Lincoln’s Waffle Shop… Take 2
Somehow while waiting to enjoying a diner-style breakfast, that long iron skillet you see your soon-to-be scrambled eggs on, seems to tell the story of the establishment in and of itself. The machine is greasy as if the owners had not had a minute in the restaurants existence to clean it (but let’s be honest that’s how they make it taste good too!). To me “mom and pop” diners are the heart and soul of American dining, and their disappearance is upsetting. These types of diners, drive-ins, and dives thrived in American culture before the invention of fast food restaurants came about and swept the nation, and the significance of sitting with family and friends to enjoy a personal meal diminished from people’s priority lists. The first thought that enters my mind upon entering the Lincoln Waffle Shop and similar establishments, is the true, honest, hard working American small business owners struggling to keep their “heads above water.”
Diversity. From the gentlemen behind me wearing suits that cost more than my car, talking about business strategies, all while making sure not to spill a drop syrup from their waffles, to the Redskins fan devouring grits, eggs, and bacon so quickly and sloppily, in a futile attempt to recover from what seemed to be the infamous hangover from a Redskins loss, not many industries can draw such diverse crowds. The price range at the diner, the atmosphere, and most importantly in my opinion the quick, honest, and sincere service attracts all types of cultures and backgrounds.
Customers while in the waffle shop seem to break the social barriers set by the outside world in such a “non-threatening” environment. For example, a construction worker was in front the carry out register ordering for the entire crew, which was a hefty purchase, and he was nearly barking orders at the kitchen staff. Now without stereotyping, if I had met this gentleman outside the walls of the waffle shop, I doubt any...