Whistlin' Waffle is somewhat of an oddity in eateries. Located in Willows Farm Market and Garden Centre, it enjoys shared space with kitschy home and garden shops, a food market, a clothing store, and a couple other whimsical businesses. This waffle place has a couple other quirks as well. It has a vague, almost indiscernible, asian theme. Aside from the waffles (I'll get to those later), Whistlin' Waffle offers only a few side dishes consisting of spring rolls, edamame, deep fried fish dumplings and (of course) waffle fries. Drink offerings include a focus on bubble teas.
The atmosphere upon entering the establishment is stark, with barely any embellishments or decorations. A hard floor and plain wood veneer diner tables fill the echoey dining room, yet behind and around the counter is a clutter of dry erase boards, small appliances and various hand written cards and notes on bubble tea and waffle toppings. A strange juxtaposition of an old school diner and a pop-up cafe of some kind.
Upon being seated on our most recent visit (Whiskey and I had been here one time before in the past) we were brought water in a nice swing top glass bottle and given small clear plastic cups to drink from. Our server was pleasant enough, although I did get the feeling that she didn't care if we were there or not, not like we were a burden, but also not exceptionally welcoming. On our last visit, I lamented missing the breakfast items on the menu by showing up minutes late, this time we were a bit earlier so I ordered the classic waffle Benny: A savory waffle topped with back bacon, cheddar cheese, poached eggs and homemade garlic hollandaise sauce. I added avocado to my order, for no reason than it sounded good. We also added a side of spring rolls.
The spring rolls at Whistlin' Waffle are unique, thinly rolled and thick with wrapper they are extra crispy. They are spicy, peppery, to be more exact. They are served with the traditional sweet chilli sauce one would expect. On to the Benny. The eggs were poached perfectly and the barrier of melted cheddar cheese and back bacon ensured the waffle stayed crispy. The additional avocado I added was perfectly ripe and in generous portion. The garlic hollandaise sauce was good, perhaps not perfect, but I'm a bit of a stickler for hollandaise and as such maybe more critical than most. All and all I found this waffle Benny quite satisfying, I could see this being a go-to hangover breakfast.
There are really only a few kinds of waffles on the menu, with variations of each. There are savory waffles including five or so variations of waffle Benny's (sic) and about the same amount of waffle sandwiches. a couple notable ones being a waffle burger dubbed "The Bear" and "The Yen", a sandwich with their signature crispy chicken and asian slaw with spicy mayo. There are sweet waffles which include bubble waffles as well as Belgian waffles (they call them Brussel waffles) with a large selection of toppings you can mix and match or you can order off the suggested topping menus which includes classics like Nutella and bananas and strawberries and cream. I think I'll try one of these sweet waffles on my next visit.
There will be a next visit, and I think that speaks worlds about what I thought of the overall experience. Despite the perplexing atmosphere and environment, the food is comforting and quite tasty.
Cheers and bon appetit,
-D.
7/10
(Good flavours on the plus side, ambiance makes me slightly uncomfortable and service is indifferent)
Savory waffles... I have to admit the first visit I was intrigued by the thought, and it was good enough to go back a second time. Although I have committed to eating without starch and sugar, this outing fell close enough to my upcoming New York trip that I had decided not to care until after I came home.
Walking in feels more like you are walking into a cafeteria or drop in eatary than a restaurant. There are a few small pieces of local art on the walls and alot of negative space surrounding them. The menu feels like you have dropped into a diner and there did not seem to be any cohesive uniform to the servers. I was excited. You only know this place is here if you know it is here and often tht is the best kind of meal.
On this particular day I found my meal to be slightly uninspiring , the crispy chicken was a little over cooked and there was nothing really to get excited over with the waffle. I did enjoy the hollandaise That said the first time I went I had a sandwich that was made with Asian slaw and a spicy sweet and sour sauce and it was to die for. Could have been that I was simply not in the mood for what I ordered.
The spring rolls I really enjoyed , thin wrapped and not over fried at all. I am looking forward to experimenting with the menu a little farther as I did discover they do a low carb waffle made with egg and cream cheese so you can expect to see another post from here. Bonus point for offering a low carb option to people like me. I didn't notice it until after I had my food already.
