Dame's Chicken & Waffles

We're willing to bet that Dame's makes the best plate of fried chicken and waffles in the world. If you’re feeling like the Hungry Hungry Hippos incarnate, bring a group and get the Orange Speckled Chabo, which comes with a chicken cutlet the size of your face and a sweet potato waffle. Douse it with syrup and hot sauce, add on some spicy collard greens and mac and cheese, and you’ve got a truly excellent brunch that will definitely inspire you to take a nap.

While it can’t claim to have invented chicken and waffles – it’s been a ‘thing’ for a couple of centuries – Dame’s has raised the ultimate comfort food to a fine art. Its relocation to these larger premises should mean customers won't have to wait before enjoying crispy Southern fried chicken atop, yes, fluffy, syrup-drenched, breakfast-style waffles.

‘We didn’t invent Chicken & Waffles; we want to be the only ones you think of’ – says this venue’s mission statement. It was during the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s to 1940s that this seemingly odd pairing became a hit as the first real late-night food combination. Dame’s Chicken and Waffles is the venue that gave it a brand.

Some of the best fried chicken in the city can be found at Dame’s Chicken and Waffles where you can build your own with a choice of bird (wings, cutlets, or drumsticks), waffle (classic, sweet potato, gingerbread, or oatmeal), schmear, and drizzle. If you’re in the mood for shrimp and grits, head to Nzinga’s Kitchen for this classic that’s the featured half-price special every Thursday from 9 am-6 pm. Debbie Lou’s Biscuit Shop is the place to be for biscuits and gravy and an outstanding weekend brunch, while Parker & Otis serves delicious pimento cheese (they suggest adding it to your BLT sandwich).

This is another local favorite, famous for the unique specialties on its menu. For instance, the Orange Speckled Chabo, a fried chicken cutlet on a sweet potato waffle with orange honeycomb schmear and orange dijon sauce, is something that you wouldn’t want to miss. The Red Crested Rose Comb, which consists of two fried chicken legs on a classic waffle with candied pecans and strawberry schmear, is also an all-time favorite and makes a perfect dinner.

There is a lot of mystery surrounding how this unusual food pairing came about. The most prominent story is that to satisfy hungry partygoers in the jazz scene of Harlem, a popular venue serving southern cuisine, Wells Supper Club, created a late night/early morning dish pairing leftover chicken from dinner with their sweet breakfast waffles. We could not try them because of our gluten-free requirements, but Savannah sure gobbled it up with BACON.

Dame’s Chicken and Waffles has a choose-your-adventure menu of crisp fried chicken paired with waffles, “schmears” and “drizzles.” Lula and Sadie’s serves photo-worthy red velvet chicken and waffles for brunch and all the grits, fried catfish, pulled pork, red beans and rice and mac n cheese you can imagine for lunch and dinner. Lovers of Cajun and Creole cooking will appreciate a low-key meal at Nzinga’s Kitchen or a sit-down dinner at Seraphine.

Everybody in town knows about Dame’s Chicken & Waffles and the long lines out the door on weekends. Now that they’ve opened up locations in Greensboro and Cary, you don’t have to put up with quite as much to get your fix, but it’s still well worth visiting the original Durham location. It’s right across from 5-points, so it’s convenient to any errand you happen to be running downtown, just go ahead and make reservations if you’re able.

No one knows who first discovered that chicken and waffles are a match made in heaven, but the duo have become a southern staple. Try crispy classic, gingerbread or sweet potato waffles served with Dame's signature "shmears," which are homemade sweet crème butters infused with flavors like maple pecan, blueberry and orange honeycomb. When you can't decide if you want breakfast or lunch, Dame's is the perfect go-to.

Dame’s Chicken and Waffles is known for having the best breakfast in Durham. Locals love this place so much that many religiously pay a weekly visit for a huge serving of award-winning chicken, waffles, and schmears. I had to research what a schmear was when I saw it on the menu; for those that don’t know, it’s basically a smearing of delicious toppings and sauces to complement your waffles.

Dame’s Chicken & Waffles is a staple in the Durham food scene and has expanded into Cary and Greensboro, too. These chicken and waffles come with a variety of shmears, with their inspirations menu offering pairing suggestions. My personal favorite is the Orange Speckled Chabo with a fried chicken cutlet, sweet potato waffle, orange honeycomb shmear, and honey dijon drizzle.

