Chicago’s Home of Chicken & Waffles

Not surprised this location closed. Really unfortunate that the service was so poor since Evanston really needed this restaurant and it was such a nice place in terms of the look/​design.

I can’t believe this location closed. :(I loved their fried chicken with belgium waffles. It was so good! Their service was friendly, too!

This place is definitely recommended. Beautiful restaurant, live music on weekends and sometimes other evenings. Friendly staff, decent prices, delicious food, reasonable in every respect.
Much classier than your usual soul food décor. Wide range of customers, from college kids and young couples on dates, to large families with very young children, to older folks. Everyone is welcomed. The food comes out hot every time.
The menu is a little unwieldy for some because they like to honor lots of names as combos. (Lots of family-​owned places do this a little, «Uncle Rufus’ Special», «AJ Jr.‘s Special»). I’ve never seen a menu that’s so full of these combos, though; maybe 20 of them. It’s not very easy to get what you want — until you realize «Hey, I’ll just order exactly what I want». You want 2 waffles and 2 chicken thighs? If it’s not already a combo, of course they’ll let you order exactly that. They just don’t bother to make it easy to realize that…
A full bar, a bit dimly lit, but nothing extreme. Some unusual names and some special names for special drinks. For example, an Arnold Palmer is a «Sunset». Parking lot is often full but I’ve never seen the restaurant itself completely full (thank goodness) so I’ll try not to spread the word too much. It’s definitely one of those «best kept secrets» kind of places.

I’ve been here several times before and always experienced good service & food. When deciding where to have a dinner for my birthday I didn’t hesitate when it was offered as a suggestion.
We arrived early for dinner, well before the evening rush on a Sunday. They weren’t very busy. We were seated, our orders were taken and we were given drinks. So far so good.
And then we waited. And waited. And waited. Now, I don’t mind a wait for good food as long as the wait staff is attentive. Refilling drinks and keeping people informed on the status of the meal goes a long way in my book. Unfortunately we didn’t see our waiter at all while we waited. He wasn’t even working with other customers. While we waited, we finished all our drinks including the water.
After about 45 minutes, our food came out. I asked the waiter for some honey because in the past the waiters have recommended honey to go with the chicken. The waffle was excellent but while good the chicken was dry. Either it was fried too long or sat under a warmer too long. I figured the waiter would be right back with the honey so I didn’t ask for refills, which should have been offered without me asking.
We didn’t see our waiter again until we were halfway though our meal. He finally arrived with refills. No honey or mention of honey. I asked him about it and he tells me they don’t have any. He disappears again. I don’t see him again until I go the bathroom and he’s sitting down talking to a cook, probably where he’s been hiding all night.
We don’t see the waiter again. Not even to bring the check. Someone else handled that for us after a long wait. I’ve worked as waitstaff in the past. This guy could give a master class on how not to get tipped. Although I did tip him, it wasn’t the generous tip I would have given after a really good birthday meal. His loss.
I probably won’t come back again, which is a shame, because I’ve really enjoyed my times there in the past.

Super kind staff and the chicken was fried to perfection!
Highly suggest the Betty Lou with pecan waffles!

This place is orgasmic! Hosted a surprise party last night for 50 Northshore people. They now think I’m the hippest DJ in Chicagoland. None of my guests had ever been there before and were all buzzing about coming back again.
The food was awesome, chicken was succulent, juicy and the skin was to die for. The waffles were fresh, not soggy. The potatoes, corn bread, Mac and cheese were all amazing. I personally hate salad (future generations will learn that greens cause cancer) but my guests all loved it.
The drinks were great. .. I recommend the Cosmos. But the vibe was even better. The funky band playing Motown hits added to a the ambiance. And the bass player I learned from a friend was formerly of «Jay and the Americans». They were fun.
The private glass enclosed party room worked out great for 50 people (51 would have been too many). The décor is beautiful and the washrooms were very clean.
Finally Luis the manager was honest, accommodating and very easy to work with and Frank the head server couldn’t be more helpful. Nice people who both seemed to be enjoying their jobs.
This place was home run, I don’t can if you’re Black, White or Purple, this place rocks! On a scale of 1 to 10, my experience was an 11.

Very nice. Perfect catfish. I would like the waffles to be offered as «crispy». Versus the «soft» variety though.

OK, I love the food, atmosphere and live music — however, they do have growing pains with some of the waiters/​waitress staff… yes Frank is one if the best things they had going there.
It is one of my spot’s. You can’t beat that it is in the neighborhood and they have parking.

I have heard mixed reviews for this restaurant but I wanted to check it out for myself! I hosted a family brunch there today and the food and service was GREAT! I called the manager, Luis, on a Friday night @ 10pm to ask if they would be able to accommodate a group of 25 for brunch the next day, without hesitation he said yes! I have a very picky family and everyone loved their meals. The waitstaff was so patient and kind with what some would consider a difficult group. I will definitely be back again!
Btw, the restaurant is absolutely beautiful!!!

