Waffle House Menu USA & Updated Prices 2026
Quick answer: Waffle House runs from about $2.65 for a grilled biscuit up to $12.10-$12.35 for the All-Star Special, with most full meals landing between $8 and $13 per person. Below is the full menu across every category, the famous scatter-smother-cover hashbrown system, and why Waffle House stays open even during hurricanes.
How we built this page: prices below are estimated national averages compiled by cross-checking multiple public menu-price trackers as of 2026, not a single unverified source. Waffle House operates over 1,900 locations across 25 states, mostly in the South, and pricing varies by store and region. Always confirm at your local restaurant before ordering.
Jump to: Waffles | Hashbrown Bowls | Texas Melts | Allergens | FAQ
About Waffle House
Waffle House was founded on September 5, 1955, in Avondale Estates, Georgia, by Joe Rogers Sr. and Tom Forkner, and has grown to more than 1,900 locations across 25 states, concentrated heavily in the South.
The chain is famous for two things above nearly everything else: waffles served any hour of the day or night, and a genuine 24/7 operating model that includes staying open through hurricanes and other disasters — reliable enough that FEMA has informally used Waffle House closures as an indicator of storm severity, sometimes called the “Waffle House Index.” People searching “is waffle house open near me right now” are often testing exactly that reputation.
See Also: Outback Steakhouse Menu
Waffles
| Item | Estimated Price | Calories (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Sweet Cream Waffle | $5.20-$5.95 | 320 |
| Pecan Waffle | $6.95 | 460 |
| Cinnamon Crunch Waffle (limited-time) | $6.75 | 510 |
Waffle House’s signature Golden Waffle recipe uses a distinct sweet cream batter that hasn’t fundamentally changed since the chain’s founding in 1955.
Hashbrown Bowls
| Item | Estimated Price | Calories (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Plain Hashbrowns | $3.15 | 360 |
| Hashbrowns All the Way (loaded) | $8.50-$10.30 | 780 |
Waffle House’s ordering system lets customers customize hashbrowns using specific verbal shorthand — “scattered” (spread on the grill), “smothered” (with onions), “covered” (with cheese), “chunked” (with ham), “diced” (with tomatoes), “peppered” (with jalapeños), “capped” (with mushrooms), and “topped” (with chili) — a genuinely unique ordering language regulars use fluently.
Texas Melts & Sandwiches
| Item | Estimated Price | Calories (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Cheesesteak Melt | $9.95 | 780 |
| Texas Chicken Melt | $9.75 | 720 |
| Texas Sausage Melt | $9.25 | 760 |
Breakfast Plates & Combos
| Item | Estimated Price | Calories (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Two-Egg Breakfast (eggs, toast, jelly, grits or hash browns) | $7.00 | 520 |
| All-Star Special (eggs, bacon or sausage, hash browns, grits, toast) | $12.10-$12.35 | 1,050 |
| Grilled Biscuit | $2.65 | 240 |
| Chicken Biscuit (Springer Mountain Farms chicken) | $6.25 | 460 |
Omelets
| Item | Estimated Price | Calories (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Cheese Omelet (with toast, jelly, grits or hash browns) | $9.50 | 620 |
Burgers
| Item | Estimated Price | Calories (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Angus Beef Burger | $9.95 | 780 |
Kids Menu
| Item | Estimated Price |
|---|---|
| Kids Waffle Meal | $4.99 |
Drinks
| Item | Estimated Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee (bottomless) | $3.15 |
| Cold Brew Coffee | $3.95 |
Waffle House’s Specialty & Services
Waffle House’s specialty is genuine, uninterrupted 24/7 service — open every day of the year including major holidays, and famously used informally by FEMA as a real-world indicator of storm severity based on whether local locations stay open during hurricanes. Beyond the standard menu:
- The hashbrown ordering language: scattered, smothered, covered, chunked, diced, peppered, capped, and topped — a genuinely unique customization system unlike any other diner chain
- No official secret menu, but real off-menu customs: longtime customers and cooks are familiar with combinations like adding cereal or peanut butter chips into waffle batter, made without hesitation during slower hours
- True around-the-clock operation: most locations never close, a structural commitment few diner chains maintain at this scale
Allergen Quick-Reference
| Item | Gluten | Dairy | Egg | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Waffle | Yes | Yes | Yes | Standard batter contains all three |
| Hashbrowns (plain) | No | No | No | Naturally free of major allergens before toppings |
| Bacon, Sausage (alone) | No | No | No | Naturally free of major allergens on their own |
| Texas Melts | Yes | Yes | Possible | Bread and cheese both carry declared allergens |
Waffle House notes that food may come in contact with soy, eggs, milk and dairy, fish, peanuts, tree nuts, and sesame across its kitchens. This is a general reference only — always confirm ingredients with the restaurant directly before ordering.
