Such is the case with us! WE....LOVE.....CHICKEN AND WAFFLES!!! (CW) If I asked my husband Herb what is ultimate comfort food would be, he'd no doubt say..."Chicken and Waffle". We should probably have bumper stickers that say "I Brake for Chicken and Waffles".
Now let's get something clear from the beginning, we don't mean IHOP's version, which is Chicken Strips and Waffles - NOOOOO...SO not acceptable. TRUE CW can ONLY be enjoyed at small individually owned establishments and cooked by Chefs who KNOW the history of CW and play within the guidelines of this treat. The theory here follows the same for Red Velvet Cake. ANYBODY who thinks it's Chocolate Cake with Red Food Coloring is just WRONG and needs to be seriously schooled and/or whooped!!!!
Historically speaking, there are a few schools of thought regarding the inception of both CW and Red Velvet. Interestingly enough, both histories are steeped in cultures from both above and below the Mason/Dixon Line! (Hmmm...maybe these were causes for the Civil War - LOL). Some say Red Velvet is a product of the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in NYC and many claim it's a Southern tradition in which most recipes are secret and only passed down orally. I promise you though, if you go to ANY southern family reunion and bring your version, it better be right because your survival in that family may be hinged on your prowess! Particularly if you're trying to MARRY into the family. Thank God mine was well received! We may not have my little cupcake if I'd jacked it up!
I have, for a few years have been trying to create the perfect Red Velvet cake. There's a recipe in my book, but alas, that iteration is no longer good enough. I think now I have a good profile and formula for the crimson delight, but, that could change.
I digress! Back to CW!!! SO....many people are familiar with Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles. They became famous in the 70's and 80's for bringing this dish to widespread popularity. Kinda like Arnold Palmer with the 1/2 Sweet Tea 1/2 Lemonade. HE didn't invent it by a LONG shot! But he sure did make it famous! Gladys Knight also had a version of CW. Both places serve it the way it's SUPPOSED to be served! Bone-in fried chicken atopor alongside a waffle. According to Wiki....CW was created by Slaves as a special treat on the rare ocassion they received poultry scraps from their masters and usually served for Sunday morning breakfast. That certainly does seem to still be the case in Southern African American culture. Anytime you say CW....hearts race, eyes get big and folks jump!
Enter Herb and I! Our love for CW truly is steeped in tradition and a desire for gooood ole fashioned comfort food! We are ALWAYS on the look-out for CW! Especially here in DC. You'd think that since we're below the Mason Dixon Line, there'd be places aplenty!!! But, alas, NO! Many places have fallen short of our expectations and we've left many a place slamming our napkins down and decreeing "Welp...scratch THIS place off this list.....NEXT!!!"
That is....until....one FINE Saturday morning...August 18, 2012 in fact. While in Durham, NC we were sightseeing and foraging for food before preparing for his cousin's wedding.
Picture it....He's driving....I'm riding, taking in the sights and talking on my cell phone when on the left....I see it...a sign bearing: "Dame's (Almost) World Famous Chicken and Waffles". Immediatley, we pull into a parking lot, not DARING to pass up an opportunity to have CW! Especially in NC! He puts our name on a looong list. But we don't care and I pass time in a boutique next door.
FINALLY, it's our turn. We're seated at this wonderful table and admiring the restaraunt's decore. I open the menu and begin to salavate! Rather than boasting 100% pure maple syrup for the waffles (which, is my favorite), the boast 'shmears'. Butters infused with wonderful flavors like Apricot/Peach and Orange Honeycomb. My eyebrows raise in intrigue as I further read their offering of Panko breaded chicken breast served with Creme Whiskey Sauce. Wha..wha...WHAT??!!! You're KIDDING??!!
Then....my eyes begin to well up as I read "Pick your waffle flavor": Classic, Sweet Potato, Gingerbread. *sniff...sniff* Say it ain't sooo!!!
Our jaws DROP as we watch plates being delivered to other customers. Excitedly....we order. Herb Classic Chicken and Waffles with a side of Macaroni and Cheese. Me: Panko breaded chicken cutlet with whiskey cream sauce, Sweet Potato Waffle with Orange/ Honeycomb shmear, cheese eggs and grits!
As we wait, we laugh and joke as we play hangman and tic tac toe on the white paper on the table and I draw Kendal's name in an obvious display of missing her.
Our food has arrived!!!!!!
We damn near cry as we savor every bite. THE MACARONI AND CHEESE was THE BEST I HAVE EVER EATEN. And lemee tell ya, with THESE hips and my forty years of life...I've eaten ALOT of Macaroni and Cheese! I tried to bribe and bat my eyes to get the recipe, but alas, even my smile and batting eyes were futile. All I can say is that it was creamy, delicious and I'd drive ALLLLLL the way back to Durham, NC JUST for that macaroni and cheese!!!!!!
The waffle and shmear...sigh....There are NO words!!! Fan-ta-bu-lous!!!!!!!!! PERFECT in every way!!!! Served hot....thick....tongue poppin flavor and the shmear....OOHHHH!!!! Syrup on THAT waffle with THAT butter, would have been blasphemous!
FINALLY!!!!!!! We had arrived at Chicken and Waffle Nirvana!!!! (que heavenly music and opening skies)
I cried as I discover that my belly can't hold anymore and that I must take my waffle with me. I tried, but then I realized that in two hours, I must put on a pretty dress (that I'd NEVER worn) and sit comfortably through a wedding ceremony.
TRUE bliss was experienced that day! Ture Bliss! Our quest for delicious CW lives on, for sure, but atop our list now: Dame's (Almost) World Famous Chicken and Waffles in Durham, NC!!!!!!! Guy Fieri.....Road trip to Durham is required of you!!!!!
As an aside, I DID make it into my dress (whew) and Natalie and Ashley's wedding was beautiful!
