The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views of Spoon University.
Nothing beats waking up to the warm, sugary smell of baking waffles in the morning. The aroma evokes memories of bright winter mornings, cold wood floors met with fuzzy slippers and my mom with hot coffee lounging by the kitchen counter. I remember the excitement of decking out my waffle with the most extravagant toppings I could find – chocolate chips, blueberries, strawberries, sprinkles, whipped cream and all the syrups you could imagine.
These days, I don’t eat waffles too often. Though I know I can always grab one from the dining hall, the temptation is few and far between. Nothing really seems to hit that craving for those childhood waffles, no matter how much syrup I drench it in.
Not until I tried Curio Coffee.
On the Hunt for Coffee, I found … Waffles?
At first, I was just looking for another good coffee shop. I’ve found so many in Boston that I wanted to broaden my horizons across the river. While perusing lists of never-ending coffee recommendations in Cambridge, I stumbled upon the highly-regarded Curio Coffee. They source their beans from Broadsheet Coffee Roasters, also located in Cambridge, which I already knew I loved. Curio Coffee seemed unique in that it doubles as a waffle shop. So, I figured although I can’t replace that feeling of waking up to the smell of my mom’s waffles, maybe I can find the next best thing.
The Shop
It was 10 am on a Saturday morning when I stepped foot in Curio Coffee, just 15 minutes from the Kendall/MIT MBTA Station. I came there with just one thing in mind – I needed some coffee. Of course, I was also excited to try the waffles, but they weren’t my priority.
Located at 441 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA, Curio Coffee’s black-painted exterior distinguishes itself from the brick buildings surrounding it. It’s a small shop, with no more than five two-person tables and a short counter of bar seating. The warm air, forest green walls and natural decorations give the shop a comforting feel. The room was filled with customers, but it wasn’t bustling, and the line was only a few people long.
Upon entering, my roommate and I walked up to the limited menu and began to discuss. Their sesame chocolate waffle was sold out, leaving their famous “liege waffle” and seasonal “stuffing waffle” remaining. Although I have never been a fan of stuffing, the smell of the room was nearly causing me to drool. The intoxicating aroma of Thanksgiving spices and sweet buttery bread was calling my name, so I decided to give it a shot.
The Order
I ordered the stuffing waffle and a cappuccino “for here” and my roommate followed suit. As a seasonal item, the waffle I ordered was a little pricier than the others at $6.50. Although it was reasonable, if it had cost less, I probably would have bought a dozen.
We sat down at a table with a perfect view of the waffle production. Behind the counter, the employees were churning out the waffles with efficiency and attentiveness, while the person at the register maintained friendly conversation with regulars. The aura of the shop was not just cozy in physicality, but the countenance of the staff and their customers was intoxicating. My roommate and I felt right at home.
The Glorious “Stuffing Waffle”
We only waited about six minutes before our coffees and freshly baked waffles were brought out. They were piping hot in our hands, but the smell was so enticing we couldn’t wait for them to cool down. We may have burnt our tongues, but I would do it all again. On the first bite, the crispy outer layer of the waffle broke into a steaming, soft center. The dough itself was mildly sweet – no syrup around here – and bursting with comforting fall spices. Little pieces of celery, carrot, and herbs were visible throughout the waffle, incorporated evenly into the dough itself. This waffle had exceeded all of my expectations and it even distracted me from my coffee (which was also delicious).
My roommate and I sat gloating over our decision to order the stuffing waffles, feeling a sense of triumph over this hidden gem we had discovered. On the walk to the train station, the entire train ride back and for the rest of the day, all I could think about was how incredible that waffle had been. Sure, it couldn’t replace those memories of sickeningly sweet waffles at home, but it gave me a new feeling to long for: how I wish I could eat Curio’s stuffing waffle for the first time again.
Curio Coffee switches up its seasonal menu items every so often, so I don’t know how long this one will be there. Once it’s removed from the menu, I’ll try their traditional flavors, but until then, I will show up as often as I can to get that stuffing waffle. I suggest you do the same.