For some time now, Tekken enthusiasts have been clamoring for a unique stage setting: a trip to Waffle House, not in real life, but within the game itself. While Tekken 8's director, Katsuhiro Harada, has shown interest, the response from Waffle House has been notably absent.

On X/Twitter, Harada addressed the persistent fan requests for a Waffle House stage in Tekken 8. The demand has gained significant traction, especially as Harada himself has expressed a keen interest in exploring the idea further.

Harada emphasized that he "fully understands" the fans' requests, admitting that he has been contemplating the concept for quite some time and has already taken steps to make it a reality. "Over the past year or more, I've actually tried to make contact through several different channels," Harada shared on X/Twitter. He speculated that the lack of response might be due to his association with "fighting-themed video games."

To be honest, within the bounds of what I can say, I fully understand your (you guys) request—that's precisely why I had considered taking on this challenge. In fact, I had already been thinking about it quite a while ago.

Over the past year or more, I've actually tried to make… https://t.co/Sa5oSpk2IZ

— Katsuhiro Harada (@Harada_TEKKEN) May 13, 2025

Harada pointed out that "no response" is a rare occurrence for him. He also suggested that if a different name or format could be used while preserving the core concept, he would be open to revisiting the idea.

It appears that fans might not see Kazuya and Jin battling it out under the iconic yellow glow of a Waffle House sign anytime soon. However, a parody or an in-game equivalent could still be possible. Harada floated the idea of "Hustle House" as a potential alternative.

Meanwhile, Tekken 8 is gearing up for its next update with Patch 2.01, following the confirmation of Fahkumram's addition to the roster. In April, Harada addressed fan concerns about Tekken 8's Season 2, reassuring players that the tuning team is diligently working "around the clock" to incorporate feedback and enhance the game's future updates.