San Francisco - January 22, 2008

Do You Know the Waffle Men?

Waffle Mania Truck

You’ve hopped on a few bandwagons and fallen (ungracefully) off others.

Here’s one you’ll want to jump and stay on: the Belgian waffle wagon.

The white Waffle Mania truck is now serving its addictive snacks on Wednesdays at the Civic Center Farmers Market.

The handheld honeycomb cakes are made with special dough (not batter) imported from Belgium and pressed on a waffle maker the owners brought back from Brussels 27 years ago. The secret ingredient that gives the cakes their caramelized, crusty texture — a perfect counterpoint to the soft, chewy inside — is beet sugar.

Do as the Belgians do: Eat them plain and simple. If you must, they can be smothered in Nutella or powdered sugar.

Plans are in the works for a permanent home in North Beach.

Someone alert the welcome wagon.

Waffle Mania, Civic Center Farmers Market, 1182 Market Street, between Eighth and Grove Streets. Wednesdays, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, call 510-604-3009.