"In addition to the collection of independently owned diners, it just feels right to have an honorable mention of the most famous house of early morning and late night eats of all — the one and only Waffle House. Since its 1955 debut, the Georgia-born chain found its way into North Carolina, and today has hundreds of locations across the state. Often described as a lighthouse in the distance by its fans, Waffle House is a symbol of simplicity and dependable companionship — tasty companionship. With its pendant soft lighting and familiar sizzling sounds of a well-seasoned flat top, it’s truly the “house” many find themselves in when they’re not ready to return to the real one just yet." - Sara Akhavan, Kay West, Matt Lardie, Kathleen Purvis, Nikki Miller-Ka
