Waffle Mania Truck

 

1

56

Charles B.

San Francisco, CA

Real Belgian style waffles.  I like them completely plain.  These guys actually get frozen dough flown in from Belgium and use an authentic imported iron.  Sometimes they serve you old ones which is lame, ask for a fresh one, it will be delicious!

Seems to be only at the Wes farmers market in the morning.

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8

48

Kimberly H.

San Francisco, CA

Really? The waffle truck only has 16 reviews? I'm confused because everyone I know has been talking about it for months. It was even mentioned in the NYTimes.

The waffles are so good and the guy is so nice. Last I heard he was looking for a permanent place to set-up shop. (Um...my kitchen?). At work we've started a nice little tradition of bring one another waffles on Wednesday mornings. Great without any topping and easy to eat on your way to MUNI. I hope the city's mucking around with the Civic Center Farmer's Market doesn't have a negative impact on waffle guy.

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418

224

Skunky G.

Pacifica, CA

You know, I really don't give a shit. The Waffle Truck is that dude you dated in your early 20s who you knew wouldn't amount to anything and probably wasn't even good enough for you but God motherfucking damnit he was yummy, wasn't he?

Whereas stupid young boyfriend has long-since been dumped and is probably working as an annoying douchebag doorman at some broke North Beach strip club, the Waffle Truck will stand the test of time.

That son of a bitch will still wreck havoc on my ass I've worked so hard to whip into shape, and will still leave me looking like Tyrone Biggums after he won Fear Factor for eating bull penis and hot sauce with his 14 pound crack rock, and will still probably never actually contribute to my overall well-being... but seriously. God damn.

I feel like a fucking urban Dora the Explorer - where's the waffles? I dunno! Let's ask the Map! Go past the Crackhead Forest, around the Urine Lake, and over the Crotchety Bum Toll Bridge. Forest, Lake, Toll Bridge. Say it with me.

But instead of Swiper the Fox, I've got to worry about Junebug the Civic Center crack dealer. Junebug no swiping!!!

Get the fuck away from me. I gots waffles. And NO, you can't have any.

(useful bit: due to the absolute failure of our current administration and therefore our economy, the price has gone up to $3.50 for one or $3.00 each for 4 or more. Thanks, Bushy, are you trying to cockblock me from my waffles?! Bitch.)

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Elite '08

43

453

Laurel B.

San Francisco, CA

Very good.  Still brushing the powdered sugar off my shirt.

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Elite '08

482

617

phil h.

San Francisco, CA

I had my first authentic Belgian waffle in Amsterdam (I know, not officially Belgium but Holland is Belgium's naughty neighbor) and must admit that the waffle from the Waffle Truck was every bit as tasty as my first.

A couple of differences though:  

In Amsterdam I was surrounded by 6 feet tall, beautiful Dutch girls...in Civic Center I was surrounded by 6 feet tall trannies.

In Amsterdam I had to dodge bikes to get my waffle...in SF I had to dodge a runaway MUNI train.

In Amsterdam I could smell pot while walking the streets...hey wait, I found something both places have in common!

Five stars for the perfect snack...I couldn't imagine a better thing to munch on while walking around the Farmer's Market...at least outside of Amsterdam. ;)

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Elite '08

619

922

Ed U.

San Francisco, CA

The Three Stages of Mankind
...or How We May Be Rolling Downhill to a Purgatory of Our Own Making

First, there was Meals on Wheels
...where you give to others who can't cook for themselves...
Then, there was Waiters on Wheels
...where you pay others to get food you're too lazy to get yourself...
And now, there are Waffles on Wheels
...where you pay someone else for food you're too lazy to cook, and you're giving to no one but yourself...
Next will be Hell in a Hand Basket on Wheels...mark my words!

So I finally tried the Belgian waffle truck parked at the Civic Center Farmer's Market every Wednesday morning. To my surprise, it's run by an honest-to-goodness Belgian who makes authentic Belgian waffles...not the phony rootin' tootin', fresh and fruity kind they serve at IHOP. But you may want to bring your own can of Reddi-Whip if that's your pleasure.

