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

What kind of waffle would you be??

I AM SAD TO REPORT THAT RED ROOSTER WAFFLE CO. IS NOW CLOSED.

Hidden at the back of Jordan Landing on 7800 south and bangerter (well a little bit more west) is a Utah original and it couldn't have come soon enough!! Bert/Burt (sorry i don't know how to spell his name) is the owner and creator of this gem. When you walk in the door you see a sign that says "enter as strangers, leave as friends." There is a large menu board boasting all its goodies. From sweet to savory, breakfast and dinner. The owner left an amazing impression on me. He was delivering food to the tables (even with a bandaged hand) and talking to the guests. I even had a chance to ask him how he decided for a waffle concept. Just a super friendly guy.



The breakfast menu for the sweet tooth contained things like Monkey business (oatmeal waffle with bananas and caramel sauce), Johnny Appleseed (oatmeal waffle with maple apple cobbler), the savory's were eggs benedict (no english muffins needed here!!), the florentine (eggs benedict but with spinach, tomatos and avocados). The benedict sauce was rich and you could tasty each of the flavors. I really enjoyed the flavor of the oatmeal waffle, and for bacon lovers they carry the smoked applewood bacon!



Besides being a local restaurant and new to the community, Red Rooster offers something that you cannot get anywhere else in Utah... CHICKEN AND WAFFLES!! Yes, I can see the look on your face, but don't knock it til you try it. If you go to the Los Angeles area you will find a little hole in the wall company called Roscoes Chicken and Waffles made famous by The Fresh Prince of Bel-Aire. If you like sweet and savory, this is the meal for you. Fried chicken and a fresh hot waffle. I was so excited when I found out the Red Rooster had this item.


Another great thing about this place is their coffee! Wow and yum! They also make other non coffee drinks like steamers, chai, hot chocolate, juices, and sodas. When I walked out of the Red Rooster I couldn't wait for my next time to visit to try another flavor!! On a side note.. they have to have the coolest bathroom sign EVER!




http://www.redroosterwaffleco.com/splash.php
**sorry there are no food pictures in this blog. I was too busy eating and forgot to take pictures.