Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles La Brea - Review - Mid-City - Los Angeles - The Infatuation
"Roscoe’s has made had more LA cameos over the past five decades than Stan Lee has in Marvel movies: Rush Hour, Fresh Prince, and that one time Snoop Dog took Larry King to dinner. We could keep going, but it’s clear from its place in pop culture that Roscoe’s is a local institution. That, and this soul food dinner has long been a reliable morning-to-midnight option for anyone in Los Angeles in need of some solid fried chicken. photo credit: Jessie Clapp photo credit: Jessie Clapp Roscoe's is credited for introducing the West Coast to fried chicken and waffles back in the ‘70s, and while it does a bunch of other stuff like housemade sausage, grits, and gravy-smothered giblets, the classic Scoe’s Special #1 is still our go-to. This two-piece order arrives in minutes, with each piece of crispy, thin-crusted fried chicken still glistening from the fryer. The double stack of cinnamon waffles on the side act as sponges for the swirl of condiments that coat your plate: sticky vanilla-y maple syrup, a scoop of butter, and ideally some vinegary Louisiana-style hot sauce. Or, if you opt for the Scoe’s Special #2, the chicken is covered in a pool of salty gravy that calls for a big sip of iced tea in between bites. And if you’re wondering which one of Roscoe’s six LA-area restaurants you should visit, the answer is the closest one to you. The one in Mid-City is slightly more polished and has a small parking lot, but every Roscoe’s location delivers the same level of comfort. Food Rundown photo credit: Jessie Clapp Scoe’s Special #1 Whether it’s your first or 500th time at Roscoe’s, this dish delivers what Roscoe’s does best: standard fried chicken and waffles. We’ve found Roscoe’s white meat to often be dry, so order a thigh and leg for your choice of two pieces. And be generous with the maple syrup, which has a rich vanilla flavor that plays well with the cinnamon waffles. photo credit: Sylvio Martins Scoe’s Special #2 It’s the #1, except the fried chicken comes on the side and is engulfed in a tidal wave of salty gravy that tastes like dry rub from a Thanksgiving turkey. And when we say salty, we mean have-your-water-ready salty. photo credit: Sylvio Martins Red Beans & Rice These are well-seasoned rice and beans, so if that sounds like a good time, sneak this technically-a-vegetable side into your very beige, very fried meal. photo credit: Sylvio Martins Greens Like the beans, Roscoe’s soupy greens have just the right amount of salt, but also a sneaky cayenne heat that we thoroughly enjoy." - Sylvio Martins
