Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles

"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: Holly Liss photo credit: Holly Liss This wood-paneled, neon-pink-lit diner 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 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. 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

"This classic chicken-and-waffle restaurant in Hollywood serves its namesake dish, plus plenty of other hearty soul food until midnight daily. While the iconic Pico Boulevard location has closed after 30 years, the Mid-City flagship on La Brea is open until midnight Sunday through Thursday and until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The chain’s other locations in Long Beach, Anaheim, and Pasadena serve until midnight on weekends only." - Eater Staff, Matthew Kang

"If you don't at least secretly crave chicken and waffles after a long night of drinking, you're lying to yourself and us. Roscoe's has been around since 1975 and is a flat-out LA institution. They deep-fry their chicken in the same batter as they make their waffles, and yes, it's sob-inducing. Maybe you were already crying because you saw your ex looking happy on Instagram a few hours ago, but these will be tears of joy. Their Hollywood location is open until midnight every night of the week. " - brant cox, arden shore, nikko duren, sylvio martins, garrett snyder

"Long before President Obama visited the flagship location of this soul food chain, it had a cult following. Roscoe’s opened its first restaurant in Long Beach during the 1970s and quickly became famous for introducing the West Coast to fried chicken and waffles. This Black-owned spot has continued expanding ever since, with five locations across SoCal from Hollywood to Anaheim. A true LA institution, Roscoe’s helped make crispy chicken and buttery waffles an iconic duo, and that’s exactly what we order every time we’re here. Whether you come for brunch or a late-night dinner, slide into one of their big leather booths, bask in the dining room's pink neon lights, and drizzle cinnamon syrup over your plate before diving into their namesake dish. " - nikko duren, garrett snyder, brant cox

"In case you’ve been dropped into LA from somewhere far away - or you’ve been living under a rock since you arrived - allow us to educate you about Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles, a true Los Angeles treasure. Eating the #13 “Carol C. Special” - a waffle and some perfectly-fried chicken breast - sometime around 2am on at least one ocassion is an absolute requirement for calling yourself an LA local." - katherine lewin