Talia Gray 

Welcome to the column that I will be affectionately calling, “Talia’s Tastes”. Here, we will explore all the food, attractions, and activities that Greensboro has to offer. For this issue, I think it’s best to start with a classic restaurant well-known in the Triad. That’s right, we’re talking about Dame’s Chicken and Waffles! Of course, based on their name, we can all guess that Dame’s focuses on southern-style comfort food. However, let’s delve a little deeper to find out why Dame’s Chicken and Waffles are “’almost’ World Famous” as their website claims.  

For this review, I will be focusing on my experiences at the Greensboro location, but there is also a location in Durham, North Carolina, for those in Raleigh-Durham area. Dame’s is located slightly outside the center of downtown Greensboro on a quaint street corner near what appears to be a residential area and other small storefronts. As you walk into the restaurant, there is a host stand directly in front of the entrance. The scenery feels homey and classic, as the restaurant features dark wood floors and furniture. Whether you are new to Greensboro or have lived here all your life, Dame’s has a way of making everyone who walks in feel right at home. As Dame’s is a well-known brunch spot close to downtown, if you visit on a weekend, I’d recommend making a reservation on their website. If you don’t have a reservation, you can always wait at one of the picnic tables stationed outside. Each time I’ve been there, the waitstaff has been friendly and provided good service (which is no small feat given how busy the restaurant is during brunch hours).  

Now, let’s get to the main attraction: THE FOOD. At first glance, you may assume that Dame’s is just your run-of-the-mill breakfast/brunch spot, but you would be wrong. Dame’s take on the classic combo that is chicken and waffles is different than anywhere I’ve ever seen. First, it is important to note that Dame’s has two different menus: one menu is for Mondays-Fridays for brunch, and the other is for dinner and the weekends. As I discuss different menu options, I will refer to the Monday-Friday brunch menu as (Weekdays) and the Dinner and Weekends menu as (D&W) to help us avoid confusion.  

One of the first things that you should understand about Dame’s Chicken and Waffles is that their chicken and waffles dishes may contain up to four different components: chicken, waffles, “shmear” and “drizzle.” I make this distinction because my recommendation for a first-time patron is to order the “Build Your Own” (only on the Weekdays menu). That way, you can curate your own chicken and waffle experience. With the “Build Your Own” (Weekdays) option, you get your choice of southern fried chicken, flavored waffle, “shmear” (a flavored sweet butter for your waffles) and “drizzle” (a savory sauce for your chicken).  

My go-to combination is the 3 chicken wings on the Gingerbread waffle with the Vanilla Almond shmear and the Calypso drizzle (if you’re ordering from the D&W menu, you can get a near-identical meal with the “Dueling Roosters”). The Vanilla Almond shmear is just mild enough not to overpower the taste of the Gingerbread waffle and the Calypso drizzle is a unique barbecue-esque sweet and spicy sauce that brings out the flavor of the chicken.  

Now, if the prospect of building your own meal is too overwhelming for you, Dame’s also has curated chicken and waffle menu items for you to choose from. If the idea of a lot of differing flavors scares you, I would recommend ordering “What a Classy Hen?” which features “a chicken cutlet, a signature classic waffle, [and] vanilla almond shmear,” which gives you a more traditional chicken and waffle experience. No matter what combination I’ve chosen, Dame’s chicken has always been crispy and well-seasoned, and the waffles are always soft and flavorful.  

If you’re craving something other than chicken and waffles, Dame’s has several wonderful options for you listed under “House Specialties” on their menu. My personal favorite is the “Sassy Shrimp and Grits” which features “Sauteed Jumbo Shrimp, Chicken Sausage, [and] Onions, served over cheese grits.” This is a delicious savory dish for those who don’t have much of a sweet tooth. Dame’s Chicken and Waffles offers vegan and gluten-free options (that go beyond salads and fresh fruit!).  

Overall, there’s something for everyone at Dame’s Chicken and Waffles, so I would recommend everyone drop in to experience one of Greensboro’s staple eateries.  

https://dameschickenwaffles.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/online-menu-2new-2.pdf (D&W menu)  

https://dameschickenwaffles.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/online-menu-1new-2.pdf (Weekdays menu)  

https://dameschickenwaffles.com/ (main website)