It was 1998. Chubby(college)panda was sitting in a theater with some friends watching Rush Hour. As Jackie Chan cooled his heels in front of the Foo Chow restaurant, a pair of Japanese tourists approached and asked a fateful question.
"Excuse me, do you know where is Roscoe's Chicken n' Waffles?"
Puzzled, young Chubbypanda leaned to the SoCal native on his left and whispered, "What's that?"
"What's what?"
"Roscoe's Chicken 'n Waffles."
A look of stunned disbelief.
As his friend's impassioned descriptions of fluffy, golden waffles topped with tender chunks of Southern fried chicken and drizzled with either syrup or hot sauce became louder and more graphic to the annoyance of the other audience members, young Chubbypanda's mind turned to thoughts of food lust, and to the delights he vowed to one day sample.
(I think that chicken could kick my ass.)
Fast forward nine years to last weekend.
Cat: "Can we visit this bridal shop in Long Beach? I want to see if they have the *** I'm looking for."
Me: "I'm not sure. Let me think about it." I hate driving. Don't wanna go. Long Beach... Long Beach... What's in Long Beach. I think I read something last year about- Roscoe's Chicken 'n Waffles! "Yes! We'll go tomorrow morning!" *gleeful cackle*
Cat: "Wha-"
Me: "Invite your parents! I'm buying brunch!"
A look of stunned disbelief.
(The after-church crowd.)
Legend has it that the original Roscoe's House of Chicken 'n Waffles began serving their trademark combination to cater to late night/early morning diners, some of whom wanted both dinner and breakfast in the same meal. This was my first visit to the small, Southern California chain. My saliva glands burst into overdrive the minute I walked through the door and the rich smell of fried chicken flooded my quivering nostrils.
($2 coffee! Ye flippin' gods!)
For my usual morning pick-me-up, I ordered this cup of coffee. It was a decent cup of caffeinated delight that kept me happy until I noticed the price. The waitress never even offered to bring me a refill.
(Leggo my Eggo.)
A quick chat with the waitress and I was good to go. I ordered an all dark meat Scoe's, a fried chicken quarter with two waffles. I have to admit to being a little disappointed when my dish arrived. The chicken didn't look like anything special, and the waffles looked like the packaged frozen kind.
The waffles weren't particularly interesting. Gummy and chewy, they also tasted a little like freezer aisle waffles, although they were certainly of higher quality. But the chicken... Oh gods, the chicken... Crispy on the outside with a flavorful crust that stuck firmly to the juicy meat within. It was like eating deep-fried stock. I had to keep myself from slurping because I was sitting directly across from my future father-in-law.
(Sex in a bottle.)
The real magic, though, lay in this innocuous bottle of Red Rooster Louisiana Hot Sauce You know how the sum of a dish can often be greater than its parts? Remember diners being offered a syrup or hot sauce, as they liked it?
(Oh- My- God!)
I never could make the tough choices.
Roscoe's House of Chicken 'n Waffles - The prices are high and the waffles suck, but slap on some of their amazing fried chicken, a little syrup, and a whole lot of Red Rooster Louisiana Hot Sauce, and you've got the perfect sinful indulgence for a sleepy Sunday.
Bill (my portion)
Coffee - 2.00
Scoe's - 9.10
Tax - 0.86
Tip - 1.73
Total - 13.69
Flavor: B+
Ambience: B
Service: B-
ROI: C
Overall: B-
Roscoe's House of Chicken 'n Waffles
730 E Broadway
Long Beach, CA 90802-5134
1-562-437-8355
Other Locations:
Hollywood, West L.A., Los Angeles, Pasadena
Read this review by Oishii Eats for a second opinion.
Enjoy this hilarious Roscoe's Chicken 'n Waffles song sent to me by Rhett and Link, part of the Alka Seltzer Great American Road Trip.
Also, check out Jackie Chan's latest animated epic, Kung Fu Panda!
(In production.)
Whoa... I know kung fu...
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20 comments:
What a koinki-dink! You had just asked me if I'd ever tried Red Rooster Lousiana Hot Sauce on my post, and I replied:
I believe I have. At Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles in LB. I practically doused everything in it. Even my waffles!
It's pepper ambrosia isn't it?!
I love the Sunrise, Sunset drinks at Roscoe's too!
Great review as always. Reminds me that I gotta go back there. It's been years!
I've lived in southern California all my life, and I've never been to Roscoe's...although I've heard about it dozens of times. If their waffles are disappointing, maybe just the chicken and syrup (and, of course, the hot sauce which you so loved) would suffice, eh? ;)
Hey Chubbypanda!
I've been reading about this place seemingly everywhere, but no one really comments specifically on the waffles. They never looked that special, but I never knew how they fare till now. The CHICKEN however...you make me jealous...especially with that HOT sauce! :)
I think the only fried chicken in Claremont in at KFC. Boo.
