When it comes to sweet and savory combinations, it's hard to beat fluffy waffles and crispy chicken. It's no wonder the dish is a Southern soul food favorite for Americans up and down the country. Whether it's served in the classic style, or with unexpected and exciting flavors added to the mix, we've found the best version of this popular comfort food near you.
Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.
Five Bar has three locations in Alabama, plus one in Athens, Georgia, with just five brunch mains on the menu. They're all excellent, especially the chicken 'n' waffles. Juicy chicken thigh and drumstick covered in the joint's signature perfectly crisp batter and served with honey and walnut waffles, whipped butter, and maple syrup. There's also the option to have chicken tenders instead, and a choice of five delicious cocktails to accompany, including classic Bloody Mary and a vodka-based version of strawberry lemonade.
'The American table reimagined' is the tagline of this modern restaurant that's so much more than just a chicken joint. The chicken with waffle and honey butter is great, but it's the signature dish, the chicken 'n' waffle sandwich, that really stands out. Customers love the inventive take on the classic dish, which sees crispy chicken served with bacon, blistered shishito peppers, and brown sugar mayo, sandwiched inside two warm waffles. The dish comes served with a choice of fries or side salad.
With four Lo-Lo's locations in the state (plus one in Nevada and one in Texas), Arizona locals are never too far away from these award-winning chicken and waffles. The Lo-Lo's Hood Classics menu includes all the firm favorites, from Tre-Tre's (two legs and a waffle) to Lo-Lo's (a Southern-style three-piece plate with two waffles). There's also a good selection of soul food classics, like grits, that can be added to your meal too.
The Buttered Biscuit has a wide menu but it's the signature Kickin' Chicken that has become a customer favorite. The spicy fried chicken thigh has the perfect amount of kick, and is served with house-made waffle, bacon jam, and syrup, sprinkled with icing sugar. The dish comes with two eggs of your choice, and is comfort food at its finest.
An LA favorite since 1975, Roscoe's now has several locations throughout southern California. Customers flock there for its perfectly fried chicken and fluffy, sweet, golden waffles, which come with lashings of butter and syrup. There are several variations of the dish available, just decide on your chicken – either wings, breast, leg, thigh, or half or a quarter chicken. You can choose from a variety of sides to add to your chicken and waffles too, such as potato salad, candy yams, biscuit, and mac 'n' cheese.
Laid-back Denver joint The Brutal Poodle specializes in live music alongside a menu of classic dishes with a twist. Fans of heat will love the '2 Step' chicken and waffles, where battered chicken breast is served atop a jalapeño and Cheddar cornbread waffle with spicy sriracha maple syrup. The dish receives rave reviews from happy customers, who say it's seasoned perfectly.
Praised for affordable prices, juicy meat and tasty, thick waffles, former food truck Cheek's now has two permanent locations in Manchester and Wallingford. Customers can choose either three wings or three tenders coated in a huge range of sauces, from sweet teriyaki to maple honey, and served with a waffle covered in icing sugar. Cinnamon sugar, whipped cream, and honey butter upgrades are also available.
Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch in three locations across the state, Metro Diner offers fried chicken in many shapes and forms but it's their chicken and waffle combo with a sweet strawberry twist that keeps customers coming back for more. The dish consists of half a chicken and a Belgian waffle, topped with icing sugar and sweet strawberry butter. The dish is also served with the restaurant's signature sweet and spicy sauce.
One of the hottest spots in Miami Beach, James Beard–nominated Yardbird serves up a menu of classic American comfort food but it's the chicken and waffles that comes highly recommended. The fried chicken uses a family recipe passed down through generations, which sees the poultry marinated for 27 hours to achieve its perfect flavor. It's then served with honey hot sauce, chilled spiced watermelon, sharp Cheddar waffles, and bourbon maple syrup – perfection.
Serving up Southern comfort food since 1939, Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles is a must-visit. Nana's famous chicken-n-flavored waffles consists of three golden fried chicken wings and a choice of waffle – options range from blueberry to award-winning apple and cinnamon. The dish is completed with hot butter syrup and icing sugar. Diners say the waffles are moist and fluffy, and the chicken is extra crispy.
Opened in 1947 by two brothers, Forty Niner Restaurant have been winning rave reviews ever since for its excellent service and delicious food. Customers highly rate the crisp and juicy chicken and fluffy soft waffles, which come drizzled in syrup. If you fancy something a bit different, try them with ube (purple sweet potato) sauce, or upgrade to ube waffles.
As the name suggests, Waffle Me Up serves a menu of deliciously topped sweet and savory waffles including strawberries with cream and Nutella, and bacon and avocado. Its version of chicken and waffles is a standout dish, with customers saying it's the best they've ever tasted. A sweet and fluffy waffle is topped with tender golden chicken and sausage gravy, and served with a large onion ring.
