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DEL.ICIO.USA new spin on chicken and waffles
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Gladys Knight and Ron Winans have got some competition in the chicken and waffles game. Mrs. Winner’s, known for its chicken and biscuits, added a Belgian waffle to its menu earlier this month. The waffle, a thick, salty round, comes with two big, peppery chicken strips or three wings, and your choice of dipping sauce and a side of syrup.
Chicken and waffles have gradually been moving from their origin as a late-night snack (made famous by a Harlem restaurant) to a wider audience. From Roscoe’s in Los Angeles to Gladys and Ron’s restaurants in Atlanta and Washington, to winning the $1 million grand prize in the 2006 Pillsbury Bake-Off, they’re finding new fans with the sweet/salty/crunchy combo. (Here’s the winning recipe for Baked Chicken and Spinach Stuffing, which uses waffle sticks for the stuffing.)
Now Mrs. Winner’s is taking the combo to the quick-serve crowd. It’s all part of the chain’s efforts to remake its image to focus on fresh, best-in-its-class food, two of the new owners told me this week. So far, that’s included switching to 100 percent arabica coffee, introducing white chicken chili for winter, adding a spicy chicken choice, and switching late last year from frozen to fresh chicken for its strips and boneless wings that’s breaded and seasoned in the stores, a practice that Chick-fil-A has followed for years. They’re planning many more changes over the next few months.
What do you think of chicken and waffles? Have you tried the Mrs. Winner’s version yet? How does it stack up to what’s offered at Glady Knight and Ron Winans Chicken & Waffles?
Permalink | Comments (16) | Post your comment | Categories: Dining
Comments
By Sylvia Lang
February 15, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this
Whenever we visit our daughters in Atlanta our first stop is Ms. Winners. Her chicken is second only to my own and my girls often take it out when they don’t have the time to cook. I love that they are adding the waffles to their menu, I don’t often eat take out but when I do, it’s always Ms. Winners!
Sylvia from Maryland
By Amos
February 15, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
Mrs Winners chicken just isn’t what it used to be since they changed the oil they fry in.
By AmazonRed
February 15, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this
I was passing a Mrs. Winners just the other day and said, “That doesn’t seem like a place that I’d want to try.” Something about the chain did not draw me in.
But after reading this article, and positive reviews, I might give it a try one day. Being from Roscoe’s country, I do like a good chicken and waffle. Ron and Gladys do a good job too.
By murphy
February 15, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this
I am a big fan of Chicken and Waffles combination. I have tasted Mrs. Winners version of this and at least at the restaurant where I purchased it, well it missed the mark. The waffle was overly greasy and tough. I will try again but I don’t usually give too many chances with an item, if it is messed up.
By MrHughes
February 15, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
I love Mrs Winner’s too!! I’m going try out their chicken and waffles this weekend. I’m glad they are going to a freshness inspired process in preparing their food instead of going to the freezer.
My favorite joan/Mama joke…
“Your Mama’s so stupid she went into Mrs Winners and asked for a trophy”.
By Steve
February 15, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
Mrs. Winners? Nasty. Popeye’s is passable. Try thurs night at Watershed in Decatur for the best fried chicken in town. Honestly.
By cyrondys
February 15, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
There is nothing Mrs. Winner’s could ever sell that would match whats cooking at Gladys Knight’s place.
By Rodney
February 15, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this
I mean really … chicken and waffles at Mrs. Winner’s? Kudos for trying something new but I’m just not sure the demand for it is high enough to become a staple menu item.
And I have a theory besides … the only reason people like to eat chicken and waffles is because they like to SAY chicken and waffles. Go ahead … say it … then say it a little faster … it just trips off the tongue, doesn’t it?
Because really, it isn’t so much the chicken or the waffle but the salty vs. the sweet. Pancakes and bacon, for example, bring me to the same place as chicken and waffles.
It just doesn’t sounds as cool when you say it. :)
By Art
February 15, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this
Thumbs Up Diner has great chicken and waffles. And if you want something really to cry about get the catfish and waffles.
By piz
February 15, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this
It’s Tuesday for Watershed’s famed fried chicken, FYI
By FCM
February 15, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
never been a fan of the chicken and waffles combo. However, we did try the waffles at Mrs Winners….they were good. Now their cinammon rolls are not what I remember getting back in the day….(1980s). The chicken was always good in the 70-80s….haven’t had it in about 3 years….but will definately try going back. I always liked that they had real vegetables on the side….
By John
February 15, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
Buckner’s in Jackson, GA has the best fried chicken I have ever had, hands down.
By Waffle House
February 15, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
I hope they are not going to smother, cover and chunk their hash browns. Or I am going to have a big problem with that!
By diddy
February 15, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this
I never ate at Mrs. Winners and I probably never will.
Gladys Chicken & Waffles is OK but not great. The chicken is very dry and bland.
If your looking for some great Chicken & Waffles, go to Cafe Dupri (Jermaine Dupri’s spot in Buckhead). 100% on point.
By m
February 15, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this
can’t say i have the desire or even the curiousity to eat chicken AND waffles at the same time, but to each their own.
i love mrs. winners chicken and wish that there was one closer to me. i live in n.fulton…so north that i’m just out of alpharetta proper, yet not quite cumming either. i have to drive 8 miles up to cumming for a mrs. winners or 10 miles down to roswell for one. guess mrs. winners just ain’t a “rich-man’s” chicken joint….
By FCM
February 18, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
M there is one at ext 14. Or maybe that is the 8 miles up?