[Aloha]

I have visited many Waffle House restaurants over the years and most of them do an adequate job for what they have to offer. I am not a big fan of Waffle House, but last week I stopped at the Waffle House in Wildwood, Florida, just off I-75. It was a spur of the moment decision and one that raised RED flags for me.

The Waffle House location in Wildwood, Florida is the absolute WORST location I have ever visited. The staff there was rude, loud and completely unprofessional in their behavior toward each other and to the patrons. There were dirty wiping cloths lying on the counter and several beverage containers that belonged to the workers also on the counter tops where patrons are to be seated. I also noticed that the condiments available on the counter had black and discolored accumulations near the tops of the containers. I wonder how long the bottles had been out there. They were filthy, including the ketchup bottles and the salsa bottles. I expected one of the workers to take the filthy wiping cloths and try to remove the crud from the tops of the bottles.

I made the mistake of ordering and my order was not communicated properly from the server to the cook and thus it was wrong when it arrived. When I told the server it was not what I ordered, she was disrespectful and reluctant to make any changes. Finally, the correct order arrived and I attempted to eat it. The food was horrible and I am glad that at least I did not get sick from eating there.

When I got home, I looked up the Restaurant Inspection for the Waffle House location in Wildwood, Florida. Below is the link for the inspection and also a copy of part of the most recent report:

Basic - Build-up of food debris, dust or dirt on nonfood-contact surface. On and around dish machine.
Basic - Build-up of grease on nonfood-contact surface around cook line grill.
Basic - Coffee filters not stored in a protected manner to prevent contamination. Filters in box above coffee maker.
Basic - Employee personal items stored with or above food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Purse beside straws in lower cabinet of front wait station.
Basic - Gaskets with slimy/mold-like build-up. Reach in cooler in front kitchen area.
Basic - In-use utensil in nonpotentially hazardous (non-time/temperature control for safety) food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Scoop submerged in hash browns.
Basic - Open dumpster lid. **Corrected On-Site**
Basic - Reach in cooler gasket torn/in disrepair in dry storage.
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Cups in dispenser not lidded to protect from contamination.
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.
High Priority - Cooked potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours.
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on new set of gloves to work with food. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over ready-to-eat food. Raw eggs over half and half in front kitchen area reach in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Shell eggs held at room temperature with an ambient air temperature greater than 45 degrees Fahrenheit. **Repeat Violation**
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food due to temperature abuse. Chili held at 51 overnight.
High Priority - Tea canister uncovered on cook line. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical stored by or with food. Sanitizers beside sugar packets in side kitchen area. **Repeat Violation**
Intermediate - Potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food covered while cooling. Chili in back kitchen area reach in cooler.


Read more: Waffle House #547, 7954 Ne Eighth Way, Wildwood, FL - Restaurant inspection findings and violations

I know this is NOT a reflection on all the Waffle House locations. The one in Leesburg on U.S. 441 is excellent, compared to this one. I have learned my lesson about the location in Wildwood. I will never return to this location. They should start selling T-Shirts---I ATE AT THE WILDWOOD WAFFLE HOUSE AND SURVIVED!!!

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by Aloha

I have visited many Waffle House restaurants over the years and most of them do an adequate job for what they have to offer. I am not a big fan of Waffle House, but last week I stopped at the Waffle House in Wildwood, Florida, just off I-75. It was a spur of the moment decision and one that raised RED flags for me.

The Waffle House location in Wildwood, Florida is the absolute WORST location I have ever visited. The staff there was rude, loud and completely unprofessional in their behavior toward each other and to the patrons. There were dirty wiping cloths lying on the counter and several beverage containers that belonged to the workers also on the counter tops where patrons are to be seated. I also noticed that the condiments available on the counter had black and discolored accumulations near the tops of the containers. I wonder how long the bottles had been out there. They were filthy, including the ketchup bottles and the salsa bottles. I expected one of the workers to take the filthy wiping cloths and try to remove the crud from the tops of the bottles.

Not sure I understand.
After reading this part about everyone being rude, loud & unprofessional, dirty cloths, employee beverage containers on the counter top, black and discolored accumulations on condiment tops, filthy ketchup and salsa bottles with crud.
All of that made you decide to eat there ?

[Aloha]

Originally Posted by Bonny

Not sure I understand.
After reading this part about everyone being rude, loud & unprofessional, dirty cloths, employee beverage containers on the counter top, black and discolored accumulations on condiment tops, filthy ketchup and salsa bottles with crud.
All of that made you decide to eat there ?

As I said in my original post, I made the MISTAKE of ordering there. I should have just walked out. Again, I will NOT make that mistake again!!!

[OBXNana]

A few friends and myself decided to do mystery shopping. One of the clients we had was Waffle House. The corporate offices were sticklers with their units running efficiently and consistently. Please contact the corporate office with your findings.

[justjim]

The inspection report was really bad. I wonder why the corrections weren't made or the place shut down? What was the date of the inspection report?

This makes you wonder about how deligent inspectors are in follow-up on any of their restaurant inspections. We have never been to the Waffle House in Wildwood.

[justjim]

OP, I must be blind----I see the inspection report was 11-13-14.

[bagboy]

Waffle House usually has high standards for at the very least being clean. I found that to be true over the years, but I admit I haven't been to one in quite some time, and never to the one mentioned in Wildwood. If this scenario is true, maybe drop a line or two to Waffle House corporate. I am sure they would want to be aware of the condition at that location. And IF it was that bad, yes was a mistake to eat there.

[TomOB]

I come on TOTV and only read and post on the restaurant page. There isn't much else that really interests me.

[philnpat]

My wife and I had never been to a Waffle House until a few months ago. We tried the one in Wildwood near the intersection of I75.
The restaurant was clean, the service made us feel very welcome and our food was served to us quickly and was very good.
What happened there?!!

[Topspinmo]

I just pass on by the Waffle Houses.

As in most low end fast food places they expect you to clean up after you eat, there not staff for that. Clean up cost to much

[kcrazorbackfan]

Originally Posted by Bonny

Not sure I understand.
After reading this part about everyone being rude, loud & unprofessional, dirty cloths, employee beverage containers on the counter top, black and discolored accumulations on condiment tops, filthy ketchup and salsa bottles with crud.
All of that made you decide to eat there ?

I was wondering that also. My wife and I can walk in a place and in just a few seconds I can say "nope" and we'll turn around and leave.

[mtdjed]

There is something about the Wildwood exit on I 75 that would encourage me to move on. Motels , restaurants, and all say let's try the next exit. Unfortunate but that is the way I see it. When traveling, we look for the warning signs and the signs there are bright to me.