5 Irresistible Battered Birds to Celebrate National Chicken and Waffles Day

Today marks National Chicken and Waffles Day, a celebration of a unique dish that blends savory and sweet flavors. According to the National Day Calendar, this delightful combination has been enjoyed for over 150 years, though its exact origins remain unclear. The dish has strong ties to Black culinary traditions and Pennsylvania Dutch cooking, highlighting its cultural significance.

To commemorate this occasion, here are five notable Maricopa restaurants where you can indulge in chicken and waffles:

Roots Eatery
20046 N. John Wayne Parkway, Suite 104

This rustic spot aims to make diners feel at home, reminiscent of Grandma’s kitchen. While chicken and waffles were featured on its 2022 menu, they have since been removed for fall 2024. However, Chef Chris Spear has revealed that customers can still request it, offering a secret menu experience for those in the know.

Auntie’s Soul Food & Grill
19171 N. Maricopa Road

With roots tracing back to Chicago, Auntie’s serves up hearty comfort food for both takeout and patio enjoyment. This October, owner Janice Wilson’s rotating menu showcases crispy fried chicken paired with waffles, drizzled with maple syrup.

Sunday’s Soul Food & Catering
17945 N. Regent Drive

This food truck, aiming to evoke the flavors of an Arkansas Sunday, is relatively new to Maricopa. Owned by Lakeesha and Bridget Akins along with Corey Jacobs, the truck will now serve chicken and waffles in honor of the National Chicken and Waffles Day after a call from local reporters led to a sudden change in the menu.

Slim Chickens
41740 W. Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway

This Arkansas-based fried chicken chain has made its mark in Maricopa since last November. Their chicken and waffles feature three fried tenders atop a waffle, accompanied by syrup and butter on the side.

IHOP
20429 N. John Wayne Parkway

The International House of Pancakes has been a go-to for late-night cravings since 2019. Their chicken and waffles consist of four buttermilk crispy chicken breast strips served over a Belgian waffle, complete with butter and your choice of ranch, honey mustard, or IHOP sauce.

Enjoy the celebration of this beloved dish and explore these local favorites!