Baladoché - Belgian zücker waffles in Lakeview (Now Open!)

From Chicago Magazine Dish weekly newsletter: "a version of a Belgian concept specializing in to-go Belgian zücker waffles, is scheduled to open in Lake View in mid-August. 'As far as we can tell we are the first company to bring the Belgian zücker waffle to Chicago and possibly the first in the United States,' says Charles Crépin, a partner. OK: What is a zücker waffle? 'It’s more like a warm, dense chocolate chip cookie than a Brussels waffle,' Crépin says. 'The secret lies in the pearl sugar chips, which ooze like chocolate chips.' Also on tap at Baladoché: gelato, Belgian chocolates, Illy espresso, and free wi-fi."

The zücker waffles sound like the Belgian Liege waffles that I love so much. Does anyone know if they are one in the same? And gelato and Belgian chocolate on top of that! Can't wait to check it out.

Baladoché
2905 N. Clark St.
(phone number and hours to come later)

I have been watching the space for about a month now. These folks have nerves of stell to open in an area where so many ice cream ventures have failed over the past few years. It is just north of the former home to Ice Dreams and just west of the now defunct Sugarbuzz.

YourPalWill wrote:I have been watching the space for about a month now. These folks have nerves of stell to open in an area where so many ice cream ventures have failed over the past few years. It is just north of the former home to Ice Dreams and just west of the now defunct Sugarbuzz.

I think you're absolutely right . . . I can think of many locations that would be better. But the "waffle" part of the equation really interests me because I don't know of any place in the area that serves the crispy Liege waffles that you eat as a snack while walking (assuming that's what they mean by zücker waffles). But maybe by making it known that they're offering waffles, gelato, coffee and chocolates, they can do a year-round, and day and night business . . . assuming they put out a good product.

ooooh - I saw those on some cable TV show (could have been anything) they looked incredible. Don't they have some ultra-specific little waffle iron thingy? Keep us posted - I'm not often that far south on Clark st. but will remember next time I'm around.

I also live in the "hood", and have been keeping my eye out. Good to hear it'll open soon. Here is the website, which explains the waffles and other products in more detail:

http://www.baladoche.com/

While there are many ice cream offerings nearby, gelato is harder to come by. However, I agree that the focus is not just gelato. I'm keeping my fingers crossed on this one!

From Metromix:

Opening in Lakeview in late August, this spot specializes in Belgian waffles from Liege, not the same ol' Brussels-style you get on most brunch menus. So, what's the dif? It's the dough. Liege waffles are made with a wheat-based yeast sweetened with sugar pearls--the pearls burst and caramelize in the waffle iron, resulting in a sugar-amped treat that doesn't need toppings. We love the fact these babies are portable, you can eat 'em with your hands, and they're only $4.

I had Liege waffles in Philly, at a little cafe called Bonte, so they're certainly not the first in the US.

They have officially opened--via window service only--to the tune of what the manager says is averaging 450 sales a day. Could that be possibly be an eenie beanie- bit inflated just to get me psyched up??

I HAD to try one, being that it is my hood and I'll always welcome new food ventures, but I'm not sure how often I would crave a $5.00 waffle. Even if it was darn tasty.

Any thoughts on this??

Epoisses wrote:Any thoughts on this??

I'll be going this week to see if these are anything like the street waffles I had in Amsterdam.

Someone please check this place out and report back!!!

They have officially opened--via window service only--to the tune of what the manager says is averaging 450 sales a day.

I live around the corner and don't see that level of activity there.

I was there today and had a waffle and it was damn tasty. But I talked to one of the partners and he did not sound so excited about their early business. One problem that I suspect they are going to have is with the price of the waffles -- the plain one is $5 (including tax). And although I do not think that this is an atypical price for one of the liege waffles, I can see many people having trouble spending $5 for a small snack that is just not very filling. Of course, after you finish one you will have a hard time avoiding a second one . . . until you reach into your wallet.

I (inadvertantly) stopped by on Friday night, a mere 2 hours after they had first opened. I have to say, that I was quite impressed. The waffles are not at all a "breakfast waffle" as the name might imply; they are doughy, chewy, sweet concoctions that are like nothing that I've ever had. They're kind of a cross between a doughnut and a... waffle?

Anyways, they're spectactular. Not an "every day" $5 snack, but definitley a good comfort food! I can imagine it going very well with a cup of hot cocoa.

My friend mentioned to me that he was amazed at how well they retain heat - which is completely true. My waffle took me probably 15 minutes to eat and remained comfortably warm the entire time.

I'm looking forward to more waffley goodness throughout our upcoming cold winter!

fyi they were featured in "daily candy" today which will most likely improve their business:

http://www.dailycandy.com/article.jsp?ArticleId=27313&city=5

I stopped in to try one today after lunch. I give them 6 months if they're lucky. They've only got one item on the menu (plus some chocolates) that, while interesting enough, won't bring people flocking back for more.

