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'Home of Chicken and Waffles' Soul Food At Its Best

OAKLAND (CBS SF) - Food not only nourishes the body, but feeds the soul and soul food/comfort food certainly does both. My kids and I dined at Home of Chicken and Waffles (HCW) in Jack London Square and immediately I thought of Roscoe's. After speaking to the owner, Derrick Johnson, I learned that his father was the owner of Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles based in Los Angeles.

Yes HCW is a restaurant and has comfort food with a full bar, but is also a down home mainstay since 2004 and part of the revitalization of downtown Oakland. I had "Angie's Delight" 1 succulent breast 1 delicious waffle and grits. My son had a waffle and a hot chocolate, He is 11 and a connoisseur of both and was extremely pleased. My teenaged daughter ordered off menu and had a waffle and two pieces of chicken and let's just say there were no leftovers. She two partook in the hot chocolate. Both asked for seances on the hot chocolate.

The manager personally served us and although I have been called ma'am many times, she was sincere and sweet about it.

Food is of paramount importance and I would highly recommend HCW. The menu has mouthwatering names like Jade's Joy, Amina's Appetite, Incredible Kelly, Tracy's Mouthwatering Strawberry Waffles, Paige's Palette, Renaldi's Request, Lord Bj, Keith's Tackle, Billy's Best, Homeboy, And Dale's Choice and many others with categories beyond chicken and waffles: daily lunch specials, eggs & such, sandwiches (including a turkey burger and a veggie burger), salads, and a kid's menu. special creative combo, sides, and a la carte.

The Zagat review aptly says it " . . . lures the "church"-bound and the hungover who come-a-"hankering" for "rib-stoking food", . . . all served by a "staff that wants to please" . . . . It's open until midnight some nights, a rarity in restaurants.

The staff distinguishes HCW, the staff that is willing to please and also Johnson gives back to the community he grew up in by hiring folks who have difficulty in getting on elsewhere. A large percentage of the staff are on probation or parole and integrating well back into society. Johnson works closely with www.jailstojobs.org.

Johnson plans to honor another giving back tradition in 2014, he will feed 300 families gratis on Christmas.

In 2011 Johnson opened another HCW in Walnut Creek.

Thanks to HCW, Derrick Johnson and Shaun Saunders of Graffiti PR for the complimentary dinner. Food with a purpose that feeds souls, both customers and employees.


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