I've actually been to Belgium, and there are about a thousand of these waffle stands in Brussels alone...okay, maybe a hundred, but they are everywhere. What's distinctive about them is that they are a lot denser and yeastier than the kind you make in your teflon-coated Proctor-Silex waffle iron at home. There are two kinds...the standard Belgian waffle which is referred to as a Brussels waffle over there and a Liege waffle.

What these guys serve is, I believe, the Liege waffle, which is thicker, chewier and sweeter than a Brussels waffle (see my photos). You can tell because there is a trace of the caramelized sugar coating that makes the Liege waffle unique. Isn't that fascinating? It's dusted with powder sugar and you eat it like a Hot Pocket. No strawberries, no whipped cream.

It's $3 for one, or if you get four, they drop it to $2.50 per waffle. Believe me, if you're considering buying four waffles, price point is not your major problem. They're warm and definitely tasty though a bit chewier than I like them. It's really more like a European churro, but a donut by any other name should taste as good. I wish they had nutella to spread on them or at least some peanut butter or maybe some cream cheese. Oh I'll be back.

WAFFLE - 4 stars...a true Belgian waffle...from Liege no less
AMBIANCE - 3 stars...uhhh, it's a truck
SERVICE - 4 stars...fast and the waffle is fit snug in a custom paper bag
TOTAL - 4 stars...a unique taste treat...not as addictive as I feared...thank God

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14

87

Thom Y.

San Francisco, CA

DO NOT GET THE POWDERED SUGAR FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!!!  

i could not keep the sugar from getting all over my new jacket today!  i tried eating it at arms length and somehow i ended up with sugar on my shoulder.  what the hell?

anyways, wednesday is my favorite day when i go to work because of the farmers market.  i rarely go to work on wednesdays because of school, but its spring break and i'm spending all week counting pills and calling doctors.  good times.  

anyhoo, i stopped by the waffle stand after eating some tamales.  the dude was talking to french to some art students.  it took awhile for him to stop talking and notice me but no worries, it was interesting watching them speak in fluent french.  i considered getting a plain waffle but what the heck, i got the powdered sugar one instead.  BAD IDEA (see above).  but overall the waffle was pretty good.  the best i've ever had considering that it didn't have any toppings on it.  it was a bit cold, since they were made already and warming but still tasty.  the bottom had a caramel-y texture to it and the waffle itself was dense and slightly sweet.  

the price is steep but what isn't in san francisco?  i just ate dinner for two at monk's kettle and it came out to $80.  so $3 for a waffle is OK with me.  i'll definitely be coming back.

but not for the powdered sugar.

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0

9

Jimmy G.

Emeryville, CA

I agree with Lisa T., having tried one of these Liege-style Belgian waffles last weekend at the same Farmer's Market in Oakland.  The smell was what drew me in, but my waffle was pretty much cold.  Maybe that's why the yeast dough (which is unique) seemed a bit tough and heavy (or maybe the dough needed more raising?).  For $3, you shouldn't have to ask for a fresh, hot waffle (they are kind of small too).

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Elite '08

108

332

Lisa T.

Oakland, CA

I had one of their heavily hyped waffles at the Grand Lake Farmer's Market in Oakland and I was unimpressed.
It was super pricey for a just so-so waffle. Even my kid turned up his little button nose at it.

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Elite '08

345

606

Ed to the M.

San Francisco, CA

Holy hot damn, someone fucking stab me and eat me raw cause I am fucking DONE.  WITH.  LIFE.

The newest rage in street car food in town is the Waffle Truck.  And to a diabetic like me, THIS IS HOW I WANT TO DIE.

The Waffle Truck, located sporadically in the Civic Center UN Plaza Farmer's Market, apparently started out somewhere in Marin (Marin Farmer's Market?) before it could not resist my passionate allure (YOU ARE WELCOME, SAN FRANCISCO) and set up shop in San Francisco.  These waffles cost $3 and come with HELLA powdered sugar (despite evidence to the contrary, I actually *don't* want to die of diabetic shock, so I just ask for one without it) and are FUCKING PERFECT.  Like, crispy on the outside, but perfectly soft and almost gooey on the inside, with a creamy vanilla-y taste and texture and served piping hot baked, not fried.  Like seriously, SO GOD DAMN PERFECT.  Like, I wanna stab a bitch and eat her waffle PERFECT.  Like, having sex for the first time on ecstasy while on Viagra with Halle Berry and Rihanna and Tina Fey EFFING MOTHER PERFECT!!!!!!!

