While a post-blueberry America's pancakes languish, Belgium's bold advancements in waffle technology have made waffles the second most valid currency in the European Union. Today's Groupon gives you ample reason to finally let go of that Eggo. For $5, you get $10 worth of authentic, straight-outta-Liége waffles—plus crêpes, coffee, and more—at Taste of Belgium in North Market.

Taste of Belgium follows an authentic family recipe to make its waffles out of thick dough and coarse Belgian beet sugar. A specialized cast-iron press then crushes the dough into its distinctive waffle shape and caramelizes the sugar in the process. This gives the waffle a rich vanilla flavor and a delightful sweetness that doesn't require syrup. As such, you can eat waffles on the go without plates, forks, or Catholic guilt.

Stop by Taste of Belgium's new bigger-and-better North Market location and order your Belgian waffle plain ($3.50), as they do in the waffleful motherland. Otherwise, get it smothered in whipped cream with fruit or chocolate ($4.50). They all pair beautifully with the eatery's delicate espresso blend of fair-trade Ethiopian, Indian, Sumatran, and Ugandan beans, which you can get as espresso ($1.75) or cappuccino ($2.75). Other sweet, sugary breakfast options include dessert crêpes ($5.00) such as banana and Nutella, caramel, or aromatic lavender. If you're more in a lunchy mood, try a lunch crêpe ($6.50), or "galette," such as the Traditional (egg, smoked ham, and gruyere cheese) or the Vegetarian (roasted red peppers, goat cheese, baby spinach, and balsamic glaze). If you can't eat it all in one go, take it home. Belgian waffles have a seven-day shelf life and are easily reheated in a toaster or microwave, and less easily in a butter churn.

Valid at North Market location only.

Reviews

American Way magazine, Short North Gazette, TasteCasting, and Breakfast With Nick have all featured Taste of Belgium, saying:

• Baked in a special cast-iron skillet, the dough handmade in small batches, [owner Jean-François] Flechet’s waffle is a perfectly dense, caramelized, sugarlike glazed confection, which he offers in seasonal flavors (cinnamon apple for winter, pumpkin for fall) and topped with fresh whipped cream, chocolate, or fresh fruit. It’s an intoxicating snack that practically guarantees repeat customers. – Kari Wethington, American Way
• They offer coffee drinks to compliment their food items. When I evaluate an establishment’s coffee, I first try a shot of espresso. I found their espresso the best I have had in Columbus. It was not the least bit bitter and the crème was light brown and uniform. Another TasteCaster had a cappuccino and said it was superb. – TasteCasting

Yelpers give Taste of Belgium four stars, and one Google Mapper gives it five. Eighty percent of Urbanspooners recommend it:

• Columbus is lucky to have a vendor of these sweet, crispy, delicious Liege waffles at the North Market. – Arlene, Google Maps