I have never lived near a Waffle House, but did eat lunch at one in Mobile AL about ten years ago. I found nothing particularly unique about it.
People have fond memories of going to Waffle House after partying, or going with their tween friends as the only place they could afford to go out to eat, or going after softball games in their still-dirty uniforms.
Another commenter mentioned that Anthony Bourdain said Waffle House was better than The French Laundry (while eating Waffle House drunk, late at night).
To eat at The French Laundry you need to plan ahead and try hard to get a reservation. You have to act and dress appropriately and show up in maybe a 15 minute window for the hostess to deign to grant you the privilege of being seated.
You can eat at Waffle House on a whim, with anyone you like, in (just about) any state you like.
Having had both I wouldn't say that the food at Waffle House is actually better than the food at The French Laundry. But there is something that people appreciate about Waffle House being the reliable place you can always show up for comfort food, at minimum cost with minimum judgement.
In any state but a northern one. Sadly, there are none in the northeast. Waffle House to me borders between being an "american" thing and specifically a "southern" thing
The two towns, Lancaster and Allentown, in PA with Waffle Houses, are kind of exceptions that prove the rule. They are special rarities -- the northern waffle house, like the jumbo shrimp.
But Waffle House in its true environment is no more a rarity than an orange in Florida. Its commonness is an inherent part of its charm.
Technically, it's possible a northerner could drive a few hours to get to a Waffle House. But the whole point and charm of Waffle House is its ubiquity. Anytime, anyplace: just past the next offramp and open 24 hours.
It is not a planned destination, it's ... just where yall end up. And so no, while technically there's a couple waffle houses north of the mason dixon, those in the know would agree there isn't really waffle house in the north, regrettably.
it's cheap, it has a basic menu that covers most dietary requirements, it's understaffed by design, and it's open 24/7.
I live in LA -- there is a distinct lack of 24/7 shit even here. I wish we had waffle house simply because i'm sick of Dennys and Norm's being the only 24/7 choice to wander into if I don't want to drive my ass to Canters'.