So now I've been freebasing waffle dough until I can get a fix of this waffle the next time it comes to the Heart of the City Farmer's Market (I think Wednesdays?).  It holds me over until I can score my next stash.  Oh god, I just need a hit, oh god please please I'll do anything for just one sweet delicious taste.

D.A.R.E. to keep kids off waffles.

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Elite '08

31

124

Scott P.

San Francisco, CA

DRUM ROLL PLEASE.......THE KITCHEN BITCH IS PROUD TO PRESENT HIS 100TH REVIEW

I have heard about this mobile truck, have even seen it in the past and and today I smelled it...that was it I had to see what all of the whisperings, shouting and 5 YELPINGS were all about.

I strolled up to Civic Center to the farmers market in search of some blood oranges (which I did score) and couldn't resist the sweet aroma of waffles...not just any waffles but SO GOOD WAFFLES WWW.SOGOOD.BE  

I first read about these pillows of goodness on sf.eater.com http://sf.eater.com/ar...

I chose the waffle with a dusting of powdered sugar.  I could barely step away from the truck window before biting into it.  It was like a magic trick, I bit down and poof powdered sugar exploded all down my sweater, onto my jacket and into my face.  It was as if they planned that explosion to let me know what was about to come.  

The outside of the waffle was the perfect crispness, with a bit of warmth and the inside just the right about of chewiness and air.  For the 15 short seconds it took me to eat this delectable treat I was taken away from the grime of civic center and forgot where I was.

Next time I am buying in quantity...4 or more and they are only $2.50 each.  I put these right up there with Beard Papas but with less calories.

THERE YOU HAVE IT MY 100TH REVIEW AND I AM HAPPY TO HAVE USED IT FOR A HIDDEN GEM THAT ONLY 5 OTHER YELPERS BEFORE ME HAVE EXPERIENCED.

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63

104

Veronica H.

Fremont, CA

Mmm! I just had me one of these delicious waffles. From the moment I stepped towards the window, I could already smell the yummy waffles.

Crisp on the outside, moist on the inside, warm, and the right amount of sweetness. Trust me, you don't need the powdered sugar. These waffles aren't soaked in syrup, but rather seem to be lightly brushed on top w/the syrup b/c you do get a hint of it as you gobble up the entire thing. Buy at least two b/c you'll want more than just one. $3 each and very close to my office ...doesn't get any better than that! Next time i'll try asking for one that's fresh, right off the griddle.

The guy selling the waffles is very friendly. The truck is only around on Wed. for the Farmer's Market.

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20

90

Melissa H.

San Francisco, CA

Well tomorrow I have two job interviews, these are the beginning of me being freed from the hateful soul crushing prison of a job I have been trapped in for these last 3.5 years.  Shining beacons of a fresh start and a chance to for once have every part of my life be awesome.
Greatest Boyfriend? Check.
Sweet Housing? Check.
Killer Friends? Check.
Health of family and friends? Check.
Sweet new job? Almost check.

What you might ask would stop me dead in my tracks to pure happiness.

Well Waffle Mania and it's weekly proximity to my current place of business. I can honestly tell you that I have not experienced a waffle this good ever and I am a connoisseur for reals. I mean even the little paper they give you the waffle in says "So Good" on it. That is all I could say also.

Maybe I can just take MUNI to CC on Wednesdays from the FiDi, so I can have a less soul crushing job and Waffles. I will be the one on the train with two waffles and powdered sugar all over my new business suit.

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9

184

Angela K.

San Francisco, CA

Delicious!

Most days the Civic Center doesn't have a lot of culinary perks. But the arrival the Waffle Truck to the Wednesday market fills my heart with joy and my belly with sugar.

They use a dough instead of a batter and the result is the best waffle I've ever had.

Be advised that one CD sized waffle will set you back $3.00.

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Elite '08

63

497

Jean K.

San Francisco, CA

Waffle Mania Truck is a bit of a misnomer because these are not like what most people think of as waffles.  Surely there is a fancier name they could use, like crullers instead of donuts, so people get an idea of how gourmet the waffles are.  

These are waffles that any fancy restaurant in town would be grateful to be able to serve up at brunch.  In fact, it makes what most places call Belgian waffles completely unrecognizable as such in comparison.

