Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles
830 N. Lake Ave.
Pasadena, CA
Because of daylight savings and a fluke in my puppeteer career, necessitating me waking up early on a Sunday, we were up before noon and hungry kiddies. C and I went to Roscoe's for the morning-after-Halloween-breakfast. Which, at 12:00 PM on a Sunday, is the after-church crowd.
The sun is beating down and we wait 20 minutes before being seated. The air is cracking with laughter and conversation as we sit down to the booth closest to the pick-up window and beverage station of the kitchen. At first I wondered if it would distract me, but realized it was going to be fun to watch, as C-man sitting on the other side of the booth had the Roscoe's TV channel to watch, which featured a right-hand column of rotating health tips.
Brought over from Harlem in the 1970's, Roscoe's was started because there was no place in Los Angeles outside of a family kitchen that served chicken with waffles. Now it is a five-restaurant chain, and actively participates in its community by donating time and food to programs for at-risk youth.
Reputed for it's soul food, Roscoe's is one of the several regional specialties I have now tasted. we both ordered the quintessential order, the Carol C Special, one tender chicken breast and one waffle. The skin of the chicken as crispy and rich as bacon strips, the waffle soft and light. The meat tender, juicy, salty and hot. the syrup dispensed hot from a coffee pot. the OJ was fresh squeezed. tear off a piece of chicken, dip it in the syrup, add a piece of waffle, and you're in business. If you're me, drink your coffee, too.
Perfect for Sunday morning hustle bustles and all-day contemplation. Perfect if you want something sweet, savory, soft, and crunchy all in your mouth at once, dancing around and making your stomach smile.
Looking forward to the next batch!
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