Celebrate National Waffle Day August 24 and 25 at Prairie Grass Cafe in Northbrook

August 24, 2013 is National Waffle Day. If you've been craving an exquisitely warm and delicious waffle, now is the time to head to Prairie Grass Cafe (601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, 847-205-4433) because this remarkable North Shore restaurant is celebrating National Waffle Day this weekend, August 24 and 25. It's well worth the drive to enjoy chef/owners Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris, two of Chicago's most highly regarded culinary stars, preparing waffles, which are among their favorite treats.

Prairie Grass Cafe's Peaches & Ice Cream Waffle features the tastiest local peaches from "Mick Klug Farm & Orchard," topped with a scoop of homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream ($11) while the Caramel Banana Waffle is a fluffy Belgium-style waffle with brûléed banana and salted caramel sauce ($10), both available on the Cafe's brunch menu.

Did you know that the first waffles originated in Ancient Greece?  The Greeks would cook flat cakes called "obelios" between two metal pans held over a fire. It only stands to reason that Prairie Grass Cafe wants you to celebrate with your family and friends.

Waffles, as we've come to enjoy, are called American waffles and vary greatly from their Greek ancestors.

Waffles in North America date back to 1869 when a man named Cornelius Swartwout received the first U.S. patent for a waffle iron. They were popularized in the United States during the 1964 New York World's Fair by Maurice Vermersch of Brussels, Belgium, and was named the Bel-Gem Waffle.

Despite its name, the "Belgian waffle" doesn't exist in Belgium. There, a somewhat similar waffle is called the Brussels waffle. Brussels waffles in Belgium are hard and crisp on the outside as opposed to a traditional North American variety which uses a lighter batter.
 
Call Prairie Grass Cafe (847-205-4433) to secure for a reservation for this weekend and celebrate!