The Lincoln Waffle House, Amy Peohler and Madeline Albright

The Uber driver dropped us off across from Ford's Theatre at the landmark Lincoln Waffle House where a line was  forming because it was so packed to get in. It was a little before noon and the spring tourist crowd was everywhere. The long line to the Peterson House where Lincoln died, just down the block, reached the front door of the Waffle House. In between was a Lincoln souvenir place. We thought a greasy spoon could be a treat for our friends visiting from Milwaukee before we saw the matinee show "Freedom's Song" at the theatre - and it was. It's a cruddy place, but the waiter at the counter was a one man show. And it was fun - all the way down to the photograph he showed us with Amy Poehler and Madeline Albright chatting at the counter. Apparently they filmed a piece there for "Parks and Recreation" and our waiter was very much involved. So if you are in to greasy spoons and short order breakfasts, or lunches, this is the place. It closes at three pm and opens near five am. Next to our favorite Pete's Diner on Capitol Hill and McLean Family Restaurant in Virginia, the Lincoln Waffle House is something else. Just don't use the bathroom.  

An Abraham Lincoln Day - a Waffle House, Ford's Theatre, and Freedom's Song

It started with an Uber ride from our house to the Lincoln Waffle House. We chose this place for breakfast because it was right across the street from Ford's Theatre. Our neighbors are visiting from Milwaukee and we planned to see the musical Freedom's Song. The Waffle House was a treat in an of itself - a real greasy spoon. We had plenty of time before the show started to walk around the block and take in the sights and the long lines for everything this time of year. The spy museum was packed. We had an opportunity to visit the Lincoln Museum in the lower level of Ford's Theatre. We've been there twice before, the last time in the 1980's. John Wilkes Booth boot, the life mask of Lincoln, and other memorabilia were all on display. But the most unexpected surprise was how great the musical was about Lincoln and the Civil War. I have always been a civil war fan and belonged to the Milwaukee round table. The show was really well done - set on the stage and below the box that Lincoln was shot by Booth. One can only imagine what happened there that day 150 years ago. On the way home from dinner that evening we drove by the Lincoln Memorial. It was a very Lincoln Day.