Waffle Sensations brings ‘Grandma’s house’ comfort to the Citadel Mall
by: Hanalei Potempa | Contributing Writer
As of last month, The Citadel Mall now offers “a waffle experience like no other” with the permanent arrival of Waffle Sensations, a small, family-owned breakfast spot known for all things waffles.
The shop combines creativity with comfort, offering a cozy atmosphere reminiscent of a visit to grandma’s house.
K.J. Dozier, the owner, was inspired to start Waffle Sensations by warm memories of his family’s former bakery, Sweet Sensations, which struggled and closed when he was a child.
“As I grew older, I wished my business mind was alive then, because maybe I could have helped them,” Dozier said. “One day, I thought about adding their old recipes—cakes, pies, and different flavors—into waffles.”
Dozier said he focused on waffles because they offered a canvas for incorporating his family recipes and because his personal favorite meal has always been chicken and waffles.
“What better way to have custom, creative, unordinary chicken and waffles?” Dozier jokes.
Waffle Sensations began as a small tent operation and later expanded to a food truck two years ago. The truck had already been visiting The Citadel Mall every Wednesday for “Waf-fle Wednesdays,” so the permanent location is a natural next step to meet growing demand.
According to Dozier, customers are thrilled about the grand opening of the permanent location, no longer having to track down the beloved waffle truck or travel across town to get a taste.
The food truck will remain available for catering events, while the new permanent location allows Dozier to expand the menu. New offerings include chicken and waffles, boba waffle ice cream, waffle fries, and waffle pops — a unique experience for breakfast lovers.
Dozier is proud to share that many of the nontraditional flavors are based on family recipes. For example, Roses Red Velvet comes from his grandmother’s cake recipe, and Charlie’s Chicken and Waffles is named after his grandfather.
“I pulled from my family a lot, and that makes a difference,” Dozier said. “It’s a legacy—you have the bakery and the family and their names—everyone that contributed to what it is today.”
Dozier wants the shop to feel welcoming and comforting, much like a cozy visit to grandma’s house.
“I want everyone who comes into my space to feel important,” Dozier says. “For me, you go to grandma’s house and all your problems and everything you went through at the end of the week, pretty much goes away … And you always get good food at the end.”
Looking ahead, Dozier plans to expand the menu with more ice cream flavors, chicken sandwiches, sliders, and other creations. For first-time visitors unsure of what to try first, the Strawberry Darling Waffles is the most popular waffle flavor and a staple fan favorite.
Waffle Sensations is located within the Food Court at the Citadel Mall. For more information, call (843) 410-9094 or visit www.wafflesensations.com.
