One of my favorite brunch combinations happens to be Chicken & Waffles. It is my theory that if a restaurant pays homage to this southern brunch favorite, then other deliciousness is sure to follow. Can you just smell the Mac & Cheese, Homemade Biscuits and Cheesy Grits? Scroll through to find the best Chicken & Waffles in NYC.
(Last Updated April 17, 2017)
It’s the Weekend!!! Which means that all you Foodies are going to be getting brunch this weekend. Sweet Chicks in Williamsburg, Brooklyn happens to be one of my favorite brunch spots. After many visits, here are my top 4 things that I recommend you trying at Sweet Chick!
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Chicken and Waffles (Offered All Day)
Why: Because it’s one of the best Chicken and Waffles in Brooklyn and arguable in NYC! The chicken is perfectly seasoned, juicy and tender.The waffle has a crunchy exterior with a chewy, sweet interior. It’s simply fantastic!
Bacon and Cheese Waffle (dinner menu)
Why: This is a delicious, savory variation of Sweet Chick’s tradition Chicken & Waffles! Trust me, it’s to die for!
Shrimp & Grits (Brunch)
Why: This combination of Smoked Parika and Bell Pepper Sauce, Scallions, Cheddar Grits, Poached Egg is one of the best Shrimp and Grits combo I’ve had in NYC to date!
Mac and Cheese (Dinner)
Why: Large shells filled with smooth and creamy mixture of cheese (gruyere, fontina, aged white cheddar) and delightfully topped with a crunchy Ritz cracker crust which adds a delicious texture contrast to the Mac & Cheese. It’s not traditional Mac & Cheese but it’s still a fun, tasty variation.
Where: 2149 FREDERICK DOUGLASS BLVD NYC
Why: I finally visited Marcus Samuelson’s new restaurant in Harlem, Streetbird Rotisserie. Opened for approximately four months now, Streetbird is right down the street from Samuelsson’s other popular restaurant in Harlem, Red Rooster. In true foodie fashion, I’ve been stalking Streetbird’s Instagram account since they’ve opened. Everything looked so delicious, so of course I had to do a taste test for myself! Last week, I finally got the chance!
The menu is still developing as some new items, such as the “Hot and Messy” and the Curry are new additions since their opening. The concept of Streetbird’s menu is centered around delicious rotisserie chicken creatively mixed into others creations like sandwiches, salads and tacos. What I noticed and also appreciated about the menu at Streetbird is that they offer some tasty vegetable options. The Notti Greens (described below) was simply delicious and actually was my favorite item on the menu during my first visit. It was so nice to be able to order my chicken with vegetables and not the usual fries or carb heavy side dishes. The menu also has serves some southern favorites, namely the Red Velvet Waffles and Chicken and the Blackened Catfish.
The decor of the restaurant was beautiful and also worth mentioning. The designer did an excellent job at executing the history of hip hop. Boom boxes, large TV’s, sneakers hanging from the ceiling, skateboard, and lots of bold colors gets Streetbird an A+ for its artistic and creative décor. I was actually so intrigued by the Decor that I was taking pictures in the bathroom.
The price of Streetbird was also notably reasonable. For me and my dining partner we stayed under $40. (No alcohol).
The Food: here’s what we ordered:
ROTISSERIE CHICKEN (HALF)
AUNTIE MABEL’S CORNBREAD with BIRD FUNK
NOTTI GREENS: (Roasted Green Beans, Chili, Peanuts)
HOT AND MESSY: Toasted Cornbread, Pulled Chicken, Poached Egg, Avocado, Peanut Butter, Bacon
Overall, Streetbird is a delicious, casual treat in Harlem.
Review of Buttermilk Channel in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn:
I’ve heard so much about Buttermilk Channel. Therefore, it has been on my list of brunch spots to try for a while now. Specifically, I’ve heard a lot about Buttermilk Channel’s Chicken and Waffles. Since I’m sort of a Chicken and Waffles fanatic, it was only fitting that I try Buttermilk Channel.
My dining partner and I arrived at Buttermilk Channel around noon on a Sunday, hoping that the wait for a table wouldn’t be too long. Unfortunately the restaurant was already packed with young professionals and young families. However, not all was lost; we were able to snag a seat at the bar within five minutes.
The Service: The bartenders warmly greeted and welcomed us to the restaurant immediately. They were very attentive by constantly checking in with us and ensuring that we were satisfied. Truthfully, I felt like we may have received better service at the bar than if we were seated at a table.
The Food: At first glance of the brunch menu, I was highly upset that I didn’t see chicken and waffles listed. Since I wasn’t in the mood to ask questions, I just wiped my tears and ordered the next best thing that jumped out at me; fried pork chop with cheddar waffles. The large piece of fried pork chop was perfectly crunchy, covered in a thick batter yet it was under seasoned. However, the deliciously flavored cheddar waffles compensated for the flavorless pork chop.
My dining partner ordered the Short Ribs Hash. The short ribs were juicy and well-seasoned. However, we both felt that the meal was missing some home fries. It other words, it was bit too healthy for my liking.
Our meal was highlighted by the banana walnut sticky bun. I honestly could go back to Buttermilk Channel just for this alone. (delicious, fresh, baked perfectly, not overly sweet)
Overall, Buttermilk Channel was a solid brunch option; however, it wasn’t really what I was expecting. Maybe I’ll get to try the famous chicken and waffles if I get a chance to re-visit.
