Here's what Southern chefs always order at Waffle House

The golden glow of a Waffle House holds a special place in the hearts of Southern chefs, cooks and food industry workers looking for a fresh, hot meal after their shift.

“Our entire back-of-the-house team has a lot of respect for how many plates of food a Waffle House cook can put together at 2 a.m. on a Friday night,” said Joy Edwards, executive chef at Three Sisters Lodge. “Seeing them filled with flat-top pancakes, burgers and steaks is a source of concern or surprise for anyone working in the kitchen.”

After all, the mighty open kitchen is often the last stop for a quick yet balanced and inviting meal when most other kitchens are closed. We talked to Southern chefs who know a thing or two about ordering at a Waffle House — and you can't go wrong, we learned that the perfect ticket is really an art form created after years of practice.

Their orders are an inspiring mix of classics, with a few interesting twists.

Extra crispy “scattered” hash browns

You can't go wrong with the All-Star Breakfast, which always consists of two eggs, toast, and a waffle in addition to bacon or sausage. Don't forget that you may want your hash browns “crispy,” or “scattered” in Waffle House lingo. Here are some of the All-Star's favorites:

• “I'm a total classic girl! All-Star Special, over-medium fried eggs, crispy, scrambled and smothered [hash browns]Toast, bacon, and [a] Pecan waffles and of course coffee.” – April McGregor, chef, master preserver and cookbook author
• “Two eggs over easy, grilled biscuits, bacon, hash browns, jalapeños and extra crispy with a slice of cheese.” – Sarah Bradley, Chef/Owner, Freight House, Paducah, KY
• “Scattered, smothered, and peppered [hash browns]Two over-medium eggs, and basic salsa on every table they have. A coffee in the morning or iced tea in the afternoon.” – Chiti Kumar, Chef/Owner, Azza, Raleigh, NC
• My favorite order is scrambled eggs, sausage and cheese and a side of hash browns. It has everything you want, it's warm and very comfortable.” Scott Francezza, Executive Chef/Culinary Director, High Hampton, Cashier, NC

Pecan Waffles

The famous pecan waffle is a recurring favorite among Southern chefs, and for good reason. This is the only waffle order that actually includes toppings, pecan waffles add a delicious toasty flavor and crunch.

• “I've had several late-night trips to Waffle House, and my go-to is always the pecan waffles, usually with over-easy eggs, hash browns, and coffee. I don't know why, but I always reach for that pecan waffle, and I prefer it over the peanut butter waffle. I have been in many debates about excellence.” – Alex Eliades, Bread Craft Bakery & Cafe, Roanoke, VA
• “I always get an order of a pecan waffle and hash browns with lots of butter and syrup! Pecan waffles are the best—sweet and crunchy. Wish I could have one now.” – April Francezza, pastry chef, High Hampton, Cashier, NC
• “I would have loved to have pecan waffles “for the table” but, alas, gluten.” – Cheetie Kumar

Dips and Tricks

Here things get technical. You can take a chef out of their own kitchen, but you can't take the skills and knowledge from the chef. Consider making a well of ketchup to dip your hash browns into (instead of drizzling ketchup over the top), and legend has it that some people smuggle in their own toppings.

• “I am Dip my hashbrowns in ketchup—you can't put ketchup in hash browns! Then I get a sweet tea and sweeten it with maple syrup.” – Sarah Bradley
• “I've been known to bring my own jam or maple syrup!” – April McGregor

Chocolate milk

Coffee gets the spotlight at Waffle House. While it's true that a bottomless cup of crunchy potato syrup and starchy grease is a no-brainer, chocolate milk is a must-have item on the menu. But when you're already up and eating at odd hours, there's something special about that icy, chocolaty dessert that hits the stomach.

• “It's always associated with early fishing. The chocolate milk is so icy cold and velvety. It's a superior balm for the stomach butterflies that come with those anticipated mornings. Oh, and of course hashbrowns all the way.” – John Stokes, Tarsk Cucina and Panino Velos, Oxford, MS

Good gravy

Gravy can't be missed, be it on biscuits or in the whole dish.

• “I like to order two scrambled eggs with a side of biscuits and gravy, a side of hash browns. Sometimes black coffee and cream for dessert.” – Francisco Garcia, Chef/Owner, FOKO, Louisville, KY
• “My go-to order is a Texas Patty Melt. It's always a hit. And don't sleep on topping your hash browns country style (with gravy) and a little hot sauce.” – Joey Edwards, Three Sisters Lodge at Blackberry Mountain, Walland, TN