We Ate At Waffletown And Felt Like We Time-Travelled Back To The 80s

Waffletown has retro American fast food at NEWest

Waffletown, the four-decade-old American-style restaurant at NEWest, feels like a place out of time.

Instead of the sleek modernity you might expect from a present-day McDonald’s, what you get here is something closer to how fast food joints were decades ago—think kitschy decor, bright orange swivel chairs, and a menu packed with retro dishes. The CNA broadcast playing overhead was the only indicator that we didn’t stumble into a time warp.

But let’s be honest: in a place like this, the food is the only thing that can truly sell the retro illusion. Do the fried chicken and waffles taste like they came from your childhood, and most importantly, are they actually good?

Food at Waffletown

We started with an American classic: the Fried Chicken & Waffle ($7.20). The dish arrived with the piece of fried chicken cut up into smaller chunks and messily strewn around the waffle—a strange choice when a whole piece of chicken thigh would’ve looked far better.

But what it lacked in appearance, it made up for in flavour and texture. Each piece was well-seasoned and crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. It wasn’t exactly succulent, but as far as old-school fried chicken goes, it got the job done. Remember to drizzle maple syrup over it for some sweet-savoury goodness.

The waffles had a nice, crispy exterior, but the somewhat tough middle brought the overall experience down. The aforementioned maple syrup did alleviate some of that, however, and gave the waffles a richer, sweeter flavour.

If a sweet waffle is what you want, then go for the Waffle A La Mode ($7.20). Available in Blueberry, Blackberry, and Strawberry flavours, we went for the first option, and received a waffle topped by loads of whipped cream, blueberry jam, and blueberry ice cream.

The blueberry ice cream here deserved much praise, as it was delightfully creamy, with a sweet-tart balance that had us scooping for more. That, plus the generous whipped cream topping, made this a treat perfect for those with a sweet tooth.

Though I’d criticised the waffle’s texture earlier, the ice cream and jam softened its interior just enough, preserving a hint of its crispness while adding a creamy contrast.

Aside from American fast food staples mentioned above, Waffletown’s fusion dishes are also popular among patrons. An example of this is the Chilli Fish with Rice ($9.80), which we decided to order on our visit.

The dish featured a pile of white rice, sambal-coated dory fish, and some salad on the side. While this gave the dish a homely and nostalgic feel, the sambal wasn’t the most piquant nor flavourful, and the fish itself—while adequately fresh—wasn’t anything special. This is the kind of dish one might expect at a typical Western hawker stall, and whether that’s a compliment or criticism is up to one’s personal taste.

Ambience at Waffletown

It’s hard not to be won over by the charm of Waffletown’s interiors. It’s simple, dated, yet thoroughly nostalgic, making this the perfect place to enjoy hearty and homely dishes. And while the furnishings aren’t exactly comfortable, they suit the vibe—this isn’t the kind of spot you’ll want to linger in for hours, anyway.

Waffletown is a five-minute bus ride away from Clementi MRT Station.

Waffletown – Eatbook review

Ultimately, Waffletown does succeed in bringing an authentic old-school experience to its diners. While the food isn’t revolutionary, it delivers exactly what you’d hope for—honest, comforting nostalgia on a plate.

For a retro American diner with mains under $15, read our Joji’s Diner review. For a popular gelato cafe in Bugis with kunafa waffles, read our Momolato review.

Address: 1 West Coast Drive, #01-106, NEWest, Singapore 128020
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11am to 10pm
Tel: 8011 0032
Website
Waffletown is not a halal-certified eatery.

Photos taken by Tao Zhi Tan.
This was an independent review by Eatbook.sg.