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Braving Harlem. Or, a couple of blocks away from Columbia University
One area we had yet to venture into was Harlem. Well we did once, but only by accident when we got on the express train versus the local. And Mr. Broad still swears that it was the train's fault.
Regardless, when BIL and SIL were in town and suggested we check out Harlem for chicken and waffles, we knew we were down for the experience!
Back story, paraphrased from some show I saw on the Food Network. Chicken and Waffles came around in the 1930s or so in Harlem when workers were getting off work in the wee hours and they couldn't decide between dinner foods or breakfast foods. So came some chef when he put both a chicken and waffle on one plate to make the decision easier. Or something like that.
113 West 116 Street
Luck WOULD have it that our beloved 7 train was down that day and the only way to get up there was to either 1) Drive. 2) Walk 20+mins to the E train which would take easily over an hour on the subway or 3) Get a cab.
Since we were going to Harlem the cab won. My cousin met us there for the experience. We were in HARLEM. We have finally ventured out of the touristy sections! We were HARDCORE! As I exclaimed this to my cousin, I was met with laughs as she pointed out to me that Columbia University was really just a couple of blocks away.
Doh.
It's no surprise that we all got the same thing. The only variety was if we wanted our chicken fried or smothered in gravy. Mr. Broad and BIL went for the smothered.
Chicken and Waffles
Chicken and Waffles -- the smothered chicken
Macaroni and Cheese
Collard Greens
Review:
Chicken and Waffles are a staple amongst Harlem and a definite experience. We weren't sure- do we eat them both together? One at a time? I really don't think it matters anymore than how you eat your chinese food with your ravioli at a Vegas buffet.
Maybe because I asked for white meat but my fried chicken was pretty dry. The fried portion was just "eh" and pretty flavorless. Mr. Broad's smothered chicken even was a bit dry but still had plenty of flavors amongst the gravy. What the chicken lacked, the waffles more than made up for it. In all honestly, I could have just had some of these waffles and been plenty fine. Sweet yet tangy with buttermilk, these waffles were all that I needed. Oh and as for the sides? Mac and cheese and collard greens- a great staple/side dish for the good ol' southern cookin'.
Rating: 6.5
3 comments:
Please consult Chrommie's blog for the rundown of our chicken and waffles that we had at The Wine Kitchen in Leesburg a few weeks ago. At least I think she wrote about them. Their "chicken" was quail and it was A.W.E.S.O.M.E. The waffles were eh.
The food looks good, but this is not really Harlem. If you want to go to Harlem, this is Harlem. When you go to Londel's Supper Club, I look forward to the review. Go during the summer though, so it's not too dark when you're done. :)
hah! fully aware that I *wasn't* really in Harlem :) Thanks for the recommendation!! I've heard of that place!!
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