Funk ‘n Waffles

I heard such great things. Couldn’t wait to go. My daughter and I got the chicken and waffles. Now I understand it was a Sunday night, BUT four frozen pre breaded chicken wings over an ok waffle. COME ON! I don’t know if its better on the SU hill. But downtown was disappointing

Buy yourself a Brownie waffle with creame, blueberry & caramel– you’ll be glad you did! Visit Funk & Waffles Crouse, not Downtown– Downtown Funk has some snotty employees that are more worried about taking a smoke break than customer service.

Hipster central lol. Confusing format with the counter ordering (no signs to direct first timers on how to proceed as to seating themselves or waiting, whether or not a server is coming around, etc.) It really seems like they want you to be confused so that only regulars will know what to do here and thus feel all cool and special or something. The confusion started things out on the wrong foot for me.
The atmosphere of the place was non-​existent. The coffee/​tea bar combined with mostly bare walls, high ceilings, and hard, fast food type booths made it very loud, and the band sound checking on the bar side (separated by a curtain, what?) didn’t help.
The service was also pretty absent, as you’re given a pager and are meant to pick your food up at the counter when it’s ready. Ordered an iced tea to go along with my meal. It was ready and sat on the counter for a while before I asked if it was mine. Would have been nice for the barista to actually let me know when it was ready, I was sitting there thirsty for a while. I’ve waited a lot of tables in busy places in my time, and honestly don’t understand why the guy behind the counter couldn’t function as a server in addition to making the occasional coffee or tea drink and checking his phone. There were only about 10 booths in the dining room, if that.
The food wasn’t bad by any means, but it was just… blah. My guy had the chicken and waffles, which came with chicken wings. Weird, as everywhere I’ve had chicken and waffles or heard of it, the chicken has always been in strip form. Who wants to pick up chicken wings with their hands to eat with syrupy waffle? It didn’t make much sense to us. I had the monte cristo waffle, which was a waffle. With ham. And cheese. And a fried egg. Nothing special that couldn’t have made at home for myself. Oh, and also… no sodas? Really could have used a Coke!
Overall, we were unimpressed and felt this place has been overhyped. Happy that some like it, but we wouldn’t go back.

Really cool place! Was a little confusing since it is set up in a line to register format and yet they give you a menu. Definitely designed for frequent customers. Menu is exotic and unique. The atmosphere is fresh and feels like a coffee house in Portland. Food is fresh and filling. Worth checking out!

Overrated! As a student at Syracuse, I’ve eaten much better waffles at the dining halls. There is nothing special about this place. It’s also dark and dirty.
Quick story: took 25+ (yes, 25) minutes one Saturday morning from the time I ordered to time I had my waffle. And the employees didn’t even update me on the status of my waffle.

Great atmosphere, and a good place to try an assortment of waffles and sandwiches alike. Highlights of the meal were the savory egg and waffle sandwich. If you are not feeling too adventurous they still make great home style waffles.

It was ok a little scary walking down into the place. they had a old dingy couch that looked like it was crawling with bed bugs the waffles u had a egg and cheese waffle it was ok would much rather of had a plain waffle with fruit my son had a chocolate waffle and it was dry and was as if they used brownie batter to make it and my boyfriend had the chicken and waffles and it did not sit well in his stomach and he ended up in the bathroom several times! We can add this place to the list of restaurants we will not be visiting again !

This is my second time at this location and I’m unimpressed… Our syrup at the table had a bug in it, one of the guys up front was nice enough to exchange it for the real maple syrup (you’d normally have to pay for). When I got my waffle it had flour clots all in it, from not mixing the waffle mix throughly. Basically I could buy a box of waffle mix and make better waffles than Funk N Waffles … It’s a waste of 7 – 12 dollars … The staff is friendly that’s why I gave it 2 star — the food is like a 1.

