Don't sleep on Wake Up and Waffle

VERMILION — Looking at the menu, many people might waffle over what to get. It's a good problem to have, according to the owners of a restaurant recently expanding to its second location in Erie County. Wake Up and Waffle opened up at 5693 Liberty Ave. (U.S. 6). It's across the street from Ritter Public Library. While originally a sit-down breakfast restaurant in downtown Sandusky, its first location, the Vermilion site breaches new territory, creating a concession-stand-style version of the popular eatery. Compared to Sandusky, Vermilion's menu is generally similar, featuring chicken and waffles, Cuban sandwiches and strawberry-topped waffles. But Vermilion's menu caters to its concession stand-like setup. It is, however, "pared down" in order to focus more on waffle items and sandwiches, and less on traditional sit-down breakfast meals, restaurant co-owner Lauren Krueger said. "The reception, so far to the Vermilion location has been fantastic," said Krueger, who runs the restaurant with her sister, Kristie Ward. "People are really curious about it. We've gotten great feedback, and people seem to like having something new and different in town." Vermilion manager Christina Hostler echoed Krueger's sentiments. "The reception has been good. People seem to like it," she said. "It's in a great location because tourists always stop to take pictures by the Vermilion sign and then a lot of times they'll stay to check us out." Right now, people can visit the Vermilion location from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. "It kind of just fell into our lap," Krueger said. "A friend had purchased the already-existing building and offered it to us. And it was perfect because Vermilion has a really good crossover of clientele, just like Sandusky does: a mix of boaters, locals, and tourists. It has a very vacationy, nostalgic feel."