Dame’s Chicken & Waffles
317 W Main St, Durham, NC, 27701
Dame’s Chicken & Waffles Menu
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Address :
317 W Main St
Durham, NC, 27701 - Phone (919) 682-9235
- Website https://dameschickenwaffles.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :10:00 am - 4:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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Sheila D.
If this isn't the epitome of fine Southern Cooking, I don't know what is. Dame's is the first place that I think of when I want to take visitors to experience the best of the best in Southern food. If you are planning to make a trip here, either come at a awkward time (super late lunch/early dinner or super late dinner) or make a reservation because at peak ours, Dame's is always PACKED. As a vegetarian, you may ask, "why would she love a chicken and waffles place?" So, I can't eat the chicken. The smell of the chicken is divine, and all of my meat-eating friends seem to love it, so I assume the chicken is delicious. The waffles though. Let me tell you about the waffles. There are four different flavors of waffles, with each tasting exactly like what it sounds like. In the sweet potato waffle, you can taste the cinnamon-y sweet potato flavor within the fluffy texture of a perfectly cooked waffle. The blueberry waffle has fresh blueberries inside and looks and tastes beautiful. I typically get a just a waffle with schmear (flavored butter AKA the best thing on this earth). My favorite is the vanilla almond schmear, but there are just so many flavors that you can't go wrong with. I like making sure each square of my waffle has a bit of schmear in it before digging in. I have to admit, the schmear is what makes the waffles here stand out and what keeps me coming back to Dame's. With flavors like Strawberry-Crème, Chocolate-Hazelnut, Maple-Pecan, Baby-Blueberry, Vanilla-Almond, Orange-Honeycomb, and Peach-Apricot, what isn't to love? So yes, for those vegetarians out there who are wondering if there is anything for you at Dame's, don't you worry. Waffles and schmear are sure not to disappoint. That being said, everything at Dame's is pretty heavy - I would come here for special occasions and with special people but never on a frequent basis. I thought that even the waffle, though fluffy, was heavy enough to the point that I couldn't finish it in one sitting. I've had the Triple Cheese & Macaroni, and it is just jam packed with flavor and cheesiness, almost to the point that it was a little overwhelming, and my stomach couldn't handle eating the entire side by itself (of course, I had to share). There was also a weird taste that I can't really pinpoint in the macaroni and cheese that made the flavor a little off in my book. In terms of the sides though, I saw a couple of my neighbors order the grits, and it looked heavenly, so that is definitely on my list for the next time that I come. The setup of the restaurant is one of my favorite aspects of Dame's. The restaurant itself is not big (again, why I stress the fact that you should make a reservation), but that's also what makes it feel very cozy. Each table has crayons and a "tablecloth" made with white paper so that customers can draw and doodle on the tablecloth as they are waiting for their meal. Such a small and cute addition to the restaurant made a huge difference in my mind, for it is something that really makes Dame's stand out for me. I would definitely come to Dame's if you have't before. The best place for chicken and waffles in the Triangle.
(4)Trinh T.
