctness be damned, carry a generous stock of black mammies and Confederate flags. Absent those, CB has enough tourist-trap appeal to snag the 55-and-over RV set--something WF couldn't care less about.

Consider this a free helping of demographics with your Meat Lover's Pork Chops and enjoy!

quote:

Originally posted by tacchino

I always wondered why Waffle House wasn't more of fixture up north (in fact, in New York, it is non-existent). It sounds as if the food quality and value is much better than Cracker Barrel, and if Cracker Barrel has "infiltrated" and found success in the Middle Atlantic/Northeast region, why shouldn't Waffle House, given that Cracker Barrel's quality and prices don't seem to be on the same level?

Interesting points, Mtstroud, but still:
1) While the Cracker Barrel "country kitsch" theme may attract Northeners as well as Southerners, it has also gotten Northeners to try southern dishes like grits, etc. I still don't see too much difference in menus, even checking on-line.
2) The sad fact of the matter is that the small Mom and Pop restaurants like the prototypical "Joe's Grill" don't really exist anymore on the northern Interstates. I do see a lot of McDonalds, etc.,...and yes, Cracker Barrel, in two distinct spots in upstate New York off I-81. I actually think Waffle House would fill a niche that is sorely lacking in the dining scene off the interstates up north.

I think the nearest WH to NYC is in Lancaster PA. I've heard of fans arranging 'bus trips' for a fix of 'smothered covered .....'

Whats the fun in trying to make WH hash browns at home ???

If you did that you would miss all the drama and "atmosphere" that IS Waffle House. The seasoned grill ... the seasoned/angry cook .... the surly/flirty waitress .... the drunk sitting next to you !!!

quote:

Originally posted by kozel

I think the nearest WH to NYC is in Lancaster PA. I've heard of fans arranging 'bus trips' for a fix of 'smothered covered .....'

We were on a road trip to Bethlehem early this week to try Pott's Hot Dogs in Bethlehem, PA and as we were heading home, I think, off of Rte. 378, near Rte. 412, we spotted a Waffle House. I had no idea they were in PA-- had never seen one in our travels. I went to their website and didn't see one listed for Bethlehem so called their Customer Call Line and spoke to a very nice woman who told me the address is 2101 Cherry Lane, Bethlehem, PA 18018. When I did a map search on Mapquest, the location didn't look quite right because you could see the Waffle House right off the highway and Mapquest shows it somewhat off a main road. I'll ask my husband if this address sounds right to him and if he remembers what Rte. we were on at the time. We timed it, and it takes about an hour from where we live, so we're planning to head over that way again, soon. (Although we met and lived in Atlanta for 6 years, I'd never tried a Waffle House until the week before we moved back to PA and enjoyed it a lot.)

I tried typing a link to PA Waffle House locations from their website, but it doesn't work. Just go to http://www.wafflehouse.com/ and where it says "Restaurant Locator", choose "PA" and it'll take you to the 9 WH locations in PA, including one in Allentown (I asked the WH representative to please have someone add the Bethlehem WH to the list.) So hopefully, the NYC folks maybe won't have to drive so far for their WH fix.

quote:

Originally posted by tacchino

I always wondered why Waffle House wasn't more of fixture up north (in fact, in New York, it is non-existent). It sounds as if the food quality and value is much better than Cracker Barrel, and if Cracker Barrel has "infiltrated" and found success in the Middle Atlantic/Northeast region, why shouldn't Waffle House, given that Cracker Barrel's quality and prices don't seem to be on the same level?

Unlike cracker barrel, waffle house locations are about the size of an small McD's or smaller, most with around 10 booths and a counter that seats maybe 8, the grill/cooking area is visible from the grill and late nights even those in a booth can banter with the short order. The difference in food is like the difference between a cadillac and a peterbilt

Man oh man I do love Waffle House!!

I have actually had the pleasure of eating at the very first Waffle House that is located right off 65 on Tilly Mill Road in Doraville, Georgia (which is a suburb of Atlanta). This is located just down the road from an Uncle Bob's storage facility for a landmark.

I have been to places that literally have two Waffle Houses right next to each other (on an exit ramp of a highway..one on each end of the bridge to be exact). Then to places that should have had them and didn't.

What I have noticed that is a common theme in certain diners of this type are the following places:

Huddle House
Omelette Shop
Mister Omelette

And I am sure there are others but these come right to mind. I like them all.

But Waffle House Hash Browns are the best there is and I try to go at least once a month and consider it a treat.....even though it is really a cheap greasy spoon where your local barfly's go after closing time.....lol

I hit the Waffle House 3-4 times per month for a hasbrowns and/or pecan waffle and/or grits fix. Carb heaven.

Plus two eggs cooked to order with toast, grits, and coffee costs me $3.68 before tip. A cheap and filling breakfast.

It's a chain, but it's road food in my book.

Heck yeah! When I am on the road and if I see a WH....then there is nothing to think about. The car automatically swerves on in.

quote:

Originally posted by Diner-Lover

quote:

Originally posted by kozel

I think the nearest WH to NYC is in Lancaster PA. I've heard of fans arranging 'bus trips' for a fix of 'smothered covered .....'

We were on a road trip to Bethlehem early this week to try Pott's Hot Dogs in Bethlehem, PA and as we were heading home, I think, off of Rte. 378, near Rte. 412, we spotted a Waffle House. I had no idea they were in PA-- had never seen one in our travels. I went to their website and didn't see one listed for Bethlehem so called their Customer Call Line and spoke to a very nice woman who told me the address is 2101 Cherry Lane, Bethlehem, PA 18018. When I did a map search on Mapquest, the location didn't look quite right because you could see the Waffle House right off the highway and Mapquest shows it somewhat off a main road. I'll ask my husband if this address sounds right to him and if he remembers what Rte. we were on at the time. We timed it, and it takes about an hour from where we live, so we're planning to head over that way again, soon. (Although we met and lived in Atlanta for 6 years, I'd never tried a Waffle House until the week before we moved back to PA and enjoyed it a lot.)

I tried typing a link to PA Waffle House locations from their website, but it doesn't work. Just go to http://www.wafflehouse.com/ and where it says "Restaurant Locator", choose "PA" and it'll take you to the 9 WH locations in PA, including one in Allentown (I asked the WH representative to please have someone add the Bethlehem WH to the list.) So hopefully, the NYC folks maybe won't have to drive so far for their WH fix.

There is a Waffle House in Bethlehem, PA on Airport Road, less than a mile off the Airport Road South exit of Route 22. I have passed it many times, but never eaten there because of the reason mtstroud mentioned, which is that there are so many other many similar locally owned places to eat breakfast that have been around longer. I have a hard enough time choosing without adding another one to pick from.