If you love food and travel, we have put the two together to celebrate International Waffle Day on 25th March. Here are some of the best waffles in the USA…
The waffle made its debut arrival in New York in 1620 and since then, the selection of toppings have become more loaded than its history and heritage. From savoury to sweet, foodies can create the famed chicken and waffle combination, to a delightful dessert-style pecan and whipped cream waffle. Below, six U.S. chefs have hand-selected their favourite recipes for waffle-enthusiasts to recreate on International Waffle Day, offering a much-needed taste of the United States. Read on for the best waffles in the USA…
Chef Zach Dick from Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, Delaware
The Atlantic coastal town of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, is home to Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats and is often referred to as ‘the pub’ to Dogfish aficionados. The restaurant’s chef, Zach Dick’s go-to waffle is a sweet liege waffle, drizzled with spicy maple syrup, topped with IPA brined country-fried chicken with a sunny side up egg. To accompany this sweet and salty medley, he recommends washing it down with Dogfish Head’s very own 90 Minute IPA, the original imperial IPA whose malt forward flavours pair perfectly with this chicken and waffle dish. Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats provides its customers with an intriguing menu and often hosts live entertainment and tasting evenings, making it an absolute must for anyone who visits Delaware.
Chef Jordan Kahn from Destroyer, California
Destroyer, whose name references a comet, opened in the Culver City neighbourhood of Los Angeles in 2016. Chef Jordan Kahn’s menu boasts an eclectic mix of experimental dishes with his waffle choice offering no exception. His Sourdough Sunchoke Waffle is a true embodiment of L.A.’s culinary and wellness culture, topped with creamed kale, onion granola, pepper jelly, pickled mustard, prosciutto and a fried organic hen’s egg. The restaurant is an experience in itself, from the ceramic decor to the furniture, to the raw ingredients, sourced from Kahn’s friends, providing customers with an experience that is wholly curated by Chef Khan.
Mary O’Rourke from Waffle Window, Oregon
Next on our list of the best waffles in the USA – Inspired by the European liege waffle, Chef Mary O’Rourke founded Portland, Oregon’s Waffle Window in 2006. Her famous Three B’s waffle is a Waffle Window classic, with thick cut pepper bacon, brie and fresh basil, accompanied by peach jam – a house special, it is undeniably juicy and almost effortless to recreate from home. With an extensive range of waffles on the menu foodies who find themselves in Portland will be able to sniff out Chef O’Rourke’s window from a mile away – an absolute must for any waffle-lover.
Chef Julie from Waffle Way, Texas
Situated in Grapevine, Texas, Waffle Way is a hometown diner which opened its doors in 1987 and has now become Grapevine’s best-kept secret. Heralded as ‘Queen Bee’ of the waffle, Chef Julie’s speciality is a golden-brown banana pecan Belgian waffle with homemade whipped cream making it perfect for breakfast or dessert. A dish that is easy to create at home but even better to experience first-hand, as Chef Julie’s secret to this delicious recipe is the batter mix, which includes ingredients locally sourced from Garland, Texas. For those planning a culinary adventure to the U.S. then a visit to Waffle Way should be top of the list.
Damian Dajcz and Arthur Turcios from Daybreak Kitchen & Biscuit, Virginia
Damian Dajcz and Arthur Turcios are two of the culinary geniuses behind Daybreak Kitchen & Biscuit in Sterling, Virginia, and the pair were in total alliance when it came to deciding their favourite waffle to honour this International Waffle Day. Waffle experts will know this dish as ‘the Charlie’, it consists of a lightly deep-fried Belgian waffle which is then topped with buttermilk fried chicken breast, maple syrup, house-made orange cayenne jelly, blackberry jam – and for those feeling daring – then they recommend adding a dash of hot sauce too. Anyone who is lucky enough to visit Daybreak Kitchen & Biscuit will swiftly see that it offers an all-day foodie affair of Southern-meets-west coast cooking, from creative breakfast dishes to an evening cocktail bar, it is a culinary experience that has something to offer everyone.
Ted E. Ted from Tasty Waffle, Illinois
Ted E. Ted is the proud owner of Tasty Waffle in Romeoville, Illinois. Heralded for its culinary delights, this family-run business never fails to disappoint and unsurprisingly keeps the locals coming back for more. Those who are feeling creative this International Waffle Day should attempt Tasty Waffle’s iconic Carrot Cake Waffle. This heavenly medley can be easily assembled using homemade cake batter with shredded carrots, chopped walnuts, raisins and cream cheese. As experts in the field of batter, Tasty Waffle’s menu is not limited to just the waffle, it also boasts an exciting selection of French toast, pancake dishes and more.
What do you think of our list of best waffles in the USA? Let us know in the comments below!
