Tiabi Coffee & Waffle
“Snickers” Iced Coffee
Lollies – Red Velvet, Nutella & Almonds
Kisses – Sliced strawberries, chocolate drizzle and whipped cream, served Belgian style
Viva Las Elvis – Bananas, peanut butter, chopped bacon and honey
Honey I’m Home – Vegan Churronimo waffle tossed in cinnamon and sugar topped with vanilla ice cream and honey
Tucked away in a small strip mall off Maryland Parkway and dotted with cute décor plus paintings from local artists it was alongside two friends that I sat down for a midday snack at Tiabi Coffee & Waffles and as much as I really wanted to like the kitschy little spot and their menu of made-to-order takes on the European classic our experience could best be described as mixed, an effect of dogmatic rules regarding the use of discounts and coupons alongside batters that proved utterly unremarkable, the toppings alone serving to save the day in the case of standard and $1-upcharged “Belgian” options, both. Apparently named as an acronym of the underlying motto “to inspire and be inspired” with free WiFi and an innovative drink list including a rich caramel and cocoa infused iced coffee for myself plus a heavily praised honey cream iced latte for my friend it was after only a few moments of indecision that our order was placed and chatting while we waited the tasting soon began with a duo of $2.50 “lollies,” the single strips of spongy dough pressed between hot metal proving paltry in portion and largely flavorless save for the sweet finishing drizzle that unfortunately warned of things to come. Entirely eschewing savories in favor of items far more sweet it was after perhaps a twenty minute wait that our proper order arrived and beginning first with a doughy Belgian topped with fresh berries beneath artificial tasting chocolate I quickly turned my attention to the alternatives, the Elvis faring a bit better by balancing sweet and savory over a slightly more study base while the “Honey I’m Home” proved the best of bunch in its sugar-crisp coating overlying a somewhat dense crumb – its “veganism” thoroughly compromised by honey and ice cream but the result all the better for it.
TWO STARS: Undersized, underflavored, and generally underwhelming I’d like to think that perhaps my impression of Tiabi Coffee & Waffles was simply a matter of personal tastes but having experienced far better selections just that morning at Waffles Café plus several additional options ranging from Liege to Brussels throughout the Valley I simply cannot think of a reason I’d rush back to Tiabi except to use up the rest of my gift certificates, a fact that at least makes me grateful for the free WiFi and clever coffees plus a soundtrack that ranged from Interpol to Skynyrd during the course of our hour-long stay.
RECOMMENDED: Honey I’m Home, Iced Coffee
AVOID: Chocolate Sauce, Overpriced Lollies, and the doughy $1 Belgian Upgrade. Take note also that cake pops and cookies are not made in house.
TIP: For those using Yelp! Check-Ins, GroupOn, or gift certificates bought through SMA’s charity event earlier this year be wary of the verbiage and realize that there is good chance every patron will have to pay separate in order to reap the benefits, even if you are all clearly sitting together and sharing the bounty.
Note: Both “lollies” were free based on our Yelp! Check-Ins, but a third was declined as one of us did not purchase a ‘separate’ item outside the three waffle order.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor
