Tonight I treated myself to a fun evening.

First, if you don’t know about Scoutmob, it’s a great site and there is, of course, an app for your phone. It’s one of those deal sites, but the difference is, this gives you the discount without having to purchase anything. You might get 50% off an entree at a restaurant, 15% off something at a store and as I mentioned, you just show the coupon when you check out, don’t need to purchase anything, like you do with Living Social, Groupon, Half Off Depot and the list goes on.

Sometimes, Scoutmob will have deals that you can purchase, like the one I purchased for tonight, a half priced ticket to a performance at The Horizon Theater in Little Five Points, that is midtown Atlanta for those of you not “in the know” . It’s a charming little theater, I’ve been there for a few shows, saw Avenue Q there last year, took DCM, well, he actually took me, but I told him I wanted to go! I also used to have rehearsals for the Renaissance Festival there, yes, for those of you who don’t know, I was a street performer. I’ll tell you about it in another blog.

Well, tonight, I got a ticket on Scoutmob for “The Waffle Palace”. For my discounted ticket, I received entry into the show, a fancy Waffle Palace hat, of the paper variety, like all good fry cooks have and a waffle donut, y u m! Oh, and my ticket had my name on it!

When you walk into the theater, you are transported to a diner, looks so much like its namesake, Waffle House, down to the yellow block sign. They had all the good details, my favorite being the laminated menus on the tables. The best part, this show took place in the middle of the night, about 3am, you know, when all the fun happens at Waffle House and sometimes it gets really quiet.

This gave us a behind the scenes look, so to speak about the comings and goings of the staff, the customers, the regulars, basically, the family. There were fights, new beginnings, religion, progress, love, friendship, a memorial for a beloved customer, commercialism, the devil and even a wedding! They met the Waffle Palace, they fell in love at the Waffle Palace and they got married at the Waffle Palace.

And resolve, we saw resolve, the people who are part of that culture, they care, they’re dedicated and that’s why we keep going back weekend after weekend,

The show was inspired by so many stories that have happened at various Waffle Houses in Atlanta.
I’m sure you won’t be completely surprised by what you see.

If you’re from the south or have visited, you’ve probably eaten at a Waffle House, you know what the people are like, on either side of the counter. There were some great one liners…someone said, I’m from the south, I’m from Texas, the entire crowd gasped, the response, “Texas is west”. You know you’re not at The Waffle Palace if the waitress takes the menu with her after she takes your order, you know you’re not at The Waffle Palace if you don’t see scattered, smothered and covered on the menu, you know you’re not at The Waffle Palace if you can order a cappuccino, espresso, something julienned, sliced, diced and so many other options!

Before, sometimes during and definitely during intermission and after the show, the music playing… Waffle House songs, you know, like on the jukebox!

I love that every single Waffle House is exactly the same, nothing changes except the music on the jukebox and the jukeboxes are changing with the times, they now play CDs, they’re digital and…they take credit cards, and so does Waffle House!

Where else can you go, 24/7/365, and I mean that and you will be welcomed and you can have breakfast, lunch or dinner any time of the day? And honestly, lunch or dinner? It’s breakfast any time of the day!

There was a great moment when someone (the Texan) tried to order a….don’t gasp too loudly…a pancake! There was batter on the windows and the lights went crazy! It didn’t stop until he screamed “I’ll have some grits!”

For anyone who has spent any time at a Waffle House, any time of the day, you can picture what I’m talking about. If Waffle House wasn’t such a treasure, there wouldn’t be so many! Did you know that it is more cost effective to build a new Waffle House than to renovate the one across the street? I love the t-shirts and buttons that say “I run so I can eat at Waffle House!” (I am so going to have to run a little extra and harder tomorrow!)One of my most treasured possessions is my Waffle-opoly that AM got me (gave it to me at HIS wedding!)

Have you ever sat at the counter and just listened to the waitress call out an order? And the cook just do their thing? How a manager, no matter what level will get behind the counter and put on an apron and cook when there is a need?

Every Sunday, DCM and I have a tradition, Waffle House. We each have our own breakfast, but how do we finish the meal? You guessed it, we share a waffle. Every nook and cranny has to have butter and syrup!

OMG! I just got hit on by the only other customer (a much older gentleman that while he was talking to the cook, I couldn’t understand a word he said, very southern!) while I was paying my check, his pick up line? I like your car, where are you from?

So… Can you guess where I am right now, writing this to you? You guessed it! I wanted a waffle, how could I not? so here I sit, finishing my waffle (I feel like I’m cheating! I promise DCM, I’m just here because I was inspired by the show and I left a bite for you!) as I think about a funny, endearing, charming show that I encourage each of you to go and see.

One of the best parts…there are people in here who were just like the characters in the show!

The show has been extended a few more weeks, check out Horizon Theater for your tickets to see The Waffle Palace, it is truly worth it, possibly as sweet as the syrup on your waffle! It sizzles Like the bacon on the griddle, go see the show so I can stop!