Where Can You Get the Best Chicken and Waffles? A Finger-Lickin’ Guide to This Soul Food Classic

Listen up, foodies! If you’ve ever craved that perfect mix of savory and sweet that makes your taste buds do a happy dance, then chicken and waffles is probably your jam This iconic dish combines crispy, juicy fried chicken with fluffy, buttery waffles in a marriage made in culinary heaven But where can you actually find this delectable combo? I’ve done the research so you don’t have to!

The Delicious History Behind Chicken and Waffles

Before we dive into where to find this mouthwatering dish, let’s take a quick peek at its roots. Most food historians agree that chicken and waffles gained popularity back in the 1930s-1940s at soul food restaurants and jazz clubs in both the American South and Harlem, New York. What started as a practical pairing has evolved into a culinary icon that’s now found everywhere from hole-in-the-wall joints to upscale restaurants.

Soul Food Restaurants: The OG Chicken and Waffle Spots

If you’re looking for authentic chicken and waffles that stay true to tradition, soul food restaurants are your best bet. These spots serve up that perfect combo of crispy fried chicken perched atop fluffy waffles, often drizzled with syrup or honey. Here are some legendary establishments:

• Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles (Los Angeles, CA) – This LA institution has been serving its famous chicken and waffles since 1975. The Obama Special with three wings and a waffle is a must-try! Roscoe’s was founded by Herb Hudson, a Harlem native, and they serve their chicken and waffles both together and separately with Southern sides like candy yams, cornbread, and greens.

• Amy Ruth’s Restaurant (New York City, NY) – A Harlem mainstay known for down-home cooking, their chicken and waffle platter comes with eggs any style

• The Breakfast Klub (Houston, TX) – This popular breakfast spot offers chicken and waffles with a selection of homemade syrups including salted caramel and strawberry guava.

• Gladys Knight’s Chicken and Waffles (Atlanta, GA) – Try the Georgia peach chicken with Belgian waffles for a true Southern experience.

Specialty Chicken and Waffle Restaurants

In recent years, restaurants dedicated solely to chicken and waffles have popped up across the country. These specialized spots often get creative with their interpretations:

• Federal Donuts (Philadelphia, PA) – This donut shop doubles as a fried chicken and waffle destination with unique flavor combinations like gingerbread, chocolate marshmallow, and strawberry lavender.

• Bruxie (Orange County, CA) – They stuff waffles with fried chicken to create sweet and savory sandwiches. The Brussels sprouts option with garlic aioli is a surprising favorite.

• Press Waffle Co. – With eight locations across Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas, this “Shark Tank” success serves authentic European-style waffles topped with two deep-fried crispy tenders, bacon crumble, and maple syrup.

• Sweet Chick – This smaller chain with five New York locations offers classic bone-in fried chicken over Belgian waffles, plus flavored waffle options like apple cinnamon, bacon cheddar, chocolate chip, and vanilla glaze.

• Uncle C’s Chicken & Waffles (Alexandria, VA) – Founded in 2021 by Sayed Q. (known as Uncle C), this restaurant is dedicated to “where sweet meets savory!” Located right off I-495 on Richmond Highway, they’re open daily from early morning until late night. With roots in southern cooking, Uncle C has been perfecting his craft since the early 2000s at his family’s restaurant.

Upscale Chicken and Waffle Experiences

Chicken and waffles isn’t just for casual diners anymore. High-end restaurants have embraced this comfort food classic, adding their own gourmet twists:

• The Grey (Savannah, GA) – Executive chef Mashama Bailey elevates the dish with sophisticated elements like chicken confit and mascarpone waffles.

• Post & Beam (Los Angeles, CA) – This modern soul food restaurant uses organic chicken and whole grain red velvet waffles. The Lou Rawls with hot maple syrup is a customer favorite.

• Red Rooster (New York City, NY) – Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s interpretation features coconut waffles and jerk chicken with spicy maple syrup.

• Husk (Charleston, SC) – Their elevated Southern take includes pimento cheese waffles and chicken confit.