Batter & Berries in Chicago serves up a mouth-watering menu of French toast, classic breakfast dishes, and waffles. Their take on chicken and waffles, Cluck-N-Gaufre, is highly praised by customers. Comprising of a sweet potato waffle that's stuffed with bits of fried chicken and topped with a buttermilk herb fried chicken breast, the dish is served with nutmeg hot sauce and a generous dusting of icing sugar.
A visit to His Place Eatery, a Southern-style restaurant in Indianapolis, will satisfy even the fussiest of chicken and waffle connoisseurs. With four options on the menu covering all sweet and savory bases, there's something for everyone. The classic version, four crispy chicken wings on a fluffy Belgian waffle, comes highly rated by customers. Dessert lovers should try the chicken and peach cobbler waffle with vanilla ice cream, or check out the red velvet waffle, with chicken and a cream cheese glaze. There's also a churro waffle with chicken, coated in cinnamon sugar and caramel drizzle, and topped with whipped cream.
Diners rave about the Mimosa chicken and waffles at funky 1990s hip hop–themed brunch spot Eggs and Jam. Customers say the chicken is juicy and perfectly fried, while the waffle is crisp, soft, and almost marshmallow-like. This signature dish is served with a tasty orange Mimosa marmalade syrup, which fans say call 'mouth-watering'. Visitors also love the upbeat, fun atmosphere, and the extensive menu of cocktails.
While chicken and waffles might not be on Doo-Dah Diner's regular menu, it's a regular weekend special which has clocked up a long list of fans. The dish is a sweet and savory flavor explosion, featuring juicy fried chicken, crispy bacon dipped in chocolate, fluffy waffles, strawberries, and house-made gravy.
The chicken and waffles at Joella's Hot Chicken come highly praised by diners, who can't get enough of the juicy yet crispy tenders and wings used for the dish. Customers can choose the level of heat they want for their chicken, from a mild, Southern-style spice to the extremely hot 'inferno' coating. The fluffy waffles come with maple syrup or spiked honey, which customers say is extremely flavorful.
Southern soul food restaurant Ma Momma's House certainly knows how to do chicken and waffles in style. Choose between juicy, crunchy chicken wings or chicken strips, and add your favorite flavored waffle. Flavors to choose from include rum, pralines and cream, banana nut, chocolate, and strawberry. The dish comes covered with lashings of bourbon syrup, and many satisfied customers say it’s the best chicken and waffles they’ve ever eaten.
A Hot Suppa specialty, the chicken and waffle plate combines juicy, fried, boneless chicken with a buttermilk waffle and generous helpings of local maple syrup. Diners say the dish is delicious in its simplicity and praise the service too. The joint itself is perfect for a late breakfast or brunch, with an array of much-loved classics on the menu.
This chicken and waffle shop has five locations across the state – all of which get glowing reviews. The menu is simple: pick your waffle flavor, including buttermilk, Oreo, chocolate chip, and blueberry, and it's then served with two fried chicken breast tenders. Visitors praise the tender meat and the delicious waffle varieties, plus the menu also features shrimp and waffles and wings.
Cozy local neighborhood joint Brassica has a popular weekend brunch menu serving classic dishes with a twist, but it's the chicken and waffles plate that really stands out. The waffle batter is made from crème fraîche and cream, while the boneless chicken thighs are marinated in buttermilk and a brine of peppers and pickles. The result is a perfectly seasoned melt-in-your-mouth dish, which is served with flavorful maple and hot sauces.
Ma Lou's Fried Chicken serves up poultry in just about every way imaginable, with many of the dishes, such as fried chicken tacos and banh mi, receiving rave reviews. But it's the chicken and waffles plate, which comes served with lashings of syrup and powdered sugar, that remains a customer favorite. The chicken (either tenders or pieces) is juicy and crispy, while the waffles are perfectly fluffy.
There are three Revival restaurants in Minnesota, each serving a tasty array of Southern dishes from shrimp 'n' grits to mac ‘n’ cheese. Customers love the chicken and waffles, which often appears on the specials menu in sandwich form. The traditional version comes with honey butter and maple syrup, and can be cooked Southern-style or Tennessee hot, while the sandwich is a real fork-and-knife affair with two waffles, fried chicken, and egg, finished with white gravy.
Small, cozy diner Sugar's Place is easily missed, but you'll want to make sure you find it to experience some of the best chicken and waffles you'll find anywhere. They're described by diners as sweet, salty, soft, and crunchy – in other words, perfect. The tenders are well seasoned, with crispy breading, and the waffle is incredibly fluffy. Happy customers also praise the friendly service.
