Grape Kool Aid and Southern Fried Chicken FOR THE WIN!!!
There is nothing like walking into Amy Ruth’s in Harlem NYC and finding out that the Kool Aid of the day is grape! There is also nothing like biting into a thick and juicy fried chicken breast smothered in crispy goodness and real sugary sweet maple syrup on top of a thick fluffy malty Belgian waffle.
Oh yeah. Southern fried FOOD-GAZM!!!
Yeah, you can say I’m a fan of this place, especially when I want to get my southern food grub on. Have been here a few times over the years and it’s always pretty consistent. Great service, terrific flavorful chicken, delicious sides, and kool aid! The chicken is not greasy at all, and the waffle has a wonderful malty flavor. Syrup is the real deal – not that fake stuff. Baked mac & cheese is pretty good with a nice crust on the edges, and the collard greens are some of the best I have tasted (made with a turkey stock we were told). Plus, the fresh hot basket of cornbread they put on your table is a nice touch. How can you deny free hot cornbread? I ask for a second basket. YUM!
Their menu of items are all labeled after famous people and celebrities. One of my favs is The Rev. Al Sharpton – chicken and waffle for $11.95. Large glass of Kool Aid of the day for $2.50. Sides go for $4.50 each. Free basket of cornbread. Not bad overall and you get a lot of delicious food to eat! This is the type of meal where you proclaim “calories be damned I am feasting and don’t care”! Amy Ruth’s is definitely not the type of place to dine at when dieting or watching your waist line. In fact, be sure to wear your big pants here!
Our waitress here last week was funny, friendly, and awesome. Each time we have been here we always notice how nice and well mannered the staff is. Smaller dining area on main floor and larger room upstairs. Bathrooms are clean, and everyone says goodbye when leaving. Seriously, if you are the type that loves to explore authentic cooking and the classics such as these you will not be disappointed. KFC got nothing on Amy!
Southern fried charm and goodness for sure.
Amy Ruth’s – http://www.amyruthsharlem.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/amy-ruths-new-york?nb=1
Oh man, I feel like licking that screen. I love macaroni cheese, and chicken but I can’t even imagine chicken on a waffle though. One day I must try it, although it won’t taste anything like how the southerners do it.
I feel that trip to America, calling me, loud and clear.
Hey Rum Punch!
It’s amazing to me how many people have not enjoyed chicken with waffles. Pour the syrup over it and it’s so tasty! I guess it’s an American thing. I love it!
Fried yard bird. Check.
Collards. Check.
Cornbread. Check.
Just like Mama used to make!
This Texan is headed to Harlem today!
Hey Fearless!
I’ll be coming out to Texas for some BBQ too!
Nothing like a slab of Texas ribs and brisket!
Amen to that!
I know a little BBQ stand in a guy’s front yard right on the side of the highway by one of my old fishin’ holes.
His BBQ is so good I’d slap my mama away from the supper table so I could get some more.
Now I’m hungry for some Rudy’s in Texas! Need a trip to San Antonio to see some family soon.
San Antonio is my favorite big city in the country! Let me know when you go. I need a little bit of dirt from in front of the Alamo as a keepsake!
It’s a good thing I am going out the door to play tennis right now because I just gained a pound reading this post. My oh my! It sounds like it would be worth dieting for a week or two before diving into this delicious-sounding food! I’m salivating just thinking about it!
Hey Patricia!
Yup! Gotta keep active to burn those calories!
So close to my place that I need to fight the urge to have it all the time!
I’ve never quite gotten the waffle and fried chicken combo – but I LOVE fried chicken and it looks amazing! Great Choice.
Hey Peggy!
Fried chicken is so good if done right! You have to try it southern style like this. The waffle and syrup make it a great combo!
I’ve heard about Amy Ruth and after trying Sylvia’s, I really wanted to go there, but I was too full. The chicken looks good and also the waffle, but what’s it like together?? I’ve never tried that combo before:)
Hey Mitzie!
It’s pretty damn tasty! Malty waffle, syrup, fried chicken, yum!
I haven’t had chicken & waffles in forever but I now want to take a trip up to Harlem immediately.
Hey Jill!
So you know how good it is! So many people have never had this. They don’t know what they are missing!
Oh man – I had me some chicken and waffles for the first time ever this past fall at the House of Blues at Disney World. That there was some yum yum goodness. I say throw on a couple slices of bacon and you’ve got heaven on a plate. I actually went back for seconds, which is something I rarely do, watching my girlish figure and all. But hey, when you’re at Disney World, just eat cuz you’ll either walk it off or sweat it off in about 2 hours.
Thanks for the post. Haven’t had Kool-Aid since was about 10. Used to love the Kool-Aid popsicles in the summer.
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
Hey Patricia!
So glad you enjoyed the gluttony as much as I did!
Also, calories and fat don’t count or exist at Disney World. It’s a proven fact!
You know what’s funny? Most of my southern friends can’t figure out why chicken and waffles is attributed to them. Still, I tried this gourmet interpretation while I was in Savannah because I was curious…and it was fantastic!
Hey Kitt!
See? All you need to do is try it once and you’re hooked!
Just like sex! 😉
You mean GOOD sex, right? Because bad sex could put you off for life… 😉
The good dirty kind of course! 🙂
This looks delicious! I am not a fan of KFC anymore – I got tired of getting undercooked thighs. What are collard greens? Please forgive me my ignorance, I’m just a Canadian who has never had southern food.
Hey Lynda!
Thanks so much for dropping by my blog and commenting!
It’s so good. Try it if you ever have a chance. It’s an unlikely combo to many but it works.
Collard greens are a type of leaf vegetable cooked mainkl in the south with Collard greens cooked until wilted with bacon, onion, garlic, vinegar, sugar, and a dash of hot sauce or some close variation. So good.
Awesome! Now you’re talking my language.. this Jersey girl was raised in the south. I love me some fried chicken and waffles! I’ll have to check them out next time I’m in NYC!
Hey Tree!
So you have had this before! Along with this place there is also Sylvia’s up in Harlem. Both worth trying.
Not fair, Phil! This place just looks too delicious and it’s all the way across the country. Good thing we have a Roscoe’s in L.A.
Hey Jessica!
All’s fair in love and fried chicken!
Mmmm…..Roscoe’s. Been too many years since I have been to LA. So good.
Now, that’s what I’m talking about. Sorry for the repeat offenses, Phil, but Mathair’s busy and I have the free time to go stark crazy on your blog… and I’m by no means done. Definitely hit a nerve with this one. Being an sixth generation Southwestern Floridian, the dirty south does call and she’s a homey, but roomy bitch to go crawlin’ back to. We may not be known for the healthiest of food, but it’s too hot and muggy down here to care anyway. If the mosquitoes don’t drain ya dry, the sun’ll damn sure start the slow but steady decline of your health. So, we figure ‘Why delay the inevitable?’ and shovel anything fried in Crisco, basted in pork fat and slathered with butter down your throat and this family of swamp rats are lovin’ this post. 😉