• Root Down (Denver, CO) – This farm-to-table eatery offers gluten-free waffles served with fried chicken and gravy.

Popular Chains Serving Chicken and Waffles

Don’t have access to specialty restaurants? No worries! Several chain restaurants now offer decent chicken and waffle options:

• Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar – This popular cafe originated in Asheville, NC but now has locations from Texas to Michigan. They offer multiple versions including a classic style, a homestyle version with egg and gravy, a Sriracha honey chicken version, and an over-the-top version made with macaroni and cheese waffles topped with hot chicken, pickles, and buttermilk ranch.

• The Original Pancake House – A breakfast favorite with 100+ locations mostly in the West and Midwest.

• Crack Shack – This California-based fried chicken chain is expanding nationwide.

• Another Broken Egg Cafe – With over 70 locations across the South and Midwest, this daytime cafe does excellent chicken and waffles.

• Cracker Barrel – While not technically chicken and waffles, their chicken and French toast pairs fried chicken with three griddled slices of special recipe French toast, topped with powdered sugar and served with whipped butter and syrup.

• Twin Peaks – This sports bar chain offers chicken tenders and waffles as an appetizer.

• Babalu – The Memphis-based chain serves Latin twists on Southern food including chicken chilaquiles waffles.

Finding Local Chicken and Waffle Spots Near You

If you’re wondering “where can I find chicken and waffles near me?”, review sites like Yelp can help you discover local gems. Some highly-rated spots in the Northern Virginia/DC area include:

• Uncle C’s Chicken & Waffles (Alexandria, VA) – With 438 reviews, this dedicated chicken and waffles spot is a local favorite.

• Milk & Honey Southern Inspired Kitchen (Dulles, VA) – Specializing in breakfast, Southern food, and waffles.

• Southern Style Chicken & Waffle (Manassas, VA) – As the name suggests, they focus on traditional chicken and waffles.

• Baker’s Crust Artisan Kitchen (Ashburn, VA) – A popular breakfast spot that serves a delicious chicken and waffles dish.

• My Cup Runneth Over Southern Cuisine (Gaithersburg, MD) – A soul food restaurant with excellent chicken and waffles.

Make Your Own Chicken and Waffles at Home

Don’t feel like going out? You can totally make chicken and waffles in your own kitchen! Here’s a simple approach:

1. Use store-bought frozen waffles and chicken tenders for a quick version
2. Or go all out by making waffles from scratch and dipping chicken in buttermilk and flour before frying
3. Add some heat with hot sauce or keep it sweet with berries and whipped cream
4. Experiment with different syrups like maple, honey, or fruit-infused varieties

This DIY approach is perfect for weekend brunches when you wanna impress your friends without leaving home!

Creative Twists on Chicken and Waffles

Restaurants across the country are getting creative with this classic combo:

• Waffle Champion (Chicago, IL) – Offers fried chicken in Nashville hot style or Korean glazed atop liège waffles, with a side of chicken n’ waffle fries.

• 12th State Fried Chicken and Waffles (Bentonville, AR) – Fries their chicken in a secret 12th herb and spice blend, paired with sweet potato or red velvet waffles.

• Shy Bird (Boston area) – Tops their waffles with fried chicken smothered in maple-Dijon syrup and Frank’s Red Hot whipped cream (yes, spicy whipped cream!).

• Slutty Vegan (Georgia) – Offers a plant-based spin with fried chick’n and Belgian waffles for those looking for vegan options.

Final Thoughts: The Chicken and Waffle Revolution Continues

Chicken and waffles has come a long way from its humble beginnings. What started as a practical pairing in jazz clubs has evolved into a versatile dish that chefs continue to reinvent. Whether you prefer the traditional soul food version, an upscale interpretation, or a fast-casual take, there’s a chicken and waffles dish out there with your name on it.

So next time you’re craving that perfect blend of savory and sweet, you’ve got plenty of options! From legendary soul food joints to local hidden gems and even your own kitchen, delicious chicken and waffles are never too far away.

Have you tried chicken and waffles? What’s your favorite place to get this iconic dish? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!