À La Waffle - Los Alamitos

This review has been sitting in my Yelp drafts for months. Each time we visit, it gets better than the last, which truly indicates excellence. The owners are very friendly, the small space is kept immaculate, their water is refreshing, and the waffles are absolutely amazing! You should definitely run—don't walk—to Ala Waffle!

This dessert place is absolutely charming! I really love the cozy atmosphere and the ambient lighting. The idea of a late-night waffle shop combined with other sweets is such a unique concept. We tried the banberry pie waffle topped with vanilla ice cream, and it was delicious! The waffle was light and crispy, and it wasn’t overly sweet. The banberry sauce was incredibly fresh and had just the right amount of tartness, which complemented the waffle perfectly. Additionally, during our visit, it was impressive to see that the shop was run by just one woman, who I believe was the owner. Despite the place being quite busy, she efficiently handled taking orders, preparing food, serving customers, and cleaning all at the same time. Really impressive! I will definitely return to try more of the delightful sweets and hang out with friends. I'm so glad I discovered this gem!

This is a charming little place for a date, but I found the ice cream lacking in flavor. It's a small spot, though they do stay open late, which is a plus. You place your order on a tablet, but I think the prices are a bit high for ice cream. The picture shows two scoops, and when I ordered, I saw the two scoops on the tablet, only to be asked to pay an extra $2 for an additional scoop.

I had high expectations for this place, but it turned out to be just okay. The waffle itself was lacking; it wasn't very fluffy. I tried the cookies and cream flavor, but the cookie crumbs were pretty disappointing—bland and overly powdery. The only redeeming part was the ice cream I added on top for an extra two dollars, which made it a bit better. The restaurant didn’t look bad at all; it was nice, but it wasn't very busy either.

I visited this restaurant with my boyfriend, and we tried the Oreo waffle and the strawberry shortcake waffle. Both were light and sweet, with a nice balance of flavors. I really appreciated the texture of the dishes. The shortbread crumbs on the strawberry waffle were a great addition, pairing well with the vanilla ice cream. The Oreo waffle was also well-balanced—there was just the right amount of Oreo, covering the entire waffle and ensuring that every bite was delicious. Although the prices are somewhat on the higher side, I believe it’s worth it for an occasional treat. I would definitely eat here again. 10/10!