Approximate Nutrition (Protein / Carbs / Fat)
| Item | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All-Star Special | ~1,050 kcal | 32g | 85g | 58g |
| Two-Egg Breakfast | ~520 kcal | 18g | 48g | 26g |
| Cheese Omelet | ~620 kcal | 28g | 42g | 34g |
Most Popular Orders
| Item | Estimated Price |
|---|---|
| All-Star Special | $12.10-$12.35 |
| Hashbrowns All the Way | $8.50-$10.30 |
| Classic Sweet Cream Waffle | $5.20-$5.95 |
| Texas Cheesesteak Melt | $9.95 |
Waffle House vs. Other Breakfast Chains
| Chain | Comparable Item | Estimated Price |
|---|---|---|
| Waffle House | All-Star Special | $12.10-$12.35 |
| Denny’s | Original Grand Slam | $8.99 |
| IHOP | Quick 2-Egg Breakfast | $13.99 |
| Cracker Barrel | Old Timer’s Breakfast | $11.99 |
Waffle House generally runs a bit above Denny’s on a comparable full breakfast plate but below IHOP, while its true 24/7 model and diner-counter format set it apart from all three competitors regardless of price.
Price Quick-Reference
- Cheapest item: Grilled Biscuit — around $2.65
- Cheapest full meal: Two-Egg Breakfast — around $7.00
- Most expensive standard item: All-Star Special — around $12.10-$12.35
- Best hashbrown value: Hashbrowns All the Way, loaded with multiple toppings for one flat price
Deals & Ordering Hacks
- Some locations run a $5 value-menu tier on select items, though availability varies by restaurant
- Coffee refills are bottomless with any order, making it one of the better standalone coffee-and-conversation stops among diner chains
- Learning the scattered/smothered/covered ordering language is the single best way to customize a hashbrown order efficiently
- Some locations now add small packaging fees on to-go orders, which vary by restaurant
Service Options & Dining Details
- Service options: dine-in (counter and booth seating), takeout, delivery through third-party platforms at some locations
- Popular for: breakfast at any hour, late-night meals, road trip stops
- Amenities: most locations open 24/7/365, including major holidays
Waffle House Hours
The vast majority of Waffle House locations are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including major holidays — one of the few national restaurant chains that maintains true around-the-clock service at this scale. Always check with your specific location for any regional exceptions.
Nutrition & Dietary Quick Facts
- Plain hashbrowns and eggs are naturally free of gluten before toppings and sides are added
- The All-Star Special is one of the higher-calorie standard breakfast plates in the diner category at around 1,050 calories
- Bacon and sausage ordered alone are naturally free of gluten and dairy
- Waffle House notes potential contact with soy, eggs, dairy, fish, peanuts, tree nuts, and sesame across its kitchens
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the All-Star Special at Waffle House?
It runs about $12.10-$12.35 as an estimated national average, including eggs, bacon or sausage, hash browns, grits, and toast.
What is the cheapest item at Waffle House?
The Grilled Biscuit, at an estimated $2.65, is typically the least expensive item on the menu.
Is Waffle House really open 24/7?
Yes — the vast majority of locations operate around the clock every day of the year, including major holidays, a rare commitment among national restaurant chains.
What does “scattered, smothered, covered” mean at Waffle House?
It’s the chain’s hashbrown ordering language — scattered means spread thin on the grill, smothered means topped with onions, and covered means topped with cheese, with several more terms for additional toppings.
Does Waffle House have a secret menu?
Not an official one — it refers to custom combinations regulars have figured out using existing ingredients, which cooks are generally familiar with during slower hours.
How much is a Waffle House waffle?
The Classic Sweet Cream Waffle runs about $5.20-$5.95 as an estimated national average.
Why is Waffle House associated with hurricanes?
FEMA has informally used whether local Waffle House locations stay open, close, or offer a limited menu as an unofficial real-world indicator of storm severity, since the chain rarely closes.
Does Waffle House have vegetarian options?
Limited but present — waffles, hashbrowns, grits, and cheese-based items work for vegetarians, though the menu is not vegetarian-focused.
Does Waffle House accept Apple Pay?
Yes, along with other standard mobile payment methods at most locations.
How many Waffle House locations are there?
More than 1,900 locations across 25 states, concentrated heavily in the South.
What Makes Waffle House Different
Waffle House’s defining feature is genuine, uninterrupted 24/7 operation — a commitment reliable enough that its closures during storms have become an informal severity indicator used by FEMA. Combined with a genuinely unique hashbrown ordering language found nowhere else in the diner category, Waffle House has built an identity around consistency and availability that few competitors attempt to match at the same scale.
This page is independently published and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Waffle House, Inc. All prices are estimated national averages compiled from multiple public sources and may not reflect current pricing at your local restaurant. Last updated: 2026.
