The Bay Area’s only fried chicken and waffle truck, The Waffle Roost, was founded by Justin Funamura in the Summer of 2013. His passion behind this venture was quite simple: to serve the Bay Area with the finest fried chicken and waffles. Justin spent 6 years working as a manager in the food industry before deciding to fulfill his dream of starting a food truck.
Funamura spent quite some time working to perfect his recipe for Belgian style yeast waffles. He ultimately ended up adding a bit of a twist by rolling the waffles in raw sugar as they are taken off the hot waffle iron. This touch of sweetness delightfully compliments his unique recipe for spicy buttermilk fried chicken. The fried chicken, specifically, is cooked and made to order to ensure optimal crispiness. As a whole, Justin uses mostly locally sourced ingredients to prepare his menu items and takes prides in the high quality items that the truck serves daily.
A popular menu item I’ve ordered on countless occasions is “The Stack.” This dish is a gem of a sandwich that consists of buttermilk fried chicken, a runny fried egg, bacon and a drizzle of honey, between a split waffle. For maximum enjoyment, I highly recommend indulging in this sandwich as soon as it comes off the truck, as the flavors are best appreciated while it’s still warm and crispy. The touch of honey really does make a flavorful impact!
If you’re out with a few friends and you’re in a sharing and sampling mood, the “Poppin’ Combo” is an ideal choice. You’ll get a plate of bite-sized portions of chicken and waffles, as well as a side of maple syrup for dipping. Don’t be fooled by the description because this menu item consists of the same portion of meat that you’ll find on any of their sandwiches.
For those of you with a sweet tooth, they have a dessert waffle menu that will meet all of your sweet needs and cravings. You have option of covering your waffle with bacon and caramel; fresh fruit and whipped cream; or dark chocolate and almonds. Of all of their flavors the “Churro Waffle” is where it’s at! The recipe was originally created as a one time special offer for a Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival they participated in, but it ended up being an immediate hit and the waffle landed a permanent spot on the main menu.
Presently, you can find The Waffle Roost Truck in the East Bay and South Bay in various markets or catering private events. They are expecting 2016 to be a massive year for them, as they recently purchased a second truck and expect to have it up and running very soon. This expansion will allow Justin and his team to meet their high demands for catering events, as well as give them the ability to operate in San Francisco.
To find out where The Waffle Roost is parked, and to inquire about catering inquiries, click here.
-Bay Area Contributor, Brian Chan