Sweet, savory, simple, or creative. At Funk ‘n Waffles, you are the waffle master and you won’t leave disappointed. I recommend coming with at least another person so you guys can swap halves and try out each others’ orders (this is my favorite thing to do at a restaurant).
As we all know, Funk ‘n Waffles is most famous for their CHICKEN AND WAFFLES (whoever started this chicken and waffles trend, you are a genius). The buttermilk waffle batter is made right here in-​house, and the chicken batter is also made from recycled materials from the buttermilk (the chicken is actually marinated in buttermilk overnight). Just watch the video from Guy Fieri at Food Network to find out more about the process!
Chicken and waffles: must eat. It comes hot and crispy. Slather it with syrup. Act quick because it’s SO GOOD when it’s hot. Don’t be afraid to get your hands sticky for this one — it’s totally worth it.
Other recommendations: the brownie waffle. This is a very unique, crispy waffle made from a brownie. CAUTION: avoid getting the whole waffle, as it can become insanely sweet after half a waffle.
Also, anything with peanut butter and banana. Add whipped cream if you dare.
I took off a star because of long (BUT DEFINITELY WORTH) waits, and inconsistency in the crispiness of the buttermilk waffle.
ALSO ALSO, check out their live-​performance schedule. They often have live music here from various artists, and although I’ve never checked it out myself, I’ve only heard positive things about it.

I’ve heard great things about this place and we decided to check it out for a breakfast date. Once I got over the creepy entrance of going downstairs into a basement and the mild stench of a dumpster, I was pleasantly surprised with the inside of this place. They have a great selection of waffles, I went for a basic one with strawberries and bananas. My husband tried the pulled pork waffle, he seemed to like it. We also tried the bacon egg and cheese sangwich. The breakfast sangwich was so-​so, kinda missing something. The waffle was tasty, and I should have tried a more creative one… I would probably go again, but only for a waffle craving.

As a fan of the food network, I take their research and advise into serious consideration. So, 2 nights ago, this restaurant was featured with its signature waffle dish. We had something special to celebrate and called in for 2 special turkey waffle meals. With great anticipation, we started immediately when we returned and… what a great disappointment!!!
The waffle tasted 2 days old and was incredible dry, we had maybe 2 thin slices of turkey and mashed potatoes with gravy. EVERYTHING was bland (no spices at all). I am considering to challenge the food network about their initial review which obviously was freshly prepared.
NEVER AGAIN!!! We lost $ 28 for the two meals!!!

Something happened right about the time of opening the downtown location. The quality of the food decreased. Call me crazy, but I’ve been to the Funk ever since it opened up. Way back when in 2007 or 2008 it was the founders Adam and Kyle behind the counter, making the waffles. Not to be an «ist» or anything, but now its a group of funk-​ish (meh) dressing hipsters (that seem to populate every starbucks and café staff the world over) that don’t seem to know what they are doing. There is an art to the waffle iron.
Also, a long-​standing complaint and shortcoming in my opinion is not being able to select the level of browning of the waffle. Some of us like it golden brown with a nice solid crust on the outside. The waffles we were served just the other day were barely done and mushy inside and out, like a sponge. The bacon stuffed waffle essentially had bacon bits, of questionable origin. For the price, It should have a whole slice of nitrate-​free, hormone free, locally sources bacon (like from the Piggery! of Ithaca for example).
My chicken wing waffle had six chicken wings that were considerably smaller than have been in the past with excess batter. (almost more batter than chicken).
My girlfriend, a veritable maple syrup connoisseur, suspects (well, she’d say she is certain) that the syrup bottles that were once authentic maple syrup are now at least half corn syrup.
Needless to say it was disappointing.
Lastly, it was Sunday morning. I wanted a brunch atmosphere, not Friday night 11pm volume. Whoever is managing on those mornings might be partly the main culprit here, but the place is certainly trying to cut costs. Is the downtown location draining the coffers? I really don’t care.
Is this the legacy of the once great Funk N Waffles? Expecting our expectations to drop and our taste buds to be numb?
I’m sorry to give this place a 2 stars, but that’s where it is right now.

Late Sunday morning wanted something different for breakfast/​brunch. Thanks to Unilocal,I discovered the University campus wasn’t the only location! Hungry I gave it my first try. Intent to photo my chicken and waffles experience was good, but the food disappeared from my plate before I could wipe the stickiness of sauce and syrup from my hands and grab my phone to take a pic. I will try harder next time. Need I say more?

