Chicken and waffles isn’t the strange combo it once was, with bird-and-waffle joints popping up from Long Beach to Brooklyn. Rumor has it the dish dates all the way back to the time of Thomas Jefferson, who brought the first waffle iron from France in the late 1700s.
Fried chicken was already a common Southern breakfast, often paired with a bread like flapjacks. While there is a lack of historical evidence for an original recipe, it is thought the recipe was eventually brought North and became popular in Harlem during the early 20th century. Herb Hudson, a Harlem resident, brought the dish to the mainstream after opening Roscoe’s House of Chicken & Waffles in Hollywood, Calif.
© Ernesto Andrade | Flickr
Hudson has since opened several other locations around California, though I was eager to try the original establishment. I arrived at the Hollywood location on a late weekday afternoon, with the place moderately filled. I’m a big fan of sweet and savory combos, though if you’re not into it, there are plenty of soul food options available on the menu. Looking for a classic Roscoe’s experience, I ordered a Country Boy combo, also known as the Obama Special, with three wings and a waffle, in addition to a side of sweet potatoes.
The staff was friendly and brought out my food quickly. While I’ve had better fried chicken for the price, Roscoe’s certainly knows what they’re doing, sticking with a small-batch method utilizing cast-iron pans, the proper Southern way. The meat was juicy and had a crisp, perfectly seasoned skin. They paired well with the waffles, which were much softer than your typical Eggo, and added just enough sweet to the savory. Toward the end of the meal, all your food starts mixing together a bit, creating a weird but tasty concoction of chicken, hot sauce and maple syrup. My sweet potato side was the perfect accompaniment for the meal, leaving barely any room for a piece of cornbread before I left.
All in all, Roscoe’s is a classic Los Angeles establishment that is definitely worth the visit. While there are better bird-and-waffle joints popping up across America, the Roscoe’s experience can’t be duplicated and will leave you satisfied.
Roscoe’s House of Chicken & Waffles
1514 N Gower St
Los Angeles, Calif. 90028
323 466 7453
Read This Next
Dirty Bird To-Go, Chelsea, NYC
Restaurant
Apr 3, 2015#TrazeeTravel
Insta FeedFood & Drink
Apr 19, 2024What to Expect from the New Brews, Boils & Bubbles Festival in New Orleans
If there’s any destination that knows how to throw a party, it’s New Orleans. A new festival provides even more to love.
Sponsored Content
Experience Ireland’s
Wild Atlantic Way
From the windy tip of Malin Head in County Donegal to the colorful harbor town of Kinsale in County Cork, Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way amazes at every turn. Feel the blast of fresh sea air with a lighthouse walk. Get up close to history, grab a fireside seat at a traditional music session, experience the world-famous Irish hospitality and explore some of Ireland's most exhilarating coastal scenery. It is a place that inspired dreamers and travelers, poets and painters with a landscape filled with stone walls, thatched cottages, deserted beaches and breathtaking views. Charming towns and villages, 1,500 miles of soaring cliffs, incredible landscapes and unique experiences await.
Cruises
Apr 19, 2024Les Roches, Silversea Launch Pioneering Postgraduate Program in Cruise Line Management
Les Roches and Silversea signed an agreement to launch a groundbreaking field of study. The first-of-its-kind, innovative program, at the Les Roches campus in Marbella, Spain, will offer the knowledge and skills to manage and oversee various onboard areas of cruise vessels, as well as marketing, revenue management and other commercial functions. Students benefit from a scholarship agreement between both entities and the opportunity for employment with Silversea.
Surveys
Apr 18, 2024Study Shows Best Spots for a European Workcation
Planning a workcation, a.k.a. a working vacation, wherein you take advantage of your job’s remote work policy and hit the road, answering emails all the while? If so, you may want to head to one of the best spots in Europe for such a trip. A new study from ClickSlice points you in the right direction.
Sponsored Content
The Argosaronic Islands Are Calling
The Saronic or Argo Saronic Islands of Greece call travelers to explore its seven small islands and islets brimming with history, natural sites and more. With most easily accessible by boat, the islands’ proximity to ports of Athens make the Saronic Islands an ideal destination for those preferring shorter boat rides. In fact, trips from Athens ports to the islands take only between 10 minutes and two hours, depending on the island you choose, making them perfect for day or weekend trips.
Destinations / Europe
Apr 18, 2024In Bavaria? Take a Ride on the Tegelberg Cable Car and Summer Luge
During a recent trip to Bavaria, Germany, we stopped in Schwangau to explore Neuschwanstein Castle and Hohenschwangau Castle. While there, we traveled down the road to Tegelberg Mountain for a cable car ride to the top of the German Alps with Tegelbergbahn.
ShareThis