Chicken & Waffles Update: Betty's C&W and Blue Soul

Chicago has been a tough place for chicken and waffles. Two self-described chicken and waffle specialists—Floyd's Wangs and Thangs on E 79th and Eat 'em Up Chicken and Waffles on E 71st—unsurprisingly went out of business in the last few years. Antwon's Chicken & Waffles on W 79th was another recent casualty (I'm not sure if it ever actually opened for business). Parlor, home of the $15 leg, wing and waffle, also went belly up not long ago. The newly-opened Rosscoe's is packing them in, perhaps more because of their deceptive name than good food.

In the last year or so, two more restaurants have opened on the far south side, carrying on Chicago's wobbly tradition of chicken and waffles.

Betty's Chicken & Waffles, despite its name, is a takeout-only fast food joint serving mostly hot dogs, Polshes, gyros and the like.







The pale, limp waffles were every bit as dreadful as they look and the glop on top doesn't merit comment. The chicken, however, wasn't half bad. Actually it was surprisingly good, hot out of the fryer with a spicy, salty breading. Betty's is certainly not a destination for chicken and waffles but the chicken exceeded my (admittedly low) expectations.

Blue Soul is a fairly new soul food restaurant specializing in chicken and waffles.





I wasn't terribly impressed with the "meat and two" dinners but the chicken and waffles showed some promise. The thick waffle had a nice texture, crispy outside but tender within. Wings, with a well-seasoned thin coating, were meaty and hot. Roscoe's (with one "s") it's not but you can do much worse in Chicago. My complaints are, first, lack of an appropriate gravy (I imagine you could request a side order), and second, the wing-only format.

I really don't understand the special appeal of chicken and waffles so it hardly bothers me that it's so difficult to find a good plate in Chicago. But I don't understand why those who love the dish don't simply go to Army and Lou's for the excellent version they've been serving for years (wings only though).

Betty's Chicken & Waffles
12750 S Halsted St
Chicago

Blue Soul Restaurant
11142 S Halsted St
Chicago
773-264-5433

Army and Lou's
422 E 75th St
Chicago
773-483-3100

The pale, limp waffles were every bit as dreadful as they look

They may be lousy, but they're lousy in a certain tradition. They were largely indistinguishable from Waffle House waffles, from the too-sweet batter to the shallow dimples. The main difference was just that they're square, not round. Not my idea of a great waffle, but clearly somebody likes them, as there are plenty of Waffle Houses.

I liked the chicken though. I like a well-seasoned crust, in fact that's my main complaint against most Chicago fried chicken (eg, the wings at Honey 1.)

Thanks for another great... well, at least interesting South Side discovery, Rene (and Pigmon).

There's another place I've seen advertising for well over a year in a local "shopper" type paper.
Meg's Kitchen advertises "Home of the golden brown chicken and waffles. I've never been there,but perhaps someone would like to take one for the team.


Meg's Kitchen
7448 S, Vincennes
Chicago,Il 60621
773-874-5560

Hrs 8AM-6PM
Sunday 7AM -6PM