Filed under: tidbit
The stuff pictured here has been a fixture in my life for as long as I can remember. For those four or so of you that don’t know, my father is the Waffle King and I am the Waffle Prince. He’s been making the best real waffles (read: non-Belgian) since I was a kid, typically on Saturday morning. It has progressed to the point that during the winters my parents host a series of waffle dinners because there are just too many folks that want to partake in those golden delicious treats.
The number one all-time most importantly perfect and necessary waffle topping is Roddenbery’s Cane Patch Syrup. For the longest time as a kid I just assumed everyone kept bottles of this around their house, but the older I get the more I realize how scarce it is. I not only couldn’t find it in Portland, OR and New Orleans, LA, I couldn’t even find approximate substitutes. There’s just nothing like it.
For those of you who are gritting your teeth at the thought of molasses on a waffle, well, stop it. Roddenbery’s isn’t molasses. I’ve had to explain that countless times through the years. It’s ‘cane syrup’ which doesn’t have its own Wikipedia entry so I guess it bears further explanation. It’s partly the sugarcane extract they use to make molasses and partly normal syrup. The upside of this is that it’s a dense, thick, rich, intricately-flavored syrup - a tiny amount of the bite of molasses and none of the wussy wateriness of Log Cabin or Aunt Jemima’s.
Unfortunately not everyone that has consumed waffles with the Waffle King or Waffle Prince has come to realize the greatness of Roddenbery’s. I realize it must be an acquired taste but it’s hard for me to remember since I started using it at such a young age. In fact, I think I drank Roddenbery’s out of my baby bottle instead of formula.
Today I sat down to a waffle breakfast and picked up a brand new bottle and was suddenly struck by how important it was to me. I could tell anyone what brand of waffle maker to buy to make good waffles (Black & Decker), I could give anyone the O’Mara Waffle Recipe … but until you buy some Roddenbery’s then you’re not really doing it right. I love the shape of the bottle, the squat little rectangle. I love the label that hasn’t ever changed, as far as I know, I love the deep blue and the bright red border. I love that thick slow pour, I love that first bite, and I had just never realized how important it was to me.
It’s impossible to find Roddenbery’s in most places, and it’s getting damn hard to find it here. I need to start ordering it direct from the factory and sending thank-you notes while I do so. These people need to know how important it is to me.
And so, apparently, do you.
23 Comments so far
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I second Trey’s q. Where do you get it?
I’m gonna have to get me some because I’ve been making waffles a LOT lately. But it’s gonna be hard to get me to switch from pure maple syrup.
Comment by Jason J 08.20.06 @ 3:34 pmI’m not doubting the cane syrup, but I might have to disagree with the title claimed by your father. You see, he can’t be the Waffle King because Jason is the MF Waffle King. His waffles are the most superb waffles in the universe. Ever. Our waffles can beat up your waffles any day of the week.
Comment by Stacie 08.20.06 @ 5:06 pmWell there’s only one way to solve this. And by one way I mean a cook off. And by cook off I mean feeding heather waffles. Because if there is a title for waffle eating queen, she has the badge plus 4 stars.
Comment by Henry 08.20.06 @ 6:11 pmStacie, Stacie, Stacie. We’re all entitled to our opinions, except in this case yours is wrong.
Why don’t you give me a call when your so-called ‘king’ can operate three waffle irons at once without burning a batch, and when he’s so popular that he has to buy a new table to seat all the guests clamoring to attend his legendary waffle dinners. Maybe when his waffles are so renowned that he has to cook the sausage and bacon accompaniments on the grill outside because there’s not enough space in the kitchen … maybe then we’ll talk.
And by then? By then the title will have passed down and I will be Waffle Prince no more. Then he will have to come see ME.
Comment by Kevin O'Mara 08.20.06 @ 6:48 pmwaffles are good
Comment by DoubleT 08.20.06 @ 9:47 pmUm. How is it that I can get into some sort of rivalry without any action on my part?
I just like making waffles. (But thank you for your confidence in me, Stacie.)
Comment by Jason J 08.20.06 @ 10:14 pmSo…where? I’ve checked every so-called grocery store in my town.
Comment by Rebecca 08.21.06 @ 9:03 pmWell, Rebecca, as I was telling Trey tonight - I’ve had trouble finding it locally. Used to be one could pick it up at Bi-Lo but no more. Mom checked the producer’s site and apparently they’ve been bought out. More research is necessary to find out if it’s going to disappear from my life.
