The Best Food We’ve Had on A Trip: Part 2

Remembering a place by food.
by Desiree Pore | August 16, 2017

“Any mention of the city of Los Angeles has the tendency to evoke images of Hollywood, the Lakers or its bright city lights. But to me, Los Angeles will forever evoke the Southern flavors introduced to me by Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles signature dish — chicken and waffles. With seven restaurants now operating all over California, I was lucky enough to experience my initiation into the wonders of this authentic Angeleno experience that is Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles in its original location at 1514 North Glower Street in the heart of Hollywood.

As most things I came across in Los Angeles, hearing about Roscoe’s renowned Chicken and Waffles for the first time was odd. As a Filipino-Australian, I’ve never associated chicken with waffles prior to visiting this restaurant. But as fate would have it, I didn’t question my American cousins’ suggestions and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life.

The taste of the honey glazed over chicken and waffle is an unforgettable experience that continues to haunt my dreams to this very day. The simplicity of its presentation vastly undersells its tastefulness. It effectively brings delightfulness to a rather dimly lit location. It’s an experience that one can never fully appreciate until they have tried it for themselves. In the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Will Smith’s character described heaven as a “cross between a Sir Mix-A-Lot video and Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles”. Such high praise is a testament to the vastness of chicken and waffle’s local and cultural significance. Given the shared deep history between African Americans and the fried chicken and waffles’, it is fair to conclude that not only is it a symbol of America’s food tradition, it is an enduring symbol of black power.

It was five years since I had these chicken and waffles. It was the only time I only had it. But every time someone asked me what is there to see in Los Angeles, the first place that comes to mind is Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles.” —Frederick, 22

What’s the best food you’ve had on a trip? Share your story with us in the comments below!