By Amy Wenk
amywenk@reporternewspapers.net
After 40 years of pouring coffee and serving up pancakes, Betty Roberts is hanging up her blue apron.
The 69-year-old waitress at the IHOP restaurant on Roswell Road in Sandy Springs retired July 30. She started working at the restaurant in 1970.
“I just thought I’d had enough,” Roberts said at a retirement party at the restaurant, also known as the International House of Pancakes.
Family, friends and some of her favorite customers dropped by during the party to say goodbye to the long-time waitress, who lives in Acworth and drove 62 miles a day round-trip to work the 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift in Sandy Springs.
“I’ve got a following,” Roberts said.
She said she’s waited on actors from the “Dukes of Hazard” TV show, comedian Jerry Farber and Braves manager Bobby Cox.
Her biggest tip?
“A hundred dollars,” Roberts said.
“I’m very proud of her,” said her daughter Tammy Frank. “I think she is the celebrity of the year.”
Some customers were sad to see Roberts leave.
“This was the only place we ate for years,” said customer Ruth Johnston, who started coming to the IHOP with her husband Pat in 1981. “We come back occasionally now and always ask for her.”
Ruth said there is no pancake better than those served at the Sandy Springs’ IHOP and no better waitress than Roberts.
“She was made to work here,” Ruth said.
Amanda Wolkin contributed to this report.