They are crisp and brown on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside.  Oooooh they are so good!

The only thing to motivate me to haul my ass into town on a cold day when I've been working from home all week in my PJs.

Bike Parking: designated bike racks in front of the SF Art Institute.

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3

11

Neil D.

San Francisco, CA

I stopped by here with some friends this morning.

Good things:
- A decent waffle outside of Belgium made with proper sweet, yeasted dough.
- At the farmer's market.

Bad things:
- More expensive than I would expect, even with the crashing dollar.
- Their holding area was unsheltered and I got a cool waffle on a cool day.
- No variety.

It was okay, and would be great if you time your visit to get one as it comes out of the iron. The food was not worth adding a couple miles to my bike commute.

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Elite '08

71

224

Suzanne F.

Berkeley, CA

Oh do you know the Waffle Man??
The Waffle Man...
The Waffle Man....
You know the rest...This review is dedicated to two deserving individuals:
1. Stuart- for always being game to go, and for the transportation.
2. Dan B.- because he deserves to know about this modern miracle!

Exactly 30 steps from the BART stop (Civic Center) on Wednesday mornings from 8:00am till 2:00pm is a fine example of street food that has sent me into Swoon Mode. There is a white truck with a waffle painted on the side. That's it. Seek it out and nirvana you will find.

This operation is strictly one man...he's a delightful and charming man from Belgium with a lilting accent that makes the whole situation feel as tho' one is somewhere far more interesting (and cleaner) than the Civic Center in San Francisco. He sells waffles. Big, Belgium waffles adorned with powdered sugar. They don't need anything else. He has Nutella,  but with a typical Gallic shrug, he wonders why anyone would want to cover up the taste of his creations. They are sold individually on a little slip of paper, they cost $3.00, and they are out-of-this-world. They are made with a dough not a batter, and the crispiness can be attributed to beet sugar. What more do you need to know?! Get on the Waffle Wagon, my Yelp friends, and go check this out. It is worth a trip to The City...and remember: he's only there on Wednesdays for the Civic Center Farmers' Market!! My Wednesday mornings are spoken for from now on.....

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Elite '08

138

167

Mimi L.

San Francisco, CA

Thank you thank you thank you, Ed M, for not only informing us that the Waffle Mania Truck is now in SF, but also for your enthusiasm for these waffles...I think you love them almost as much as me.  I had these waffles about a year ago at a tennis event in Mill Valley.  Before I bought one, waffle man told me how they're nothing like waffles in the US.  I bought 2 to share w/ friends and I loved them at first bite.  They're crispy and sugary (kinda glazed on the outside) and kinda brioche-like on the inside.  Friends weren't as excited about them as me, but that's ok more for me.  Soon after the event, I couldn't stop thinking about them and even emailed the event to find out about the waffle truck so that I could stalk them.  They didn't provide me with any email or website, so I forgot about it for a while...

Fast forward to this spring when I was in Spain...they have a bunch of gofre (gaufre in other Euro countries) stands/stores.  You can get them topped with ice cream, whip cream, fresh fruit, nutella...no maple syrup.  Once I had one, I realized these were the same as I'd had from the waffle truck.  I had at least 1 or 2 gofres everyday of my trip.  Travel buddies didn't get my obsession with them either, but they bought me a pre-packaged one from the store...had those been any good, I would've brought a whole suitcase full home.

So this morning, I was finally reunited with my beloved gofre.  I got off at Civic Center BART and saw the truck right away.  I talked to waffle man for a bit who said customers have been saying they heard about him through Yelp and the internet.  He's not very internet savvy so tried looking his truck up online but couldn't find anything.  He's also at the Marin FM Sunday and Thursday, and Oakland FM on Saturday.  I asked about the batter since I figured it can't be the usual pancake or waffle wet batter which use baking powder.  He confirmed it's a yeast dough... hence the brioche/croissant-like texture (vs cake-like texture).  The pearl (or bead) sugar is what gives it the sweet, golden glaze on the outside.  I think I saw him brushing butter on the waffle iron.  I can't say enough about these waffles obviously.  I think I'm going to start making this a Wednesday ritual until I get sick of them...BART into the city early, have a waffle or 2 for breakfast, then walk 1+ mile to work.

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