Chicago's Home of Chicken & Waffles - Oak Park

As I said in the Commings and Goings thread, I just got back from a late breakfast at CHoC&W - OP.
And to reiterate - That's some damn good fried chicken!

The room is nice but maybe a tad dark. Service was very friendly - the asst. manager Dorthy stopped by twice, once just to ask if everything was OK and a second time as I was leaving for a chat. Very nice lady. I like the fact that they're open till 11:00 on weekends - dining late in OP can be a bit of a problem.

I had probably the most basic dish, a fried chicken breast and a waffle. Both were very good. The only issue I had was that the coffee is weak for my taste but I'm probably in the minority here. They seemed to be having trouble with the POS system but nothing major and for a full room on the first day everything came off without a hitch.

They certainly took their time opening but it seems to have paid off. I'll definitely be back.

Chicago's Home of Chicken and Waffles
543 W. Madison St.
Oak Park, IL 60302

The Oak Park location just opened yesterday. I've been to the Chicago location so I knew what to expect, still, it was nice to have someplace closer to home for my soul food fix. I ordered my usual, fried chicken, collard greens, yams and mac and cheese. My husband had the chicken and waffle. I think the food there is pretty good. They did a nice job with the decor as well. I'd upload a pic, but I can't figure out how.

It's definitely worth a visit.

Went there on opening day.

Waffles weren't crisp, but they were light and very tasty.

The chicken was excellent. perfect crust and a nice little kick of spice.

The mac n cheese was cold and didn't have much cheesey flavor.

All in all, a solid meal, and I will definitely head back. I imagine there are some kinks to work out and they certainly will. One thing to be noted is just how amazing and attentive the staff were, including those who were not waiting our table. And the interior decor was very upscale. Best dressed chicken joint i've ever seen.

We went for breakfast this morning. The chicken was very tasty, the waffles were just as Ghazi describes them.
We found one thing quite odd. As upscale as this place is on the inside, we can't figure out what is going on with the flatware and plates. The flatware was barely a step up from plastic, probably cheaper that what they gave us to use in my dorms dining hall many years ago. And the plates?, they were plastic. I mean, c'mon, you take two or three years to open, have a beautiful interior, serve great food and then this? It doesn't seem the right place to save a few bucks.

A recent local reprint of an article by Hammy reminded me to post an initial reaction from a pre-holiday visit to CHOCAW. I dig the ritzy but welcoming space rehab and thought the staff was stellar in handling a full room.



The food is generous in portion and, on this visit, hit or miss in quality. The waffle was delicious but of a moister style without any crisp edges, which I missed vs. the late CJ's or Nightwood. One of the accompanying fried chicken thighs was perfectly cooked and a joy to eat, and the other was either from a very stringy bird or completely overcooked, and had an off flavor. At $5.50 for the plate, I probably overprotest; the crisp batter was excellent on both, with a cinnamon, clove, and ginger finish not unlike what Paramount was emulating a few years back.

Pass on the watery grits, ignore the justly-questioned silverware, and head for some very decent and reasonably priced chicken and waffles at the heart of the menu. I hope the crowds continue.

Is it true this place still doesn't have a phone number? That can't be. Can it?

Vitesse98 wrote:Is it true this place still doesn't have a phone number? That can't be. Can it?

(708) 524-3300

Ah, thanks!

They were great tonight. Trial by fire: our party of nine - with five kids under six, and one newborn. Even though the place was absolutely packed by 7pm, the service was exceptional - friendly, doting on the kids, etc. - and the food for all of us, gratuity included, was a modest $75.

Went with my daughter. I had the fried chicken (dark meat) and waffles which was very good. My daughter really enjoyed the dark chicken with onions and gravy with waffles. The mac and cheese was a miss with too much of a sour cream taste for my liking. Neither of us enjoyed the collard greens. All in all we really liked the chicken and waffles and plan to go back.

Is not there some book out there called Tipping Point about small changes being huge. I'll say this, between my first and second visits to this place, the House made enough minor changes that tipped it from being a meal I though OK but a bit on the high side, to one that when the bill came, it was like, "is that all." If nothing else, it's proof that you cannot always rely on first impressions.

I still feel the least aspect of this place is the waffles, which just come out a wee bit blah and surely lacking in enough crispness. On the other hand, the catfish more than made up for it with an exceptional blend of crisp outside protection moist inside. Surely one of the best pieces of catfish I've had since the long ago period when I lived in NOLA. Everything else tried, smothered chicken, greens, mac n' cheese, yams, corn bread, hit their marks. A lot of calories, but a lot of calories put to good use.

I was a bit surprised how few tables got occupied on a Sunday night. The owners have put a lot of effort into to this place, both in the build-out and in the evolution. I hate to see all the hard work suffer.

I have to admit, I don't understand chicken & waffles. Doesn't all that breadiness make for a very dry meal? Are you supposed to pour syrup all over everything, pissing off Scout-types everywhere?

Syrup and hot sauce together if you like - and lots of runny butter - and you can also get gravy if you prefer. I was at this location recently and their chicken is still excellent, waffles still very limp (though note you can get buckwheat, pecan, or strawberry and cream, which are better, just still relatively textureless). I prefer a crisper waffle. But this dish is not a bready or dry prospect. My method is to get a 1/4 dark and "pull" all of the meat and crispy skin with two forks, top the waffles with it (they often come with a knot of butter already on top), and go to town with syrup and hot sauce. On this specific place, CHOCW has some of the most naturally pleasant and accommodating service I've ever encountered.

Two great threads on C&W:

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=25497
viewtopic.php?p=5645#p5645

Another very good meal at CHoC&W tonight.
I had the 1/4 chicken (white meat) with waffles and red beans & rice.
The chicken was tender and juicy, the waffles were perfectly cooked and the red beans & rice were just the right amount of spicy with nice fatty (in a good way) chunks of ham hocks.
Daughter Rachel had a chicken breast and waffles and we split the rice & beans. This was her first time and she's an instant fan.

They had a live band tonight too and these guys were GOOD! I mean REALLY GOOD! Lots of R&B, a little funk, and even some Prince.

Ghazi wrote:The chicken was excellent. perfect crust and a nice little kick of spice.

agreed, I really enjoyed the dark meat I got, lots of the fat had been rendered out but just a touch for the savory taste w/the waffle & syrup, so tasty !!

Vital Information wrote:On the other hand, the catfish more than made up for it with an exceptional blend of crisp outside protection moist inside.

fried catfish when done right is an amazing dish. As a result of your post I went ahead and ordered a side of the fried catfish, so good, with the slight grassy/earthy flavor I so enjoy with fresh catfish.