If you're looking for something a little bit different, head to Chick-In-Waffle, a restaurant that puts a creative spin on chicken and waffles. Here, crispy buttermilk chicken gets drenched in one of the restaurant's eight signature house-made sauces (such as sriracha-infused maple sauce and sweet BBQ sauce) and is served in a waffle cone or bubble waffle. A customer favorite is the Asian Chili version, with Thai-inspired chili sauce poured over crispy chicken topped with toasted sesame seeds and pickles.
The perfect place to gorge on Southern comfort food in Montana, Roost Fried Chicken has plenty of mouth-watering options on the menu, but it's the chicken and waffles dish that wins rave reviews. Keeping it classic, it consists of two juicy fried chicken breasts, a large Belgian-style waffle, and lashings of maple syrup and honey pecan butter.
With three locations in Omaha, Blatt Beer & Table is a casual restaurant specializing in craft beer and pub food. A highly rated customer favorite is the chicken and waffle dish, incorporating dixie-fried chicken strips served atop a jalapeño cornbread waffle and drenched in honey-orange butter, black pepper gravy, and maple syrup. Diners say it's simply out of this world.
Hash House A Go Go has several locations in Las Vegas (plus elsewhere in Nevada and other states) serving up Andy's World Famous Chicken and Waffles. The chicken is battered in a mix of corn starch, corn flakes, fresh sage, and spices before it's fried to perfection and stacked atop waffles with smoked bacon and tomatoes. The dish is finished with lashings of hot syrup reduction. Customers rave about the large portion and superb flavors.
Buzzy bar and kitchen The Friendly Toast has a menu full of creative flavors and the chicken and waffles dish is not to be missed. Combining a fluffy Belgian waffle with a fried chicken breast coated in Rice Krispies, the dish also features bacon and roasted corn, and is drizzled with hot honey and chipotle maple sour cream.
Tops Diner is one of the best diners in New Jersey, serving huge portions of classic diner food from the early hours in the morning to very late at night. For breakfast, customers are big fans of the chicken and waffles. A half bird served with a Belgian waffle and hot honey, it's a dish that will satisfy your hunger cravings.
Nexus Brewery has a menu of 'New Mexico soul food' – satisfying dishes that are perfectly spiced and comforting. The Southern fried chicken and waffles receives rave reviews. Cooked fresh to order, the menu warns the dish could take up to 25 minutes to be prepared, but people don't mind waiting for perfectly hot and juicy chicken, with many saying it's the best they've ever eaten.
In a city with endless choices, it’s not easy standing out – but Sweet Chick has gained a reputation for serving impeccable fried chicken. With four locations in New York City and one in Los Angeles, this mini-chain chicken joint is consistently rated very highly for juicy yet crispy chicken and deliciously fluffy waffles. You can choose from classic, BBQ, soy honey garlic, buffalo, Nashville hot, or salted caramel chicken with apple cinnamon, bacon cheddar, chocolate chip, or vanilla glaze flavored waffles.
You'll be spoilt for choice at Dame's Chicken and Waffle – you can customize everything from your type of chicken and flavor waffle, to the 'schmear' and drizzle. There are set dishes on the menu, but why not have some fun and create your own? Options include sweet potato and gingerbread waffles, blueberry, orange honeycomb, and vanilla almond schmears, and honey dijon, buttermilk ranch, and whiskey cream drizzles. Customers love it.
Self-proclaimed 'funky eating joint' Brew Bird has a menu of fried chicken served in a variety of ways, alongside a long list of delicious-sounding cocktails. You must wait for the weekend brunch menu, though, to sample the highly rated chicken and waffles. Two crispy chicken tenders are served on a gluten-free waffle with a lip-smacking hot honey drizzle and jalapeño slaw on the side.
Soho Chicken + Whiskey serves modern Southern cuisine along with an excellent range of craft beers and cocktails. The fried chicken is brined, breaded, and deep-fried before it's served with rosemary waffles, icing sugar, and Ohio maple syrup. Customers consistently praise the wonderful service, great atmosphere, and top-notch chicken. The waffle itself also gets a huge thumbs up thanks to its unusual flavoring.
Focusing on all things waffle, from sandwiches to sweet desserts, Waffle Champion in Oklahoma City is the perfect spot for tasty chicken and waffles too. You may have to line up and wait, but it will be worth it. Fans rate the flavorsome chicken and absolutely love the waffle, which is slightly crispy on the outside, but soft and fluffy on the inside. Customers also love that the dish is finished with crispy leeks and Tabasco honey – delicious!
