Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles: stick-in-your-ribs goodness

Oh, New York City.  This time of year, the weather outside is frightful, the fire - if you've got space for one - is so delightful, but there are always places to go.  I'm gonna miss glitzy, festive 5th Avenue full of weaving tourists, the small and large storefronts hiding some of the best hot chocolates to be had anywhere, and having to wear every and any article of clothing in your possession to stave off sub-zero temperatures...only to have to frantically peel off your layers after running for the subway train.

Perspective.  Let's take a look at what's cookin' up in the Golden State, where Christmases are never white.

At Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles, we're having none of that nicely-plated, microscopic stuff but yes, please, to a big helping of butter-embracing comfort food.   You know, this makes me think of that time in Florence when I went to a local bar for aperitivi (aperitivoes?) with two pals, where we were served the best prosecco of our lives.  I stupidly never asked to see the bottle, but my guess is that the taste had something to do with sitting outside around an elbow-grazing table on the stone-paved sidewalk, watching a ferocious storm kicking up in the clouds in the far distance.

The proprietor came out to ask us where we were from (I was shocked and insulted to know that my Italian sounded funny after a good...year of study), and although I mostly grew up in California, something compelled me to tell him New York, where I had resided for some time.

"Oh, good!  Finally, some people with soul.  Good you are not from California.  Those people have no souls."

I didn't know that I had been lacking a soul for a good part of my life.  But if we are what we eat, then may I hazard at least a slight contradiction?

Chicken and grits!  The chicken is moist and crisp, and the grits hit the spot.  I scooped the butter off so the grits were a little mealy and blander than usual, but I liked them fine. Nothing complicated here.  Is there better fried chicken elsewhere?  Are there better grits elsewhere?  Yeah.  But then you'd be missing the point.  And may I offer that you get to choose between white and dark meat for your chicken?

But what you should really be ordering is the above: chicken and waffles.  There's magic when you combine crispy fried chicken, fluffy waffles, and maple syrup.  And I think that here is Roscoe's charm.  They don't overplay any of these three elements, but simply allow the three elements to coalesce perfectly into that stick-in-your-ribs goodness.

Here's a picture of the chicken giblets, those of you who are more adventurous.  For those who do not know, giblets are the edible insides,  Gizzards, hearts, livers, etc.

Experience...3.5 outta 5.
When you want chicken and waffles this side of the U.S., you know where to get it.  President Obama knew where to replenish his soul too.

Roscoe's House of Chicken & Waffles
830 North Lake Avenue (other locations available)
Pasadena, CA 91104
(626) 791-4890