I’m back!  I hope you haven’t missed me too much.

For the last month I was in production of a new musical that made it’s world premiere here in San Diego.  I’ve still been going to restaurants every week but have been short on time to properly review them for you all.  Lucky for you, I take good notes and love attention.

I think it’s getting to the point in modern food, where you can actually classify gimmick as a restaurant category.  Whether it’s a cupcake ATM, a place that serves only side dishes or all the food is served upside down, there’s lots of new places offering a fun slant on traditional food.  Bruxie easily threatens to fall into that category as everything they serve is between two waffles.  Sound amazing?  Sound too good to be true?  I was unsure what to expect but I had my waffle-loving gang at the ready to sit in true judgement.

Aimee-Roommate since the 90’s, BFF, allergic to hot dogs and therefore labeled a commie by many

Amy B-Vegetarian Belle, Author, Event Planner

Amy J-Rocky Horror performer, Michigan football loyalist, a common floozy

Anna-Educator, flannel wearer, still mad at us for going to Snooze without her

Chris-Attorney, lifelong food snob, loves good Scotch and gay jeans

Durwood-Best friend, comedian, San Diego’s go-to young black non-singing actor

Harry-Wise guy, master of the grill, loves camping for some reason

Joey-Future music professor, Sazerac drinker, makes a mean cup of coffee

Kelsey-Project manager, Advanced level foodie, Has been known to drop it like it’s hot after a few cocktails

You had us at waffles.

Located on the campus of San Diego State University (SDSU to locals and the typographically lazy), Bruxie’s design is much more fast food than stuffy restaurant.  We were lucky to get in during morning hours as the place is usually jumping at night.  The menu offered a number of tasty breakfast, lunch and dessert-type things.  We ordered a pretty wide variety of waffle-hugging chow.

Amy J went the sweet route and ordered the Liege waffle with Nutella and caramelized pearl sugar sandwiched between two waffles.  She said it was very yummy, excellent portion size with a great crunchy texture from the crystalized sugar.  Nutella, is of course amazing, as anyone with taste will tell you.  Amy wishes there were more vegetarian-friendly menu items.  Harry had the Michel Cordon Bleu cold smoked Smoked Salmon Lox & Dill cream cheese waffle sandwich with cucumbers and chives.  He said the salmon and waffle were a really nice pairing.  The cucumber added a refreshing element with great crunch.  The sandwich was also accented nicely with what Harry called a “perfect amount of dill”.  Kelsey ordered the Prosciutto di Parma & Gruyere waffle sandwich with whole grain mustard and chives.  She felt the sandwich could use more acid to cut the overall heaviness.  Kelsey also had a side of “Irish Nachos” (Crispy waffle fries with Bruxie cheese sauce, applewood bacon, sour cream and chives).  She said they were delectable but lacking somewhat in the toppings.

If you had told me salmon on a waffle was good, I would have asked “How high are you?!” of course, I asked that about most of the menu items here.  The stoners alone must pay the rent here.

Chris ordered the same sandwich as Kelsey (Prosciutto di Parma) but added arugula and a fried egg over medium.  While he enjoyed it, he mentioned he would be more apt to return for a breakfast waffle sandwich after trying Durwood’s order.   Anna had the Country Sausage, Egg & Cheddar waffle sandwich.  She also added maple syrup to the sandwich.   She said it was delicious but the real highlight to the sandwich was the very thin layer of mayo.  Amy B ordered the Lemon Cream and Seasonal Berries.  She said it was delicious and very well balanced.  Durwood had the Buttermilk fried Chicken and waffle with chili honey and cider slaw.  He said it was great with flavors that married extremely well and extremely juicy, well seasoned chicken.  He added the syrup, which he said was also good but ultimately unnecessary.

While it escapes me at the moment, I am confident there’s a way to spin this as a “healthy breakfast”…

Joey ordered the Roasted Mushroom and Goat Cheese Waffle Sandwich with fresh basil, arugual & balsamic reduction.  He also added avocado.  He felt it was a bit balsamic heavy but incredibly good.  Joey appreciated the great crunch of the waffle while remaining structurally stable as a sandwich.  Aimee had the Green Eggs and Ham Waffle Sandwich with Tillamook Cheddar, mayo & Arugula Pesto.  She said the pesto was good and really fresh.  the waffle was filling and not too soggy all at a great price.  I, along with Anna, ordered the Country Sausage, egg and Cheddar waffle sandwich.  I was horrified to discover the egg in question was a fried egg and not a scrambled egg, as years of setting my standards no higher than fast food breakfast sandwiches has taught me.   I went back up to the counter to order something else when they very generously offered to scramble the eggs for me.  I was truly shocked by that but they did it and it was really awesome.  A one-two punch of great food and great service.

My appetite was satisfied and my childish food phobias were catered to. Perfection!

Dessert was also a big selling point for coming to Bruxie.  They serve frozen Custard, which Amy B was VERY EXCITED about.  I’m not talking Christmas morning excited, I’m talking we found a matching donor excited.  You see, as a native of Wisconsin, Amy was very familiar with this frozen treat.   I looked to her for the final official seal of approval and she gave a big thumbs up.  It had the taste and texture she remembers and loves.  She cannot wait to come back.  Several of us ordered the frozen custard and everyone enjoyed it.  I personally didn’t feel like it was far in taste and texture from soft serve ice cream.  But seeing as I love soft serve ice cream, this was hardly a bad thing.

What some call “dessert after breakfast”, I call “research”. For you, I do this.

Overall, I was super impressed with Bruxie.  Several people in our group had been to the Orange County location and enjoyed it.  I can see why.  It merges my love of waffles and things jammed between them.  Go.  You’ll thank me.

Further reading: http://bruxie.com/

To see all the pictures from this meal, be sure to follow The Boy who ate San Diego on Instagram!