Access Atlanta > The Newcomer > Archives > 2008 > September > 03 > Entry
Greasy spoons of the South
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Amanda Bailey and her sister Melinda Ingle of LaFayette, Ga., wave to Kid Rock’s bus as it pulls into a Waffle House in Duluth in March. Oh, those wacky diner memories…
Not counting a few fishing boat forays into Canadian waters and expressway dips into Ohio, I really left Michigan for the first time at age 9, on a spring break pilgrimage to Florida that all Midwesterners make at some point in life or near death.
Ohio? Pretty much the same with less to look at. Kentucky? Empty, I thought, with none of the truly blue grass I was promised.
Tennessee, I think, is where I noticed it first: the constant repetition of Cracker Barrels — didn’t we just pass this exit about 20 times? — the ubiquitous Shoney’s buffet ads and the glowing yellow beacon of the Waffle House.
I grew up in the land of the Elias Brothers’ Big Boy, Hungry Howie’s pizza and Ram’s Horn restaurants. I had no idea these weren’t the universal family dining alternatives for when dad charred the taco shells beyond edibility.
When a Cracker Barrel showed up in my university town, we raised a collective Midwestern eyebrow so to say, “Why are your blueberry pancakes better than that of Denny’s or Theio’s?” I never would’ve ventured into a Chick-fil-A (or pronounced its name correctly) if my Georgian cousin, then a high schooler, hadn’t informed informed me that it was the best food ever. Even now, should there be another unfortunate taco incident, the nearest Huddle House to my dad would be 146 miles away, somewhere in Ohio.
But to be a newcomer here is to accept change, to understand that the all-night diners and pizza spots of my teens is not and never was the hangout here. To live here is to eat waffles.
Eat and love, adore them enough to make them into history: behold, the new Waffle House Museum. It opens this week in the original waffle house space on College Avenue in Avondale Estates.
I tasted my first Waffle House breakfast-at-night earlier this year, on a road trip of sorts, somewhere South of Dalton off Interstate 75. It’s not the malted mix of Ram’s Horn or the strawberry Belgian of Big Boy, all the waffles of my past, but I can see why sometimes it’s the best food ever.
Whether you’re from here or just learning, what’s your regional road-trip, late-night, greasy-spoon food stop of choice? Newcomers, which ones do you miss from your past?
Yes, people here loooooove their Waffle House.
Permalink | Comments (42) | Post your comment | Categories: Yum!
Comments
By cathy lee
September 3, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this
It’s got to be the VARSITY. But it is oh so gooooooood!!!!!
By papajones
September 3, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this
Waffle House waffles are okay, but not necessarily their best fare. Next time you go, try the hash browns, at least a double order, scattered, covered, smothered and chunked. I like them with a side-order of 2 over-easy fried eggs on top. Um, Umm, heart-stoppingly good, both literally and figuratively.
By Ms. Sharon
September 3, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this
I have lived in Ga for 14 years, and I desparately miss White Castle. To me there’s nothing better than a couple of cheeseburgers, onion rings and a Big Red (soda) after a night of partying!! Harold and Kumar have nothing on me when trying to get to White Castle!
By Randall
September 3, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this
It’s Chick-fil-A. With the C.
By Julie
September 3, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this
Ms. Sharon, if you miss White Castle try Krystal. It is pretty similar. Krystal and/or Waffle House is fine eatin at 3am.
By niteowl
September 3, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this
Krystal does it for me. Open all times of the night.
By Mark
September 3, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this
The best gressy spoon in Atl. is the Majestic on Ponce.
By MSpain
September 3, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
I moved out to Las Vegas in 2005 and missed the southern “grease pits”. Dont get me wrong, I love In-n-Out and Fatburger, but nothing compares to Waffle House or Krystal. Granted White Castle is far better than Krystal. BUT if you ever are going through Jackson, MS…check out Stamps. Its such a grease pit, the carpeted floor oozes grease as you walk to your table. Careful not to slip!! Every time I came home from Vegas or connected through Cincinnatti, I had to get a Chik-fil-a and large sweet tea. The west knows nothing of sweet tea.
By S.C. BBQ Boy
September 3, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
Why waste your time at a Waffle House or Cracker Barrel. If you want a true taste of the South, hit the road and stop at a dinner in a small town. Ours was a place called Miller’s Bread Basket. The special was the .222 breakfast. Two eggs, two sausage patties, and two slices of their fresh baked bread, toasted. You could work all morning after that meal and not worry that your back bone and rib cage would meet before lunch.