We had a great experience here… I think it was just what we were looking for.
Great food, great coffee, and something relatively quick to send us on our way as soon as we were done eating. I love places like this that toe the line between being a sit down eatery, but theres no waitresses or check to wait on, so you can really leave as soon as you are done.
The musical décor was really fun and inviting! A nice way for us to wake up. We were a little skeptical walking in the store at first because you had to walk down a creep flight of stairs to a basement looking restaurant. But it was worth it.
I got the lavender latte which was on point! The waffles… those damn waffles… those were just insane. I got the thanksgiving platter waffle which was all kinds of epic. I loved the way they sliced the turkey on top of the waffle, just the way I like it! My fiancé got a more dessert flavored waffle which he really liked as well. However, I can see why the Thanksgiving waffle is so famous. The gravy, mash potatoes, AND a stuffing flavored waffle is really all it is cracked up to be!

The first time I went I was a little disappointed. I had the nuttela and banana waffle and was underwhelmed. I realize now that I was just playing it too safe. Ordered the Monte Christo more recently, and loved it. My advice is to try something outside of the box, otherwise it will just be a boring waffle you could make at home.

Learned about this place while my sister shopped at Manny’s for Syracuse University gear. As it was in a basement, I was a little hesitant, but the concept seemed too good to pass up. They have a great concept, helped along with the way they set up the space and the sharp graphics on the menu board. The menu has half sweet options and half savory options. You can order a half or whole waffle. Most of the food has names based on funk songs and artists.
I went with a half Bootsy Brunch, a «bacon-​stuffed» buttermilk waffle with eggs and cheddar cheese. This one is a little like a breakfast sandwich, with the waffle as the bread. This also means a half waffle looks more like a quarter. The waffle tasted pretty average and dry. I could barely tell there was cheese on it.
My sister had a half Chicken & Waffles, which came with chicken wings. The wings had a great breading and came with a cup of dipping sauce that was a little sweet but with a kick. My sister also thought the waffle syrup had no flavor. I could tell it was supposed to be maple, but it was nothing special.
I wish I had this place near me in Florida to try other varieties, but my first impression was mixed. If I’m walking away thinking the chicken wings are the best thing in a waffle spot, something might not be going well.

I was expecting so much more. When I went to the site and saw the menu I strategically planned this into our travel itinerary. Must. Get. Funky. Waffles. I repeated it in my head and got SO excited as we approached. Walking in I was pumped, the atmosphere was cool and the artwork on the walls was even cooler. Funk music played non stop and you could even buy records in the front hall.
I didn’t realize it was counter service. I think this place would be doing themselves a favor if they ran it with wait staff. It reminded me of a small version of Melt… But with waffles. Anyway, the people there were great but the food just left something to be desired. It was good. But not that good.
I had the Bacon, Brie, and Basil. The buttermilk waffle was big and tasty. Don’t get me wrong, it was good, but I don’t think it was necessarily worth the travel. Maybe I just need to try one of the dessert ones. I don’t know. But I do know I could’ve made this the same, if not better, in my own kitchen.

Funk and waffles made known by diners, drive ins and dives… and of course I had to go. Funk and waffles is hidden down an alley and at basement level. I detected a hint of urine in the stairwell but it is a college town and it comes with the territory.
You go in and stand in line to order. so many things to choose from. After you order you wait for a table to open. Nothing fancy about this place just good waffles. The only thing I really had an issue with was the carpet in the place. I wonder if its ever been cleaned?

The florentine waffle is a great idea, but it is poorly executed. There is very little smoked salmon on the waffle even though the picture shows a nice filet. Further, the waffle is very soft. I’m a fan of a sturdier waffle.
Great place to eat once, but I don’t think it is good enough to return.

Ate here after looking it up on Triple D, which is what I do when we travel.
First of it is hard to find, but good things often are. It’s a funky place kinda in a basement level area at the end of an alley I college town Syracuse. We didn’t know the rules and went and sat first not knowing there were no waiters. Figured it out quick though. I got the chicken and waffle (½) GF got a ½ with Bree and bacon, the. We split a ½ buckwheat and blue berry.
Mine was fantastic accompanied with their sauce, glad I got a half but could have eaten two whole ones it was that good. She loved hers and the one we split was pretty good too.
Can’t wait to get back there and have them again.