At 26, I’ve experienced heartbreak, hangovers and heatwaves in Texas, but never Waffle House. It’s hard to believe, and even harder to admit, but I’d never set foot in one — until now.
The golden opportunity finally came this week in the form of Waffle House’s first Kyle restaurant, which opened its doors in May 2024.
Known nationwide for its all-day breakfast, iconic waffles and crispy hashbrowns, Waffle House also offers lunch and dinner staples like patty melts, burgers and sandwiches, served 24/7 in true roadside-diner fashion.
Pulling up to the iconic yellow glow of the Waffle House sign on a quiet weekday afternoon, a surprising burst of joy sparked inside me. As a self-proclaimed food enthusiast, I’d already planned my meal selection hours in advance. Still sore from a three-mile run the day before — my "training" for this monumental first visit — I could not wait.
My table space filled up quickly with the $12.50 Texas bacon cheesesteak melt — hot, greasy and stacked just right — with a side of crispy golden hashbrowns. I doubled down with the $12.25 All-Star Special, which included two eggs, toast, a hearty scoop of grits (because obviously), crispy bacon and a classic waffle that absolutely delivered. All that for under $25.
Sadly, the Southern Pecan Pie wasn’t available, which might’ve been a blessing in disguise. As much as I love a sweet finish, one more bite and I might’ve had to size up my jeans. Everything happens for a reason, right?
Waffle House isn’t just a diner, it’s a cultural institution. Since 1955, the chain has served more than 4.7 billion eggs, 2.7 billion orders of hashbrowns, and 2.1 billion waffles, according to its website. Throw in 1.5 billion bacon strips, 1.4 billion sides of grits and over a billion cups of coffee and it’s clear, Waffle House isn’t just fueling road trips, it’s fueling America.
The service was just as legendary. One staffer, Rita, who kept a constant smile and cracked jokes while scrambling eggs, even gave me a spontaneous astrological reading between orders. Talk about full service.
Now, onto the food. The Texas bacon cheesesteak melt caught me off guard. Call it the unsung hero of Waffle House. Gooey cheese layered between buttery Texas toast made it an instant favorite. Every bite was rich, melty and crave-worthy. It’s definitely on my must-order list next time. But I had to pace myself because breakfast was still coming.
The eggs didn’t crack under pressure, they were egg-cellent. I even learned a pro move which is to dip the toast in the over-easy yolk to soak up all that golden flavor. It did not disappoint. The grits, on the other hand, weren’t quite my thing. While they were perfectly savory, I usually lean toward the sweeter side (I know, hot take).
But the real showstopper? The waffles. As a self-proclaimed waffle fan over pancakes, I was hoping they’d deliver, and they absolutely did.
Waffle House is famous for its waffles, serving over 300,000 every day across its many locations. I topped the original sweet cream waffle with butter and drenched it in maple syrup. That perfect blend of sweet, buttery richness and warm comfort stuck with me. It’s truly an ideal treat for any time of the day.
As my Waffle House experience came to an end, one thing was clear, I needed a nap. Instead, I scheduled a run to work off all those calories. No regrets and no crumbs left behind.
Find it: 5767 Kyle Pkwy., Kyle, TX 78640