There are a whole lot of spots to eat in this city. It's an influencer's dream. 

• Hole in the wall places
• Places with history
• Big Chains you'd otherwise only find on the West Coast
• Gimmicky places where the menu is a damn QR code.

Given all of the content creator fuel, it's easy to try something new often. I'm relatively adventurous. There's nothing wrong with trying new things and spending a little more. There's one condition to me taking on new food ventures. I only try new places when I'm with the boys.

When I'm alone, things can get pretty predictable. Same spots I always hit. I know where they are. I know when they'll be busy. I know what they have, how much it costs, and how it tastes.

After a night of sparring, cardio, training, weights, or sometimes even a fight, It is nice to wake up and go to my town's benchmark. There's one of these in every block. Without fail, you can find a Waffle House anywhere.

Every person can tell you the closest one to their home. Ironically, I don't go to the one closest to my apartment. There's one a bit nicer that's maybe 30 minutes away. 

Eating here is essentially the restaurant equivalent of eating a home-cooked meal from the parent that doesn't cook often. Seeing packaging for the same sliced bread we buy at the store adds to that analogy. The food tastes pretty good, but it's always missing that little 'something.' Regulars expect that lack of 'something.' It's part of the charm. 

The joint isn't all maple syrup and good times. Somewhere in its history, it acquired a reputation. People consider the place to be dangerous. "Waffle House is a fighting game stage." or some version of that meme ends up on my timeline multiple times a week. Videos of fights that take place in them create that perception...That and a few actual murders that took place in them. 

While the restaurant has locations throughout the southeast, it's based here in GA. It is to Atlanta how Whataburger is to Texas or In-N-Out is to California.

I first got introduced to this legendary breakfast chain in college. When you've run out of funds from your loan refund card, Waffle House has your back. By the time I was in my senior year, I had stopped going to the university dining hall altogether. Nothing better than stepping into your dorm after a night class, clutching a to-go bag that was swinging in the winter breeze. I'd rest in the bliss that the day's responsibilities are over, the anxieties of post-graduation expectations are over, and the judgment from the outside world stops. Heating up my inexpensive meal would enhance that end-of-the-day delight. 

Even though I graduated a few years ago, the solitude of lone nights at my apartment after battles has a similar feel. So, eating here takes me to that place every time. Some might consider nights of solitude to be lonely. Isolation can suck for anyone. 

Life constantly puts you in situations where you must act, react, and adapt. Life is a constant challenge. Sometimes it's nice to just...Reflect. Reflect and pay pocket change for a nice breakfast. Enjoy the simplicity of humble little food.