Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles

"Whenever LA and soul food appear in the same sentence, Roscoe’s is guaranteed to be part of the conversation. This local chain with big brown booths and pink neon signage introduced the West Coast to fried chicken and waffles back in the ‘70s and has famously kept its menu tight ever since. Whether it’s 8am or midnight, or your first or 500th visit, the Scoe’s special is our favorite place to start: two pieces of glistening thin-crusted fried chicken plus two cakey, cinnamon-laced waffles begging to be smothered in Louisiana hot sauce and rich, sticky syrup. Scoe's special #1, Sunset (lemonade & fruit punch)" - brant cox, cathy park, garrett snyder, sylvio martins

"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

"After eight long years of waiting, construction on Roscoe's House of Chicken & Waffles site in Barrio Logan, San Diego has restarted. The soul food establishment is known for its Southern classics, including breakfast specials, chicken tenders, and its famous fried chicken and waffles served with sides like grits, mac and cheese, and greens." - Candice Woo

"Open since 1975, Roscoe’s is a flat-out LA institution. They deep-fry their chicken in the same batter as they make their waffles and it’s as wonderfully tear-inducing as you might think. 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 original flagship location on Pico has closed, but you’ll find their new spot at the corner of La Brea and Washington." - kat hong, brant cox, sylvio martins

"Featured on Bobby and Sophie on the Coast, showcasing LA hotspots." - Mona Holmes