Dame's Chicken & Waffles is a southern restaurant in Durham that serves up some amazing chicken & waffles. It's all about the smears (flavored butter) that makes a great waffle amazing. Although service can be slow due to their popularity, it's a must visit. My Overall Rating - 3 1/2 Stars (Atmosphere, Food, Return) Atmosphere - Located in Durham's downtown area, it's hard to miss the sign for Dame's. Inside you'll find a busy restaurant. It's clean but honestly not very memorable. I would say Dame's puts the emphasis on the food, and honestly where you eat it is forgetful. There are some chairs placed outdoors in the event you have to wait. 1/2 Star. Service - If there's a wait, they'll take your name and phone number and then call you when the table is ready. Except we never got the call, and eventually wait 20 minutes longer than we probably had too. Now, we wanted to see if the system worked, but it didn't for us. If there's a wait, do yourself a favor and just sit outside and wait. They're busy, and slow. Now, in this case service is a function of having lots of patrons because of the quality of food. Just be warned. No Star. Food - The chicken can be had as wings or a cutlet (no bone). It's well seasoned, crispy, and you can get hot sauce if you want to dip. However, I will never forget the waffle. The lightly powdered, semisweet waffle was great. I ordered the Classy Hen (Cutlet with Waffle & vanilla almond smear). Whoever came up with the smear concept - THANK YOU. It is essentially a flavored butter that I thought made the waffles so great. In fact, I didn't even bother with syrup it was so good. One more thing, your order comes with a side. We chose the excellent Mac & Cheese that had a nice herb flavor (sage or rosemary) and could have easily been served at some gourmet restaurant. We also had the collard greens, which were a perfect combination of leafy flesh with a bit of tang. Yes, it's all good. 2 Stars. Will I Return? - Yes. You can order a chocolate hazelnut (Nutella) smear, a strawberry, smear, etc. Dame's allows you to interchange them if you want. Me? I'll fight through the spotty service issues so I can have another excuse to come back. 1 Star. My Yelp Rating Scale (Sum of all parts): 1 Star - Atmosphere - Is it a cool dive? Perhaps an upscale place? No matter the type, atmosphere plays a big part and I'll give a star if I like it or thinks it has great charm. 1 Star - Service - You can have a great meal with bad service. But that's also what can make a five star joint drop to four. It's important to the dining experience that service is great and on point. 2 Stars - Food - I'll award up to two stars for the food, since this is the main reason we dine out. Sometimes the extra star is given for value, but it's really all about the food. 1 Star - Will I come back? - If I know for a fact I'll return, I'll give this a star. A place has to make an impression for me to return. Each Category can be given up to 1 star except food (2 stars) because I consider all these categories important to the overall dining experience. I will sum them up to provide my final Yelp score.
(3)Catherine B.
Best chicken and waffles I've ever had. I had the sweet potato waffles with pecan butter and chicken. I wanted like 5 more plates. Service was warm friendly and fast.
(5)Trishul P.
Reservation for 7:00, arrived at 6:44, didn't get seated till 7:40. The 6 of us were seated at a 4 person table but we were ok with that rather than waiting. Host (Asian dude) was rude and did not seem to have a handle of the process. He kept telling us 15 more minutes. Making a reservation is pointless especially if he's working. I hear there is another host who manages the reservations well. After being seated, we were lucky to have a great waiter (Ian). He was well polished and managed with the kids well. Drinks arrived after about 15 minutes but considering the load it was understandable, and they were worth the wait. Ordered at 7:51, food arrived at 8:15pm. Feedback by item: - southern potato salad = amazing - whiskey cream smear = amazing - orange speckled Chabo = amazing Bottom line- food was worth the wait and made up for the negative host staff experience. They are not looking to rush folks out and flip tables. This is likely the reason for longer waits. Not necessarily a negative after all. 8:45, meal complete and I can't stop thinking about the food. I gave 4 because of the host staff, really wanted to give 5. Kudos to our waiter Ian.
(4)Barbara B.
I'm amazed I haven't reviewed this place until now as I've been here probably 15+ times in the last few years. Dame's is hands down the best chicken and waffles in the Triangle. (Beasley's in Raleigh has nothing on this place.) The secret of why Dame's is the best? Their shmears. What are shmears you ask? Sweet crème butters that have been delicately whipped with a variety of fruits and nut flavors. And they are absolutely heavenly! There's a number of different chicken and taste combinations - everything from hot or panko crusted to plum sauce or whiskey creme sauce. My personal favs are the Frizzled Fowl or the Buff Brahmas. They also have some great and unique mimosa combinations. They are generally really busy (because their restaurant is pretty small), but the upside is that they take reservations now so planning ahead is always recommended, especially for larger parties. Gone are the days of two hour weekend brunch waits - huzzah! All in all, highly recommend you check this place out!
(5)Connie L.
Seriously. The hostess is such a power tripper. She has way too much power in terms of seating people and wait times. I walked in 1:30 for my reservation and said my two friends were on their way. She said in that case I would have to be on the wait list w a wait time of 1.5 hours. A man walked in 1:35 for his 1:30 reservation and said his friend was on her way. He was seated right away. Sadly this isn't the first time I've had similar treatment here at Dames. The food impresses me less and less the more I go. It's way too hyped.
