Maxine’s Chicken & Waffles
Opened: August 2008
Let’s get a few things straight. Yes, the place is located in the back of a filling station. And yes, the chicken and waffles are served together. No, you don’t have to eat them that way. And while the savory/sweet combo (with generous dollops of peach butter) remains the gateway entree at this downtown soul-food spot, the menu delves much deeper into namesake Maxine Redmon Bunnell’s repertoire. Plates of fried green tomatoes present crisp slices arranged around tasty remoulade sauce for dipping; the half-pound Fat Burger is a noble puck of seasoned meat tucked between slices of Texas toast; and Ms. Faye’s Salmon Croquettes come with your choice of potatoes or grits. Maxine’s doesn’t put much effort into atmosphere—massive televisionscreens left over from its days as Cabo’s Mexican Grill still hover over the dining-room tables, and no one tries to hide the industrial-size condiment bottles left out on the prep counter. It’s the food that matters here—and it’s worth a pit stop. For street-cred purposes, order the chicken & waffles, of course. (But make sure someone else gets the smothered chicken so you can steal a bite.)
Bottom line: Maxine’s serves soul food that warms the soul.
132 N. East St., 423-3300,
maxineschicken.com
