FOOD NEWS
The Hotly Debated Origins Of Fried Chicken And Waffles
By Nick Johnson
Perfection takes the physical form of chicken and waffles, especially for those who can never decide if they want something sweet or savory for breakfast. Chicken and waffles truly represent the best of both worlds, but the history of this multifaceted dish can be difficult to pin down.
Author John T. Edge informs us that fried chicken and waffles were first introduced at Well's Supper Club in Harlem in the 1930s, which later inspired Herb Hudson to open the famous Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles in Hollywood in the 70s. However, chicken and waffles were likely enjoyed considerably earlier than in the 1900s.
NPR received a slew of angry comments after publishing an article classifying chicken and waffles as a Southern staple, but many culinary history experts believe that the dish has ties to the region. In his interview with NPR, Edge explains that preparing a chicken for breakfast is a longstanding tradition in several rural areas, including the South and Pennsylvania Dutch territories.
However, the fried version of this chicken and carb pairing should largely be attributed to African Americans in the Civil War-era South, per MyRecipes. At the time, it was commonplace for African-American vendors to sell homemade meals of fried chicken and biscuits to Virginian railway riders.