Who’s Hungry – For Fried Chicken And Waffles?
It’s a Hollywood institution – something everyone tells you about when you move here – so how could I resist?
Let’s get right into this: I actually DID resist Roscoe’s chicken and waffles for years – it just didn’t seem like a mashup I would love – but I finally gave it a shot – and guess what?
Roscoe’s turned me around – deliciously!
Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles is a Hollywood restaurant founded in 1975 by Herb Hudson, a Harlem native.
Soon after it was opened, Hudson had friends in music and television such as Natalie Cole who would spread the word to other celebrities; while filming his show, Comedian Redd Foxx would tell his audience that he went there – and so did they!
The Los Angeles Times refers to Roscoe’s as “such an L.A. institution that people don’t even question the strange combo anymore.” The New York Times refers to it as a “beloved soul food chain”.
The menu will show you why!
There are several other locations open as well, but I headed to Sunset Boulevard and Gower to sit down and bite into the original – and as you can see from the menu, there are a LOT of options!
I arrived at 9:30a, so a cup of coffee helped me decide what to order – and even though it was early, I was ready to taste Roscoe’s legendary fried chicken!
Behold “Herb’s Special!”
I ordered Herb’s Special, southern style: 4 pieces of chicken with two fluffy waffles…and as I am NOT a “dry food” fan, I must tell you these waffles were deliciously moist and fluffy, but still had a perfect toast to them!
I know your question: do you eat the chicken and waffles separately? Together?
Have we entered “mashup” territory?
I Did Both!
First, I wanted to taste the chicken with the special seasoning, and it was perfect: the meat was juicy, the outer coating light and crunchy, with a slightly hot southern spice…and with the sweetness of the maple syrup, I knew I had to mash them up a bit – it was great!
Roscoe’s delivered exactly as ordered: the chicken was moist and delicious, and the waffles were flavorful and light…bravo to Roscoe’s!
Digging In To “The Stuffy!”
For the sake of objectivity, I went back again to try a “somewhat” more traditional breakfast dish: this was “The Stuffy” – two pieces of chicken with grits, two eggs over easy, and a hot biscuit!
The grits were especially creamy and rich – and who doesn’t love fried chicken for breakfast?
Roscoe’s is a great, iconic Hollywood restaurant – and we need to support them all now more than ever!
Speaking of Iconic Hollywood haunts – time to head to the city’s oldest:
The legendary Musso & Frank Grill on Hollywood Boulevard just turned 102 – and I celebrated with one of their signature Martinis!
It’s the only restaurant with a “star” on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, and click here to see some of their most unique menu items!
If you want a more relaxed meal, but still want to support some of Southern California’s greatest food, try The Apple Pan:
This West L.A. hamburger stand has the best Apple Pie in town, click here to see all of their great food!
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Categories: cookbooks, Food, food blog, Food Review, Hollywood, Pop Culture, Recipes, Restaurants, Travel, Travel Adventures, Wacky Food
This looks very yummy, John. Fried chicken is very popular here in South Africa.
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It’s really fun Robbie!
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Waffles could be used like bread to make a chicken sandwich. My kinda restaurant, John. No wonder it’s still popular.
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Jennie, that would be a great sandwich – as long as it had maple syrup on it!
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Oh, yes!
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I have never had chicken and waffles but after this I think I would love it 🙂 x
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Although I’m originally from the South, chicken and waffles together was never a thing where I lived. I left there 14 years ago so maybe it is by now. At any rate, that menu looks DELICIOUS to me, especially the chicken livers…
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Thanks for commenting – I was intrigued by those as well, because only specialized restaurants would have them!
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I never really got the chicken and waffles thing but after your post, I would try it! But no twisting of the arm is needed for the apple pie – it looks fabulous! 🙂
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It’s really good – a unique mashup but I’ll try anything! As for the pie, there are debates about whether there’s a better pie in LA!
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Only one way to find out I guess! Maybe next time I’m in LA! 🙂
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Ooh I want this!
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Woo I went to one in a different location when I lived in LA! Makes me nostalgic. I didn’t get chicken and waffles that time(I was like maple syrup on waffles…?🙄 They are two different pieces of food that supposed to be served different meal, that’s what was on my mind🤣)
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HA! I grew up ONLY having maple syrup on waffles…I do NOT like dry food, so it made them bearable…I don’t eat waffles or pancakes ever! Thanks for reading and commenting!
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I would have stripped the chicken and wrapped it in half-sections of buttered waffle. Sounds delicious to me!
Best wishes, Pete.
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Pete, that’s a great idea!
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