Happy Birthday, Ye Olde Waffle Shoppe!!!!

I've been in many lines on Franklin Street in the past 23 years. Lines waiting for the U bus on a cold and rainy day. Lines of inebriated 19 and 20 year olds, waiting to get into Trolls, the night the drinking age went up. Lines of "alternatives" waiting outside of the Record Bar (now Coldstone Creamery) all night to buy REM tickets (the cops made us keep our feet behind one of the cracks in the sidewalk, and the guys from Peppers gave us the leftover pizza when they closed!) Lines of Carolina fanatics after national championships. Lots and lots of lines.

But, until today, I've never line up on the street waiting for breakfast.

Today the Waffle Shoppe, a true Chapel Hill institution, turns 35, and to celebrate they reverted to their 1972 menu for the day. I eat there every Sunday, so I've been hearing about this for a couple of months, and had told the kids we'd get up early and go before school. We did, and got there about 5 of 7, and discovered about 20 or 30 people lined up outside the restaurant!

I was a little worried that all the tables would fill up, but I told the kids if that happened, we'd just order take out. Luckily, we were able to score seats at the counter, though, so we were all good.

I have to say, it was an absolute blast. In addition to the 1972 menu, they were dressed in '70s style clothes, and were playing songs from the 70's! Peter was a little disappointed that they didn't serve M&M pancakes in 1972, and I was bummed that there were no Big Jim's hash browns, but it was a fun trip. Oh, and the food was great, too, but it always is.

In addition to the 1972 menu, they also had 1972 prices. A sampling? A hotcake sandwich (now known as a hotcake combo) for $1.35. A short stack for $1.10. Coffee for $.35. Our entire meal was $4.69, including tax! That's only a little less than the tip (I tipped in 2008 dollars)!

What a blast. The place was packed, the employees were having a blast, the customers were loving it. And it was better than cold cereal!