If your palette is tuned to the sweet and savory, today is your day to proclaim: “Cluck yeah!” 

It’s National Chicken and Waffles Day and, according to the National Day Calendar, this Euro-Southern combination has been around for more than a century-and-a-half. 

Who first decided to put crispy chicken and fluffy waffles on the same plate is lost to history, but it is known that the meal is a staple of Black and Pennsylvania Dutch cooks. 

To celebrate the day, try one of these five Maricopa restaurants specializing in the savory sweet dish. 

Roots Eatery  

20046 N. John Wayne Parkway, Suite 104 

This rustic restaurant welcomes its patrons like family and has a dining experience meant to remind you of being in Grandma’s kitchen. The menu is comprised of classic comfort fare with a sophisticated culinary twist. The chicken and waffles, a staple of Roots’ 2022 menu, are absent from its current fall 2024 menu — but top chef Chris Spear told InMaricopa that if guests order it, he’ll make it. Almost like a secret menu item.   

Auntie’s Soul Food & Grill  

19171 N. Maricopa Road  

This soul food restaurant in the old town with roots in Chicago serves up homestyle comfort food for takeout or patio seating from its rotating menu. On Auntie’s October menu, owner Janice Wilson includes an offering of crispy fried chicken and waffles with maple syrup. 

Sunday’s Soul Food & Catering  

17945 N. Regent Drive 

Still fairly new to Maricopa, this food truck’s goal is to make every day taste like an Arkansas Sunday. The food truck is owned by couple Lakeesha and Bridget Akins and Corey Jacobs. 

InMaricopa called the food truck Friday to see if it was serving chicken and waffles this weekend, and after finding out Sunday is National Chicken and Waffles Day, Chef Lakeesha’s response was: “I wasn’t, but I am now.” 

So, go try them while you can. 

Slim Chickens  

41740 W. Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway  

This Fayetteville, Ark.-based fried chicken chain was founded in 2003 but started serving locals at its Maricopa location last November. Slim’s chicken and waffles come with three fried tenders over a waffle, served with syrup and butter on the side. 

IHOP  

20429 N. John Wayne Parkway  

The International House of Pancakes has been serving Maricopans round-the-clock since 2019. If it’s late late, try four buttermilk crispy chicken breast strips and IHOP’s house-made Belgian waffle that comes with butter and your choice of ranch, honey mustard or IHOP sauce. 

Don’t forget to take our poll!