Our cycling club ended up here for our end of the season annual breakfast ride after not being able to get a table for 12 people at our original destination.
The place had just opened and they sat us in the side party room which was extremely comfortable and didn’t feel like a side room due to the glass wall and doors. The whole restaurant is nicely designed and has a modern, cozy vibe.
Service was fantastic. Our waiter took our orders and served all 12 of us with total professionalism. The food orders came one right after the other and everything was seamless.
The food was quite good and everyone enjoyed their meals — which included chicken and waffles, omlettes, home fries with gravy, eggs & turkey bacon and grits.
I’ll be back soon with the wife next time to enjoy another wonderful meal in a really good looking restaurant.

Fried chicken, fried catfish, waffles & yummy grits! If you are looking for some southern classics run to this establishment!

This place is probably 3.5, so the current ratings are accurate. I’d say décor wise, it’s a 5. They bring in a band on some nights, nice bar area, a glass enclosed area for private events. The overall ambiance is very sleek and modern, which is weird for a southern soul food place, but nonetheless it is clean and inviting, so I’d be back for the décor. Food wise it is a bit on the expensive side, nothing is healthy on the menu, which is giving southern food a bad vibe. I ordered the chicken gizzard with rice and a biscuit. The biscuit was the best part, the rice had gravy on it but very lacking in flavor. The gizzards, nothing special, just fried gizzards. Their dessert menu sounded nice, fried waffle, their style of funnel cake apparently topped with strawberry or caramel nuts and whipped cream. The next time I am back, I might just get the dessert.

Breakfast is really not my thing. But when it’s mother’s day and this happens to be one of her favorite restaurants there is no getting out of it.
Chicago’s Home of Chicken & Waffles is a very different place. I’ve only been for brunch but even so it draws a classier crowd. Maybe it’s because we come on Sunday’s and people are arriving in their Sunday best. Even without this the atmosphere is very classy and the servers are dressed nice. It definitely not your typical fast food chicken and waffles place. This is a very nice restaurant for a nice breakfast or brunch.
Like I said I’m not a breakfast person so hardy menu items like chicken, waffles, fish, even pancakes are too much for me. But I have had a few items here and I can’t complain. My only other comments can come from the fact that I learned here that they don’t serve alcohol in Illinois before 11 or noon (I don’t remember). The point is that for me, someone in their early to mid twenty’s, would like to have a mimosa or a bloody Mary to go along with my «brunch». Isn’t that what brunch is all about. This doesn’t make or break the place just a side note to an overall nice brunch spot.

This is one of the best kept secrets in Evanston. Its probably because its not in the ‘downtown’ portion nor near any trendy shops. But once you go inside this place you willl be pleasantly surprised. It is clean, nicely decorated, and a nice parking lot to boot.
So the wife and I went here on a Friday night because they have live music on Thursday-​Saturday after 7pm. We are immediately seated and I start looking over the menu. The menu is 90% different itterations of fried chicken (different pieces) or fried fish with waffles or other sides. There are also salads and other stuff, but we’re here for some home cooking.
We get a half a fried chicken, two pecan waffles, some fried catfish, collard greens, cheesy grits, a sweet potato pie, and a few beers. The bartender, while she said she doesn’t know much about beer, she was learning and knew more than she realizes. The beer selection was great. I had a fatty boom batty and the wife had a bourbon smoked cider.
Off the the food, it was a lot of food, but it did not last. I will definately be back to enjoy this place.

I’m never really disappointed when I come here. Sure, the place is huge and often feels dead, but that shouldn’t knock off stars. It’s pretty clean and SWANKY. I think the parking lot is much smaller than the place can hold, which is why it feels empty.
Servers are always incredibly nice and it’s a great place for a soul food fix. The sides are all fantastic and I constantly crave their yams and mac and cheese. I really love the food here. Glad I don’t have to drive far anymore to eat chicken and waffles. :)

Such an odd pairing, yet it is startlingly delectable! Good old fashioned fried chicken, with some waffles and syrup. It’s like breakfast and lunch procreated, and had a delicious baby. The menu is a lot more extensive than the name of the restaurant leads on, but I came here for two things. Chicken. Waffle. End of story.
OK, not the end of story because I have to finish my review. The day I went, the waffle maker broke down. It’s like going to Six Flags and half the roller coasters are out of order… my world was rocked. I am exaggerating of course, but I was slightly sad.
The manager came by to save the day. She said that if I didn’t mind waiting, they should be able to fire up ye olde waffle maker, and she will discount my bill for the inconvenience. I fell on my knees like Willem Dafoe in Platoon, and I said, «no problem!» The wait was a little excessive, but one bite from that crispy, tender, fried chicken made me forget all my worries.
The waffle wasn’t even necessary, but it sure tasted good after I drowned it in maple syrup. The fried chicken tasted like somebody’s Granny was back in the kitchen. I was surprised to find out that this is actually a franchise, and is one of three locations around Chicagoland. I will try the other locations when I can, just to see if Granny cooks em’ like that in all the locations. Cluckin’ delicious!!!

