Gladys Knight and Ron Winans' Chicken and Waffles

This has been going out week for J and I. We went to Bourbon's in Glover Park on Tuesday to hang out with Pauline and to the DC Jewish Community Center's cafe Wednesday to have a pre-theater meal. Last night was the crowning glory of our going-out week because we ended up at Gladys Knight and Ron Winan's Chicken and Waffles restaurant in the Largo Town Center. It's a fascinating cultural experience for J and I because that part of Prince George's county is predominantly upper middle class and predominantly black.

We were kind of driving all over Prince George's County trying to find a place to eat after we drove all the way out to the Bowie Town Center only to discover we weren't in the mood for any of the the Bowie restaurants. After meadering along Route 214 to Route 202, we ended up at Largo Town Center where we initially tried to go to Carolina Kitchen. While Carolina Kitchen was open, noone seemed to be getting seated. We decided to wander all over Largo Town Center ot find a place to eat and saw the sign for the Chicken and Waffles place. I was sold completely, having been to the flagship Chicken and Waffles place in Atlanta.

We were immediately seated since many of the customers wanted to sit at the bar where they could watch college basketball. The menu is incredible with the requisite chicken and waffles along with hard core Southern specialties that include smothered chicken, salmon croquettes, and mac 'n cheese. Seeing the huge platters of food pass us, we decided to split the dark meat combo platter, a signature waffle (strawberry!) and an appetizer of fried green tomatoes.

Needless to say the meal was excellent. The fried green tomatoes had the crunch of being rolled in cornmeal as opposed to dredged in batter and it came with a nicely spiced remoulade. The fried chicken was lightly breaded so that the flavor of the chicken really came through. The tenderness of the drumstick and thigh meat was wonderful and weren't greasy in the least. Our wonderful waitress, Jennifer, recommended the fried corn and she was totally right on. I was expected something deep fried but the corn that came out was clearly fresh and cut from the cob (not frozen) and cooked in a broth with a hint of brown sugar. This standout side also had a hint of spice with chopped jalepeno. The true standout was the strawberry waffle which was light, crispy and a perfect sponge for the maple syrup. Even thought we were full, we both got dessert - J got the peach cobbler and I got the sweet potato cheesecake. Both for too sweet for my taste but both were beautifully presented. We left the restaurant resolving to come back. I would try the smothered chicken and J would try the salmon cakes.