Downtown at 173 East Franklin Street, a few doors from the old Post Office


Average Overall Rating:

(4 out of 5)

Average Coffee Refill Rating:

(4 out of 5)

(2 out of 5)

Review by: mrxmrvlous on 11/8/2009

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This place is an institution. I can't count the times I've been there, but it has been consistently great over the past 13 years at least (and 24 years before that, I'd guess). It's no frills, but the food is always very good, the service is good. I find it strange that another reviewer dinged the condiments are on the table, as I've always had butter, ketchup, syrup and tabasco- yes- tabasco- on all the tables.

Note: long waits on weekends- be prepared to stand and wait your turn if you arrive between 10:30 and 1. Also, cash only, folks. It's been around before credit cards were ubiquitous for breakfast, so it's earned the right.


Review #18499Review by: ponybear on 10/18/2007

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The food was pretty good but an absence of generosity and frills made me feel a bit ripped off. For example, most breakfast restaurants have a large array of condiments on each table; Ye Olde Waffle Shop had only ketchup. I ordered an omelette that was supposed to come with salsa but it didn't. My friend had a waffle but it wasn't crispy and lacked a certain je ne sais quoi. On the whole it was a pretty decent place, but with a little effort it could have been so much more.

Review #11665Review by: Dianeb on 6/15/2007

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The waffles, eggs, sausage and bacon were all pretty tasty. I missed having a bit of crunch on the waffles but perhaps that's just my personal preference. I was looking forward to the eggs benedict mentioned in another review but how can you go to a waffle shop for the first time and not get waffles? Eggs benedict lovers should know that the sauce covering eggs is cheese sauce not hollandaise.

The grits were really yummy. Unfortunately we were out of butter and by the time another waitress (not our own) checked in with us, the grits were cold. When I explained about that she set about getting more. It was great to see that the waitresses all work together to help out customers.

Paying cash wasn't a problem but feeding the meter meant we needed to be prepared with quarters or dimes. Look forward to returning.

Review #10604Review by: falconbird on 2/10/2004

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Ye Olde Waffle Shop is a Chapel Hill institution (we have many!) A good no-frills breakfast spot,it's been around since 1972. Short order cooking with fast and friendly service.

They are justifiably proud of their waffles, pancakes and omelets (ten varieties including Strogonoff!). Also served are the usual egg dishes, breakfast biscuits, wraps and sandwiches. Benedict? Florentine? They have it! Excellent hash browns, grits and biscuits (served grilled with most meals). They just won't let you empty your coffee cup. Sit at the counter or in the attached booths in the bright front room and watch the cooks at work or enjoy the large half-timbered dining room.

Cash only. Breakfast 7-2.

Review #2941


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Reviews submitted here are meant to pertain to breakfast only. While Mr Breakfast cannot vouch for the validity of each restaurant review, he feels pretty good vouching for the excellent character of the residents of Chapel Hill, North Carolina - who are primarily responsible for the review(s) you see above for Ye Olde Waffle Shop.