Few southern dishes are as unique as chicken and waffles. At first, it seems like an unusual combination, but when you think about it, pairing something savory, such as the chicken, with something sweet, in this case, the waffle (and its syrup), just seems to work. It is a dish that, when done right, just finds a way to put smiles on faces. While there are a handful of destinations around metro Phoenix that do produce the dish, few originate in Atlanta, the city of the dish’s birth. All of that is set to change, as an Atlanta-based chicken and waffles restaurant is set to open this month in the Valley.
Crystal Smith and Ne-Yo, two Atlanta area hip hot artists, came together to open a chicken and waffles restaurant in their home city of Atlanta. At their restaurant, known as Johnny’s Chicken & Waffles, it’s all about the food though. Visitors might not guess the restaurant is owned by two musicians with a combined 14 platinum albums and have worked with the likes of OutKast and Ludacris. The new restaurant, which is set to open in Glendale by the end of March, will feature the same menu as its Atlanta-based restaurant.
There is much more to the menu than just chicken and waffles (although there is a healthy helping of breakfast food). The starters on the menu include buttermilk biscuits, buttermilk chicken tenders, buffalo wings, Royal Treatment Mac & Cheese (these come with fried shrimp, chicken tenders, or a fried lobster tail), and loaded fries. Want something on the healthier side? You can order the Kale Caesar Salad, Strawberry Fields Summer Salad, or Fried Chicken Cobb Wedge Salad.
Of course, it is the chicken and waffles that takes center stage. When ordering your meal you’ll first order the kind of waffle you want. There’s the traditional batter, or you can elevate your order to a buttermilk red velvet, pecan, or strawberry. From there, you’ll order your protein, which basically is picking which part of the chicken you want fried and topped onto your waffle. You can also opt for chicken tenders or buffalo wings. Lastly, you’ll pick your desired sauce for the chicken, such as honey mustard, blue cheese, ranch, buffalo, and lemon pepper.
There are also non-chicken and waffle main orders. These include catfish and chips, fried shrimp basket, “You Call It” & Grits (choice of seafood served over grits), cream cheese stuffed brioche french toast, and the Fab 4 (scrambled eggs, bacon, crispy garlic potatoes, and buttermilk waffle).
The Glendale location can be found at 9830 West Westgate Blvd, D 101. When it opens later this month it will be serving Sunday through Thursday, from 9 AM until 11 PM, and on Friday and Saturday from 9 AM until 1 AM.
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