Waffles get in the groove again

Red Velvet Waffles from Del Frisco’s Grille

Waffles have become entrenched as an all-day menu item, and not just for National Waffle Day on August 24, either. This homey comfort food has migrated from breakfast and brunch onto entrée, sandwich and dessert sections of restaurant menus. Chefs change up the grains, add spice or flavored syrups and incorporate protein.

At Del Frisco’s Grille locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Red Velvet Waffles will be served from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. on National Waffle Day. The waffles come with whipped vanilla bean-spiked cream cheese and thick-cut hickory-smoked bacon.

Other customer-tempting waffle ideas include sandwiches. Gary Rack’s Fat Rooster in Delray Beach, FL, for example, won a first-place award in Restaurant Hospitality’s 2015 Best Sandwiches in America Contest for its Hen-Loving Waffle Sandwich, featuring a sweet potato waffle.

Bruxie in Orange, CA (with several other locations) is a concept built around gourmet waffle sandwiches served on light, yeast-risen waffles. Specialties include burgers, a roasted turkey club and a Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Waffle. For dessert, the waffle-based sweet treats range from Lemon Meringue “Pie” to S’Mores and Seasonal Crème Brulee.

And Strawberry Rhubarb Waffles are offered at Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab in Washington DC during its weekend brunch.