*Featured image courtesy of suedenyc.com
I finally had the opportunity to review Suede NYC, a modern Caribbean cocktail lounge, bar and restaurant located in the East Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, to sample their brunch menu. It’s refreshing to see that Footprints (located just 500 feet away from Suede) now has some competition in the area. The East Flatbush neighborhood is truly lacking in nice restaurants, so hopefully with the addition and success of this newcomer, Suede, this will encourage more restaurants to develop in this part of Brooklyn.
The décor is very modern and unexpectedly upscale. Unfortunately, Suede is located right next to a tire shop, so a first time visitor probably is not expecting the restaurant to be “nice”. However, to my surprise, the décor doesn’t disappoint and the ambiance is sexy, modern and trendy. The music was fantastic, (I was swaying from side to side during my entire meal) yet the music was played at a decent volume that I and my dinning partner were able to have quality conversation.
The Crowd: A young black professional “Brooklynish” Crowd. The crowd is trendy and well-dressed.
The Food: Everything was fresh, delicious and well-seasoned. The brunch menu is well-developed and features a modern and tasty twist on the standard Caribbean brunch.
First, I and my dining partner shared the Coconut French Toast. Four deliciously soaked hard dough pieces of bread served hot and perfectly fried with a slightly crispy crust and pleasantly chewy inside; flavored & garnished with ample shredded coconut shavings also served with a side of sweet syrup. (Simply delicious)
We also tried the Suede Breakfast which was a classic Caribbean breakfast; Ackee & Saltfish, Festival, Boiled Banana and Callaloo. This entrée was also delicious and well-seasoned. My only complaint was that I wished they had found a way to make the presentation look more appetizing and modern.
The last entrée we tried was the Chicken and Waffles. You should know by now, (if you follow my post) that I’m simply a chicken and waffles fanatic. Well Suede’s Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Homemade Waffles with Rum-soaked Raises were simply delicious.
The sauce, which I presume was a rum raisin flavored caramel sauce, was simply fantastic and really complimented the Chicken and Waffles. I literally was dipping my fingers in the sauce, long after my meal was finished.
Overall, the service was friendly, and very attentive. The food took a little bit longer than expected; but beside that little annoyance, we thought the service was very good.
I can’t wait to try Suede NYC for dinner or happy hour (which is everyday from 4 pm – 7 pm 25% off drinks). However, just a warning, I’ve heard that if you don’t have reservations for Friday or Saturday night dinner, you more than likely will be unable to get a table. However, the Sunday Brunch is walk-ins only!
If you are still looking for more Chicken and Waffle Options besides Suede NYC, try Sweet Chicks in Brooklyn or Amy Ruth’s in Harlem.
Famously know for their Southern Fried Chicken and Egg Nog Waffles, Melba’s is comfort food done pretty good in Harlem. This lovely bistro in Harlem is extremely affordable, offers generous portions and good service. As far as their famous chicken and waffles is concerned, I believe the chicken outshines the waffle just a bit. The Chicken is savory, delicious, seasoned to perfection, crunchy, greaseless, with a juicy tender interior. (not pictured). The waffles are slightly sweet and have a cake-like texture served with a delicious strawberry butter.
My favorite brunch dish by far, has to be the fried catfish and I highly recommend that you give it a try with the cheese grits. The catfish has a delicious well-seasoned batter and is greaseless. The grits are classic southern cheese grits with a thick consistency and lovely cheesy flavor.
I highly recommend you have brunch at Melba’s if you are in the area!
Perfect for: small groups, girls brunch, brunch date, affordable brunch
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I stop by Happy Hour at Cove Lounge frequently as a treat to myself after work. The lounge is a laidback, modern, comfortable space to relax after work. This place is also perfect for small gatherings, especially the private room in the back of the restaurant. Happy hour specials are also a good option for the area. The crowd is usually pretty mature and well-dressed. Warning, ladies you will be turned away for not having appropriate footwear. (In other words, Uggs are a no-no). On the weekends, Cove is open late and the crowd turns a bit more “clubbish” and a trip downstairs can have you dancing for hours.
The food offered is more on the appetizer/tapas style. Nevertheless, everything I’ve had thus far, has been delicious. I recommend the lobster Mac & Cheese. I also highly recommend the red velvet and chicken waffle, which for $10 is a great treat!
Perfect for: happy hour, weekends, after work
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Brunch Alert!
Based on a recommendation from a friend, I discovered this rather quaint brunch spot, cutely named Sweet Chick in Williamsburg. The recommendation insisted that I sample their Chicken and Waffles, specifically the bacon and cheese flavor. I must say that instantly, me and Sweet Chick clicked. The restaurant and the ambiance were very Brooklyn-ish; comfortable, quirky, and fun. The service was fast and attentive. However, the real MVP of the experience was the Bacon and Cheddar waffle, the chicken was pretty good but the Waffle was definitely the meal highlight, which was so delectable, tasty, and savory.
I also sampled their Mac & Cheese, which was delicious. It was a good portion of large shells filled with smooth and creamy mixture of cheese (gruyere, fontina, aged white cheddar) and delightfully topped with a crunchy ritz cracker crust which added such a wonderful texture contrast to the Mac & Cheese.
Overall, Sweet Chick was Sweet and I recommend you give it a try if you are in the area.