There’s Toast (345 W Main St), a paninoteca (sandwiches!!); Dames Chicken and Waffles (317 W Main St), which does what it says on the tin; Dos Perros (200 N Mangum St), a Mexican restaurant that serves noms like vegan seven chile mole and sweet potato empanadas; and Rue Cler (401 E Chapel Hill St), where you can find beignets but also have brunch like a good queer.

Located near Durham Athletic Park, Dame’s Chicken and Waffles is a classic breakfast spot offering a perfect pairing of chicken with waffles to satiate your cravings. While the eatery stays true to its classic, it also offers a range by diversifying its menu for everyone. The electrifying jazz theme sets the perfect mood to start your day in a light-hearted mood.

I must say, my first visit to Dame's Chicken & Waffles in Durham was an interesting one. While service was slower than expected due to staff helping in the kitchen, and I was disappointed to have to serve my mimosa in a plastic cup, the flavorful chicken was still a highlight. However, it could have been hotter and crispier which was a letdown.

Whether you credit Harlem or the South, the debate over Dame’s Chicken and Waffles should revolve around whether or not theirs is the best. And girl is it good!. The chicken and waffles at Dame’s isn’t the only creative thing in this building on Foster St. This restaurant’s decor perfectly complements the menu items with color and creativity.

The longtime Dame’s location on Main closed so that the Southern comfort-food institution could move to a bigger space near Durham Central Park. The relocation took longer than expected—more than a year—but Dame’s finally reopened in March 2019. The namesake chicken and waffles and the mac ‘n’ cheese are the stuff of legend.

Dame’s Chicken and Waffles: People who aren’t from the South may not understand this strange combo, but chicken and waffles is an essential Southern meal. And no one does it better than Dame’s. A Durham pillar, Dame’s always has a line out the door, especially on Sundays after church (another Southern essential).

As you make your way through Durham, you'll hear whispers of a legendary eatery that serves up the perfect combination of crispy fried chicken and fluffy waffles - and let me tell you, those whispers are true. Dame's Chicken & Waffles is the kind of place that'll make you want to shout from the rooftops.

Dame's pairings are world-class, comfort food combinations meant to fulfill your appetite's and heart's desires. A Durham classic, Dame’s Chicken & Waffles, offers a variety of soulful options. The build-your-own option lets you customize your chicken and waffle experience.

While we waited for our food at Dames Chicken and Waffles, she only wanted me to hold her. And only if I was standing. A few times, I tried to put her back in her high chair, only to be informed in no uncertain terms (aka VERY loud screeches) that this was not acceptable.

Unsurprising to all, I recommend ordering Chicken and Waffles at a Chicken and Waffles restaurant. Other than that recommendation, the ball is in your court on the type of waffle, sauce, etc. You will find these Chicken and Waffles fantastic upon devouring them.

Dame’s Chicken and Waffles is another beloved establishment in the Triangle, serving the most varied chicken and waffles menu I’ve ever seen. Even their schmear list is expansive, from strawberry creme to orange honeycomb. They are currently open for takeout.

Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Dame’s pairings are world-class, comfort food combinations meant to fulfill your appetite’s and heart’s desires. Dame’s culinary creations are truly palate-pleasing pairings that offer something special for all comers.

From the celebrated pastries at Loaf Bakery or a delectable plate of fried chicken and waffles at Dames, to artisan ice cream at The Parlour for dessert, Downtown Durham has everything in between to satisfy any unique craving.

Let’s be honest- chicken and waffles are good any time of the day- breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We love Dame’s twist on the classic combo with their homemade flavor shmears. It really brings it to the next level.

Dame’s Chicken and Waffles is one of the most famous breakfast places in Durham, NC. With the combination of delicious chicken and sweet waffles, this menu offers everything you could need for any meal of the day.

530 Foster St #130Durham, NC 27701(919) 682-9235 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. Dame’s Chicken & Waffles counts as one of the top-rated eateries near Durham Athletic Park.

Dame’s Chicken & Waffles is famous for its Southern comfort food. It offers the best combination of crispy fried chicken and fluffy waffles, with unique sides and sauces.

530 Foster St #130, Durham, NC 27701Phone: 919-682-9235 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Dames Chicken & Waffles (@dameschickenandwaffles)

🍽 What to Try: The "What a Classy Hen"—crispy fried chicken paired with a fluffy waffle and a homemade shmear.