(2)Ted E.
First off, it's like Glady's Knights' chicken & waffles in just one respect...if you go on the weekend they are slammed but they move people fast. Other than that, Mrs Knight takes a back seat to these folks. Great selection of waffles, and all that we tried were great. Soulful sides that are all just right. Interesting drink concoctions utilizing sparkling wines, and the mandatory craft beer selection. Claim to Fame? Their "Smears". They've put a lot of thought and time into these and each one is special. This should be a 5 star, but parking is tricky and seating is a little tight, no reflection on the excellent service and eclectic food. By the way, be hungry and ready to eat, these folks are ready and food is served hot, fresh and in a flash.
(4)Vanessa S.
Love Dame's Chicken & Waffles, I just hate the wait! But I guess the price you pay for a great meal.
(4)Lundy S.
The best chicken & waffles ever! Crispy chicken on the outside and tender on the inside. Even though we had to wait 1.5 hrs, it was well worth the wait!!
(5)Demetria M.
Finally made it to Dame's on my way back from VA. It was during lunch on a Wednesday and I ordered the Dueling Roosters with vanilla/almond and maple/pecan smear. The chicken was seasoned to perfection and the waffle was soft but the combo was amazing.......I've had better grits but my son enjoyed them. The wait for the food was way too long but I will return.....
(4)Anna M.
Walked in to Dames around 8 & surely enough we just made it before closing. They usually close at 9 but I guess due to snow, they were closing early. & I have to say they take Chicken and Waffles, to a whole other level. I got the Red Crust Rose Comb with a blueberry waffle & potato salad. The potato salad I enjoyed, but nothing to rave about. Although their Mac and Cheese was cold & not very good.. & very old like. I think overall the chicken and waffle is fantastic! My blueberry waffles were amazing and I loved the fresh blueberries that are in them. The chicken was also very nice. Not too fried & not mention, I can smell that awesome Rosemary! I think what really put the whole dish together was the SHMEAR!!! Their shmear is just so flawless! I recommend the blueberry & strawberry. Pros- Filling Yummy Shmear!! Cons- A bit expensive (but so worth it) The Mac & Cheese was disappointing :/
(4)Amieka C.
Came for the chicken and spicy greens, STAYED FOR THE WAFFLE AND SCHMEARS! Long, ridiculous wait...they need to expand with the popularity they have. They are situated in a business block, looks like an empty space right next door, they need to jump on it, knock the wall down and add more tables...I think we waited an hour outside to get in (we were told 35 minutes..) but it was ALL WORTH IT. I'm from Michigan, I was visiting family and now all I can think about is having waffles and peach apricot butter for breakfast every morning. Server seemed brand new, he forgot our water, messed up our drink orders and forgot the sides we asked for...of the five of us, we order sides of ranch, the spicy bbq sauce, we ordered a fruit cup for the kid at the table and he didn't bring any of that until we reminded him. AGAIN, NONE OF THIS MATTERED. Any other place, a long wait and poor wait staff can ruin the meal but that's a testament to how good this food really is. ...Greens were very yummy, came to the table hot. Chicken was seasoned great, juicy, came to the table hot. Mac and Cheese was tasty but not my absolute fave. Waffle was divine. I ordered the plain, my sister ordered the sweet potato. Both were perfection before you even smeared anything on them, light, fluffy, sweet. I got the vanilla smear and peach apricot. Vanilla was generic....yummy but if you've tasted vanilla ANYTHING in life, than you've tasted that. But the peach apricot---heaven. I am forever changed :) Strawberry was also very good, but very sweet...peach apricot was more subtle and light-tasting. Can't wait to go back to see my sis....because I love her, yes, but also because I now love Dame's :D
(4)Susan B.
