While You Were Sleeping: Waffle House

Thursday, November 17, 2005

November 17, 2005 -- Sashem Brey looks at what's cooking while you're snoozing.

Every Thursday morning this month, 13abc Action News Good Morning is introducing you to a new crew of people who are hard at work while most people are sleeping. This week Sashem Brey visits Waffle House, where breakfast is always on the menu, even hours before the sun comes up.

At two in the morning, most of the booths are empty, but the kitchen is hopping. The Waffle House crew is getting ready for when the nearby bars close, because that's when the crowds start trickling in. The place is soon packed, under the careful eye of security.

The folks behind the counter have their assembly line of service down to a pat, thanks to the leadership of manager Rob Wilson. "They take the brunt of the three shifts we have, but they enjoy it. That's what they enjoy doing; a lot of them won't leave."

The late hour makes for a special sort of bonding among diners and the staff. They tell us they know certain people's names, what they'll order, even how they drink their pop or coffee.

There's also a deeper sort of dishing going on. Wilson says the customers talk about all sorts of social issues, ranging from religion to the North Toledo riot.

When all is said and eaten, Sashem found there are a couple tips to surviving Waffle House overnight: good service, good coffee and plenty of caffeine.

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