Food review: Chattanooga's new Wafflez Factory

photo A recent lunch from the new Wafflez Factory included a vegetable pita, white chicken chili and broccoli salad.

If you go• Where: Wafflez Factory, 301 M.L. King Blvd.• Phone: 423-551-4131.• Hours: 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 6 a.m.-3 a.m. Friday-Saturday.• Price range: $3.49 for white chicken chili to $8.48 for waffles and sausage.

When I tried the Wafflez Factory last Thursday, I soon knew there were two reasons I'd be going back: It's two blocks from the newspaper and, more importantly, the food is delicious.

The restaurant opened for business on Oct. 28, and when I showed up there on Oct. 30, I was the only customer. And that's too bad. I figured the reason is because it's brand new and few people know about it. Now you know.

THE FOOD

I was a little puzzled about whether a restaurant that highlights waffles would be open for lunch. But when I checked out the website, I saw that Wafflez Factory is open from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 6 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. I figured they surely must serve something other than waffles, and they do.

And though the waffles were very tempting, even at 11:45 a.m., I opted for more traditional lunch fare. I ordered the restaurant's signature white chicken chili with cheddar cheese and jalapeno peppers ($3.49 small, $4.29 large), broccoli salad ($2.19) and a vegetable pita ($4). I ordered more than I typically eat for lunch, but I wanted to check out the menu. Each item I ordered was delicious.

The small bowl of chili was huge, with a decent amount of chicken in the mix and crackers served on the side. It could easily be a meal by itself.

The broccoli salad, one of my all-time favorite dishes, was seriously good. Unlike other broccoli salads I've tried, this one had cherry tomatoes and a sauce that reminded me of Russian dressing.

The veggie pita was made with bell pepper, broccoli, cucumber, provolone cheese and a special sauce. It was grilled and served warm. I'm not a vegan, but I certainly enjoyed this meat-free pita.

The non-waffle dishes include potato soup ($3.49 and $4.29), fruit cups ($2.19), yogurt parfait ($3.59) and apple cobbler oatmeal ($2.39).

But if it's waffles you want, take a look at the Wafflez A La Carte menu, which offers waffles served with a wide selection of meats, fruits, potatoes and other go-withs you might not expect. The prices range from $2.19 for a Wafflez Garden Variety Souffle to about $8.50 for a Wafflez Original with four slices of bacon. UTC college students, with identification, can get discounts.

The dessert menu is short but sweet: The Wafflez Banana Blitz, a banana waffle topped with banana sauce, wafers and whipped topping, and the Wafflez Chocolate Supreme, a chocolate waffle topped with vanilla ice cream, chocolate drizzle and whipped topping. Either is $5.49.

A kid's menu offers the Wafflez Original - a waffle, fruit cup or yogurt, and juice; Wafflez PBJ, a peanut butter waffle topped with a peanut butter and jelly drizzle, fruit cup or yogurt, and juice; and the Kids Wafflez Topple, a waffle with choice of one topping, fruit cup or yogurt, and juice. Prices range from $4.29 to $4.89.

Drinks include various flavors of tea, coffee, bottled juice, soda and bottled water.

THE SERVICE

Guests order at the cash register. Because I was the only customer, my food arrived quickly. However, I did have a few minutes to pass the time with the employees. They were friendly, accommodating and made every effort to familiarize me with the menu.

THE SPACE

It is huge. I counted about 16 tables, most of which seat four people.

It's brightly painted, super clean and spacious. Tables aren't placed close together so that guests can get up from the table without bumping into someone seated close by.

Parking is plentiful on M.L. King Boulevard and the nearby side streets, and it's a convenient walk to any downtown business.

THE VERDICT

I am not a huge chili fan, but I really liked Wafflez Factory's chili. I loved that I got a bite of chicken in nearly every spoonful. It was thick, with a hint of heat because of the jalapenos, and the cheddar cheese was a perfect touch.

The pita and broccoli salad were equally as good.

Next time, though, I have to try a waffle and a dessert. I'm not sure about the waffle yet, but dessert will be the Wafflez Chocolate Supreme.

Contact Karen Nazor Hill at khill@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6396.

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