One of Portland’s Best Waffle Spots Has Closed Permanently on SE Clinton

Fans of the crisp, sugary liège waffles from Off the Waffle will have to make the 100-mile drive to Eugene — the Portland location, a mainstay on SE Clinton since 2014, has permanently closed.

The restaurant hasn’t made any announcement on its site or social media, but owner Omer Orian confirmed that the location has called it quits on SE Clinton. The Register Guard, the newspaper of note in Eugene, reported that the Portland location has “closed permanently because of COVID-19,” and the space is entirely stripped empty, including any signage inside or out.

“It’s truly for the best,” says Off the Waffle owner Omer Orian. “Right now, it just makes sense for us as a business to focus on one location.” Orian also vaguely attributed the closure to a fraught relationship with his landlord, but that the company may open another Portland location by the end of next winter. “I seek relationships with landlords that are more mutually beneficial,” Orian says. “I had an opportunity to get out and I’m glad I did... I hope to find a restaurant that is better equipped to serve more people.” Portlanders looking for an Off the Waffle in 2020, however, can order frozen waffles, fruit, breakfast basics, and tea through the restaurant’s website, for Friday delivery.

Since the Orian family started selling waffles out of a house in Eugene in 2009, Off the Waffle has been popular for its signature liège waffles, with a crispy exterior dotted with sugar and a flaky interior. The loaded waffles are offered sweet, savory, or something in between, with toppings like chèvre with eggs and avocado, pear with brie and onion jam, or Nutella and banana. While the store is permanently closed, its location in downtown Eugene remains open with a new burger program called Theseburgers. Its South Eugene shop is closed indefinitely.

• Off the Waffle [Official]
• Longtime dream of making burgers converts downtown Eugene’s Off the Waffle to dual eatery [RG]