Carbon's Golden Malted is a South Bend company. They provide the waffle irons and mix to virtually every major hotel and restaurant chain, as well as thousands of independent diners.

A couple of ND grads are on the board.

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and the original name was F.S. Carbon Co.

I have a story to relate about one of the Carbons. Back in 1980, I had a part-time job at a gas station in Niles. One Sunday afternoon, one of the Carbons (I won't say which), came in and pulled up to the full service island. When I went out to pump his gas, he told me to fill it up with leaded premium. Since his car was labeled for unleaded fuel, I told him I couldn't do that. He insisted he wanted leaded premium and when I still refused, he got out of the car and said, "Get out of the way, I'll do it myself." So, I went inside and turned off the switch to the pump.

Angry, he came inside and said, "I'm going over to the self serve island. If you shut that pump off, I'll punch you f***ing face!" Of course, I shut that pump off, too. Fuming, he came back inside and said, "What's Gary's (the owner) home phone number?" I picked up the phone, called my boss and told him what happened, including the threat. My boss said "Let me talk to him." I handed him the phone and he (Carbon) didn't say anything except, "yes...yes... yes, okay". He then handed me the phone and said, "LSA, Gary wants to talk to you."

My boss then told me that while it was illegal for me to pump the leaded fuel into his car, if he wanted to pump it himself, he didn't care if he pumped water into it. He said he also told him that if he ever threatened me or any of his employees again, he would press charges against him. Mr. Carbon was very nice to me whenever he came in after that.

Once upon a time, I was very active in Brooklyn Democratic politics. I was also a revert to Catholicism and had (still have, I hope) the zeal of a convert. That zeal, along with my political acquaintances, would land me invitations to address Sunday morning services at the African American churches in my borough.

I loved those streets on Sunday mornings. What had been the night before crowded with partiers and low-lifes were now busy with well-dressed church goers. There were generally two types of stores in proximity to the church I would be invited to speak (or testify) - a breakfast restaurant and a ladies millinery shop for the ladies' hats. The restaurants would always have chicken and waffles on the menu and cater to the parishoners. But I, being an urban working class Irishman, would have the bacon and eggs.

But still, the combination does not strike me as odd. De gustibus etc.

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Everytime I eat Chicken and Waffles, passing out occurs almost immediately thereafter.

They're damn delicious.

Their waffles alone are like nothing you've ever had. So freaking good. Add the seasoned fried chicken breast with a little hot sauce and syrup....Oh my God I am hungry now.

Taste of Belgium has amazing food. Unfortunately, the service there can be very spotty (to be charitable).

if I am there for lunch during the week it is usually pretty slow and can get quick service from the bartender.

I would love to try their other food, but I just can't bring myself to order anything else but the chicken and waffle!
And I usually leave with a bag of waffles for later. Damn they are good.

out here in CA, I remember going to Roscoe's as a kid.

Thats been a chain since the 1970s, but soul cafes have been serving the dish long before then.

I think its just becoming popular with the "things white people like" trend of hipsterdom.

Say it loud.

in a cosmic, i.e., not of this earth, sense - literally.

I like to think of us as cosmic homies, too.

at Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Illinois was serving it back in '95-6 when I was there. It was amazing how unhealthy their food was (and probably still is).

I barely ate half of it, but it was very good.

A cardiologist cringes somewhere in the world every time it's ordered, but it tastes great.

I went to Cafe Dufrain while in Tampa for business. I had their chicken and waffles dish, and it was fantastic.

I love chicken and I love waffles, but the two of them together? That just sounds awful.