For the best clone of the 45-year-old secret formula for these waffles you really should chill this batter overnight in the fridge as they do in each of the restaurants. But, hey, sometimes you just can't wait, right? If you need instant gratification, the recipe still works fine if you cook up the waffles the same day. At least wait for 15-20 minutes after you make the batter so that it can rest and thicken a bit. That'll give you time to search for the waffle iron and heat it up. Also, you might need some time to dust it off.

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 tablespoons butter, softened
2 tablespoons shortening
1/2 cup half & half
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla

1. Combine flour, salt and baking soda in a medium bowl. Stir to combine.
2. Lightly beat the egg in another medium bowl. Add the sugar, butter, and shortening and mix well with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the half & half, milk, buttermilk and vanilla. Mix well.
3. Add the dry flour mixture to the wet mixture while beating. Mix until smooth.
4. Cover and chill overnight. (You can use batter right away if you like, but a good 12-hour chill makes the batter better.)
5. Rub a light coating of vegetable oil on a waffle iron. Preheat the waffle iron. Leave the batter out of the refrigerator to warm up a bit as your waffle iron is preheating.
6. Spoon 1/3 to 1/2 cup of batter into the waffle iron and cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until the waffles are light brown.