For the fifth straight year, October is Dining Month on OnMilwaukee.com, presented by Concordia University. All month, we're stuffed with restaurant reviews, delectable features, chef profiles and unique articles on everything food, as well as the winners of our "Best of Dining 2011."

A couple of months ago, OnMilwaukee.com published a guide to great pancakes, showcasing some of the city's most fabulous flapjacks. Following the pancake guide, readers suggested a companion waffle guide. So here it is, folks, a list of superior square-stamped syrup soakers.

Whereas the pancake is a staple on Milwaukee menus, the waffle is less omnipresent. However, with a little bit of perseverance, it's possible to find a nice selection of waffles in numerous Brew City restaurants and cafes.

The only thing missing from the offerings are chicken and waffles, a popular combo in many parts of the country. Now-defunct Downtown restaurant Durango BBQ and Grill was open for a short period of time but its menu did feature chicken and waffles. Who's gonna add this to their brunch offerings next?

And hey, if we missed your favorite, remind us via the Talkback feature. Your kitchen, by the way, doesn't count. Don't even try to compare the flat and frozen waffles you have in your freezer because the waffles below are genuinely thick, flavorful and garnished with delicious toppings.

Brewed Cafe
1208 E. Brady St., (414) 276-2739
brewedonbrady.com
Brewed serves breakfast all day, from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and the menu features a signature, homemade, Belgium waffle. According to a staff member, the secret to the unique taste of Brewed's waffle is the cinnamon and nutmeg in the batter. The regular waffle is served with syrup and butter and costs $4.59. For $5.79, diners can get a banana-and-walnut version.

Cafe Hollander
2608 N. Downer Ave, (414) 963-6366
7677 W. State St., (414) 475-6771
cafehollander.com
Hollander serves a hot and fluffy waffle covered in fresh fruit for $7.95, or a fruit-free waffle for $6.95. Hollander's waffles are made from a top-notch mix by Golden Malted, and come with whipped cream and real maple syrup.

Maxfield's Pancake House
2727 N. Mayfair Rd., (414) 453-6000
333 W. Brown Deer Rd., (414) 247-4994
maxfieldspancakehouse.com
Although known for their pancakes, Maxfield's serves a mean waffle, too. Diners choose from regular, multi grain, buckwheat or mini waffles. Toppings including bacon, "mini fruity," banana split, blackberry, cinnamon apple, blueberry, banana and peach are all on the menu and range in price from $6 to $8. All of the fruit is fresh.

The Original Pancake House
2621 N. Downer Ave., (414) 431-5055
originalpancakehouse.com
It might be called the Original Pancake House, but there's a lot of waffle ironing going on beneath this breakfast eatery's roof. The menu, in fact, sports seven different waffles: plain, bacon, strawberry, coconut, apple, blueberry and pecan. Pancake House waffles are large and thick.

The Wicked Hop
345 N. Broadway, (414) 223-0345
thewickedhop.com
The Wicked Hop's menu features the "Father Damien's Belgian Wit Waffle" for $9.95. The waffle mix is made with Father Damien's Belgian Wit draft beer and the cooked waffle is topped with maple syrup, powdered sugar, an orange slice and whipped cream. It comes with a side of meat or fresh fruit.