I've never gone to Roscoe's either, but I guess it's one of those things that you should try at least once if you're in southern california.
I even made a restaurant just like Roscoe's in my Sims 2 game, haha. It didn't do as well as the real one.
Ah Roscoe's... But I do have some bad memories of that place. The Roscoe's in Santa Monica has that lady who yells at you when you put your elbows on the table! Traumatizing experience man. Traumatizing experience.
oh my oh my chubby :PPP how on earth ? waffles + chicken ?!?! Waitt..what bout Louisiana Fried Chicken in LA ? you guys ever tried that place ? :)
I did not know chicken and waffles go together...I must be living in ignorance...uh-oh!
Roscoe's is definitely an experience! I enjoyed my first experience, but I haven't been back since... However, I do think about it at times...it's just one of those weird cravings..And, I do LOVE Red Rooster!
henry
Ah, Looks like Merritt's is much better on both fronts. The Pasadena Roscoe's waffle is crispy. I was pleasantly surprised since the ones in L.A. haven't impressed me much.
OMG! My favorite dish @ Roscoe's is 'smothered'. Yep.... chicken and waffles (or grits) smothered in gravy. YUM!!!!! I've been to both locations, but we always hit the Long Beach spot when we fly out of LAX. I'm over due for a visit. ;)
Mmmmmmm, I'd love fried chicken and waffles. Ooh yeah. I don't think we have anywhere here that offers both items on a menu. In fact, I don't even know a good place to get waffles! If I wasn't so lazy I'd cook me up some Good Eats recipes fried chicken and waffles. *sigh*
Those look like chicken I'm willing to harden my arteries for! I better hop to it before L.A. bans trans fats too O_O
Hey CP,
I hit Roscoe's every year when I head up to the LBGB in April. Liquored up, late at night, it doesn't get much better than this. Try the waffles and chicken smothered in gravy next time.
Cheers
YUM. Seriously- what is more gluttonous than Fried Chicken, Waffles, Hot Sauce, Butter AND Maple Syrup? Get In My Belly! Great post.
Jackson,
It's awesome. The real magic is the syrup and hot sauce you drizzle all over.
Elmo,
Lol. Your comment about the hot sauce reminded me that I still needed to write this post. Think of it as blogging synergy.
It's really crack in a bottle.
Yuzu,
I think Roscoe's is like Disneyland. It's there for the tourists, so you never feel the need to go. I've been to both Disneyland and Roscoe's once in the past eight years.
Kathy,
The waffles suck. Their only purpose is to make consuming that delightful syrup and hot sauce mixture easier.
Christine,
You need to find the mod that lets you put Louisiana Red Rooster Hot Sauce on every table. Then your restaurant will really be hopping.
Passionate Eater,
Well, even a waffle place has to have standards, I s'pose.
Melting Wok,
I've added it to my list!
Tigerfish,
It's not a combination that I'd normally arrive at, but it seems to work.
Henry,
The waitress told me Red Rooster is available at Albertson's. I'm so buying a bottle.
WC,
Seems like.
Deb,
The smothered option definitely caught my eye, but there was only so much unhealthiness I could rationalize away in one sitting. Maybe next time.
TFP,
Perhaps the lurvly Jac might be persuaded to lend her food prep skills to a good cause...
The Bill,
Got yer back.
HC,
Why must evil taste so good!?!
Captain Jack,
Aye aye, cap'n! *salute*
TAG,
Chili cheese fries come to mind, but I agree. These were truly a decadent treat.
Nine years! Wow! Way to follow through no matter how long it takes. ;) I've got friends who demand a Roscoe's trip every time they visit LA (and I'm happy to oblige).
Some notes:
Haven't been to Long Beach Roscoe's but can tell you that the Hollywood branch is small and dark and there's usually a VERY long line. Service can be bad, but varies. The one on Pico is much larger, but kinda scary, I think. The Pasadena Roscoe's is bright, with windows all the way around and it doesn't usually require a wait (I avoid Sundays altogether).
The thing about their menu is that there are all of these combos, but none of them ever have just what I want to eat, and ordering a la carte is a pricy proposition.
I love the chicken too, and like Deb, I'm a big fan of getting it smothered. In addition to the chicken, my favorite menu item is the cheese and onion eggs. Soooo creamy that I'm quite sure there's no actual "cheese" involved, but dang it's yummy!
The Hollywood location also offers "hot water corn bread" on Tuesdays. I think it's their take on Johnny Cakes.
And, finally... My ex swears by the Jeanne Jones Omelette (fried chicken and cheese). The Pasadena kitchen staff will scramble it for you, but Hollywood won't.
It goes without saying that each and every one of the above should be generously covered with that yummy hot sauce!
Steen,
That thar's some great Roscoe's info. Thanks!
I'm just not sold on the fried chicken. And, I actually like the waffles better.
Roscoe's lovers sing your hearts out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qawlht-alU
hot sauce on waffles? oh tha horrah
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