Bruges Waffle and Frites

While I sit down to contemplate how to even begin to describe how I felt eating at Bruges Waffle and Frites, all I can think about is the waffle melting in my mouth and the sweet crystalized sugar dancing on my taste buds!!!


When you visit Uffens market place across from Pioneer Park (336 W 300 S) in downtown Salt Lake, it is hard to chose between Tony Caputos, Carluccci's bakery, or Bruges Waffle and Frites. I will write about the other two down the road, but today my friends, today is all about Bruges. The store is small. The menu is simple. The food is amazing.

The girl that helped me at the counter took time to explain how it all worked. She told me about the waffles, and then she told me about how the frites (aka fries) are made. You have two waffle bases: vanilla and cinnamon. I went with vanilla. Then you can choose a topping if you like. Dark Belgian chocolate, fresh strawberries, creme fraiche, vanilla bean ice cream, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, and speculoos (which I had to Google, and it is a cookie that has been turned into a spread)!! Now, keep in mind, each one of these toppings cost extra. I went with the creme fraiche.. YUM! For those of you unfamiliar with creme fraiche, it is a french version of sour cream. However, it is not sour at all, even though it is made in a simliar process. Think whip cream but thicker and more amazing.


I wish there was an easier way to explain how happy my mouth was when I took the first bite of my piping hot waffle. It was almost like ... well... a hot sugar cookie but better!! I wanted to savor it, but I wanted to just eat more and more of it. The best part is even after I had my frites, I could still taste the waffle.

Now, I may have written before that I am not much of a fried food eater. I was however looking forward to double fried french fries. There is nothing worse than a soggy french fry. Blech. Since I got my frites to go, they came in a bag. I think they normally are served in a cone shape paper. THEN, then comes the magic. Sauces galore! I had a hard time chosing. I went with the andalouse (peppers, cayanne pepper, mayo base, basil, mustard and seasonings) and the Brasil (tomato sauce, pineapple, honey, curry) These sauces were like night and day eaten next to each other. It was dip a fry in the sweet, dip a fry in the spicey. I couldn't really make up my mind.

Bruges also offers something called the Machine Gun sandwich. It is a baugette, lamb, the andalouse sauce, and STUFFED, yes I said STUFFED with the frites. Do you dare?


The gentleman that started this company is from Belgium. He is from the town of Bruges. These yeast waffles are sold by street vendors. Lucky people, right? When you are on the website for Bruges Waffles and Frites make sure to read the history of the waffles and the frites. Quite fun and interesting.


Visiting this place reminded me of the passion I have for local food places and renewed my excitement for tasty morsels!! Please make sure if you are downtown that you stop in and enjoy a waffle, frites, or both! Yes, your pocket will be a little lighter, but your tastebuds will be satiated and happy with how amazing this food is!


I can't wait to go back. Definitely a Utah treasure, even if it did come from miles away!!
http://www.brugeswaffles.com/main.php

Car Hoppin back in the day

Many of you are familiar that I have a love for finding the mom and pop burger joints. I've visited Millies, Purple Turtle, Parkers, Paces, Emmett and Ethels... On about 61st south and 1300 East is another place I would visit again in a heart beat. And, if you blink you miss it as you drive by.

When you pull in, you have the option of either going inside or they have a car hop station (yes think modern day Sonic style). The decor inside is circa James Dean. They have a juke box, but the only thing I would change is make sure some type of music was playing all the time. The space is awfully small so everyone can hear everyones conversation.

What is unique about this one? The prices and oh- you cannot forget the burger that is 11 dollars! Yes, you read that correctly. 11 dollars! It is 2lbs of fresh cooked beef with the fixins and some fry sauce. I didn't try this. cause well, it's as big as my head.

I went for a melt in your mouth garlic burger and some hand dipped onion rings. I was more than impressed with the quality of the food. For two of these burgers and two orders of onion rings my friend and I spent less than 10 dollars. Wowza!!

This is a great place if you want something quick, something tasty, and something that will leave a great after taste. For sure a little stop you would want to make on your lunch break or on the way home.

