Omer is not a businessman. Although, when you walk into the colorful house on the corner of 7th and Van Buren that Omer calls his establishment, you find yourself not really caring about his credentials. The house that the shop is run out of is covered with unique artwork depicting the delicious waffles. When Off the Waffle opened in mid-February Omer wanted the shop to be a part of the community. He invited local artists to come and help decorate the cozy little shop. Attracted customers then followed suit.
Off the Waffle is different not just because of their setup. They serve léige waffles. “Léige waffles are not the typical Americanized waffles. These waffles are street gourmet and the concept is popular in Belgium,” Omer explained. These popular European waffles baffle many when they order from the shop. Customers often “expect to deal with syrup, whip cream, and a plate, but that’s just not how we do it,” states Omer. These novelties are not necessary when eating these waffles; they are sweet on their own, held in the consumer’s hand.
Omer is very secretive about the process of making their waffles – even photography is forbidden. He said that making such waffles is top secret, but gave information on what the waffles are made from. Omer then told the story of how he and his brother stumbled on Eugene.
The duo were “wandering souls” and originally from Israel. Since moving westward, they have lived in such places as Boston, California, and even in Latin America. Then, the Orian brothers were driving up the Pacific coast and found that the farther north they drove, the more they enjoyed. Then they found Eugene, which fit their style.
“We were really lucky, we didn’t know when stumbling on Eugene that they had such a great organic food source,” said Omer. Their waffles are made with organic flour, local milk and dairy products, and even local organic eggs. According to Omer, these organic ingredients “really make a difference.” This drive to bring the best food possible to customers is one main part of Off the Waffle’s mission. Omer explained that even though they haven’t been able to reach 100% organic or local ingredients, they aim to provide waffle consumers with food that will make them feel good.
None of the products you are severed at Off the Waffle could bring you down, if anything, they just leave you wanting more. The shop offers two different types of waffles. An organic white non-bleached waffle and an organic whole wheat waffle. Both of these waffles are priced at just $3 a pop! If you want to get a little crazy, and this type of crazy is totally recommended, get the filling of the week. Past fillings have been goat cheese and blueberries and a healthy Nutella-like substitute. Nib Dessert and Wine Bar, another local business, made the healthy hazelnut concoction, called Nib-tella, for the waffleteers. Every week, Off the Waffle advertises the week’s filling of choice in the Eugene Weekly. Besides the main dish of waffles, several assortments of drinks are also available including milk, tea, and coffee.
Another great feature to this shop is the fact that they will deliver any order nearly anywhere in Eugene for no extra charge. Mind you, this store is open from 8am to midnight everyday, so at anytime – like after reading this article – you feel you need to eat the most delicious waffles ever, give them a call. Also in the spirit of Eugene, Off the Waffle encourages bartering. You can exchange music or homemade goods for their delectable treats, rolling the best elements of Eugene into one great waffle shop. It is a great place to hang out and filled with “positive people,” as Omer likes to call them.
If you ever find yourself on the outskirts of the Whitaker, and your senses are on the rise, sniff for the sweet smell of waffles, listen for funky music, and then finally, rest your eyes on the giant plywood outline of a chief with a huge red fro. This caricature is a mimic of the brother Orian’s ginger hairdos. So, even if you decide to go against everything that is right and deny your taste buds of heaven and just walk past this huge man, hopefully you will at least chuckle at the sight of it. For if this is all that happens, chuckles Omer, “we have done our job.”
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