Walt Ehmer, Waffle House President And CEO, Dead At 58

Awful House, said somewhat affectionately. Yet I'll eat there once in awhile since I love waffles. But I feel a weight in my stomach for a few hours after eating.
 
In our younger days, when we did not have much money, our stomachs were made of steel, and we liked to party late into the night (or early into the morning, depending on one's view), going to a Waffle House sometime between 2 and 5 AM after dancing and/or DJ-ing was a treat. Since having kids we have only been in them a few times.

One of our oldest sons good high school friends worked as a cook at a Waffle House while he studied at a local community college. We ate there a couple of times when he has on duty and "warned" him we better not get food poisoning. He has gone on to be a chef at more "highfalutin" establishments :).
 
A thirty plus year career at Waffle House. He must really have loved the business.
 
kgtest said:
Oh my, I once was asked politely to leave in my college days. I'm not perfect, but getting booted from the Waffle House at 2am is almost a higher honor than winning last year's S/P500 pick 'em contest.
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Probably equal to getting booted at 2am from White Castle.
 
Very popular in the South, especially SEC country. Amazing business really. They know their customer.

Sad news though. Gone way too early.
 
Montecfo said:
Very popular in the South, especially SEC country. Amazing business really. They know their customer.
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When I moved to the Southeast from Southern California, Waffle House seemed gross to me. Generic, flavorless, salt and fat-laden diner food except more like a fast-food chain restaurant than a traditional diner. It wasn't long before I understood the charm of Waffle House. Maybe they know their customer (and potential customer) better than the customer knows themself?
 
Just got back from Waffle house--eggs over easy, hash browns (yum) and toast $6.50, Willie Nelson Christmas music in the background. What more could you ask for? Excellent service, good food and reasonable price. My waitress reminded me they were open on Christmas Day and that she would be there. She said they were usually really busy on Christmas Day.
 
For some reason I really like Waffle House. Most likely it is because there is not a Waffle House near me.

For a great movie that centers around a Waffle House type restaurant I recommend Waffle Street.

After being laid off at the hedge fund where he worked, and further jaded by his culpability in the crisis, Adams chose to work at a popular 24-hour diner where he claims "most of his financial knowledge has been gleaned." Offering a fresh take on the fallout of corporate greed, Adams' is a tale of the redemption and unlikely friendship found under the tutelage of Glover's character Edward, the best short-order cook in town.
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ERD50 said:
I see there are no locations in Wisconsin (the Dairy State). I always found real butter at places in WI (may not be that way today, I don't know).
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Wisconsin is George Webb country.
 
MichaelB said:
A press release described the cause as “a lengthy illness”. This often means cancer.
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And that appears to be exactly what it was. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in May 2023. Same thing that killed Steve Jobs, Alex Trebek, Michael Landon, and Patrick Swayze. One of the deadlier forms of cancer, if I'm not mistaken.
 
Chuckanut said:
For some reason I really like Waffle House. Most likely it is because there is not a Waffle House near me.

For a great movie that centers around a Waffle House type restaurant I recommend Waffle Street.
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FWIW, the nearest Waffle House is 1200+ miles from me. A good 18-20 hour drive.

Even Sam’s Club is closer, only a 10 hour drive.

Such is life out here at the end of the line.
 
Sojourner said:
And that appears to be exactly what it was. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in May 2023. Same thing that killed Steve Jobs, Alex Trebek, Michael Landon, and Patrick Swayze. One of the deadlier forms of cancer, if I'm not mistaken.
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Due to so many friends passing from this disease, I looked up and found that we all have a roughly 1 in 60 statistical life-time chance of dying from PC. Unfortunately, it's one of the least survivable of the cancers with vague symptoms early on. Ehmer was pretty much in the "sweet spot" of diagnosis/death. RIP
 
Yes, it's a southern thing....
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There are two of them within 3 miles of our house in Virginia. Have not been to either yet, though I used to stop at one on the way to work if I had a morning medical appointment.

Since the pandemic, my wife and I have tended to pick restaurants based on high ceilings and open space. Waffle House doesn't have much of either.
 
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