TORONTO: Waffle Works (and fried chicken!)

I’ve been intrigued by the combination of waffles and fried chicken ever since I heard about it. Common in the U.S., it’s definitely not so common here in Canada.

So when Jessica mentioned a flyer for The Waffle Works, I jumped at the opportunity and convinced my sister and her husband to chauffeur us.

Unfortunately, our electronic helpers weren’t having a good day, with Google Maps as well as the GPS not distinguishing Lakeshore BOULEVARD from Lakeshore ROAD, sending us way past our destination and into the industrial belly of Mississauga.

The solution apparently is to search the address under Etobicoke and not Toronto. I include this tidbit so the same problem doesn’t befall you! It also turns out the 501 street car goes right past the Waffle Works.

By the time we made it back to Mimico, we were starving.

UPDATE – Feb. 8, 2010: I got a nice email from an assistant in Coun. Mark Grimes’ office, who represents Etobicoke Lakeshore.

She wrote: “The trick to finding Waffle Works is to spell the name of the street correctly. In Toronto (including Etobicoke), it is legally Lake Shore Blvd. W. Lake Shore is two words in Toronto, one word in Mississauga and Oakville. It was legally named Lake Shore Boulevard West in 1961 by Metro Toronto bylaw 1548. It is also Lake Shore Blvd. E. in the east end.”

Like all places run more on love than money, the Waffle Works is located in a strip mall, next to a laundromat.

The Southern menu can be summed up in three ways: stuff with waffles, stuff with fried chicken and stuff with both.

I went straight for the “infamous chicken ‘n waffles” ($9.99). The chicken, with a slightly spiced coating, was incredible. If I ever make it to the Southern U.S., I’m eating this every day. Unfortunately, the waffle was more golden than “golden brown.” It wasn’t crispy or hot enough, likely needing a much hotter griddle.

My side of fruit salad ($4.50) was small but did have some nice fresh fruit like blackberries and strawberries, rather than the syrupy pale stuff that come out of buckets.

Kevin got the Big Southern ($10.75) which was the same thing but with rice and red kidney beans. Next time I visit (and there will be a next time), I’m forgoing the waffles for the Southern savouries, like collard greens, grits and definitely more fried chicken.

Gigi’s side of macaroni and cheese ($4) left us craving another bowl of the white saucy cheesiness.

The Waffle Works, 2451 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Toronto, (647) 344-2020. Open Tuesday to Thursday 8 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 8 a.m.-4 a.m., Sunday 8 a.m.-8 p.m.