Parkers Waffles and Coffee

Location: SW 4th and Hall

Description:

A couple of years ago, I would never have thought that waffles could be the focus of a cart. That was because I wasn’t thinking outside the box. I was thinking of the waffles of my youth – simple breakfast fare served maybe with fruit, but always with syrup. In 2009, waffles have taken on a whole new persona with numerous carts popping up offering a different take on the traditional breakfast nosh. Parkers Waffles down in the Portland State University POD joined this past summer and I’m glad they did.

I have enjoyed what I call “waffle gyros” from a few of the other carts in town.  Parkers describes theirs as waffle burritos – I like that. One difference I saw immediately with Parkers is that they offered up what I would normally see with a sandwich cart, but with waffles-  pulled pork, beef brisket, ham and Gruyere, egg scrambles. They still do offer up the sweetness that we all love for breakfast, but now we can have waffles for lunch.

Oktoberfest waffle from Parker's

I chose the daily special – the Oktoberfest – an Oktoberfest daufelwaffle, split brat, grilled onions, Gruyere, spicy mustard and sauerkraut. Oktoberfest! All I needed was a giant stein of beer! I’m always concerned the waffle will overpower the ingredients, but this mix was just right. It was also not that messy. I got some looks while walking to work – probably envy because my breakfast looked better than their bran muffin.

Parkers Waffles has a great niche here. They are the only cart in the PSU Pod serving breakfast, surrounded by office buildings and a university. I think that was a great decision. If you’re hungry and need both protein and sweets, take the MAX down to southwest downtown and see Parkers Waffles. Tell them Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• The Original: waffle brushed with sweet cream or maple butter and lightly dusted with powdered sugar – single-$2.50; double-$4; tripple-$5.50
• Ham and Gruyere scamble: two eggs scrambled with ham, onions, mushrooms and Gruyere, served on a waffle – $6
• The Iron Pig scramble: two eggs scrambled with spinach, bacon, onion and cheddar, served on a waffle – $6
• Pulled Pork: pulled pork from Leroy’s Familiar Vittles with dressing, served on a waffle – $6
• Beef Brisket: Leroy’s beef brisket served with choice of cole slaw or not on a waffle – $6
• Apple Crisp: grilled granny smith apples, spices and Amaretto topped with sweetened sour cream and almond pecan streusel served on a waffle – $5
• Lemon and Blueberry: house-made lemon curd and blueberries topped with whipped cream and lemon zest; served on a waffle – $5
• Stumptown coffee and other beverages available

Hours: Monday through Friday; 7am- 2pm
Website: ParkersWaffles.com
Twitter: ParkersWaffles

Locations: Two Locations! Corner of North Lombard and N. Brandon (In between N. Denver N. Greeley in the Videorama parking lot) and now open on N. Mississippi and N. Fremont.

Description: The cutest little waffle stands in North Portland. Heck, the only waffle stands in Portland. Yet these are no mere waffles. Theses are waffles elevated to a new art form. Imagine large round “old school” waffles made fresh to order (the thin kind with the small indents, not Belgian waffles), stuffed, spread and folded into a type of giant burrito-sandwich hybrid with all kinds of inspired fillings both sweet or savory. Or both.

The Sausage and Maple waffle is dangerous stuff: a slight crunch from the outside of the waffle, then the slight saltiness of the sausage patties, then the sweetness of maple syrup combined into some kind of new food of the gods. ($4.00). A more savory choice is the Ham and Cheese with either cheddar or smoked Gouda ($4.00). The heat of the waffle makes the cheese melt perfectly into the ham while the waffle holes soak it all up for one giant comforting breakfast or lunch sandwich that is sure to keep you satiated for hours.

Sweet waffle choices include the basic Butter and Powder Sugar ($2.00) or the Peanut Butter & Jelly ($3.50). Or try one of the more complex and decadent things like the sugar coma inducing Black Forest with Nutella and Blackberry Jam ($3.50) or the S’More that comes with sweet as sin Mallow Fluff and more of that excellent Nutella ($3.50).

Beverages include all your usual espresso drinks or coffee (12 oz coffee is only 1.00!), Italian sodas, good old fashioned egg creams, and a limeade drink. They even serve my childhood favorite Ovaltine, either solo in milk or mixed in their signature Maltball Mocha ($3.00 for a 12 oz).

The location is a bit off the beaten track for some, the ambiance is very strip mall parking lot and there is only one uncovered picnic table for dining which makes Flavour Spot not the easiest choice. No matter, I’d happily brave traffic down Interstate Ave. to eat a Flavour Spot waffle sitting on the wet pavement in the pouring rain. Yes, they are that good.

Sample Menu: Please refer to the Flavour Spot Website for their whole menu.

Hours: Mon-Fri 6:30-3:00, Saturday 8-3, Sunday 8-3

Phone: 503-289-YUMM

Website: www.flavourspot.com