It does sort of sound like they got their business plan from Crescent City Beignet.

stevez wrote:I stopped in to try one toady after lunch. I give them 6 months if they're lucky. They've only got one item on the menu (plus some chocolates) that, while interesting enough, won't bring people flocking back for more.

That's a bit harsh. They're right down the block from Le Crepiere, which will create some spillover traffic while people are in the french-food mood.

They also serve Illy's coffee which (while extremely common throughout the rest of the world) is still a novelty in chicago, especially as a take-away joint.

jonjonjon wrote:That's a bit harsh. They're right down the block from Le Crepiere, which will create some spillover traffic while people are in the french-food mood.

Harsh, yes...but I'm sticking with my predicition.

stevez wrote:Harsh, yes...but I'm sticking with my predicition.

Ok, we'll revisit this thread in april! But perhaps the LTH hype can give it some traffic

jonjonjon wrote:
Ok, we'll revisit this thread in april! But perhaps the LTH hype can give it some traffic

I'm sure this thread will generate some first time visitors, but how many of them would bother to return if they don't live right around the corner remains to be seen. I don't think there's as big a market for 1/4 of a waffle cooked with a little sugar for $5.00 as the owners of Baladoché would hope.

Mike G wrote:It does sort of sound like they got their business plan from Crescent City Beignet.

Either that or The Scotch Tape Store ("The recording kind?", "No. The sticky kind.")

stevez wrote:

jonjonjon wrote:
Ok, we'll revisit this thread in april! But perhaps the LTH hype can give it some traffic

I'm sure this thread will generate some first time visitors, but how many of them would bother to return if they don't live right around the corner remains to be seen. I don't think there's as big a market for 1/4 of a waffle cooked with a little sugar for $5.00 as the owners of Baladoché would hope.

This particular area of Clark St. is not a big area for casual foot traffic (i.e., shoppers) who are more prone to want a good snack. I think that issue doomed Sweet Dreams. Perhaps Broadway farther north, Clark further south, or somewhere in the Lincoln Park area would have suited the concept better, although I'm sure the rent would have been considerably higher.

Also, I think the price tag will scare many away. I love the waffles and yet the price scares me away -- they're just not that filling. But liege waffle places are succeeding in great numbers in Belgium and I love them, so I'll cross my fingers and hope they find a way to make it.

If anyone is interested, I found this online:

Earn $9.00 per hour/Retail store near Clark & Diversey/No Experience r

Baladoché Belgian Zucker Waffles
2905 North Clark Street/ Chicago 60657/

Full-Time* and Part-Time** positions available.
*Full time position starting with minimum 32 hours per week commitment
** Minimum of 16 hours/week commitment

Must be willing to work any shift between 6am and
midnight.

Contact us at customerservice@baladoche.com to obtain
a job application. Baladoché is an equal opportunity
employer.

Just had a waffle on my way home. Pretty tasty, maybe even worth $5.

And why are they $5 you may ask? According to one of the owners that was there, they make the waffles with bottled water imported from Belgium instead of Chicago tap water. Apparently that makes them more authentic.

jesteinf wrote:And why are they $5 you may ask? According to one of the owners that was there, they make the waffles with bottled water imported from Belgium instead of Chicago tap water. Apparently that makes them more authentic.

I'd like to taste an inauthentic $2.50 version made with Chicago tap water and compare it to the $5 version.

jesteinf wrote:Just had a waffle on my way home. Pretty tasty, maybe even worth $5.

And why are they $5 you may ask? According to one of the owners that was there, they make the waffles with bottled water imported from Belgium instead of Chicago tap water. Apparently that makes them more authentic.

I'm reminded of the TV show "blow out" where the primadonna hairdresser washes his hair with bottled water

jesteinf wrote:Just had a waffle on my way home. Pretty tasty, maybe even worth $5.

And why are they $5 you may ask? According to one of the owners that was there, they make the waffles with bottled water imported from Belgium instead of Chicago tap water. Apparently that makes them more authentic.

unless they use bottled water in Belgium, I don't see how it makes it more authentic.

To be honest with you, I'm not sure either. I thought it was a pretty ridiculous thing to say. Just thought people here would get a kick out of it.

That's the most pretentious, silly thing I have ever heard in my life.

That's the most pretentious, silly thing I have ever heard in my life.

Damn straight, especially considering that the Liege waffle recipes I looked up a few days ago used either 1) no water, 2) Vichy water from France, and one could certainly use plain ol' seltzer instead, since the bubbliness was what the recipe writer was after, 3) beer, or 4), milk. Pure hooey, I say.

The one that used no liquid at all was the most appealing, by the way, in that it used a half-pound each of butter, sugar, and flour plus four eggs as its base, plus some "vanillated" sugar just in case it wasn't quite sweet enough. Whoa.