Please note: This post was originally published in 2014. While it should still give you a good overview of the experience, it may also contain some outdated information. Please be sure to visit The Sloppy Waffle’s website for the most current information.
UPDATE 2019: Check out their newly expanded space with a kids’ play area!
2014 Post:
Cut to the chase. Take me to the Momsense.
Doesn’t the name of this place just make you want to try it?
It did for me and hubby, and every time we drove down the Berlin Turnpike in Newington, CT on some errand or another, we would pass the little sign and say how we should try that place one day.
Well, about 17 drives down the Berlin Turnpike and 32 errands later, we finally did 🙂
What’s funny is, for all the times we have driven by The Sloppy Waffle, we had a little trouble finding the restaurant when we were actually looking for it.
It’s located on the southbound side of the Berlin Turnpike, around the back of a building that houses quite a few other businesses. There is a sign near the road, but you have to be watching for it. There is a parking area around the back/side too.
Once you step inside, you start to realize that there is a very specific dining system in place. It took us a little bit to catch on, but essentially, I think it goes like this: First, you wait to be taken to a table. Then, you peruse the menu at your table. When you are ready, you order from a counter in the middle of the dining area. Beverages are also purchased at the counter. But coffee, while paid for at the counter, is self-serve at designated areas in the dining room. Except for the decaf. That you get at the counter. Then, they call your name and you go up to the counter to retrieve your order. But not silverware. You’ll pick that up from the self-serve stations in the dining room. Are you with me so far? 🙂
Fortunately, it seems like this restaurant is often welcoming newbies because the staff was very friendly and helpful.
The inside of the restaurant is a little tight, so it’s not the kind of place to bring your double stroller, if you know what I mean. It’s all chairs and tables too. But that doesn’t mean that we didn’t find a perfect spot with enough extra room for the little guy’s car seat carrier (never wake a sleeping baby, right?!).
So first things first, the menu. I was actually surprised by how many non-waffle dishes there were. There’s actually a whole bunch of omelettes and eggs, plus sandwiches and burgers too. But here’s the reason we are here:
Yup. Boo’s favorite meal. Or rather, Boo’s favorite food group. So even though it is practically lunch time, we are here for breakfast. Love it!
Now, prior to our visit, I did do a little investigating into the eponymous waffles. Turns out they are not your everyday waffles, as the menu proclaims:
So although there is this whole big menu, I was pretty much sold on the waffle before we even walked in the door.
Boo knew exactly what he wanted too.
Once we had made our selections, hubby went up to the counter to place our order (and secure some bottomless coffee mugs; mmmmm….coffee). Now, before I forget, this place takes CASH ONLY. They do have an ATM on the premises though.
The one challenge about this order-at-the-counter system, is that if you are on your own with small kids, you can’t very well leave them at a table you can’t see from the counter. Fortunately, there are several tables in view of the counter, so hopefully you can snag one of those. Also, the waitstaff is pretty accommodating; I’m sure they could help you work something out.
We were there late on a Saturday morning (like 11:00-ish), and it was pretty busy. We didn’t have to wait for a table, but there was a bit of a line to order. Happily, Boo is still at that age where he can amuse himself with nothing more than a pair of salt and pepper shakers.
When hubby returned, he brought with him a milk for Boo (no kiddie cups here, but a coffee lid with a straw through the opening pretty much did the trick), and those coffee mugs for us (the fix-your-own coffee station was located just to the left as you enter the restaurant–the regular coffee, that is; decaf you get from the nice folks at the counter).
This is some seriously good coffee, by the way. And I’m not just saying that as the sleep-deprived mother of a teething 7-month-old. Really. Good. Coffee.
It did take a little while for our meals to be served, but that’s probably to be expected at any breakfast joint on a Saturday morning.
In the meantime, I continued to peruse the menu as part of my blog post “research.” Turns out there is actually an official “Sloppy Waffle.”
Yup. That sounds like it would be pretty sloppy alright. Sloppy and delicious.
Fortunately, our food was ready just in time to prevent a bout of buyer’s remorse.
