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Welcome to another edition of Breakfast in the D! This time, we’ll be focusing on the pancake’s distant cousin: the waffle.
Much like any food, there’s a certain way to prepare a waffle. You want it to be light and airy on the inside, yet crisp on the outside. The best part of a waffle, in my opinion, is that it can be prepared both sweet and savory. Waffles can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner, depending on how you prepare them!
While a homemade pile of waffles is great, if you’re no Alton Brown in the kitchen, you might want to start by sampling the best waffles the area has to offer before plugging in your iron and trying a recipe of your own.
They say the best way to learn something is through experience, right? Grab some friends and head out to breakfast or brunch in Metro D this weekend.
The Wafel Shop, 113 W. Liberty St., Ann Arbor, allows you to build your own waffle. First, choose from one of four waffles (there are crispy, chewy, gluten-free and vegan options), and then smother it with whichever toppings fit your fancy. They’ve got everything from Nutella to arugula to goat cheese to Michigan maple syrup. While you have the option to be creative, there are also nearly a dozen menu combos to help you out, including The Belgian Elvis (with bacon, Biscoff and banana), The Antwerp (with bacon, butter and cheddar) and The WBLT (a waffle sandwich served with Applewood bacon, mixed greens, tomato and garlic aioli).
Omelette & Waffle Café, 580 Forest Ave., Plymouth, serves waffles until 2 p.m. every day. Their Belgian Waffles are light and fluffy and can be ordered with pecans, walnuts or fresh fruit. You also have the option to adorn your waffle(s) with cherry or apple topping. If you’re looking for a savory dish to go along with your sweet main course, sides of bacon, sausage, ham and turkey sausage make a great addition.
Scrambler Marie’s, with locations in Canton and Farmington Hills, serves Phillip’s Golden Waffle plate, and you better be hungry. Why? Because every full order is a bottomless plate, so you get as many waffles as your stomach can handle. Not only that, but it’s topped with whipped cream, whipped butter and powdered sugar. If that’s not quite enough for you, pecans or blueberries can be mixed into the batter.
Toasted Oak, 27790 Novi Rd., Novi, has a weekly pajama brunch every Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the menu includes both a sweet and savory waffle. If you’re in the mood for breakfast, the Classic Belgian Waffle Stack is topped with strawberry sauce, whipped cream and chocolate chunks. The heartier option is Chicken & Waffles, a cornbread waffle with fried buttermilk chicken and smothered with whiskey maple syrup. If that doesn’t sound like a good way to start a Sunday, I don’t know what does.
Heavenly Chicken & Waffles, 419 Monroe St., Detroit, serves up much more than just the namesake item. Breakfast is served all day, so you can get a Plain Belgian Waffle, Bacon Belgian Waffle or Belgian Waffle Breakfast (with eggs, chicken wings and bacon or sausage) at any time of day. Waffles can be topped with “heavenly” additions, including chocolate chips, bananas and pecans, strawberries, cinnamon apples, blueberries and even ice cream. You won’t find your standard breakfast sandwich here, either—waffle sandwiches are made with scrambled eggs, cheese and either chicken breast, bacon or sausage.
The Pantry Restaurant, 34220 Van Dyke Ave., Sterling Heights, is open for breakfast and lunch, and has seven waffle variations on the menu. Your choices include a plain Golden Brown Waffle, Strawberry a la Mode, Pecan, Blueberry, Apple, Bacon or Chocolate Chip Waffle. Personally, I think one would have to be crazy to pass up a waffle (or anything) full of bacon bits, but whatever makes you happy!
Whether you prefer your waffles plain, full of fresh fruit or drenched in real maple syrup, your craving will be satisfied at any one of these restaurants. Enjoy your breakfast in the D!
