Now, we’ve seen some bizarre flavour combinations in our time but when we were first served a portion of fried chicken and waffles our minds were truly blown.
Word has it, this supreme soul food dish was first cooked up by the chefs at the Wells Supper Club in Harlem, New York, in the late 1930s. Wells was a favourite haunt of some of the great jazz musicians of the era, who would turn up post-gig too late for dinner, too early for breakfast – hence the two elements, one from each meal.
The popularity of chicken and waffles has exploded in recent years, with diners across the world delighting in the heady mix of the sweet and savoury. It’s popular here in the capital, too.
We’ve tracked down the best chicken and waffles money can buy in Abu Dhabi.
Buns & Cones
This homegrown brand might primarily be a burger joint (hence the ‘Buns’) but what does the ‘Cones’ part mean? That’s right, fresh waffles folded into a tasty cone into which you can pack buffalo wings or those tasty little chicken pops. It’s a little like the Chick’n’Cone concept of portable, hand-held chicken and waffles but with a twist. If you plump for the wings you’ll get six of them packed into one of the delicious sweet cones and slathered with its own take on a Louisiana hot sauce. Should you fancy the other option instead then you’ll be served a good-sized portion of them, wrapped in waffle and this time topped with the signature B&C sauce. Man, the cones here are so good they even serve their fries in one.
Dhs18. Open daily 10am-11.45pm. My City Center, Masdar City, facebook.com/Bunsandcones (02 622 1041).
Denny’s
Denny’s has been serving up calorie-packed big breakfasts and hunger-sating suppers for decades and this All-American chain certainly doesn’t skimp on its portions. Should you be at its Al Zahiyah branch of a morning then you definitely won’t be short of choices. However, we find the best way to stop that tummy rumbling is to order some chicken and waffles. Minutes later you will be feasting on a gloriously golden waffle drizzled with caramel sauce on top of which sits two portions of brilliant boneless fried chicken topped with pepper jack cheese and pico de gallo. And as if that wasn’t enough, it also comes with a side of mac and cheese. Cheat day never tasted so good.
Dhs65. Open daily 7am-11pm. Abu Dhabi Mall, Al Zahiyah, facebook.com/Dennys-Middle-East-246678183239949/ (02 445 3128).
Foodshed
Set in the beautifully landscaped Bloom Gardens, Foodshed offers the community’s well-to-do residents some seriously hearty and nutritious fare. Its all-day breakfast menu is packed with healthy options such as the acai bowl, fruit pots or the chia seeds with yoghurt. However, if you’ve taken the day off calorie counting then we suggest grabbing its version of that soul food sensation we find so hard to turn down. Buttermilk fried chicken sits upon a sweet waffle and is accompanied by some marvellous maple syrup. You might not ’shed any weight eating this one but who cares, right?
Dhs50. Open daily 7am-10pm. Bloom Gardens, Eastern Mangrove Corniche, facebook.com/foodshed.ae (02 671 1113).
The Cheesecake Factory
One of our colleagues recently admitted that, until recently, they had never been to The Cheesecake Factory. ‘Why?’ we asked. ‘Because I don’t like cheesecake,’ they replied. As we stifled our giggles we were delighted to be informed they had now seen the error of their ways and are full-on fans of this Californian classic. The menu here is massive, as are the portions. Pretty much all American bases are covered food-wise but if you’re here for breakfast, there really can only be one option on your mind. A fresh, made-to-order giant Belgian waffle is topped with some seriously crunchy fried chicken, cooked to absolute perfection. It’s a winner every time. Just hold the cheesecake for our friend, OK?
Dhs46.20. Open Sat-Wed 10am-11pm, Thu-Fri 10am-midnight (The Galleria Al Maryah Island); open Sat-Wed 10am-midnight, Thu-Fri 10am-1am (Yas Mall), thecheesecakefactoryme.com/uae (02 492 6822 or 02 492 6630).
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