HANNA CHU & ANELA HOLCK
A&E Editor & Photo Editor
For the Valentine’s Day edition of Cheap Date, we are stepping it up a notch by requiring a commute for the date. That’s right, it’s time to get out of Malibu and get a little culture at Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles in West Los Angeles.
To get the true Roscoe’s experience, it is recommended that you go around midnight, so plan your escapade accordingly.
Although Los Angeles is not far from Pepperdine, driving during traffic hours could quickly turn your date into a road-trip disaster. That’s why leaving the Malibu premises around midnight should be the perfect hour. Plus, Roscoe’s becomes more of the social scene the later it gets with all those hungry night owls. But don’t go too late; Roscoe’s closes at 2 a.m.
Security guards greet visitors in front of this famous chicken joint. It gets really crowded inside, so these security guards act as the hosts of the restaurant. They ask how many people are in your party and have you wait outside.
While waiting, don’t be afraid to browse through the random goods being sold by street venders. It might be nice to surprise your date with cheap bling-bling when they aren’t looking.
This bright food haven glows on the corner of Pico and La Brea, so inside the restaurant, the pink fluorescent lights may surprise visitors. Strangely, the lights agree with the chaotic atmosphere of this eatery.
The menu has many different combinations of chicken and waffles, but the favorite among regulars is the “Scoe’s,” which includes a quarter of a chicken prepared either southern style or with gravy and onions and two waffles. The chicken isn’t too bony or fatty, and is fried for your delight. If you have a preference of dark or light meat, let your waitress know. The waffles are served with plenty of very spreadable butter and syrup, and it’s just under $10.
Take advantage of this southern style food and smother the waffles up with butter. Don’t think about the cholesterol.
Who would have thought waffles went so well with chicken. It’s a perfect blend of sweet and salty, kind of like having an ice cream cone and French fries at McDonald’s.
Feel free to glance at the other options on the menu, such as the candy yams, red beans, chef’s salad and the country girl, which the menu describes as “one half succulent chicken prepared with our own secret recipe.”
The best part of the night is when the waitress comes by during your meal and tosses several wet naps on the table. The wet naps are quality with a fresh lemon scent and just enough moisture to get the sticky syrup off your hands and the gravy off your date’s face.
Not only do they have great food, but they also keep you clean so that a dater is all ready for that goodnight smooch.
Cupid might not hit you with an arrow this year, but he might smack you in the face with a waffle, and that’s a true sign of love.
02-09-2006