Cheers and Bon appetit
Whiskey G (6.5/10)
really a solid 5 for me but bonus for past meal and dietary options
The atmosphere upon entering the establishment is stark, with barely any embellishments or decorations. A hard floor and plain wood veneer diner tables fill the echoey dining room, yet behind and around the counter is a clutter of dry erase boards, small appliances and various hand written cards and notes on bubble tea and waffle toppings. A strange juxtaposition of an old school diner and a pop-up cafe of some kind.
Upon being seated on our most recent visit (Whiskey and I had been here one time before in the past) we were brought water in a nice swing top glass bottle and given small clear plastic cups to drink from. Our server was pleasant enough, although I did get the feeling that she didn't care if we were there or not, not like we were a burden, but also not exceptionally welcoming. On our last visit, I lamented missing the breakfast items on the menu by showing up minutes late, this time we were a bit earlier so I ordered the classic waffle Benny: A savory waffle topped with back bacon, cheddar cheese, poached eggs and homemade garlic hollandaise sauce. I added avocado to my order, for no reason than it sounded good. We also added a side of spring rolls.
The spring rolls at Whistlin' Waffle are unique, thinly rolled and thick with wrapper they are extra crispy. They are spicy, peppery, to be more exact. They are served with the traditional sweet chilli sauce one would expect. On to the Benny. The eggs were poached perfectly and the barrier of melted cheddar cheese and back bacon ensured the waffle stayed crispy. The additional avocado I added was perfectly ripe and in generous portion. The garlic hollandaise sauce was good, perhaps not perfect, but I'm a bit of a stickler for hollandaise and as such maybe more critical than most. All and all I found this waffle Benny quite satisfying, I could see this being a go-to hangover breakfast.
There are really only a few kinds of waffles on the menu, with variations of each. There are savory waffles including five or so variations of waffle Benny's (sic) and about the same amount of waffle sandwiches. a couple notable ones being a waffle burger dubbed "The Bear" and "The Yen", a sandwich with their signature crispy chicken and asian slaw with spicy mayo. There are sweet waffles which include bubble waffles as well as Belgian waffles (they call them Brussel waffles) with a large selection of toppings you can mix and match or you can order off the suggested topping menus which includes classics like Nutella and bananas and strawberries and cream. I think I'll try one of these sweet waffles on my next visit.
There will be a next visit, and I think that speaks worlds about what I thought of the overall experience. Despite the perplexing atmosphere and environment, the food is comforting and quite tasty.
Cheers and bon appetit,
-D.
7/10
(Good flavours on the plus side, ambiance makes me slightly uncomfortable and service is indifferent)
Savory waffles... I have to admit the first visit I was intrigued by the thought, and it was good enough to go back a second time. Although I have committed to eating without starch and sugar, this outing fell close enough to my upcoming New York trip that I had decided not to care until after I came home.
Walking in feels more like you are walking into a cafeteria or drop in eatary than a restaurant. There are a few small pieces of local art on the walls and alot of negative space surrounding them. The menu feels like you have dropped into a diner and there did not seem to be any cohesive uniform to the servers. I was excited. You only know this place is here if you know it is here and often tht is the best kind of meal.
On this particular day I found my meal to be slightly uninspiring , the crispy chicken was a little over cooked and there was nothing really to get excited over with the waffle. I did enjoy the hollandaise That said the first time I went I had a sandwich that was made with Asian slaw and a spicy sweet and sour sauce and it was to die for. Could have been that I was simply not in the mood for what I ordered.
The spring rolls I really enjoyed , thin wrapped and not over fried at all. I am looking forward to experimenting with the menu a little farther as I did discover they do a low carb waffle made with egg and cream cheese so you can expect to see another post from here. Bonus point for offering a low carb option to people like me. I didn't notice it until after I had my food already.
Cheers and Bon appetit
Whiskey G (6.5/10)
really a solid 5 for me but bonus for past meal and dietary options
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