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 speaking of Iconic Hollywood haunts – time to head to the city’s oldest:
The legendary Musso & Frank Grill on Hollywood Boulevard just turned 103 – 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 two of their classic dishes that I made – plus their recipe for a classic Martini!
Speaking of Hollywood, Actor Stanley Tucci loves to cook as well, so I made his family’s Chicken Caiiatore recipe – here’s the recipe:
About Stanley Tucci: you may know that I became obsessed with a dish he cooked on his CNN travel series.
How obsessed?
THIS OBSESSED!
I made “Spaghetti alla Nerano” with some added “Zoodles” as well – click here for this amazingly delicious recipe!
And speaking of Hollywood legends, how about Elizabeth Taylor?
This iconic Actress loved Chasen’s Chili – so I made it!
Click here for the recipe – it’s worth it!
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Categories: 52 In 22!, Bite Eat Swallow, Bite! Eat! Repeat!, Cookbooks, Eat This!, Food, Food Pictures, Food Porn, Recipes, Restaurants, Wacky Food, World's Wildest Food
Bite! Eat! Repeat! 
I ate there years ago and loved the whole experience
Hi John, What a great restaurant and menu. Very different. I had no idea grits is a porridge of some sort. I always thought it was some sort of pancake or flapjack. You live and learn.
Yes, “grits” are made from boiled cornmeal – a VERY southern thing…grits and biscuits and gravy are a southern breakfast to be sure! They are fairly bland so usually get smothered in something sweet like syrup or savory like butter!
I’m glad I’ve learned this. Grits is a funny name for cornmeal porridge for me 😉
Grits are something we experienced on our visits to see our families…I love grits with either shrimp or bacon and the maple syrup it was one of my favourite breakfasts…what you call biscuits we call scones they are very similar…Thank you for taking me down memory lane , John 🙂
I have never eaten that chicken and waffle combo, but I would dearly love to try it.
Best wishes, Pete.