Exciting news for breakfast lovers in Rogers, Arkansas! The cherished Waffle Hut team, led by head cook Bear Hazelbaker and his wife, Chrissy Hazelbaker, is back in action. After the devastating Memorial Day Weekend 2024 tornadoes severely damaged the original Waffle Hut building, it seemed like the end of an era. However, thanks to the generosity of Smokin’ Joe’s Ribhouse, the Hazelbakers are once again serving up breakfast favorites—this time in a new location.

 A New Beginning at Smokin’ Joe’s Barbecue

Smokin’ Joe’s Ribhouse, located at 200 N 8th St. in Rogers, has welcomed the Waffle Hut team to serve breakfast in their spacious and inviting restaurant. Longtime fans can now reunite over the same delicious breakfast dishes and warm atmosphere they loved at Waffle Hut, now enhanced by the hospitality of Smokin’ Joe’s.

Chrissy and Bear have been serving great food for years. They operated the Centerton Inn from 1998 to 2013 before Bear joined restaurant owners Jimmy and Melodye Baugh at the Rogers Waffle Hut in 2013. Chrissy followed in 2015, and together they worked side by side until the May 2024 tornado disrupted their lives and business. Learning that the Waffle Hut building couldn't be saved was heartbreaking, leaving them uncertain about how to preserve the memories and relationships they had built over the years.

A Community-Driven Comeback

 Enter Johnny Howard, owner of Smokin’ Joe’s Ribhouse and Catering, a well-known establishment with locations in Rogers and Bentonville. Having enjoyed many breakfasts at Waffle Hut over the years, Howard deeply appreciated the community it fostered.

"I have lived in Rogers for 55 years. I grew up going to Waffle Hut, and as teenagers, my best friend and I had breakfast there after cruising on the weekends," Howard recalled. "I've been trying to hire Bear for 20 years. He was always there, always working hard, but he told me his expertise was cooking and serving breakfast."

 Smokin’ Joe’s had offered breakfast back in the 1990s but had since focused on lunch and dinner. Seeing an opportunity to revive breakfast service, Howard reached out to Bear with an idea: bringing Waffle Hut’s breakfast expertise to Smokin’ Joe’s.

"I gave Bear a call and told him, 'I have this crazy idea to offer breakfast at Smokin' Joe's in Rogers if you’re interested,'" Howard shared. The result? A perfect collaboration that allows the Hazelbakers to continue doing what they love while giving customers a familiar and welcoming place to gather.

Preserving Tradition—One Meal at a Time

 Chrissy and Bear salvaged as much as they could from the Waffle Hut, including their perfectly seasoned 45-year-old grill. Howard was thrilled to install the iconic 48-inch Keating chrome-top griddle in Smokin’ Joe’s kitchen, ensuring that every meal carried the same beloved flavors and traditions that Waffle Hut regulars cherish.

When asked what she missed most in the months following the tornado, Chrissy didn’t hesitate: "The people. We had the breakfast version of the television sitcom Cheers—where everybody knows your name."

Join the Celebration!

 Help celebrate the return of a local favorite by stopping by Smokin’ Joe’s for breakfast! Enjoy classic Waffle Hut favorites like three-egg ham & cheese omelets and waffles, alongside exciting new additions like Mimosas, Screwdrivers, and Bloody Marys.

New Breakfast Hours:

📅 Tuesday–Saturday: 6 a.m. – 2 p.m.
🍽 Lunch & Dinner: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Come hungry and be part of this exciting new chapter for the Waffle Hut team!