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.

  • ℕ𝕖𝕞𝕠@slrpnk.net
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    23 hours ago

    I didn’t get it either until I tried it. It’s a combination of sweet and fat and heat and salt and acid but also fluffy-crispy waffle texture and crunchy-silky fried chicken texture. It’s almost everything good about eating in a single bite.

    • MyBrainHurts@lemmy.ca
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      17 hours ago

      This is such a good description that I am almost salivating.

      Personally, I’ve enjoyed it everytime I’ve been eating them but felt very sick afterwards. Which is fair. If there weren’t consequences I would soon have difficulties fitting into a vehicle.

    • Acamon@lemmy.worldOP
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      23 hours ago

      I assume it works, otherwise it wouldn’t be a thing! Just trying to understand how… Are the waffles the same texture as Belgian style waffles? Or more like a potato waffle? Were they sweet? Did it have a sauce?

      If I can figure out what’s meant to be good about it, I can try making my own!

      • ℕ𝕖𝕞𝕠@slrpnk.net
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        23 hours ago

        It works best with a savory batter in a Belgian-style deep waffle iron. You need both real maple syrup and a vinegary hotsauce. Bone-in fried chicken is best, especially thigh. Put the hotsauce on the chicken and the syrup on the waffle, cut a bit of each and eat all four components together in one bite… it’s transcendent.

          • ℕ𝕖𝕞𝕠@slrpnk.net
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            19 hours ago

            Something like Crystal or Frank’s is about right. I find that McIlhenney’s and Cholula don’t have the right flavor profile I’m looking for.

            • TheRedSpade@lemmy.world
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              18 hours ago

              I don’t like most hot sauce because of the vinegar (though I made my own with lime juice, and it was excellent). Salad dressing doesn’t make sense without salad, which has a tendency to be made solely of things I won’t eat. Mustard and pickles are two of the most disgusting human creations.

              • ℕ𝕖𝕞𝕠@slrpnk.net
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                12 hours ago

                I don’t want to say you’re wrong about your own tastes, but, uh… You should definitely be eating some of the things salad is made out of.

                • TheRedSpade@lemmy.world
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                  10 hours ago

                  My gag reflex won’t allow it. I can season and cook them until their original taste and texture are gone, but most raw vegetables are a no go.