Try Belgian Chocolate And Waffles In Belgium

One of my several definitions of being a Foodie is traveling for food.

 Macaroons from Del Rey Chocolates

While traveling to Amsterdam I decided to escape for a day and venture over to the neighboring country of Belgium.  Belgium is more notably known for two types of food, Belgian Chocolates, and Belgian Waffles.  It wasn't exactly a $20 bus ride over to Belgium either.  It was a steep $80 roundtrip train ride from Amsterdam to Belgium.  So it definitely wasn't cheap, but again, I am a Foodie and I will travel far for edible delights (the more I tell myself that the easier it is for my wallet).

The train ride to Antwerp was an easy two hours each way, and the train station alone was worth the visit!  It was monstrous, clean, and beautiful designed.

Antwerp Central Station

As soon as I stepped off the train I quickly discovered little waffle stands scattered around the station.   I wanted to try a more mom-and-pop type place so I skipped the ones at the station and explored the city on foot.  I managed to find a pleasantly nice shopping area that seemed like a pretty  happening place.  It was lined with charming old buildings and statues, so I crossed my fingers and toes in hopes of finding a waffle place.

Hunting for waffles in a shopping area of Antwerp

I guess before I move on I should give you some Waffle history.  Believe it or not there are several types of waffles.  For instance, in The Netherlands I tried the Stroopwafel which was nothing to write home about.  Then we have the American style waffles which are topped with maple syrup, or fried chicken if you desire a more heartier alternative.  Belgium has two popular styles of waffles, the Brussels Waffle (which is how they typically serve Belgian waffles in America), or the Liège Waffle (which is coated with bits of pearl sugar that carmelizes on the outside when baked).  I'll take the one I can't find back home please!  Liège it is!

 My Liège style Belgian Waffle

After scowering the area I finally settled on a little food truck that had locals running to it.  The nice old man took the money out of my palm and in exchange handed me my waffle wrapped in a napkin.  In Belgium, waffles are considered street food similar to hot dogs in New York.  I sat by a fountain and took one bite of my still warm waffle and my eyes widdened stunned at how yummy it was!  It was perfectly sweet without it being smothered by fruits, chocolate, syrup, etc.  If I had 5 thumbs I would give it 5 thumbs up, and then I would try growing a sixth thumb just for extra credit.

Then it was time to hunt for some chocolate.  Before arriving in Antwerp, I went on TripAdvisor to search for Chocolatiers near the train station.  I found one chocolate shop that had locations in Amsterdam, but I didn't just spend $80 to travel to Belgium to buy chocolate I can get in Amsterdam.  Then just around the corner from the train station I found Del Rey Chocolates, a local chocolate shop that takes pride in creating pieces of edible chocolate art.

Chocolates from the store window

I walked in the store to find myself surrounded by beautiful morsels of chocolate heaven.  The people at the shop were quite friendly, and helped me pick out a few things to take back to Amsterdam with me.  I decided on a small box of assorted chocolates and macaroons (the fun colors were calling out, "EAT ME!").  The chocolates were not cheap, but it was still worth the money in my book (then again I am also the crazy fool that just spent $80 to buy chocolate and waffles).

Works of Art from the window of Del Rey

The Votes are in, and the Winners are:

Chocolate Category- My vote still goes to Swiss Chocolate.  Belgian Chocolates were more rich (concentrating more on the cocoa flavor), while I favor the more milky smooth taste of Swiss Chocolate.

Waffle Category-  The Belgian (Liège) Waffle wins by a landslide.  Now it's time to search for a place in Southern California that makes them!

Date Accomplished:  October 19th, 2011