Ps. Sorry there are no images of the food, we ate it too fast!!

Where is Emmett??

I feel like I've been inconsistent with my posting, but until someone pays me to go eat at restaurants and review them... I have to do in on my own time and when I have some money.

That out of the way. Let's get down to business!

I have done several blogs about burger places. Millies, Pace's, Purple Turtle, and Parkers. Today I add another. Emmett and Ethels use to just be a little small shack on Main street in Lehi called Emmetts. There was about 10 menu items (approximately) and if you knew someone named Emmett you could get a free shirt or something like that. Well, they closed up shop because they built an actual building for them to house in and they changed the name.

I was interested to go in and see what was different. The menu had expanded as did the prices. They have quite a few booths and tables you can sit at with your family or date or by yourself. The walls are painted with local landmarks (for those of you that don't know the Lehi Roller Mills is where Footloose was filmed and this restaurant is just down the street)

I looked through all the burgers and sandwiches. I asked the cashier her favorite and she said the most popular was the ranch burger. I went with the Rueben because pastrami was sounding tasty. I always like to try a few items and yes it makes me look like a pig, but I don't eat it all. I am sad to say this time I barely ate any of it. I like to give EVERYONE a fair chance, this is what this blog is about. I was really sad this time after the bill was paid and the first bite was taken. I also ordered onion rings and a lime rickey. That is grape flavor, lime flavor, and sprite. I think its only in Utah, but if you have seen it elsewhere let me know!! I also got a Mississippi mud shake that was chocolate with marshmallows,brownie pieces, and walnuts. I was shocked when my tab came to 17$!! It really wasn't that much food, no more than I have ordered from any of the other afore mentioned burger places.

I only live about 12 minutes from this place. By the time I got home my sandwich was really soggy and slightly burned. The meat was very nice and salty though. The shake was just ok. The onion rings were also just ok. The best part of my visit was probably the sample of the hard ice cream they have with honeycomb bits (no not the cereal) in it. I would definitely only go back for that.

I guess if you don't mind quality and price you could stop in here for something quick. If you want value, my suggestion is just drive east 15 minutes.

Millies in Sugarhouse

I am aware that I have done several posts on small burger joints (parkers, paces', and purple turtle). Today I need to add another to the list! I have probably passed by this quaint little place dozens of times, if you blink you will miss it. Millies is located on 21st south and 1000 East. It is a family owned and run business and has been around for quite some time. I asked the manager (i am pretty sure that is who she was) what her favorite was and she said " EVERYTHING! I have worked here for 25 years and I still eat here 5 days a week." To me, that says a lot about a restaurant.

I went into this place waiting to compare it to the others. I have to say this place really set the standard high. For freshness it stands out hands down. You may be saying "but Jess, a burger is a burger!" and I will say back " oh but you are soooo wrong!" But nicely of course. There is a lot to chose from on the menu from a regular hamburger for .99 or a halibut sandwich for 7 bucks! I ordered a Double Millies Cheeseburger, a small order of onion rings, and a banana walnut shake. Wow, I was in for a surprise when I took my first bite!

The burger patties were a great size, not flat or pressed (like a place I ate in cedar city this past weekend). It had a great sauce on it that wasn't too overwhelming, lettuce, tomato, cheese and pickles. It tasted so fresh and right off the grill in your back yard. I don't eat a lot of fried food, but today I made an exception. These onion rings didn't crumble when you bit them, the onions were so juicy and not dry like some places you get. There wasn't tons of breading on the outside. Pretty close to the perfect onion ring. And finally, but certainly not least is the shake. Ok, so I LOVE shakes. I have tried all different kinds up and down the valley when I am in the mood. Today I was so pleased with the one from Millies. Normally when you get a shake you aren't concerned with the ice cream because well... you can't taste it! I could taste the banana, the walnuts, and still taste that it was made from vanilla soft serve.