By cathy lee
September 3, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
IIM THINKING THE VARSITY! SO GREASY BUT OH SO GOOOOOOD!!!!!!!!!!!
By Sugar
September 3, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
ZESTO’S!!! Chubby burger all the way baby. Oh my arteries are hardening just thinking about a Chubby Zesto……great hangover relief…..
By Chuck
September 3, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
I love White Castles, but when the craving hits you, Krystal is every bit as good. (Same gut-bomb action later, too.)
And BBQ Boy is right, get to know and support your local dives. There’s only one Ghetto Burger!
By Jamie Gumbrecht
September 3, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this
Sorry about that, Randall. Just realized it, myself. :)
By Angel
September 3, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
Chuck & Sugar - honey, y’all got it down cold: Zesto’s and Ann’s Snack Bar are by far the best. I love Zesto’s blueberry milkshakes and of course, Ann’s ever-famous “Ghetto Burger”. The “Hood Burger” (which is topped with slaw) is pretty good too.
By Tim
September 3, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
As a native Atlantan (born in 1964) I really miss the Olde Hickory House. Great BBQ sandwiches and iced tea, and their locations used to be everywhere in Atlanta in the 1970s and early 1980s. Of course, metro Atlanta was a bit smaller then. However, we’ve still got the Varsity and his ubiquitous son, Varsity Jr., so I won’t miss out on great onion rings and naked dogs!
By reservoirDAWG
September 3, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
Tim, there’s an Old Hickory House in Dunwoody.
By Raider
September 3, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
You can get greased up just about anywhere in Midtown!!
By Becky
September 3, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this
Tim, do you remember Ollie’s Trollie’s or Lum’s?? Back in theday, we would eat at Krystal after a night of partying on Stewart Ave..Yes, this was waaay back when Stewart Ave. was a safe place to go..
By Dennis
September 3, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
Unity Restaraunt on MLK has the best greasy spoon breakast in the city. Nice Salmon Bicuits and “fat back”
By Tim
September 3, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this
Thanks, reservoirDAWG, for pointing that out for me. I’ll have to find it. I can remember when there was an Olde Hickory House right in Buckhead on Pharr Rd. Others I recall were on Northside Drive (near I-75) and Cobb Parkway (U.S. 41).
Yes, Becky I remember Lum’s well. There was one very close to the intersection of East Paces Ferry Rd. and Piedmont Ave. (not too far from Lenox Square) - great chili dogs! I remember seeing Ollie’s Trolly, but my mom and dad never stopped there for us kids. Was the fare burgers and hot dogs?
By JJ
September 3, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
Tim There’s a Hickory House over behind Northlake Mall in Tucker…….
By Southern Gent
September 3, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this
How shocked I was to see a staple of my community making it to the pages in the good ‘ole PEACH state! MSspain… you truly were in one of the “greasest of spoons” when you stepped inside of Stamp’s here in Jackson,MS. Next time your down ask someone how to get to Eddie’s and Ruby’s for some of the best fish of your life!!! You can only order catfish, buffalo or pantrout(whitings to the ed-u-ma-cated) and it may take almost a lifetime to get your order(well maybe about an hour or so) but you will always and I do mean ALWAYS come back for more. Truly you understand I speak from genuine experience of someone who knows the in’s and out’s of this fair city. Thanks for giving us our props!!!!
By Garden Hills Native
September 3, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
To Tim and Becky, the Lum’s was right next door to the Krystal. It is now a tire place. I remember when they built the Krystal, the sign went up long before they finished it, and it advertised the Krystal’s as being 10 cents. It changed to 12 before it opened.
By Tim
September 3, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
Thanks to all of you for helping bring back some Atlanta food memories from my childhood. And, Jamie, a special “hello” and “welcome to Atlanta” to you. Your Newcomer column/blog always gives me something interesting to read. Don’t believe some of the nasty comments that a few leave here sometimes. Most of us natives are thrilled to welcome newcomers and share this wonderful city. I have lived in other nice cities (Savannah, Orlando, Cincinnati, Washington DC) during my adult years, but Atlanta remains most special to me.
By linny
September 3, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
OMG Lums. That’s where hubby and I along with the 2 best friends (best man, maid of honor?) held our wedding “reception” after getting married in early 1970…the Lums on West Peachtree (or was it Spring) at 14th! we were a sight to behold, i tell ya’! and then we lived across from the Hickory House on Piedmont just up from Ansley Mall! y’all have brought back some fiiiiiine memories!!!
