Breakfast and books: the pros and cons of popular restaurants
Posted by The Skyliner on February 25th, 2009Kellan Mayfield
Staff Writer
It’s almost that time again. Midterms are quickly approaching, and students everywhere are preparing themselves for coffee-fueled study sessions and all-nighters spent poring over textbooks and class notes. But when your roommate decides it’s a good night to stay up late watching Full House reruns, or have a heart-to-heart on the phone with their significant other when all you want to do is study, it’s time to take the books elsewhere for some peace and quiet. The question is: Where? For years, two restaurants have always welcomed students with open doors and quality food: Waffle House and Denny’s.
When it comes down to food, service, location and atmosphere, how do the two stack up to each other? First, an important factor to consider is which restaurant is closer—and in this case, Waffle House takes the win with the nearest store being in Travelers Rest, about 15 minutes from school. The closest Denny’s is on Wade Hampton Blvd. in Greenville, a little longer of a drive. Some students, although they prefer Denny’s to Waffle House in most areas, admit that location is important and in most cases is the deciding factor.
“I definitely say Denny’s because of the cleanliness, the service is superb, the food is better and it is more comfortable,” Brian Darnell, sophomore interdisciplinary studies, said. “In my opinion, Waffle House is just nasty, but it is a lot closer to school so I usually end up there.”
Other students take atmosphere into consideration when deciding where to spend their money, and for good reason. It doesn’t matter if you offer great food at a low price; if the surroundings don’t allow you to enjoy your dining experience or study efficiently, then it’s time to reconsider where you go to hit the books.
“I like to eat at Waffle House because it’s cheaper and I think the food is better, but when it comes to atmosphere, Denny’s is a much better place to go because it has more space and you don’t have to leave smelling like an ashtray.” Lauree Brown, freshman secondary education, said.
Not everyone is looking for a quiet place to study though. Some students are just looking to get a great meal at an affordable price. The key here is offering a wide variety and making sure that food quality is consistently excellent. When a restaurant can accomplish that, then they start creating “regular customers” who even pick their favorites and order them on every visit.
“Waffle house has the best ham and cheese omelets, and I love that I can go any time without worrying about if they’re open or not,” Zachary Cady, sophomore broadcast media, said.
Perhaps you’re looking for more of a personal touch. Service is arguably the most important part of the food industry—it can literally make or break a dining experience, depending on how great or terrible it may be. Great food and a clean atmosphere can be overshadowed by a rude waiter or an inattentive manager, but when the service is exceptional, employees may begin creating relationships with students.
“I prefer Waffle House,” Katie May, junior history, said. “The people there are really interesting. They have more of a tentative atmosphere because it is such a small place. They also know NGU students and how hard we study and are very helpful when we’re there.”
So while this restaurant battle royale may have no clear victor, it’s easy to see that NGU students have a strong appreciation for both Waffle House and Denny’s, even if for different reasons. It’s also an encouragement to grab some friends, get off campus, and enjoy a great meal and time with others. The choice is yours … which will you pick?