The Barstool Fund - More Than Waffles
Up next: More Than Waffles (Encino, CA)
This family-owned restaurant has been a breakfast favorite in Encino since 1975. It offers an array of Belgian waffles and stays true to its name with delicious crepes, pancakes and specialty omelettes like Ukraine, Latino and Spinach Soufflé.
Reader Email
My name is Ika Taft and I am the proud owner of “More Than Waffles” in Encino, California. We have been serving the community for 45 years, and I have the honor of being the owner for 22 years.
We have 43 amazing employees that most of them have been working with us for years. Since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, we were able to keep all of them thanks to the PPP loan and to outdoor dining, but since November 25th when outdoor dining was not allowed by LA county and later by the state things have completely changed.
We are open for takeout only 3 days a week (since breakfast is not a big takeout thing) therefore I had to temporary laid off many of the employees. Recently I was able to contact Chef Andrew Gruel and thank God He provided some funds for my employees. God bless him for everything that he is doing to help restaurants workers 🏻
In the meantime my bank account is running out of money, our takeout nearly covers the payroll … at the same time all bills are due including rent, insurance, utilities, vendors etc. Unfortunately I am at a point that I am not sure for how much longer my restaurant will be able to survive…my heart is broken just from the thought of shutting down after all these years… Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story.