If the name wasn’t a giveaway, the sweet, malty air that surrounds Winston’s Coffee & Waffles will tell you what’s on the menu. Inhale, and you can guess it even with your eyes closed. Fresh-made, deep-pocketed waffles provide the foundation for all its edible items – savory and sweet. And while waffles may be associated with syrup, fruits and whipped cream, don’t sleep on the savory items.
In fact, your host will tell you that the Empire, one such savory offering, is the most popular. There’s a reason for that. Here’s the description: Stuffed with Weiland’s sausage, topped with a fried egg, sharp cheddar, romaine and mayo.
Let’s talk about how that all cashes out. First, it is not a salad. The reference to romaine might generate some bed-of-greens expectations. Those would be wrong. It’s more of a chiffonade* affair, with little strands strewn across. The green romaine and golden cheddar top the fried egg, with a glistening, ready-to-bust, glowing yolk. All of this sits atop the waffle that is itself populated with chunks of the sausage. Not mealy little crumbs, significant chunks that permit full appreciation of a quality, flavorful meat. And the mayo. It seemed like an odd, potentially unwelcome, addition, but it marries all the components together with its savory smoothness. Let’s call it aioli, instead.
Of course, there are plenty of other options to explore, in both the sweet and savory categories, ranging from options with buffalo chicken to sugary, Nutella-topped treats. Winston’s itself is a food truck, with a pretty reliable record of hanging out across the street from Weiland’s at 3589 Indianola Ave. There is not a Winston in the house. Instead it’s named for Winston Churchill and his stiff upper lip during trying times.
Carry on.
Winston’s is open from 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
For more information, visit winstonscoffeeandwaffles.com.
*Have been wanting an opportunity to use that word. Sure enough, the internet provides.