Belgian Waffles Near You

What Is a Belgian Waffle?

Belgian waffles are a type of waffle that consists of airy batter, big square indents, and deep pockets.

They used to be made with yeast as a leavener, but nowadays baking powder is most common. In addition, typical ingredients include flour, sugar, eggs, milk, and butter.

These waffles are the perfect choice for breakfast. And you can pair them with all sorts of sweet toppings such as:

• Whipped cream
• Strawberries
• Chocolate chips
• Maple syrup
• Ice cream
• Nutella
• Honey
• Blueberries

Where did Belgian waffles originate from?

The first time Belgian waffles were introduced was back in 1958. This was at Expo 58 or the Brussels World's Fair of the same year.

However, it was at the Century 21 Exposition i.e. Seattle World's Fair in 1962 when Belgian waffles were first showcased in the United States. The person who did so was Walter Cleyman from Belgium.

What's more, two years later, these toothsome waffles were presented at the New York World's Fair by Maurice Vermersch. And this time, they became a lot more popular.

Maurice based them on the so-called Brussels waffles (more on this later). Also, he topped them with whipped cream and strawberries, and their price was only a dollar.

Interestingly enough, Maurice named the waffles "Bel-Gem" because he noticed many Americans didn't associate Brussels with the capital of Belgium.

Regardless, everyone enjoyed the Belgian waffles a lot. In fact, the Vermersch family even had to recruit several people solely to handle the strawberries.

Another fun fact is that Maurice's wife didn't want their customers to use forks and knives. That's because, in Belgium, waffles are a street food that you should eat with your hands.

Of course, after all this, Belgian waffles started to become a regular item on restaurants' menus across the whole country.

How many types of Belgian waffles are there?

There are two main types of Belgian waffles. One of them is the aforementioned Brussels waffle. And the other one is the so-called Liège waffle.

So, what's the difference between these two?

Well, the Brussels waffle is basically what we call a Belgian waffle here in America. Or as you already know, a waffle with a rectangular shape, light texture, and deep pockets. Whipped cream and sliced strawberries are usually added on top. But you can also have it plain.

A Liège waffle, on the other hand, has an oval shape. Also, it is made with brioche dough and a special kind of sugar known as pearl sugar. When cooked, this makes the waffle caramelized and gooey. And it tastes so amazing by itself that no extra toppings are actually needed.

As a bonus fun fact, the Liège waffle comes from Liege - a city in the Wallonia region of Belgium. According to legends, the Prince-Bishop of Liège asked his chef to make him a pastry with lots of sugar. And thus, the Liège waffle was born.

How many calories are in a Belgian waffle?

A Belgian waffle of 75g contains about 218 calories.

This includes 11g (17%) of total fat and 52mg (17%) of cholesterol. There are also 383mg (16%) of sodium, 119mg (3%) of potassium, as well as 25g (8%) of total carbohydrates, and 6g of protein.

In addition, we got 3.4% of Vitamin A, 0.5% of Vitamin C, 15% of Calcium, and 9.6% of Iron.

All the percent daily values are based on a 2000-calorie diet.

Where can I get Belgian waffles near me?

Having had all this talk about Belgian waffles, we're sure you'd love to try some. So, let's take a look at some restaurants where you can get this toothsome dish.

If you're in the Big Apple, a fantastic place where you can order Belgian waffles is Pronto. Located in Queens, they're a powerhouse when it comes to breakfast. Plus, they offer a 5% discount for all online orders via Slice.

And for those of you in New Jersey, we present to you - Joey Bundtz Pizza. You can find them at 791 Amboy Ave in Edison and get yourself some delish Belgian waffles. They're open 7 days a week and have both takeout and delivery available.

Of course, for anywhere else, check the listings on this page and you'll find Belgian waffles near you right away.