Crêpes and Waffles – A Bogotá Institution

Crêpes and Waffles (Crêpes & Waffles or Crêpes y Waffles) is, as alluded to by the title, an absolute institution in Bogotá. From delicious crêpes and waffles to curry flavoured wraps, the place thoroughly deserves it’s title as the ‘Place of A Thousand Flavours’.

My first experience with Crêpes and Waffles was on my birthday. I’d recently arrived in Bogotá and, wandering the streets of the city taking in some of the sites, I decided that, despite my relatively modest budget, I would treat myself to a birthday extravaganza: a double scoop ice cream. As most travellers will know, such an extravagance is considered a luxury only suitable for special occasions; 25 years on this planet seemed such a time.

First problem: loads of flavours, very little Spanish. Luckily I managed to manoeuvre myself into the position of wandering the streets sporting a delicious caramel and rum & raisin flavoured ice cream. From then on I was hooked, and the longer I stayed in Colombia’s capital city, the more comfortable I became and the more delicious Crêpes and Waffles I enjoyed, even including the excellent main meals, which include the delicious and filling Pannecooks (see below).

Crêpes and Waffles started in 1980. It was the dream of two university students that first came into realisation in Bogotá, on Calle 85 with Carrera 11. A small, simple, rustic locale influenced by French creperies, Colombians instantly seized upon in and the success led to the erection of a second restaurant in Bogotá’s centre. From then on things snowballed, and now Crêpes and Waffles have over 30 locations in Bogotá, with 62 all over Colombia, so when you travel to Cartagena, Cali, Medellín, Barranquilla, Bucaramanaga or Pereira, be sure to catch them.

Oh, and if you’re in Brazil, Ecuador, Spain, México, Panama, Peru or Venezuela you might just get hold of them, too.

OH! And the States too, they have one in the States. Talk about that plucky Colombian entrepreneurial spirit.

A great, and not often noted, tidbit about Crêpes and Waffles is that they have an exclusive policy: they only employ the ‘heads of families’. This doesn’t mean there’s a load of Don Corleones running around serving you, but rather than single mothers who would otherwise be in vulnerable situations searching for work are given the opportunity of employment. This rule is followed throughout all their chains in Latin America.

You can find a Crêpes and Waffles in all the main culinary areas of Bogotá: Zona G, Zona T, Parque 93, the centre, Parkway, Calle 116, Salitre Plaza and many, many more. For more information on where to find them, visit their website here: Crepes & Waffles

Paul

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