In creating this great nation, our Founding Fathers sought to give us choices that most nations were not afforded. Our freedom of religion and our freedom of speech are freedoms we value deeply and that we work to protect at almost any cost. But could it be that the one choice we take most for granted is the one we should cherish most?

We say, "Yes!"

There are scores of restaurants from which Joe and Jane Traveler can choose. Our Founding Fathers worked hard to ensure that their children (and their children's children, and their children's children's children, and so on) would be able to eat wherever they desired. This presents a challenge to John and Suzie Restaurant Owner: They must overcome the odds and convince people to dine at their enterprise.

John and Suzie understand the challenge they are up against. But most of the time, they are unable to meet the challenge, and they fail to emerge from the crowded marketplace and secure the business of hungry travelers everywhere. Their food is dry, their drink is watered down, their service is slow, uncaring and ungrateful. Thus, when Joe and Jane pack Nancy and Joe, Jr. into the car for the family vacation, they often must resort to such lowly tactics as bringing bagged lunches made from processed lunchmeats, stopping to eat at rotting picnic tables next to the interstate.

But what if there were a place that met that challenge and answered the call of desperate travelers everywhere? What if a restaurant existed where everyone could eat and also hear songs about the very establishment in which they were dining? What if there was one restaurant chain that rose above all other contenders, leaving their carcasses smeared across the canvas like flies across a speeding windshield? Could such a restaurant exist and rise to occupy the restaurant throne, and could it have a nifty yellow sign with black lettering too boot?

It could, loyal readers. And rest assured, it does. I have seen the light. I have found the Promised Land. Oh yes, I have been to Nirvana! And right after their concert, I ate at Waffle House. Friends, all seven times I ate there in the span of 10 days it was everything I was looking for under one bright yellow roof.

Friendly smiles greet patrons at the door, their drink order taken swiftly and fulfilled only seconds later. The menu boasts a variety of tasty treats, some of which can be prepared in more than 22,348,509 different combinations. The waffles that make this house oh-so-famous are golden brown and crispy, the eggs and omelets are prepared exactly to order, the meats are of state championship caliber and the hash browns are the best damn hash browns in the world. Potatoes aspire to be in these hash browns. You can get these hash browns made in a variety of ways, as they are available with onions, ham (state championship caliber, of course), peppers, chili, cheese, tomatoes or any combination of those.

The staff, lackadaisical and dimwitted at many establishments, is just marvelous, often offering to refill your drink before you've had a chance to put down your empty glass. And - if you ask nicely - they may just go into the back room and sneak a few of their paper hats for your own personal use.

Perhaps most importantly, Waffle House and its employees recognize that you have that choice our government so graciously provides. Not only do they recognize it, they embrace it and appreciate that you (correctly) chose them. On each check, and featured on several posters throughout each branch, is the phrase "You had a choice and you chose us. Thank you!"

No, Waffle House….Thank you.

You, too, had a choice: the choice to blend in with all those other crappy restaurants or serve the public in a pleasing and satisfying manner. You chose us. And for that, we all salute you.

You are everything we need, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

http://www.wafflehouse.com

Jeff anxiously awaits his waffles and hash browns.