Brussels Street Food
I came with a mission. As it is obvious, my motive for
travel is food. And it just so happens that Brussels is known for a few key
items. I only had 24 hours to hit up some mussels, waffles, chocolate, and
fries. As my quest begins, I can’t help but feel like I’m on the Amazing Race…
another dream of mine!
After checking into our hotel, we stroll around the Grand
Place in search of lunch. We browse through the narrow back streets filled with
endless restaurants, and settle on one with patio seating and a list of
specials displayed for €10.
Once seated, we were given menus with entrees overpriced at €25-35 each. Our waiter
attempts to take our order several times and each time we are unsure, so he
reluctantly gives us a list of specials and pre fixes. Finally,
we are given the €10 specials! For €10 I had a beer with a
pot of mussels and fries. Though I was more than happy with the deal, I was not
happy with the service. In addition to ordering one plate of garlic bread and
receiving five instead, we were given the punishment of record-breaking slow
service for ordering off the tourist menu. But we did, after all, choose a
restaurant in the Times Square of Brussels. What did we expect?
During the first half of the day there was off and on rain.
What better reason to stop for a Belgian beer? We popped into a bar near the
Grand Place and I had Chimay blue served in a goblet, just as I like! The rest
of our day is spent touring the city by foot, going in and out of chocolate
shops, and a stopping for a photo-op at the Atomium.
As day turned to night, we still needed to fulfill two more
cravings. We stopped for Belgian fries at a traditional frites shop. They were
twice fried, sprinkled with salt, and served in a cone with the sauce of your choosing
on piled on top. We chose curry ketchup and spicy American sauce from the
extensive list on the wall. No sooner we dogged the fries, we were next door
for Belgian waffles. They were freshly made and topped with nutella, whipped
cream, bananas, and strawberries. The utensil situation wasn’t ideal, as the
fork doubled as a knife for righty’s. Us lefty’s were left tearing it apart
with a fork and finger like savages. Nutella dripping everywhere. Nutella
massacre. You get the visual.
Needless to say, that was our dinner in Brussels and it was
fulfilling. I have achieved all my Belgian food goals and I’m ready to move on
to the next city….
Those waffles look awesome!
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