Bruges Waffles and FrittesApril 29th, 2009
serving up European dream food
by Richard Markosian
If you are eve lucky enough to visit the quaint city of Bruges, Belgium, there are three things you will never forget:
- buildings that appear designed by Hallmark for an idealic chrismas card backdrop
- narrow streets full of pedestrians and bikers and almost no cars
- incredible street food: offering sweet waffles and pommes frites (french fries)
Pierre Vandamme has brought the taste of Bruges to Salt Lake residents and visitors.
Pierre got his start in the downtown Salt Lake city Farmers Market. where he found that Salt Lakers loved his waffles. For four years Pierre returned and flourished. Like many of Utah Stories other Farmers Market Success Stories, Pierre used the farmers market to test the viability of his product. And he found that his waffles were a winner.
I asked Pierre about advertising. "Maybe in a year," he said brushing the question off like a frivilous idea; translating to "what would be the point?" It's clear his advertising is in the aroma of his food: Pierre's shop fills the entire Pioneer Park area with the smell of fresh pressed sweet waffles and fries.
Pierre's new shop: Bruges Waffles and Frites is very similar to his stand at the Farmers Market in the crowds it attracts. Despite opening a few weeks ago, most of the time Brugges is full of customers.
I entered Pierre's shop hoping for an interview but was unaware that he already had three other things he was doing at once. When a business is flourishing like Piere's, press interviews aren't top on the list of priorites. My attempt at an interview lasted about 70 seconds. In which time I learned Piere arrived in Salt Lake City 15 years ago from Belgium to work in the brine shrimp harvesting business--at the Great Salt Lake.
Despite the beauty of Bruges and the over abundance of quaintness found there, Pierre plans on staying on Salt Lake City for a long time to come.
Pierre's waffles and fries are definatley worth the wait. The Chocolate Gaufre is a waffle hand dipped in belgium chocolate and it's an delicious desert treat. Pierre's shop is sure to be another great Salt Lake city institution like his neighbors just East of his shop: Caputo's Market and Carlucci's Bakery.
click to read more Farmers Market Success Stories
In Other Pioneer Park Neighboorhood News:
Volk Coffee shop has closed after 5 years in business. A sign on the door from Diego, thanks his loyal customers. Diego is good man who is known and liked by everybody. I know many Salt Lake City residents (including myself) are sad to see him go and wish him the best of luck.
Big City Soup around the corner from Volk is also closed due to economic conditions.
According to many area business owners the cameras in Pioneer Park have completely stoped the drug trade in the park. Chris Tolsma of Bingham cyclery says the drug trade moved a few blocks away but at least now Bingham can allow bicycle test runs and now worry about bikejacking.
Read another downtown Salt Lake City business success story »
Reader Comments
Karla G
I remember the waffle smell from the farmer's market! Where is the restaurant located?
re: Karla Bruges is located at 336 West Broadway (just west of Caputo's Market)
