Finally gave in and tried this odd combination that has been raved about in magazine and on food shows! (Opening episode of the Food Network‘s show Dweezil & Lisa; Travel Channel‘s show Man v. Food.) An establishment started by Shangha Hankerson, son of famous R&B singers from the south, Glady’s Knights and Ron Winans Chicken and Waffles has been long standing in downtown Atlanta. Now they have three locations in Georgia.
The concept of Chicken and Waffles was born in Harlem, New York in the 1930’s. As celebrities hung out in the late night hours, they could not decide if they wanted breakfast or dinner – so Wells Chicken & Waffles gave them both!
The downtown Atlanta restaurant didn’t look much from the outside. There was a long line of people standing out, waiting for a table when I got there on a Friday evening. The wait for only 45 minutes but I was eager to know what the fuss was all about. The inside was informal and cozy. Not much has been done to update the place since it opened in 1997.
First item on the menu to catch my attention was Collard Green Spring Rolls. I do like collards but have never tried them in an Asian twist. I have an open mind about food and that’s what this evening was about. Warm sauteed collards and cabbage cooked with onions, garlic and spices (how they are typically cooked) but stuffed in egg-rolls and served with a sweet chili sauce. Hmmm…not my favorite. Something about the combo just didn’t work.
Next, had to try chicken and waffles, so I ordered Buckwheat Waffles with Fried Chicken, while my friend got the Midnight Train, southern fried jumbo chicken wings with an original waffle. I have the say this was perhaps the best fried chicken I ever had. The meat was tender and juicy inside (not overcooked), and the skin was crispy and flavorful. The waffle, though was disappointing. It was soft and soggy, served with packets of butter and maple syrup. I tried my best to eat the chicken and waffles together in one bite of the fork, but it was too dry. As a combination, it did not work for me. My friend ate her chicken first and then the waffle as dessert. That seemed like a better plan.
For dessert, I was eyeing the Sweet Potato Cheesecake, their most popular dessert item. A light fresh cheesecake baked with a graham cracker crust and drizzled with warm caramel, chopped pecans and whipped cream melted in your mouth. A southern favorite done very well!
My verdict – try it at least once for the experience if you have’t been to a Chicken & Waffles place before. They also have a scrumptious southern food menu so definitely go if you like a good piece of fried chicken and sweet potato cheesecake.
Glady’s Knights and Ron Winans Chicken & Waffles
Atlanta, Downtown
529 Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta, GA 30308
Phone: 404-874-9393
