Wafels & Dinges

I was this many years old when I learned what dinges were, when researching a small chain of waffle shops in New York, Wafles & Dinges. If you, like me, did not know the Belgian word, it simply means ... thingamajig.  You know, a whatchamacallit. A word for generic stuff. In this case, they use it to refer to assorted toppings you can put on waffles.

"You can feel sweet buttery goodness radiating from the Wafles & Dinges truck when it pulls up to the curb. Over ten years ago, Belgian-born Thomas DeGeest set out to bring authentic Belgian waffles to the US, creating Wafels & Dinges. Spelled the Flemish way, Wafel & Dinges (pronounced ding-us, and slang for “stuff”) has taken the New York street food scene by storm. From their Liège Wafels in Chocolate Fudge or Spekuloos to the Throwdown Wafel (named after the time DeGeest beat Bobby Flay on season seven of Throwdown), these waffels do not disappoint."

Wafles & Dinges has actually been around in New York since 2008, first started as a food truck,got more famous after beating Bobby Flay in 2010, expanded to a kiosk in 2013, now with several brick and mortar locations.  They also ship nationwide via Gold Belly.

The main attraction is the liège waffles.  They do not offer American style waffles, nor the other kind of Belgian waffles.  Just liège.  The menu has some curated waffles with toppings, but you can also build your own with a selection of toppings including sauces, fresh fruit, uh, candied bacon, and whipped cream or ice cream.  I found it interesting that chocolate chips or anything like it were not an option, yet mini marshmallows were?  During the fall, they also offer a pumpkin spice base waffle.

Besides the waffles, they have ice cream, croissants, crofels (croissants, waffled), and drinks.

Extravaganza Box. $90.

"Comes with: 8 Liège wafels (large), 8 Wafelinis and 3 topping jars (spekuloos cookie spread, dulce de leche & real Belgian chocolate fudge)."

We ordered for a group, so the "Extravaganza" box seemed appropriate.  It came with the regular size waffles (on the right) plus the smaller ones dubbed "Wafelinis" for those who wanted a smaller snack. We also got the included 3 spreads, one other kind of chocolate sauce, and whipped cream.

Additional jars of spreads are $8.95, and cans of whipped cream are $12.

Wafelini w/ 4 dinges.

I started with a wafelini, and a tasting of all 4 spreads.

The spreads were fairly standard, not very memorable.  The Spekuloos was my favorite, but not on the waffle as it is pretty thick and rich, but I really enjoyed the leftovers later (on bananas, on plantain chips, on baby carrots, by the spoonful ...).  With the waffle, I probably liked the dulce de leche the most, or really, just the whipped cream (which was a large foodservice generic can, not a store brand, nor their own thing).  

The wafelini was fine. Slightly crispy and caramelized on the outside as it should be, pretty standard liège style, soft and fluffy inside.  I also had the full size wafel, and I found that preferred the smaller ones as they seemed a bit doughier and the pockets a bit more caramelized.

Overall this was all fine.  No complaints.  But not very memorable nor unique, assuming you've had liège waffles before.  I think I was spoiled by b. Street Waffles as a regular part of my life in San Francisco for years, and they just do not compare.

3.5/5, maybe, generously, as again, they were fine, but, I see no reason to seek them out again.