I love Southern fried chicken, and I’m pretty fond of waffles (savoury with bacon and maple syrup, or sweet) but I cannot imagine the combination as working at all.
They’re both a little dry on the outside and soft on the inside. It feels like they really don’t complement or contrast with each other. I’m sure I’d eat it if I had so alternative, but I can imagine how it is a classic American paring. I’d much rather have fries, slaw, or potato salad which all seem to offer a creamy or crunchy contrast.
Am I missing something? People who like it, what’s good about it? Is the secret lots of maple syrup? Are the waffles different that usual? Is it not actually that popular? I’m a decadent European, so I can’t just go somewhere and try them myself.
That’s the thing, they don’t seem opposite enough to me. Iove salty sweet: salty caramel, bacon and cheddar on pancakes, I even dip chocolat chip cookies in hummus if I’m in the mood.
The texture of the waffles (crisp on the outside, fluffy in the middle) seems not that far away from the chicken (crispy / crunchy on the outside, juicy in the middle). Both are fatty, but also dryish - obviously still moist, but dry in a crispy way. I could imagine having chicken curry on waffles, the saucy texture would be a nice contrast, but fried chicken…
I guess I’ll just have to try it!