IF CHICKEN & WAFFLES SOUNDS TERRIBLE, YOU MIGHT BE FROM IOWA

I am...from Iowa, I mean. I love chicken, and there's nothing wrong with a good waffle. But if you grew up in The Mid-West, chances are you have never put the two together. It's kind of like Hall and Oats, bottles and water or sun and morning.... individually all of them are OK. But put them together and NOW you have something.

Chicken & waffles is a traditional Southern/soul food dish. If you happen to live anywhere in the greater Los Angeles basin( L.A., Long Beach or Pasadena), there's no better place than Roscoe's. It ain't fancy, but it sure is good. I've taken several friends there over the years.Almost to a person, they go with great hesitancy.. until dinner is served. The fried chicken comes either plain or smothered (that means with gravy for my Mid-Western brethren) and always piping hot. Without question, the waffles are the best I've ever eaten. I don't know how eggs, flour and water come out that good, but they do.

The side dishes are equally as good. The collard greens fresh and cooked with pork fat. A little Red Rooter Hot Sauce and vinegar makes them just right. For those that have not had authentic, down home mac & cheese, this is the time. Don't think Velveeta and pasta. It's something totally different. If you want to be a real glutton, get an order of hot water corn bread too.

If you plan on going at lunch or for a weekend dinner, also plan on waiting. Trust me, it's worth the wait.