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Flickr Find: Chicken and Waffles?

2009_02_26-ChickenandWaffles.jpgThis seems like a truly bizarre combination to us. And yet when we were looking for pictures of waffles a while back, every other picture had fried chicken on the plate. Can anyone enlighten us?

 
 

From what we can tell (mostly thanks to Wikipedia), the trend of combining fried chicken with waffles originated at the Wells Supper Club in Harlem around 1938 when late-night patrons couldn't decide if they wanted dinner or breakfast. The dish then spread to (or created) restaurant chains like Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles and Gladys Knight and Ron Winan's Chicken and Waffles.

Despite it's apparent popularity, we still have trouble imagining how this pair would, well, pair. Sweet buttermilk waffles drizzled in syrup alongside tender deep-fried chicken? We like both things separately, but eating them together doesn't really appeal.

Then again, maybe it's not so far-fetched if you consider the fact that biscuits smeared with honey is another classic accompaniment to fried chicken. Biscuits or waffles, who's to quibble?

In case you want to try it at home...

Fried Chicken and Waffles from Emeril Lagasse
Chicken and Waffles Southern Dinner from Better Homes and Gardens

Are you a fan of chicken and waffles?

Related: New Favorite Combination: Spaghetti and Figs

(Image: Flickr member abbyladybug licensed under Creative Commons)

Tags

Flickr Find, Food History, Meat Products, Breakfast Products, chicken, waffles, chicken and waffles

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Comments (27)

Absolutely a fan! And since I recently moved from LA to Atlanta, I've been lucky enough to experience both Roscoe's and Gladys Knight and Ron Winan's chicken and waffles.

posted by emilykc on February 27th 2009 at 9:18am
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The waffles I have had paired with fried chicken are not as sweet as regular waffles, but more savory.

posted by BiasCut on February 27th 2009 at 9:36am
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It's amazing. End of story.

posted by hyperRevue on February 27th 2009 at 9:41am
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Growing up in central Pennsylvania, this meal was made with diced or sliced chicken in gravy, poured over savory waffles. I wasn't aware of the fried chicken version until I moved to Los Angeles a year or two ago.

posted by yourtwowinters on February 27th 2009 at 9:51am
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I live in LA and eat at Roscoe's too. I never knew fried chicken and maple syrup could go so well together! Sometimes I throw in some hot sauce to spice things up. It's surprisingly tasty.

posted by loosethread on February 27th 2009 at 10:08am
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I live in Harlem, and let me tell you, this is the best hangover food in the world. It tastes like heaven.

posted by Pepperjo on February 27th 2009 at 10:09am
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Classic Southern soul food! Out here, we have a place called Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles (http://www.loloschickenandwaffles.com/). It's a tiny little converted house. Take a bite of chicken, a bite of dressed waffle (dressed with butter and syrup), and you have one of those "perfect bites" I love so much. Mmm. Crispy waffles with a hot melt-in-your-mouth center, with crispy fried chicken. Yowzas.

posted by OneWallKitchen on February 27th 2009 at 10:09am
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I love Roscoe's. It's really an experience worth having.
Snoop and Larry King love it. (YouTube link)

posted by jakesutton on February 27th 2009 at 10:22am
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I think you maybe just have to go actually try it. I recommend Amy Ruth's, on 116th.

posted by prolix on February 27th 2009 at 10:24am
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I used to dip my chicken nuggets in honey and loved it, so this pairing seems really delicious. I'd like to try it soon!

posted by Jenny B on February 27th 2009 at 10:27am
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Heaven on a plate, but I like cane syrup.

posted by 39520expat on February 27th 2009 at 10:39am
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Oh yeah. I used to live in ATL. It was all over the place. It's great stuff.

posted by Fritish on February 27th 2009 at 10:58am
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dude Roscoes is OVERRATED. It's meh/pretty ok at best. Not worth the price. Roscoes is along the lines of Pinks, the Pantry and other wait in line places. MEH

posted by chusmabilly on February 27th 2009 at 11:41am
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I've never had it but salty food with sweet (especially real maple syrup) is darned good. I guess it's not so different from dipping your bacon or sausage in syrup, after all. I'd definitely give it a try.

posted by Tiamat_the_Red on February 27th 2009 at 11:43am
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Once, for a friend's birthday dinner, my husband made sage waffles with confit chicken legs, served with a drizzle of pure maple syrup- it was amaaaaaazing!

posted by juliebee on February 27th 2009 at 12:09pm
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My husband and I frequent a soul food place (Sandra Dees) in our hometown and they have this on the menu on the weekends only. We've never ordered it but have always been tempted. It's not for not thinking it would taste good but rather how we would feel afterwards. I'd love to try but don't think my jeans would thank me aftewards.

posted by rosebud on February 27th 2009 at 12:26pm
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yum. never had it, always wanted to.

posted by lisagayb on February 27th 2009 at 12:30pm
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Now I'm going to have that song from "Tapeheads" playing in my head all day.

Swanky Modes!!!

posted by Nougat on February 27th 2009 at 1:37pm
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I always used to think it was a strange combo...until I tried it a couple of months ago. Absolutely delicious!

posted by dishingupdelights on February 27th 2009 at 1:43pm
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If you haven't had a plate of chicken & waffles yet... get on it! It is the most amazing salty/sweet/greasy combo I have ever put in my mouth. As so many here have said, Roscoe's in L.A. is one of the best in the biz. A really delish spin on it is featured on the menu of new Brooklyn NY restaurant, Buttermilk Channel... Fried Pork Chops and Cheddar Waffles... YUM!!!!!!

posted by sarahmarina on February 27th 2009 at 2:34pm
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I can't put my hand on it now, but a couple years ago I came across a recipe for savory waffles (with curry and other spices in them) and pan friend chicken. Yum-o. The waffles were less like breakfast and more like exotic breads.

posted by kdb on February 27th 2009 at 2:49pm
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Seriously - the BEST!!

posted by kittykatofdoom on February 27th 2009 at 2:59pm
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Chicken and waffles is the ultimate comfort food combo. I'm going to be thinking about them all day now.

And way to go for the Tapeheads reference!

posted by HandyC on February 27th 2009 at 4:04pm
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Alton Brown offered up a variation on this:
Marinated Steak Tips on Pancakes.

Oh. My. God.

I thought fried chicken on a waffle was good- IMHO, it's got nothing on this.

posted by nothingfuture on February 27th 2009 at 4:15pm
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hat tip mytwowinters! pennsylvania dutch chicken and waffles is the best!!! It's a great way to use leftover roast chicken

posted by mrtha on February 27th 2009 at 4:16pm
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it seems to be an african american soul food staple. i never saw it among white southerners when i was growing up in tennessee, but saw it often in harlem.

posted by thinkingwoman on February 28th 2009 at 12:21am
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I'm a native of the deep South, and although I have never seen this delicacy in person I think it sounds like a pretty natural (and awesome!) match. I can't wait to try it someday.

Around here, a lot of people eat biscuits with maple or cane syrup alongside fried chicken, which is a pretty similar concept.

posted by nani-susie on February 28th 2009 at 6:00pm
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