The RDU Buzz

By Madeline Cook

Dames Chicken and Waffles

When I first moved to The South after many years of enjoying all the Mexican food Arizona had to offer, the notion of a few celebrated “Southern” foods to mix up my menu was quite enticing.  At the top of my list were biscuits (any jam welcome) and cheddar grits.  I was quickly enlightened to discover that The Triangle is home to an excess of Southern-style restaurants where flakey biscuits and savory grits are only accessories to even more tempting options.  Somehow, I’d completely under-estimated just how good a chicken sandwich could be thanks to a few favorites joints that regularly work their way into our “eating out” rotation.  That being said, Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, so when friends first introduced me to Dame’s Chicken & Waffles, albeit a seemingly curious combination, I figured I couldn’t pass up an excuse to drizzle syrup on a chicken-topped waffle and call it “dinner”. 

With three locations across North Carolina, we are lucky to live within driveable dinner distance to two Dame’s right here in The Triangle at the Cary and Durham locations.  On my first visit, when handed a menu, I naively thought, how many options could there really be?  It’s chicken + waffles!  You can imagine my delight to discover that chicken and waffles are only the beginning at Dame’s.  Full of clever pairings between uniquely flavored syrups and fluffy, buttery “shmears”, you might find yourself sitting down to the likes of Inspirations such as “The Buff Brahmas” which features peach apricot shmear and whiskey cream syrup. Or, for a sweeter option that might appeal to those who want their meal to taste more “breakfast” than “dinner”, the “Red Crested Rosecomb” is a favorite with its gingerbread waffle and strawberry creme shmear. 

Not sold on the idea of perfectly fried chicken cutlet atop a pillowy waffle?  Each can be ordered separately and is accompanied by a homemade side ranging from “Ceci’s Cheesey Mac” which invokes the scrumptious flavors of Thanksgiving spices, or the potato salad and collard greens.  Either way, prepare to enjoy a soothing ambience, where vibrant murals depicting jazz musicians liven the walls and the spirit of the Harlem Renaissance is embodied in the jazzy soundtrack that serenades your delicious Southern-fried meal, all in a beautifully crafted space dreamt up by founders, Damion and Randy.

If you find yourself in the Cary area, be sure to stop into Dame’s (Almost) World Famous Chicken & Waffles at 823 Bass Pro Lane.  The Durham location sits at 530 Foster Street, with restaurant hours varying by location as listed on the website.   Let us know what savory-sweet combination calls your name at Dame’s Chicken & Waffles!