But nothing like the Waffle House at 4 am — in Athens, now… and your description of the Hashbrowns w/eggs….dang i’m hungry now!
thanks!
By Chat N Chew
September 3, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this
The Chat N Chew diner that was/is on Hwy 378 in Turbeville, SC was always a stop in the 70’s. Not sure if it is still there. As a kid, we looked forward to having breakfast there when taking a road trip from Myrtle Beach to Columbia and in my USC days. It was a small place, much like a Waffle House, but a Mom and Pop joint. Also, Frank’s hot dogs that used to be in Columbia’s Five Points. Many a hangover cure in the 80s. I have lived in Atlanta 22 years and remember Lums on Peachtree. Just loved those plastic pretend leaded glass lamps! My present grease fix is Five Guys Burgers. I wish we had an In/Out Burger as this is our first stop on our yearly Cali vacations. It is so…good! Waffle House is no longer on the list. The heartburn is too much these days!
By Edie
September 3, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this
This has brought back many memories of a lot of old late night haunts! How about the Denny’s off Piedmont what a cast of characters you could see there at 3am! Also the Dunkin Dine on Cheshire Bridge Rd. Also does anyone remember Farrells?
By Tim
September 3, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this
Edie, I remember the Farrell’s at Cumberland Mall. We had my 1974 birthday party there (I was ten). Wonderful ice cream cakes and root beer floats. Their slogan was “Farrell’s is fabulous fun for everyone!” Neat place for a kid’s birthday party.
By Becky
September 3, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this
Wow..I was a cook at the Lum’s on South Cobb & the Old Hickory House was one of the first places that me & my husband went to eat at many, many years ago..Tim, I don’t remember hot dog at the Trolly, just burgers…
By Southern Bella
September 3, 2008 6:47 PM | Link to this
LOVED the Dunk ‘n Dine! Another fave diner was Sambo’s.
By Grump
September 3, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this
The Varsity, The Original Dwarf House in Hapeville, The Luckie Street grille.
By Mr. Anderson
September 3, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this
I have to say for that old timey, nurse your hangover on a Sunday morn, is The Majestic on Ponce. Saddle up to the bar stool, order the hash brown, a pancake, grits, sausage, and a coffee… and revel in the collective misery of your fellow stool sitters. “Ugh, rough night.”
Heard that.
By GT 81
September 3, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this
I’ve always liked the Silver Skillet by Tech. Great chicken fried steak, and the best fried green tomatoes (though both are occasional specials and not on the menu)
By Balance
September 3, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this
Why Obama Can’t Close the Sale By AL HUBBARD and NOAM NEUSNER September 3, 2008; Page A23
Even before John McCain shook up the presidential race by tapping Gov. Sarah Palin to be his running mate, polls weren’t showing the late-August lead that Barack Obama (and many Republicans) expected. Why so?
It’s not because of the brilliance of the McCain campaign. Rather we believe that — despite the media’s best efforts to exempt Mr. Obama’s policies from critical examination — American voters aren’t sheep. They pay attention to the candidates and positions and make wise decisions about who should lead the country.
True, Mr. Obama enjoys several advantages. Republicans are struggling nationwide in head-to-head contests. Democrats lead in voter registration, and have a well-funded presidential candidate.
Yet Americans have not committed to Mr. Obama. Why?
Clearly, Mr. Obama’s weakness on foreign policy is a factor. He has a knee-jerk preference for diplomacy with China, Europe and Russia over the security of the American people and our closest allies. He hasn’t explained his shifting positions on Iraq and Iran, among other hot spots. And he felt compelled to make up for his experience gap with Mr. McCain by picking Sen. Joe Biden to be his running mate.
But here’s the thing: It’s not that Mr. Obama hasn’t been specific enough in his governing plans. To the contrary, he has been very specific about his tax policy, health-care and energy proposals. It’s that voters are paying attention and appear not to like what Candidate Obama is saying.
Mr. Obama has proposed a massive tax increase on investors, business owners, and the “wealthy.” At a time when the American people rate the economy as the central issue of the campaign, a tax hike doesn’t make a lot of political sense. Voters know that a tax hike won’t help the economy.
Moreover, Mr. Obama’s tax plans would directly or indirectly harm U.S. investors by raising the capital gains and dividend taxes. More than half of U.S. households are equity owners, so Mr. Obama’s proposal risks alienating half the population.
