Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles...Good Eats

Okay this post isn't anything new, but really for those who are "new" to the concept of Fried Chicken with Waffles. I know I know "That doesn't even sound like a good combination". Nor did "Catfish & Grits" the first time I heard it, but once I tried it I loved it. It's a Southern thang and there is no explaining it. All I'm saying is please please please..Don't Knock It, Til You Try It. I've been venturing to Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles since I was in high school. Brian (Anderson), Carl (King) and myself use to hit Roscoe's up at least every other weekend. Just as a spot for us to come together and break bread. The best spot to have Roscoe's is of course on Pico Blvd and La Brea Ave (West L.A.) - 5006 W. Pico Blvd Los Angeles, CA. This was our first encounter with Mama, no not yo Mama, but Mama. This older Black woman calls everybody "baby" and she will treat you straight up like you are her kids. We walked in, she greeted us at our table and in a stern but motherly voice said, "Babywhatchalwannadrank" all in one breathe. We ordered three Cokes, she said, "Nah Suga, its' too early in da mornin' fa all that suga, Im gonn git yall three Sunrises". Ive never heard of a Sunrise - it's Orange Juice with Lemonade, was the magical drank...delicious. We down them bad boys and asked for another, until we were told its not free refills...DAYUM!!!

Mama, "Nobody told yall to suck them dranks down that fast, let me getcha some wata". Straight keepin it real. Now don't be disturbed, by the loose wires hanging overhead or a few missing tiles on the floor that's all apart of the ambiance, the decor, the mofit..we ain't come here fo all that, we came here for some Chicken & Waffles baby!!! On this particular day we just so happened to be sitting in the both next to comedian Pierre Edwards from "The Wash, How To Be A Player, etc." we chopped it up took pictures and the whole nine.

Time for the biznes at hand. Since this was my first time going, I wasn't quite sure what to get. I just decided to roll with the #4 Herb's Special - 1/2 chicken with gravy and two waffles. That's right a half chicken (4 pieces smothered in that rich and flavorful gravy with onions) go hard or go home and since I knew I was going home, I wanted to go home to a coma. What makes Roscoe's waffles so bomb is that this ain't no IHOP or Denny's enriched flour..this is straight up Roscoe's own mix homie and you know its filling because after you eat the waffles; that's a meal in itself. I could wax off those 4 pieces of chicken, down them waffles and drill two Sunrises and be out the door..Deuces flying high til the next time....Ahh yes the good ol days, that was in my golden age..now I'ma grown man with high blood pressure and all that good stuff. I have to settle for the Scoe's #1 1/4 chicken with two waffles let my doctor tell it I probably don't even need this. He probably would have me settle for the #13 Carol C. Special - one succulent breast and waffle just straight up beautiful...shake a lil Red Rooster on that yardbird and let yo fingas do the work. Forget that knife and folk, pick that chicken up and work that.

The most regularly ordered menu item ordered in my family, or should I say by my homeboy Bigg Quincy is the good ol Jennie Jones Omelette. It's actually the #5 Jeanne Jones Omelette combination of cheese and chicken in a delicious omelette, served with french fries or a waffle. The waffle is always the best way to go. Don't mess around with french fries, it just kills the meal. That is of course unless you tryna get down with them hot buttery grits. Have mercy somebody please dial 9-1-1. Man law, you cant have eggs on a plate and not have no grits to accompany it. Myself personally I like to mix my grits n eggs together, its an eternal aroma, like the smell of chitterlings. Cmon somebody if you know how to eat some grits..you know you gotta drop a few pats of butter in it, sprinkle in some salt (remember gotta watch the high BP and Cholesterol, but then again if you at Roscoe's all that just went out the door..if I'ma die, its gonna be with a chicken leg in one hand and some grits in the other), not that sugar madness, gone and top it off with some eggs and do the damn thing.

Now I can dig it if Chicken and Waffles aren't your thing. Roscoe's has an assortment of other delicacies you can try. Can never go wrong with a House Combo. You can get the House Combo #22 Greens, Cornbread and Mac & Cheese and your choice of either 2 legs, a thigh, 2 wings or a breast piece Other House Combos include the same chicken selection, but modified sides; Red Beans & Rice, Smothered Potatoes and Candy Yams. Not to mention the extensive Ala Carte menus as well.

Roscoe's offers 5 dining locations through out the Greater Los Angeles area. I'm always going to be partial to Pico & La Brea because it is where I have my first Roscoe's experience and because I love Mama. I will recommend if you ever decide to go to the Sunset Blvd & Gower St (Hollywood) location, look for parking and be prepared to wait, its always a line there and its mad small inside..don't go hungry. Manchester Ave and Main St (South L.A.) there's always some drama poppin off over there. Again, limited parking and they close a lil early. Broadway & Los Alamitos (Long Beach) Yay! Yay! 2nd Best Service of them all, nice and spacious. Lake Ave & Boylston St (Pasadena), always can find a spot to park, less crowded and quickest service, freeway accessible off the 210 fwy. No matter which location you choose your Roscoe's experience will always be one of a kind.

Don't forget to tell'em Theo-licious sent ya!!