Old Towne East’s latest breakfast spot is just a month old, but What the Waffle owner Gayle Troy said it already appears to be exactly what the neighborhood wanted. On top of that, it was a good time for Troy to use her business experience in a more fulfilling (read: fun) career.
“I love brunch. To me that’s the best meal ever. You have the best of both worlds, pretty much. And I’m a big fan of waffles, so I just wanted to focus on something, first of all, that I love,” Troy said, adding later, “I’m at the point of my life where I can pick what I want to do as opposed to having to do what you need to do because it’s life. And cooking has always been my passion.”
Bacon or sausage, egg and cheese breakfast sandwiches served with plain or bacon belgian waffles for buns; sweet potato muffins; and, in January, a gluten free waffle option — all comprise WTW’s simple menu. Customers can use the drive-thru, order carry out, or sit down every Monday through Friday, 7 to 11 a.m. These breakfast-only hours will see an addition in March, when WTW offers Saturday brunch from 9 to 1 p.m.
Troy has an extensive business background, but went back to school to take culinary classes after getting the idea for What the Waffle. A Linden-born Gahanna resident, she’s taken to the Old Towne East area and plans to establish her first independent store there.
“That community is gorgeous, just with the renovations of the houses and the young, affluent professionals,” Troy said. “I just think it’s a great place to be right now, moving forward. I’m a product of the city, so I know what that area used to be, and what it’s becoming is a good place to be.”
Located at the Columbus Food Hub at 1117 Oak Street, WTW is a family business that Troy hopes to make a legacy. Serving a limited menu at limited hours and operating out of the Food Hub, she’s still in the earliest stages of business development. This winter she’ll focus on perfecting the menu, getting to know her customer base, and tweaking the business model. She said she hopes to have her own physical location before her first year is up on November 7, 2017.
For more information, visit www.whatthewaffle.org.