Florida man vows to never return to Waffle House after seeing the new menu: ‘This is my last time’

Waffle House is equal parts iconic American staple and beloved internet meme. It's open 24/7, it's greasy but delicious, and the employees may or may not break into a fight while customers are eating. It's all part of the dining experience.

However, people's goodwill only stretches as far as their wallets. And one customer has decided inflation has gone too far.

‘This is my last time going to Waffle House'

Tallahassee content creator Tyler Kelly (@ayyotk) shared his reaction to the current menu at his local Waffle House. His video has since accumulated more than 73,000 views.

Kelly's video began with him filming from his seat in the Waffle House. Kelly pointed his camera at the menu, focusing in on the “All-Star Special,” which includes two eggs, a waffle, and a breakfast side meat. As per the menu, it cost $16.20.

“Yeah, this is my last time going to Waffle House,” Kelly said. “16 [expletive] dollars. That's [expletive] crazy.”

Kelly flipped the menu over briefly to the other side before setting it down and ending the video.

In his caption and onscreen overlay, he added one more grievance.

“Plus they charge a to-go fee now,” Kelly wrote. “Flabbers were thoroughly gasted.”

@ayyotk flabbers were thoroughly gasted #wafflehouse #allstar #wh #takeout #fastfood ♬ original sound – TK

‘THE ALL STAR USED TO BE $10'

Many of Kelly's viewers flocked to his comment section to share in his outrage. Multiple people seemed similarly shocked by the All-Star Special's price tag.

“THE ALL STAR USED TO BE $10,” one commented. Another echoed, “That is absolutely insane!!!!! That [expletive] [used] to be less than $10.”

That is, in fact, true. According to Market Realist, Waffle House's All-Star Special cost $9.90 in 2018. The site also reports that “the [price changes] are pretty stark” between 2018 and 2026, “even by the standards of inflation.”

“Waffle House is a chain known for being remarkably cheap, which is why the price increases feel so galling to some,” Market Realist writes. “Some of the price increases are 50 or even 60%, outpacing inflation substantially and suggesting that Waffle House's reputation for affordability might not be entirely earned.”

Pricing for the All-Star Special varies significantly by location today. According to Menupedia and WaffleHouseMenuInfo, the breakfast costs anywhere from roughly $11 to $14 at most Waffle Houses. Kelly's location, at $16.20, appears to run higher than this typical range.

As for the to-go fee Kelly mentioned in his caption, multiple commenters corrected his assumption that the fee is new, pointing out that “there's always been a to-go fee.” Waffle House's official account on X directly confirmed in 2018 that the company charges a 10% service charge on all to-go orders.

Buzz News has reached out to Kelly and Waffle House via email.