The food here is really good and does southern cooking and soul food proud. My ma got the chicken and waffles, I got catfish and waffles, my sis the catfish dinner. Everything was cooked well and I couldn’t believe the portions. My mom downsized her order because it literally came with two chicken breasts AND two pieces of dark meat not to mention the waffle. That amount of food is bananas. The cornbread was huge, the sides plentiful, and the catfish way better than what I would expect outside the south. I would know because I’m Memphis born and bred!
This is the only restaurant in this chain with a full bar, but as of two days ago there was no drink menu. It also has live jazz on Saturday nights. Besides a few service missteps I would say this place is really great. I’ll be back and my sis is adding it to her Chicagoland food rotation.

Fan-​freaking-​tastic fried chicken & gravy! I can’t believe I initially hesitated to come here when my husband suggested it, but it was definitely worth the calories.
I ordered the Kev Mo’s Law (2 piece chicken, 2 eggs, potatoes with onions & gravy, and a biscuit). I wish I got 2 orders because I was sad when my food was over and had to watch my husband finish up his ½ chicken. We loved that the chicken was perfectly seasoned, and the fry batter was super thin. I was pleased that my eggs were perfectly cooked «over medium» (impressive job, except a tad too much oil was used), the potatoes were small wedges of potatoes fried with perfectly sauteed onions & bell peppers, the biscuit was soft, and that smooth gravy — damn! I’m glad I requested to have that on the side because we ate it with everything. The waffles, however, were a little chewy and not worth getting again because they weren’t that special. However, if you’ve never had the chicken & waffles experience, you should try it once.
Then we stopped by for dinner on a Friday night when they had a live band playing. It was way too loud for that kind of space. Thank goodness the band took a break once our food arrived so I didn’t have to yell across the table to have a conversation. That time, we got the white & dark chicken dinners. Each meal came with 3 sides & cornbread. The sides were pretty good but not as mind blowing as the chicken. So my final assessment of this place is…
CHICKEN = SUPER
GRAVY = SUPER
SIDES = GOOD TO GREAT
WAFFLES = AVERAGE
Service both times were great. Didn’t have an issue with slowness at all, and our waitresses were friendly and easy-​going. Also, the interior décor was a lot nicer than I expected. And they have live jazz Thursday — Saturday nights, and they close late on Saturdays.
Fun fact: they serve breakfast & dinner all day.

When we first walked into Chicken and Waffles, we were pleasantly surprised! From the exterior, we weren’t expecting it to be so nice inside. It looked pretty upscale, and was very well decorated. The seating is all very comfortable and clean, and the restaurant is split into several different sections. There’s even one section with a giant couch where you can watch tv on one of their big flat screen tvs. We sat in a booth.
Our server, Danielle, was fantastic. She was super friendly and great at her job! We ordered the Betty Lou (13.95) which came with 2 waffles, and half a fried chicken. We upgraded to pecan waffles. At first, wee got the wrong waffles, but when we told Danielle, she apologized profusely and got us the right waffles right away. The waffles were delicious! Not your every day frozen waffles. The chicken was also quite tasty. The skin was crispy and flavorful, and my favorite rice was the drumstick. The large chicken breast was alright, but not as juicy. We also ordered a side of Mac and cheese (3.75) which was okay, but probably not worth it for the price, since it comes in a tiny side dish. We got the fried catfish filet (3.95), which is definitely worth it! It’s very large, and was cooked perfectly. An entrée and two side dishes were more than enough for the two of us.
Also, they have their own parking lot, which is large. By the time we left, the lot was full, and they were offering complimentary valet services. If you’re in the area and craving some comfort food, be sure to check this place out! However, you should be prepared for a possible long wait for your food– we waited almost 40 minutes, but it was worth it in the end.

This location of Chicago’s Home Of Chicken & Waffles is actually on the western edge of Evanston, and my buddy and I drove past it as we were distracted by the Tibetan Alliance building next door. There is a parking lot adjacent to the restaurant, but if the lot is full there is free street parking nearby (thank you free Evanston street parking!). When we walked through the fortress-​like front entrance we were a bit surprised to see that the interior was very elegant, as we were sort of expecting a more informal interior. We dined on a Friday evening, and there was a good crowd here. The main room was more populated because a wonderful jazz band was jamming here, but even sitting in a booth in the second room you can still enjoy listening to the music without actually watching the band play. The staff was very attentive to our needs here.
All the dishes have goofy nicknames to them. I went for the Mark’s Big Boy, a half fried chicken (4 pieces) smothered in gravy and grilled onions, with a side of waffles. I was not expecting the side of waffles to consist of two regulation-​sized round waffles, which could constitute a meal in itself. The butter and syrup were just perfect with the waffles. The fried chicken was delicious, somehow still maintaining some crunch despite the layer of gravy. My friend had the healthier option of grilled salmon with a side salad (again — the side item looked like a meal in itself) plus rice and beans. I saved quite a bit of the chicken to go, as we both wanted to order dessert. We enjoyed the peach cobbler and the sweet potato pie, indeed a sweet ending to a fantastic dining experience that far supassed any expectations I had before arriving. I will be back!