The Waffle House Museum
The Waffle House Museum
4
About
By Appointment Only Located on the site where Joe Rogers, Sr. and Tom Forkner opened the first Waffle House restaurant in Avondale Estates, Ga., the Waffle House Museum captures the spirit and history of the 24-hour chain. The museum includes a re-creation of that first restaurant Joe and Tom opened on Labor Day, 1955, and is filled with more than 60 years of Waffle House memorabilia. Museum Open House Schedule March: First Saturday 11AM-2PM June: First Saturday 11AM-2PM September: Saturday after Labor Day 11AM-2PM December: Second Saturday 11AM-2PM
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
27 reviews
Excellent
14
Very good
6
Average
4
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Sherry E
Metairie, LA15 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
The Waffle House museum was an extremely interesting stop on our vacation. The original store has been remodeled to look like it did when it first opened. The tour guides where very knowledgeable about everything Waffle House. Be sure to call for an appointment as they are not always open.
Written June 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hardendorf
Atlanta, GA84 contributions
Feb 2012 • Couples
This small museum with irregular hours is the site of the original Waffle House restaurant. There's really not a lot to it, a replica of the original counter and grill and a small kitchen area in the back. In a equally small building next door is a collection of waffle house historic items including a collection of Waffle House records and a variety of advertising and promotional items from over the years. As corporate museums go this one is well done for it's size and scope. And there are some good photo ops here. It's also free. So if your trying to do all the pop food museums you might as well stop in here. Atlanta also has the World of Coke and the site of the Orignal Chick-fila. If you're hungry you can't get waffles here but there is a real Waffle House just down the street. I was disappointed there was nothing about the Kid Rock waffle house fight in the museum. But maybe that's something the corporate fathers don't want to promote.
Written March 27, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AmeliaEve
Atlanta, GA71 contributions
Apr 2016 • Friends
This is the site of the very first Waffle House restaurant. One side is fixed up to look just as it did when it opened in the 1950s, including photo ops to pose at the grill or waffle irons. You can pick up souvenir menus and paper hats and also tour the recreated kitchen area. Next door is a collection of Waffle House memorabilia, from old seats and uniforms to newspaper articles, t-shirts, and badges.
You must call ahead to reserve a tour. The museum is operated by the corporate communications office and the guides are actually employees of the marketing department who come over to open the museum on certain days and times. They are extremely friendly and knowledgable. Worth a visit if you can schedule ahead of time.
You must call ahead to reserve a tour. The museum is operated by the corporate communications office and the guides are actually employees of the marketing department who come over to open the museum on certain days and times. They are extremely friendly and knowledgable. Worth a visit if you can schedule ahead of time.
Written May 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DKRHCPAFPRESIDENT
Tampa, Florida114 contributions
Sep 2015 • Couples
Yes, we did. We drove all the way from Florida to Georgia just for Waffle House's 60th anniversary. It was hokey but it was worth it. We showed up early and they were still setting up. NO ONE ELSE WAS AROUND. I had visualized a long line but there were no other patrons but us to be seen, less than an hour when the festivities were to begin. We walked down to a working Waffle House about three blocks away, as we did not want to forfeit our great parking space when we returned after a quick cup of coffee. When we returned, there were others already entering the tiny museum. The building is small; the right side being a replica of a working Waffle House as it would have been "back in the day". The left side is more of a traditional "mini-museum" which is basically one room with lots of photos and memorabilia.
One of the founders, Tom Forkner, was there and he did a "meet and greet". The winner and runners up of the recent t-shirt design contest were announced, although none were present. Nearly all the Waffle House marketing folks were young women with tons of enthusiasm. We received free waffles and sodas. We spun a wheel for prizes and both won t-shirts. We each even got a coupon for a free side of bacon. What could be better? I think we may return every five years, just for the fun of it.
One of the founders, Tom Forkner, was there and he did a "meet and greet". The winner and runners up of the recent t-shirt design contest were announced, although none were present. Nearly all the Waffle House marketing folks were young women with tons of enthusiasm. We received free waffles and sodas. We spun a wheel for prizes and both won t-shirts. We each even got a coupon for a free side of bacon. What could be better? I think we may return every five years, just for the fun of it.
Written October 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bcr8tve
The Woodlands, TX423 contributions
May 2013 • Family
They don't open this museum very often but it is nice preservation effort on the part of the corporation to maintain and improve this little piece of land. It only takes minutes to go through and I when I visited there is no entrance fee - just a suggested donation. Who doesn't like the waffle house? I love the "Welcome to the waffle house!" greeting. Always makes me smile.
Written November 27, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diana S
Atlanta57 contributions
Sep 2011 • Business
Have visited the museum a few times. May be biased, as one of the co-founders of Waffle House grew up in my house down the street. Amazing that they prepared all the food fresh in such a small space. Always go when it's open for tours and wear my 'I heart Waffle House' pin with pride.
Written February 15, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chefluee
Atlanta, GA1,842 contributions
Aug 2013 • Couples
We actually went last year for my birthday and brought my sister from out of town. We had a blast. It has been beautifully restored. They are only open a couple of times a year. One might be able to set up an appointment. They give coupons at the end of the visit.
Written October 26, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SidB_atl
Atlanta, GA99 contributions
Sep 2018 • Family
4 parts -- all FREE
1. the original ( 1st) waffle house , redone as it was built
2. The Museum -- history and artifacts, fascinating for a WH fan, lots of pictures etc.
3. while we were there today they had the Waffle House food truck giving away free waffles and Hash Browns. can sit at restaurant or museum to eat
4. some free things like buttons, t-shirts, hats
I think it is only open one saturday every few months ( noon-3pm) . they said next is making holiday waffles in december. Today was 10th anniversary
Family had lots of fun , spent about 45 minutes here. If you are a Waffle House fan, then it will be meaningful & fun to you.
1. the original ( 1st) waffle house , redone as it was built
2. The Museum -- history and artifacts, fascinating for a WH fan, lots of pictures etc.
3. while we were there today they had the Waffle House food truck giving away free waffles and Hash Browns. can sit at restaurant or museum to eat
4. some free things like buttons, t-shirts, hats
I think it is only open one saturday every few months ( noon-3pm) . they said next is making holiday waffles in december. Today was 10th anniversary
Family had lots of fun , spent about 45 minutes here. If you are a Waffle House fan, then it will be meaningful & fun to you.
Written September 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
somewhereingeorgia
Georgia849 contributions
Sep 2015 • Friends
The museum is not open on a regular basis so check their website for upcoming events. I was there several months ago and lucky enough to meet one of the two guys who started Waffle House. It's a fun museum to visit and you will have a chance to take a photo or two.
Written July 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JimandMarty
Neptune Beach, FL625 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
The hours on TripAdvisor show 10a-10p, but we went and they were not open. If you read down a few reviews, one person noted they are only open by appointment or a couple specific times a year, and other reviews confirm that they never see the museum open. So if really interested, call ahead before you go.
Written April 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MCEL2014
Atlanta, GA7 contributions
when are you open? I'm planning on coming Friday April 29th. What are you hours?
DKRHCPAFPRESIDENT
Tampa, Florida114 contributions
You better call their corporate office or email them. Unless you have a large group and schedule an opening, I would doubt that they would be open. It is rare that they are open by chance. That would be my suggestion.
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