Comment by Kevin O'Mara 08.22.06 @ 1:19 amKevin, I HAVE to find Roddenbery’s Cane Patch syrup. This is my Dad’s favorite thing in the whole world and he is so depressed he can’t find it anymore. Have you found any recently?
Comment by Jennifer Russell 11.28.06 @ 2:16 pmApparently you can purchase it online here by the case. (http://www.specsonline.com/cgi-bin/snf?body=/cgi-bin/prodlist&index=Foods%7C447%7CJAMS,JELLIES,SYRUPS)
Just avoiding real work…
Comment by Christy 11.28.06 @ 5:27 pmHow very odd. My parents and I all three searched for hours trying to find that product online, and you come up with a link so quickly. Well, I shall have to give them a call and make sure they’re not lying.
Comment by Kevin O'Mara 11.28.06 @ 11:35 pmI have a small grocery store in st.paul, Mn. I like to purchase roddenbery’s cane patch syrup. I have no Ideal where to get them. If you have product for me to buy or any information please let me know. thank you
Comment by long Xiong 01.29.07 @ 3:00 pmAfter weeks of going around in circles, trying to find out where Roddenbery’s had gone, I managed to find a little stash at Spec’s in Houston, TX. When the bottles I purchased arrived here we found out that Roddenbery’s either had not been purchased by Dean Foods (as previously thought) or had been handed off again. Regardless, it appears that it is now available through Bay Valley Foods. I have not yet tried to buy directly from them, but there will certainly be attempts in the future when my stock runs low.
And the world rejoiced.
Comment by Kevin O'Mara 01.29.07 @ 3:30 pmTHANKYOU!!! I just became aquainted with Roddenbery’s CANE PATCH SYRUP and it’s wonderful! I picked up a 19 oz. botle just last week in Florida and am kicking myself for not buying more! I’m obliged to give my 19 oz to a co-worker who had expressed interest in obtaining some Sorghum (not Molassas) and this is as close as I could find. I bought it for myself but I’m offering it to my friend. Can you advise if any way in Chicago area I can find this product? Thanks a bunch!
Comment by B. Holt 05.31.07 @ 1:04 pmCannot agree more–except that Cane Patch is a bunch better on buttermilk pancakes than on waffles; been doing this in my family for nearly a century, near as I can ascertain, generation after generation. I buy it in Lowcountry South Carolina by the case when I visit my in-laws; but recently I found it also in a little country store in Efland, NC! Order it on eBay if you must, or wherever; it is good stuff.
Comment by L. Beacham 02.09.08 @ 10:39 pmThe Roddenbery’s Cane Patch Syrup was originally produced in Cairo (pronouned “KARO”) Georgia from I beleive the 1930’s to 1960’s. It was called Cairo Cane Syrup. Roddenbery bought them out and still has their name on it. You can buy it at the Piggly Wiggly in South Georgia or at Harvey’s in Albany, Georgia. My sister-in-law is bringing me some this month from Thomasville, Ga.
Comment by Tony 02.10.08 @ 9:55 pmI was raised in Cairo, GA. Roddenberry’s has been a fixture my entire life. When I go home, I still buy a case to bring back to AR with me along with some grits, and white cornmeal!
The VERY best way to eat Cane Patch Syrup is to get a HOT biscuit right after coming out of the oven. Poke a hole in one end (about mid-way through)and slowly pour the syrup in the hole. The biscuit will soak up the syrup. PURE HEAVEN..Got to go cook biscuits now….
Comment by Melanie 02.22.08 @ 7:28 pmThis morning over pancakes, I compared labels on two bottles of Cane Patch, one an older bottle from Dean Foods days, the other from the Bay Valley operation. It is informative and disturbing, folks! The total carbs have gone down, from 59 to 47 grams per serving; but the ingredients are the real problem: Whereas Dean’s product lists “cane sugar syrup, cane syrup” as the only two sugar sources, Bay Valley lists “invert sugar syrup, cane syrup, water”! I know what this means–they are using less of the expensive cane syrup, more generic sugar–and adding water to the product to boot; no wonder when I hold the bottles up to the light, I can readily see the Bay product is lighter in color.
Somebody tell the Bay Valley folks, nobody buys Cane Patch syrup because it’s cheap, but because it’s unique. Don’t change the recipe, please!
shopfoodex.com has it available!
Comment by Greg 06.28.08 @ 3:39 pmLeave a comment
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So where do you get it here?
Comment by Trey 08.20.06 @ 3:25 pm