
Grab a fork and pass the syrup – National Waffle Day is Monday, August 24th. While waffles date back to at least the 14th Century, National Waffle Day celebrates the 1869 patent for the first-ever waffle iron. Over 150 years later, many kitchens across Cleveland use a waffle-maker every morning to start their day on the right foot! Instead of preparing your normal waffle breakfast, we encourage you to treat yourself to a giant, fresh waffle at one of these restaurants around Northeast Ohio.
2999 Payne Ave. Suite 126, Cleveland, OH 44114
Let's kick our list off inside Asia Plaza at Ball Ball Waffle. This street food shop serving up traditional Hong Kong eats is ready to treat you to one of their delicious waffles. These tasty waffles, which look like bubble wrap, come in sweet and savory options. Top yours with chocolate chips, salty egg, or even seaweed. Grab a cup of Hong Kong milk tea, and you'll celebrate National Waffle Day in a way you won't forget.
5354 Lee Rd., Maple Heights, OH 44137
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Spoiler alert: Mr. Wonderful's Chicken & Waffles is, in fact, absolutely wonderful. They might not have invented the waffle, but they did make it wonderful. Order up a single, giant waffle with your choice of chicken wings, tenders, thighs, or breasts. You can swap it out for shrimp or fish if you'd like, as long as you make sure it's smothered in Sweet Jesus glaze.
777 Starkweather Ave., Cleveland, OH 44113
Grab a taste of Northeast Ohio at Lucky's Café on National Waffle Day. This award-winning café supports Ohio farmers by including their fresh ingredients in as many menu items as possible. Whether you visit for breakfast or weekend brunch, their vanilla bean waffles will make your day amazing. These vegan items are topped with a strawberry-rhubarb compote, a dash of tubanado, given a dollop of honey-infused whipped cream, and drizzled with a homemade caramel sauce. No, you're not dreaming – these heavenly waffles will remind you how lucky you are to live in Cleveland.
845 W. Market St., Akron, OH 44303
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For nearly 50 years, Wally Waffle has been one of the best places in Akron to grab breakfast. It should come as no surprise that they're pretty darn good at whipping up their namesake dish. They have not one, not two, but 17 different waffles to sample. Go the healthy route with a Better Day, The Patriot, or Strawberry waffle, all topped with fresh fruit. Or you can sweeten up your morning with the Elvis, Funnel Cake, or Buckeye waffle, each topped with sweet ingredients like peanut butter, cinnamon sugar, and whipped cream. Better yet, invite 16 of your closest friends so you can sample each one…purely for National Waffle Day research purposes, of course.
1688 W. Market St., Akron, OH 44313
Few places feel more homey and comfortable than the classic American diner, and Eye Opener is Akron is the perfect place to meet, eat, and enjoy National Waffle Day. This wonderful gourmet breakfast joint aims to please with their Flat Iron Waffle. This Belgian waffle is topped with whipped cream and confectioners sugar. No crazy toppings, just a classic Belgian waffle the way it's meant to be made. They will, however, let you get a little creative with your order if you'd like to add peanut butter and River Herb Farm Dazzleberry Jelly to make it a PB&J Waffle.
4401 Bridge Ave., Cleveland, OH 44113
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Believe it or not, one of the sweetest ways to celebrate National Waffle Day is with a cold cup of ice cream! Mason's Creamery creates handmade small batches of ice cream in classic and unique varieties. They'll serve it to you in a waffle cone, but seeing as it's National Waffle Day, they'll even put it atop a fresh egg waffle. Since it's on an actual waffle, we're pretty sure that we can count this ice cream dish as breakfast.
11817 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, OH 44107
Cleveland's premier soul food destination naturally has some of the best Southern-style waffles in the city. Southern Café takes classic soul food dishes straight from grandma's kitchen and gives them a unique spin that makes them irresistible. Don't believe us? Then order up their Buttermilk Fried Chicken & Red Velvet Waffles. One leg, one thigh, four waffles, and a cup of low country grits. We can see your mouth watering already. Keep in mind that Southern Café doesn't open until 11 AM, so we suggest skipping breakfast and saving your appetite for a soulful lunch.
2927 Bridge Ave., Cleveland, OH 44113
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The minute you set your eyes on the 18th-century townhouse that Heck's Café calls home, you'll know that you're in for a fantastic gourmet American meal. Original recipes and local ingredients combine to create a uniquely delicious menu that includes one amazing Nutella Waffle. Topped with whipped cream, Nutella, strawberries, bananas, and toasted hazelnuts, the Nutella Waffle is absolutely perfect. Add an order of Bacon Mac n Cheese or home fries to your plate to complement the sweetness with a little savory crunch. How can you make it better? Pair it with a handspun Nutella milkshake, and let your taste buds swim in a sea of Nutella goodness.
No matter what you put atop your waffle, you'll love National Waffle Day in Akron. Which waffle spot in Northeast Ohio is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!