Enjoying Istanbul Waffles

Every city has its famous street food. Istanbul is no different. I don't know how I made it three years without ever tasting one of Istanbul's famous waffles, but somehow I had. It was time to rectify that.

My friend Barb and I had met Internations friends for an afternoon exploring Istanbul's haunted mansion and first art museum in a working office.  After we finished, it was time for a treat. We adjourned to Barb's neighborhood, Bebek, and got in line for waffles (except the girl who was fasting for Ramazan - what discipline!).

There is always a line.

Waffles are beloved in Istanbul.

I admired this Turkish Dad

out making a memory

with his kids.

 We were right behind them

in line.

A waffle maker has to be

even more patient than

a Subway sandwich artist,

because there are even more toppings!

 

First goes on the base cream.

Here are some of your choices:

Nutella, Hazelnut, Dark Chocolate,

Milk Chocolate, White Chocolate,

Caramel, Strawberry, Pistachio,

Banana, and Coconut.

 

I chose Pistachio and White Chocolate.

 Then there is all the fruit.

I chose bananas, cherries,

strawberries, and kiwi.

That was pretty tame

given all of the

candied and fresh options.

 

 

 One last sprinkling

of chopped pistachios.

What I didn't expect

was how warm it would be.

I thought it would have lost its warmth

by the time he assembled it all, but no.

 

One delicious warm, gooey bite after another.

I am not waiting three more years to have another.