Here’s mine (I figured I could pass it off as semi-healthy if there was some fruit on the plate; denial, it’s not just a river in Egypt 🙂 ).
There was really no way to put a balanced breakfast spin on Boo’s plate, but boy, did it look amazing! It was worth every second of that inevitable sugar rush/crash to see his eyes pop when this was set in front of him.
Mini Chocolate Lover waffle for your 3-year-old: $3.95.
Watching him enjoy every bite: Priceless.
Of course hubby, after months of speculating about the waffles, pulls his signature, devil-may-care ordering stunt and gets a dish with nary a waffle (seriously, he even got to choose a side of pancake or waffle and he chose pancake; he’s such a rogue 🙂 )
Although, those homefries were pretty delicious. And so was the toast. Seriously. Really good toast!
Now, I read quite a few reviews on Yelp about the food here. Most were positive, but they ranged from “the best thing I have ever eaten” to “the portion sizes are small.” I am not a food critic, but I really enjoyed my waffle (and, umm, part of Boo’s too). Plus, my food philosophy these days goes something like this: If I don’t have to cook it, serve it, or clean it up– it’s delicious!
There are to-go boxes available if you have leftovers but we, ahem, did not need one.
I did check out the restrooms, of course (if you are facing the order counter, they are around the corner to your left). There isn’t a changing station, but it is a family-style bathroom with plenty of room to fit all the kiddos, the carseat carrier, even a stroller if you really needed to bring one.
Now that we finally made it to breakfast here, I’m only sorry that we waffled so long before giving it a try (hehe, I couldn’t help myself).
So if you’re looking for a breakfast spot that’s pretty much as family-friendly as your own kitchen table (but you don’t have to cook or clean up), head over to The Sloppy Waffle for a special treat.
2551 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, Connecticut
Ph. (860) 436-6893
E. info@thesloppywaffle.com
Find them on Facebook!
HOURS:
OPEN TUESDAY through SUNDAY from 7:00a.m. to 2:30p.m.
CLOSED MONDAYS
See website for most up-to-date information.
PRICING:
Reasonably priced. Dishes range from $5-$10 with less expensive options for the kiddos. See the full menu here. CASH ONLY.
DETAILS:
- Stroller Friendly: NOT REALLY. It’s kind of tight in there. On a less crowded day, you could probably get away with it, but for a busy weekend morning it will be tough. I did bring in the little guy in his carseat carrier, and that was no problem at all. There was plenty of room near our table for that.
- Coffee Mug Friendly: Coffee available for purchase.
- Baby Changing Station: NO
- Parking: There is a lot right outside the entrance.
- Food for Sale: Duh.
- Outside Food Allowed: I’m going to go with NO. Just a hunch.
- Cash Required: YES. It’s cash only. But there is an ATM on the premises if you forget.
- Dress Code: Anything you don’t mind the kiddos getting a little “sloppy” 🙂
- Evening/Weekend Hours: YES. Open Saturday and Sunday from 7:00a.m. to 2:30p.m.
TIPS & THINGS TO BRING:
- Breakfast and lunch served all day.
- Recently, I’ve seen them advertise “Mommy & Me” Tuesdays and Wednesdays where you can save $1 off a mini waffle when you purchase a regular size waffle as well. Now, saving a dollar may not seem like a lot (although every little bit helps, right?) but if you’re looking for a great time to try out this restaurant when you know you’ll be in good company showing up with a gaggle of kiddos, this is the time to go.
- High chairs available
- Gluten free option available
- Accepts to-go orders
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- 4D Vision Gym – A vision training center located in Cromwell, CT where Dr. Juanita Collier, MS, OD and her staff show members how to utilize Vision Therapy to correct visual issues and make learning and playing easier and more fun.
- The Annie Fisher Montessori Magnet School – Offers children ages three to twelve years old a free, public Montessori education implemented to the highest standards set by Association Montessori Internationale.
- The Independent Day School – Located on a rural campus in Middlefield, CT this private pre-school, elementary and middle school, serves families from over 20 communities.
- Kathryn Deane Photography – A natural light photographer located in West Hartford, CT and specializing in maternity, newborn, child, family, and senior portrait photography.
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