Portland brunch restaurant Screen Door focuses on Southern soul food and has received countless accolades since it opened in 2006. Now in two locations, it's famous for its incredibly tender fried chicken served with a mountain of sweet potato waffles and syrup. Customers say the place is always extremely busy, but it's worth the wait.
Green Eggs Café serves a less conventional take on chicken and waffles, and it's fantastic. The chicken and waffles Benedict consists of Southern fried chicken breast served on a buttermilk waffle along with two poached eggs and a side of your choice. The dish is finished with both maple syrup and hot hollandaise sauce, creating an unusual sweet and savory taste. Fans reckon it's a phenomenal dish, and praise the incredible balance of flavors.
Often cited at the best place for breakfast in Rhode Island, the Rhody Hen has a legion of fans, who all rate the chicken and waffles as the best in the state. A light and fluffy waffle is topped with crispy and juicy fried chicken tenders, with customers saying the flavors are a perfect combination. The place is always busy but diners, who return again and again, say the service is friendly and the food is well worth waiting for.
The offerings at highly rated Johnny D’s Waffles range from omelets and steak and eggs, to pancakes and skillets, yet it's the chicken and waffles that stands out. Cooked to perfection and praised by visitors for the crispy chicken and soft waffle, the dish combines a house-made waffle with fried chicken tenders, syrup, butter, and cinnamon sugar. To take the sweet and savory combination even further, upgrade to the 'twisted' version with a bacon waffle and maple mustard.
You can't beat a classic American diner, and Phillips Avenue Diner, housed in a former Airstream trailer, is just that. Its chicken and waffles is a simple but effective combination of buttermilk chicken tenders and fluffy waffles, served with whipped pecan butter and vanilla-infused maple syrup. Customers return time and time again for the dish.
A small chain originally from Nashville, Hattie B's is the place to go for fried chicken. Seasoned to your liking, from Southern with no heat to 'damn hot' Shut The Cluck Up!!!, there's a choice of wings, tenders, or half a chicken. It's then served with two Belgian style fluffy waffles dusted in icing sugar with honey butter on the side.
The chicken, bacon, and waffles dish at Maple Leaf, a Canadian diner in the heart of Texas, really is something rather special. The huge plate piles fried chicken breast and crispy bacon on Belgian waffles, served with a generous helping of strawberries, whipped cream, and cream puffs. It's a combination customers keep coming back for.
For a relaxed atmosphere and delicious American comfort food classics, look no further than Provo's Station 22 Cafe. With a good-sized dinner menu and daily brunch, customers are big fans of the chicken and waffles. The 24-hour brined and fried chicken is served with warm buttermilk waffles, watermelon, and house-made buttermilk syrup. The chicken is said to be juicy and perfectly crispy.
Sneakers Bistro has been making customers happy with its award-winning, unfussy menu of family favorites since 1980. Its chicken and waffles dish consists of crispy fried chicken served on a Belgian waffle with a fried egg and tasty house-made sausage gravy, and people can't get enough. Happy customers say the dish is perfectly cooked and full of flavor.
With three locations in Virginia, Hair of the Dog Eatery does what it says on the tin, serving up satisfying comfort food brunch dishes alongside an impressive cocktail list. The chicken and waffles here is one of the most-loved items on the menu. The generous portion consists of a bacon-infused waffle, topped with a juicy fried chicken thigh, candied bacon, sausage gravy, and bourbon maple syrup.
Every breakfast plate is a winner at Fat’s, but the chicken and waffles dish beats the lot, according to the many satisfied customers who’ve eaten their way through it. Even those who don’t usually love fried chicken make an exception for the crispy yet wonderfully tender and juicy stuff served here.
Available on Table 9's weekend brunch menu, the chicken and waffles is one of the joint's top dishes. The chicken is praised for being juicy with a light, crunchy, topping, while the waffle is soft and fluffy, served with bourbon maple syrup and butter. The generous portion sizes and friendly service are also a hit at this popular Morgantown restaurant.
A Sweet Diner signature dish, the chicken and waffles here is something truly special. A homemade cornbread waffle is topped with three Memphis-style fried chicken tenders, which are finished with warm maple syrup, Memphis hot sauce, and whipped butter. A perfect harmony of sweet, salty, savory, and spicy flavors, customers say it's the best they've ever eaten.
Located in a gorgeous historic log cabin, Cafe Genevieve is a firm favorite among locals thanks to its friendly service, excellent cooking, and daily brunches. The chicken and waffle dish, smothered in pure Vermont maple syrup, is loved by customers, who say the waffle arrives at the table warm and fluffy, the chicken has a perfectly crispy coating, and the generous portion size is almost enough to feed two.
Now find out which joint is serving the best fried chicken in your state