Why Waffle House #411 Is a Legend in Charleston | Eater Carolinas

"A no-frills, yellow-and-black 24-hour shoebox diner on Savannah Highway that looks like countless others but has achieved local fame: celebrity chef Sean Brock brought Anthony Bourdain here in 2015 for Parts Unknown, Stephen Colbert filmed an episode here and even persuaded Sturgill Simpson to record “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Knuckleheads” for the jukebox. The menu highlights include pecan waffles, cheesy eggs, raisin toast, and the signature hash browns prepared scattered, smothered, and covered (and served in popular hash brown bowls), all produced by grill cooks nicknamed “Rockstar Grill Operators.” The place functions as a community hub—staying open during hurricanes to feed first responders—and can feel warm and convivial during daytime shifts, with a generous regular who tips the whole crew and staff who greet customers with a smile and a spinning jukebox. But service and atmosphere swing with the hours: post-bar nights often bring chaos, closed sections, dirty tables, a jukebox that’s been shut off, and uneven food (notably undercooked-yet-somehow-burnt bacon), leaving diners to forgive the occasional rough patch because of the larger sense of place and tradition." - Stephanie Barna