What’s hot, fresh and guaranteed to arouse your taste buds? Waffles, baby!
Squeezing a fresh idea between the bland Thai and burrito carts along Southwest Fourth Avenue, Parkers Waffles and Coffee combines sweet and savory items in unimaginable ways. With enough flavors and toppings to rival Baskin Robbins, they have choices to suit anyone who dares to let a waffle be different.
What’s hot, fresh and guaranteed to arouse your taste buds? Waffles, baby!
Squeezing a fresh idea between the bland Thai and burrito carts along Southwest Fourth Avenue, Parkers Waffles and Coffee combines sweet and savory items in unimaginable ways. With enough flavors and toppings to rival Baskin Robbins, they have choices to suit anyone who dares to let a waffle be different.
They offer combos like pumpkin pie and iron pig, so no one will blame you for not knowing what you want. To help you out, we contacted Scott and Abby Trimble, the source of so many unique flavor combinations that promise to make your mouth water.
Daily Vanguard: Most carts don’t serve breakfast items. Where did you get the idea for just serving waffles?
Abby Trimble: The reason why we started the cart was because I was always leaving the house without breakfast, so I just kept thinking about that and we came up with waffles. And we really liked the idea because waffles are comfort food.
Scott Trimble: Everyone in Portland loves the food carts. We moved here in 2000 and started eating the food carts soon after. I loved it, and we wanted to work together for a long time, so Abby just came up with the waffle cart idea.
DV: What brought you to the Fourth Avenue cart row?
AT: We really liked the diversity of the students and the business classes.
ST: Also there is no breakfast around here. Students. Waffles. You can’t go wrong.
DV: Where do you get your inspiration for all your different waffles?
AT: Just other foods we like. We ask ourselves, “How can we do that on a waffle?”
DV: What are some of your new up-and-coming waffle combinations?
ST: We’re going to do a Thanksgiving waffle which is going to be turkey, stuffing, cranberries…You know, a lot of our inspirations come from our customers.
DV: If you were going to recommend one waffle style on your menu, what would that be?
ST: If they say, “I’m in the mood for eggs,” I say iron pig. If they say, “I’m in the mood for fruit,” I say peach pie. If they say, “I don’t know,” I say maple butter.
AT: The thing is that they are all really good. Just a maple butter waffle is a really good start.
DV: What are your best-selling waffles?
ST: Iron pig does really well. Peach pie does really well. The Octoberfest is our best-selling special waffle. Those are probably the best.
DV: I keep seeing that “Chicken and Waffles” is coming soon. When will we finally be able to taste this long-awaited addition to your menu?
AT: [laughing] Still coming soon.
DV: What’s the one thing that everyone should know about you when considering Parkers Waffles?
ST: Our mission, I guess, is to keep making good food.
MENU
The Original – Brushed with your choice of sweet cream butter or maple butter and lightly dusted with powdered sugar. Whipped cream by request. Add two eggs scrambled for $2.
Single – $2.50 (One original waffle)
Double – $4 (Two original waffles)
Triple – $5.50 (Three original waffles)
Scrambles – $6
Ham and Gruyère – Two eggs scrambled with Black Forest ham, onions, mushrooms and Gruyère cheese.
The Iron Pig – Two eggs scrambled with spinach, bacon, onion and cheddar.
Savory Waffles – $6
Pulled Pork – Pulled pork from Leroy’s Familiar Vittles, generously applied to a waffle. Choose dressed (with cole slaw) or naked (without).
Fruit Waffles – $6
Southern Chocolate Grilled Banana – Grilled banana, chocolate hazelnut spread and pecan pralines. Add bacon for $1.
Peach Pie – Grilled peaches, cinnamon and a splash of Grand Marnier, covered with sweetened sour cream and house-made almond pecan streusel.
