While maple syrup and butter are classics for a reason, the humble waffle is really just a blank slate for any number of insane sweet or savory toppings. Check out how restaurants and diners across the country are really killing it waffle-wise, and if you live near one these spots, can we please come visit?
The Blue Ox
Where: Melt, St. Louis
Details: A cornmeal waffle made with onions cooked in the batter, and topped with slow-cooked brisket, a homemade bourbon-lime sauce and blue cheese crumbles.
Brunch Waffle Burger
Where: Waffle Wagon, Denton, Texas
Details: A classic waffle acts as the bun for a burger made with a 1/3-pound all-beef patty, bacon, Muenster cheese, lettuce, tomato, Miracle Whip and topped with an over-medium egg.
Chicken n' Watermelon n' Waffles
Where: Yardbird Southern Table & Bar, Miami Beach, Fla.
Details: A cheddar cheese waffle topped with fried chicken, hot-honey sauce, and spiced watermelon, and served with a with bourbon maple syrup.
Double Decker World's Fair Wafel
Where: Wafels & Dinges, New York
Details: Two light and crispy Brussels waffles stuffed with fresh strawberries and homemade whipped cream.
The Elvis Waffle
Where: Vic's Waffle House,Tewksbury, Mass.
Details: Bacon waffle with peanut butter, bananas, bacon and honey.
Goat in Headlights
Where: Off the Waffle, Eugene, Ore.
Details: Chèvre, avocado, fresh basil and two sunny-side up eggs, topped with smoked paprika and fresh coriander. Finished with a drizzle of Arbequina olive oil.
Heart Attack Waffle
Where: Waffles on Maple, New Orleans
Details: A gourmet Belgian waffle topped with caramelized mushrooms and onions, jalapeños, two fried eggs and melted cheddar, muenster and mozzarella cheese.
Peking Duck Waffle
Where: Wicked Waffle, Washington, D.C.
Details: Shredded duck meat, crispy-skin hoisin and plum sauce.
Pork Belly & Cornmeal Waffle
Where: Skillet Diner,Seattle
Details: Cornmeal waffle topped with maple-braised pork belly, two eggs and drizzled with house-made brown sugar cinnamon syrup.
Sage-Fried Chicken & Hardwood Smoked Bacon Waffle
Where: Hash House a Go Go, San Diego
Details: A smoked bacon waffle topped with two sage-fried chicken breasts, fried leeks and a hot maple syrup reduction.
Smoked Duck Banh Mi Waffle
Where: Waffle Champion, Oklahoma City
Details: Cold-smoked duck, pickled veggies, sliced jalapeno, cilantro mayo and cilantro.
S'mores Waffle
Where: Bruxie, 6 locations in California
Details: Toasted homemade marshmallow fluff, graham cracker crumbles and topped with melted Belgian chocolate.
The Whole Farm
Where: Waffle Window,Portland, Ore.
Details: Pepper bacon, balsamic braised mushrooms and onions, spinach, roasted peppers, tomatoes and marinated chèvre. You can also top with an egg, and why wouldn't you?
WTF Waffle
Where: Palladino's, Philadelphia
Details: Grilled ham, a fried egg, braised beef cheeks, seared foie gras and a maple-mustard glaze, all served over a classic buttermilk waffle.
