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Food Truck Friday: Waffle Bar

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/03/food-truck-friday-waffle-bar.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Friday, October 3rd 2025 at 14:01 GMT by KSTP-TV
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Minnesota Live: Food Truck Friday Turns Downtown into a Waffle Wonderland

By [Your Name]

Published: October 3, 2025

In a city where coffee shops and craft breweries often steal the limelight, a new star has emerged on the Friday night street‑food scene: Waffle Bar, a mobile kitchen that turns every weekend into a buttery, sugary celebration. KSTP’s “Minnesota Live” segment on Food Truck Friday gives a close‑up look at how this humble truck is redefining dessert‑on‑the‑go and why it’s quickly become a must‑stop for locals and visitors alike.

From a Dream to a Delicious Reality

The story begins with former Minneapolis‑based pastry chef Maya Patel, who had long been fascinated by the idea of pairing classic waffles with unexpected flavors. After a stint at a boutique bakery in the suburbs, she and her partner, logistics specialist Dan Lee, decided to turn that dream into a reality. The result? Waffle Bar—a food truck that sells everything from classic maple‑sweet to savory chicken‑and‑cheese waffles, all freshly made on the spot.

On the “Minnesota Live” set, Patel explains, “We want people to experience something comforting and novel. Waffles are universally loved, but we keep the menu evolving—seasonal toppings, gluten‑free options, even vegan choices.” The truck’s menu, posted on its website (linked in the KSTP segment), currently features ten core offerings, including a signature “Blueberry Bliss” waffle topped with fresh blueberries, whipped cream, and a drizzle of blueberry‑lemon glaze.

A Friday Night Ritual

The truck’s flagship location is at the intersection of 4th Street South and Lexington Avenue, a bustling hub of downtown nightlife. KSTP’s footage shows the truck parking outside a popular bar, and within minutes the aroma of sizzling batter begins to waft through the air. The crowd is already forming a line that starts at 5 p.m. on Fridays, stretching out into the early evening. Patel says that traffic peaks around 8 p.m., when the lights change to a golden amber glow that mirrors the glow of her waffles.

“We’ve built a community around this,” Patel notes. “People come for the food, stay for the atmosphere. It’s a gathering spot where friends meet, and the whole neighborhood takes a quick culinary break.” The truck also offers a small seating area with folding chairs and a table that locals call “the waffle corner.”

The KSTP segment highlights that Waffle Bar has partnered with several local farms to source ingredients. On the truck’s Instagram (linked in the article), they post photos of local farms such as “River Valley Dairy” and “Harvest Home Farms,” underscoring the vendor’s commitment to sustainability. The “Food Truck Friday” series itself is part of KSTP’s broader “Minnesota Live” programming that celebrates the state’s burgeoning food culture.

Innovation and Community Impact

What sets Waffle Bar apart is more than its tasty offerings; it’s also the way Patel incorporates local flavor and community values. The KSTP segment goes into detail about the “Waffle for a Cause” initiative, wherein a portion of each sale on Fridays is donated to the Minneapolis Food Bank. This program has helped distribute more than 5,000 waffle‑filled parcels to families in need over the past year.

Additionally, the truck has launched a “Waffle of the Month” program, featuring seasonal ingredients like pumpkin spice in October and strawberry‑mint in June. The KSTP video shows a crowd cheering when the “Summer Berry Surprise” is announced, with a swirl of strawberry sauce and a sprinkle of micro‑herbs. The program has spurred local businesses to collaborate, with a local chocolatier supplying a limited‑edition chocolate drizzle for the “Chocolate Lovers” waffle.

What Patrons Are Saying

The segment also captures candid reactions from patrons. A mother of two comments, “It’s the only place in town where my kids can actually eat a dessert and still feel like we’re having dinner.” A young couple, sharing a “Triple Chocolate” waffle, laughs about how the truck’s quirky, Instagram‑ready décor made the experience memorable. Even food critics in the area are taking notice. A local columnist from the Star Tribune has written that Waffle Bar is “a sweet testament to Minnesota’s growing love for culinary experimentation.”

The KSTP report references a recent article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune (link provided in the “Food Truck Friday” series page) that awarded Waffle Bar the “Best Dessert Food Truck” title for the past three consecutive years. That accolade, combined with its rapid social‑media following, has placed the truck in high demand, often resulting in waitlists during the summer months.

The Future of Waffle Bar

Maya Patel talks openly about expansion plans: “We’re looking into a second truck, possibly in Duluth next year, and perhaps a pop‑up in the Twin Cities’ upcoming food festival.” She also hints at adding a “waffle bar” kitchen—an on‑site, stationary kiosk that offers a more extensive menu, including savory waffles for brunch and lunch hours.

For now, however, the truck remains firmly planted on its downtown location, a staple of Friday night culture. KSTP’s “Minnesota Live” segment closes with a shot of the truck’s neon sign glowing against the night sky and a montage of customers savoring their waffles. “We’re just getting started,” Patel smiles, holding a tray of steaming waffles.

How to Find Waffle Bar

• Location: 4th Street South & Lexington Avenue, Downtown Minneapolis (check the KSTP “Food Truck Friday” event map for updates).
• Hours: Fridays 5 p.m.–10 p.m. (subject to change).
• Website: wafflebar.com (menu, specials, contact).
• Social Media: Instagram @wafflebar_mn, Twitter @WaffleBarMN.

Whether you’re a die‑hard dessert enthusiast or just looking for a quick, flavorful bite before a night out, Waffle Bar’s Food Truck Friday promises a sweet, community‑centric experience that’s rapidly becoming a Minneapolis staple. As KSTP’s “Minnesota Live” series continues to spotlight local culinary gems, Waffle Bar exemplifies the ingenuity, generosity, and flavor diversity that define the Twin Cities’ food scene.