It was around this time last week that I was positively bouncing off the walls on my way home from Sugar Rays after devouring way too many of their fabulous waffles – and as a man who rarely eats sweet things, they sent me a little bit crazy.
As a fully-fledged adult I take pride in never drinking coffee, so caffeine has a big effect on me, which is probably why I like to drink Buckfast so much. But sugar is the same too – I much prefer savoury things to sweet and so when I do have some sugar – even in small amounts – I turn into the biggest idiot known to man.
Not only am I an idiot but I’m also really, really annoying – making stupid sounds and talking shit. Give me a Yorkie cookie from Asda and I can make even the most hyperactive 7 year old tired – so if you have a sweet tooth Waffle Wednesday’s at Sugar Rays will definitely be up your street.
Just recently opened on Newton Street, you may have missed Sugar Rays as you walk past – its small brass sign on the outside betrays the huge interior – packed full of great cocktails, some banging disco and funk tunes, as well as an eclectic selection of gourmet hotdogs and the aforementioned waffles.
Head on down from 4pm on a Wednesday and you can take part in their Waffle Wednesdays – 2 of their massive waffles for only £10 (usually £7.50 each). They have a selection of 4 to choose from (the 4 reasons from the title) – each one with enough sweet-sweet to send me into a dizzying spiral of idiocy and jumping around.
We decided to just try all of the waffles, and there’s something here for everyone’s tastes. First up we absolutely devoured the Cookies and Cream one – a pile of 3 Belgian waffles topped with ice cream, whipped cream, Nutella, chocolate sauce and crushed Oreos – featuring enough chocolate to give Willy Wonka the sweats.
I was a particular fan of the PB & J Waffle – a mound of peanut butter, strawberry jam, ice cream and whipped cream that – as someone who absolutely loves peanut butter – kept me coming back for more. By this time we were getting seriously full, but we soldiered on to try the next two – the Strawberry Splitsville and the Fairground Ride.
As you can see from the pictures – the Fairground Ride waffle looks absolutely mental – like something the kids in Hook would dream up for their dinner. Topped with popcorn. marshmallows, cream, ice cream, bubble-gum sauce and a wad of candy floss on top. This one is for people with a serious sweet tooth but to be fair I actually really enjoyed the bubble-gum sauce – it reminded me of getting a 99 from the ice cream man on a hot day when I was a kid.
Finally we managed to squeeze in some of the Strawberry Splitsville which managed to make me feel a bit better about what I was eating by featuring some bananas – perfectly matched with strawberry sauce, Nutella and chopped nuts.
So by this time we could hardly move – but to be fair, once the waffles came out – we didn’t want to. They were delicious – and very filling – something which may be quite useful if you find yourself smashing through the extensive cocktail menu and want to be able to go to work the next day.
So if you see me in Sugar Rays on a Wednesday and it looks like I’ve eaten the waffles – stay clear – I will be off my face on sugar and you’d save yourself the most annoying, stupid conversation of your life. You’ll love the 2 for £10 waffles though!
Sugar Rays, 14 Newton St, Manchester, M1 2AF
0161 237 5656
https://www.facebook.com/sugarraysnq/