Mr. Obama claims to offer a tax cut to moderate-income families, but a significant portion of Mr. Obama’s tax plan is a welfare giveaway costing more than $648 billion over 10 years, according to the Tax Policy Center.
How so? He would authorize a hodgepodge of refundable tax credits covering everything from education, mortgage payments, child care and other items for people who do not pay income taxes now.
About 38% of U.S. households pay no income tax today. Under a President Obama (whose policies would shave 15.3 million households off the tax rolls) that share would grow to nearly half of all American households.
We have been repeatedly told that everyone should pay their fair share. So this sounds grossly unfair and like a return of tax-and-spend liberal economics. No wonder there is a lot of doubt about the wisdom of the junior senator from Illinois.
Mr. Obama’s health-care proposal is not quite HillaryCare, but it comes close. A national health insurance, heavily subsidized by taxpayers, would be offered to the currently uninsured. Mr. Obama’s instincts on health care are always to move more people onto rolls of government-paid and government-mandated insurance, while depriving the marketplace the oxygen it needs for greater innovation, life-saving cures, and efficiency.
Americans have heard the refrain for government-provided health care before and know an expensive government giveaway when they see it.
Mr. Obama’s energy policy is to drill less, consume less, tax more, and spend more. With barely a nod to nuclear energy — the only meaningfully large, carbon-free source of domestic energy — he is promising a massive increase in domestic, noncarbon-based energy from sources that produce only a fraction of our energy now.
He has also proposed massive tax increases on U.S. oil and gas companies while continuing to cut off vast swaths of U.S. territory to drilling.
Again, Americans are wiser than they are given credit. They know that if you restrict supply and tax production, prices go up.
The economic wisdom of Americans should not be doubted. They can see through Mr. Obama’s proposals. They know that they will have to pick up the bill if Mr. Obama sends checks to people who already don’t pay taxes; they know a centralized government-controlled health-care system will be more expensive, less efficient, and less friendly to patients and doctors. They know that the most effective way to bring down energy prices is by keeping all our energy options open, including more drilling in the U.S.
And they know that if a candidate has spent his entire career taxing more and spending more, that’s what you’ll get — and more of it.
Mr. Obama is wondering why he can’t shake Mr. McCain. His problem isn’t his plans for the campaign. It’s his plans for governing the country. Americans just aren’t buying into them.
Mr. Hubbard was director of the National Economic Council and assistant to the president from 2005-2007. Mr. Neusner was the president’s economic policy speechwriter from 2002-2004.
By Cletus Snow
September 3, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
I used to live just around the corner from the krystal on ponce, I can still taste their chili it was the best ever. A bowl of chili 2 krystals and a up of hot chocolate and I was ready to face the world. Yup it’s been a while, but the memory is almost as good as the chili was. The ladies there were great, always teasing and joking.
By Tom E.
September 3, 2008 11:31 PM | Link to this
Ok, it wasn’t a late-night greasy spoon, but a reliable one at noon in downtown Atlanta. When I lived in Atlanta, we often used to have lunch often at Tasty Town near Five Points. A greasy burger or “triangular trout” — processed fish. After I moved to Kentucky, I hear it went up in flames a grease fire. I’m not surprised….. But it was a great Atlanta diner right out of the 1960s.
For late-night fare, it’s hard to beat Waffle House and its pecan waffles.
By CBL
September 3, 2008 11:42 PM | Link to this
The Vortex. With a burger named The Coronary, tater tots, and wait staff with an attitude. Cant beat it.
By Chuck
September 4, 2008 12:14 AM | Link to this
Balance, are you lost?
By deidre_NC
September 4, 2008 12:43 AM | Link to this
wow—lums-zestos-and the best brunswick stew at the old hickory house—krystal rocks..i reeally miss it here in the nc mountains!! what memories all this brought back—and ferrels..i was trying to rememeber the name of that the other day…had my 34 yo sons 4th bd there lol..there was a place downtown that was open all night started with an M…great place for after the bar eating..and whats the place all the newspaper reporters used to hang out…
By aaron
September 4, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this
Willies Weenie Wagon in Brunswick!!!
By pbred8
September 5, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this
Best late night place to get some chili dawgs is Zesto’s. Check out the Litte Five Points location and Ponce, too
By rocketdog
September 6, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this
I remember when Krystals were a nickle apiece. Then they went to seven cents. Once at a party I took a thorazine and we went to the Krystal on Buford @ Clairmont. I fell face down in a bowl of chili. Oh, the good old days.