I know I have given this place a little bit of a more descriptive review than most. I just wanted you all to see if your mouths would water this time. If you are in the Sugarhouse area I do suggest stopping by and even just getting one of their Glaciers which is a flavored slush that has ice cream in it (and this reminds me of a place in New Jersey called Rita's YUM!!)

A family Affair

It was hard to name this one because this is the place that I went to in high school, and the past two were where my parents hung out. In Bountiful on 500 west is a little gem called Pace's Dairy Ann. I was fortunate enough to talk to the current owners nephew on the history of the place. The original owners had a Dairy Queen and bought the current location and changed the name and it has been serving since the mid 50's.

Pace's are known for their rainbows. My memories of this place are the awesome astro bars. Peach is the best!! Whether it is after marching in a parade or a treat for a church project, they are super tasty. Their onion rings and burgers also rank up there as being some of the freshest and most tasty in the area for the money!

My hopes is that Pace's will continue to be passed down through generations and stay in that spot forever!

More Generational past times

Purple Turtle is another restaurant that has memories going way back. My father grew up in Pleasant Grove and this is where they would have lunch. Rumor has it, that it started because the creator had a dream about a restaurant and a purple turtle and combined them(this comes from the mouth of an employee there), however I cannot find actual information anywhere. Also, when you look at the building it is shaped as a turtle.

Ok, let us get down to the goods. I noticed there hasn't been much of a change in the basic menu. Burgers, grilled cheese, taco salads, and the only place I know of that you can get english chips The Purple Turtle way. I hadn't eaten here in quite some time and ordered just a grilled ham and cheese which comes with a special sauce and lettuce and a tomato. My favorite shake (you are probably getting the idea that I love anything with marshamallows) is the smore's because it is not too chocolatey and they use real marshmallows! Plus its twice as big as you think it is when you order it. Hands down... The Purple Turtle has THE best sweet potato fries ever. They are nice and crispy on the outside, they are cut thicker than most places, and they are nice and soft on the inside without too much salt!! PERFECTION!! They also offer their own fry sauce which to me tastes the best of all of them.

My best memory of this place was going with my cousin for shakes and perhaps she will remember us laughing and me spitting a grasshopper shake all over the table and a little on her because we were laughing so much.

Anyway, if you want to head down there for a great shake and burger and fries (total package) its just on State street in pleasant grove.

Past times of generations and more to come.

I wasn't quite sure what to title this post. Parker's has been around since the beginning of time.. Well way before my beginning of time anyway. It is located on 5th east and state street in American Fork. The actual store is tiny and it's exactly what you would expect for a business that has been a staple in the community since the 70's.

If you are looking for a simple burger and fries, some onion rings, fish and chips or a great shake for a great price.. Parker's Drive-In is it!

I have to be sentimental for a moment. This is a place that my mom went, my aunts and uncles went, and when I was little my grandpa would take my brother and me for an ice cream cone (dipped of course) and then we would drive down to the dock at the lake and just talk. Sometimes memories come with food and vice versa.

I suggest the ranch burger. It is very similar to the big mac, but WAY better. They even have their own special sauce at Parker's Drive-In. My favorite item here is the Marshmallow shake. I am generally a fan of having substance in my shakes (like whole pieces of marshmallows) but this is the only place I love the marshmallow syrup they use.

Flashback to the 50's

I would assume that many BYU students know about this amazing little place called The Malt Shoppe. Its just off the corner of University Ave and Bulldog Ave. I found this place when I worked next door. If you are looking for a super yummy, inexpensive shake, hamburger, or my favorite bacon and grilled cheese then you need to look no further. They do of course have other items such as french fries, different styles of burgers, and onion rings!! I definitely shouldn't be blogging when I am starving!

When you walk in this restaurant it has old vinyl seats, pictures of albums long remembered, and the super awesome jukebox! The owners recently remodled the interior, but it still feels like you are in a 50's Malt shoppe (literally).

They have a selection of probably over 40 shakes. When I have a craving this is where I go. They also have a drive thru if you don't want to go inside. During the summer this place is packed with local students til almost midnight.

My favorite shake is the s'mores!