In partnership with fried catfish and chicken wings, waffles have transcended the realm of sweet to become a bona fide savory breakfast and brunch dish. There's still work to be done, however, to expand their presence at other non-matutinal meals. Houston institutions like The Waffle Bus have done an excellent job at pushing various waffle options for lunch and supper, notably in the form of imaginative sandwiches. If, however, you missed the bus (har), you can easily put together your own waffle sandwich at home. Here are five traditional sandwiches transformed via the substitution of waffles:

5. Grilled Cheese. A no-brainer, really, considering we're already using waffle irons to make grilled cheese (see picture). The next logical step, of course, is to use the waffles themselves with your favorite melting cheese. Stick to thinner (not Belgian) waffles so as not to tip the carbohydrate-to-fatty-dairy ratio, and consider adding sliced apples or pears for additional crunch and texture.

4. Chicken Salad. Fried chicken is a friend to waffles and chicken salad should be, too, especially to waffles of the crispy, whole-wheat variety. Remember to cool your waffles to room temperature lest their ambient heat melt the salad's mayo component. You want the waffles to serve as a sweet sponge for the salty juices and a firm platform for the protein.

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