Longtime Friends Bring Gourmet Waffle, Sweets Dream To Tinley Park

TINLEY PARK, IL — Three friends who've dreamt up a sweet idea that's proven successful in other areas hope to soon show off what they've got in Tinley Park.

Business partners Omar Falaneh, Barra Abousalem, and Yahya Ghouleh's gourmet bubble waffle and dessert shop has been a hit in Chicago's Wicker Park and Lincoln Park neighborhoods, as well as Bolingbrook, and the trio will soon unveil Eiffel Waffle in a Tinley Park storefront.

The idea was simple, but one they pride themselves on as being unique, Falaneh said. Eiffel Waffle features waffle towers, mini-Dutch pancakes, Eiffel minis—all a little something their fans can't find anywhere else, he says.

"Our signature dishes that we’ve created, they’re very nice and decorated in a photogenic way," Falaneh said.

Employees will take a mix of ingredients like waffles, toppings and sprinkles, and turn them into a colorful, delicious dish. The concept invites people to stop in, select their dish and toppings, and then hand it all over to the artists themselves, to combine it all into a delectable design.

"The concept pushes people to do that," Falaneh said. "You can pick toppings, we design it for them."

The three partners, all 26 years old, have varying backgrounds. Falaneh, who grew up in Oak Lawn, said he has always had an entrepreneurial mindset, previously put to use in ownership of a grocery store and a restaurant.

Prior to taking on this venture, Abousalem was a civil engineer; Ghouleh had aspirations of becoming a firefighter.

But fast success in their way with waffles has led them to opening several locations in just two years—the Tinley Park one being their fifth, and largest to date.

"It's going to be a great hit," Falaneh said. "We’re going to work really hard on making that location very nice."

Falaneh has always hoped to open up shop in Tinley Park, he said, and this location places them in a prime strip mall and area, at 159th Street and Harlem Avenue. They're excited to see how locals embrace their idea. If their previous success is any indication, he said, people who stop in will love it.

"Honestly, the most exciting thing about this—is the growth of the business other than, seeing the lines opening day," he said. "We have a committed, loyal customer base, that really loves what we do.

"There are similar concepts to us—but we were the first to honestly, truly form it in the way we do it. It’s just different."

Eiffel Waffle will be located at 15921 S. Harlem Ave. They're hoping for an opening date of March 1.