It has been over a year since I consumed Dame's 'Orange Speckled Chabo' --- a crispy chicken cutlet on top of a sweet potato waffle, drizzled with a dijon mustard/orange/honeycomb "schmear." I dream about consuming it again sooner rather than later. PS. I was a guest at my first Yelp Elite event last night and found it to be pretty badass. So, it inspired me to give writing reviews a shot. I won't go too overboard. I'm not a foodie but I do appreciate a good meal or beverage.
(4)Jamey B.
Was in town on work and this place was s small walk from work and it was worth the trip. I tried the carolina crockeral with a blueberry waffle and strawberry shmear. The only bad part was the menu didn't list the shmears below them but rather they were above the title. Other than that everything was excellent. Also tried the gingerbread waffle with the vanilla almond shmear, almost reminded me of waffles from roscoes chicken and waffles. Would recommend this place to anyone for some good waffles.
(5)Monica B.
Yesterday was my first visit. The food was outstanding!! I will revisit. I am giving it 4 stars, because the restaurant is small and it took an hour to get a table. But, the staff took was very pleasant and tried to be accommodating by texting me when my table was ready. Overall, it was a great experience.
(4)Riccardo S.
Absolutely amazing place. Don't even bother to bring your willpower - just submit and enjoy the ride. I found this place on Yelp (surprising a Durham native who'd never heard of it), and decided to bring my small team here for a power breakfast. That may have been a bad idea, because we just wanted to sleep off the marvelous food. I couldn't do without going for the signature dish, so moist and juicy chicken breast over waffles it was. Covered in powdered sugar and with a honey-mustard drizzle over the top, and with a huge dollop of sweet butter on the side. But WAIT - there's more, because the mac & cheese just called out to be sampled. Whatever they top that dish with needs to be analyzed by the DEA, because one taste and you're hooked. Oh...and having some veggies is essential to every meal, and if you're in the South, you have to try the collard greens, which they call Mean Greens. I'm not usually a fan, but these were perfect in consistency, flavoured with a kick, and presentation. Round that out with perfectly-brewed never-ending coffee refills, and you've hooked me. Don't be surprised at a 15-30 minute wait for a table, but it is all worth it.
(5)Jesse W.
Warning: there is a very long wait! The wait is worth it. I went with a friend and we had to wait over one hour and 45 minutes. Unfortunately, this location is very small with only about 10 tables. If you are willing to wait the food is amazing. I got the chicken with blueberry waffle with Mac and cheese. Even the Mac and cheese was unreal. Maybe it was because I was so hungry from the wait. Let's just say I will definitely be back.
(5)Andrew C.
Nutella spread A+ fried chicen A+ Waffle A+ this place is worth the wait. This place is what all fried chicken and waffle restaurants should strive to be.
(5)Tonya D.
This was actually my first time having a chance to eat at Dame's. The first time my husband and I came it was a 2hr. wait so we just decided to make reservations the next try and that worked out better, but we still waited about 15 mins to be seated. Once we were seated the waitress was so sweet, she brought our order out very quick and continued to check on us! The food was amazing I ordered the Buff Brahma (4 chicken wings, a huge waffle with there peach spread and a side of Mac n cheese )I really loved and looking forward to going back! I think Dame's would be even better if the place was bigger because obviously the food is worth the wait!
(5)G L R.
This place was great! The fried chicken was very good. The mac and cheese was creamy and good. They season it which gave a nice twist to it, but still keeping it simple and classic. My waffle was fluffy and light. The atmosphere was very casual and enjoyable. Service was attentive and friendly. I'll come back here!
(5)Korrie B.
Short and sweet: 5 Star chicken and waffles (10++++ stars for offering delicious OFF THE BONE options for those of us who don't want to gnaw on an animal's bone!) Try the sweet potato with chicken cutlet. You cut a piece of chicken, add a piece of waffle, a dabble of shmear, a drip of syrup and a dash of hot sauce. FLAVOR EXPLOSION!!! 5 Star service. Some of the nicest servers around. 5 Stars for offering a fruit side that consists of strawberries and pineapple...my faves! 2-3 Stars for all other sides...including the mac and cheese. I just don't get it. 2-3 Stars for the tiny interior! I hate waiting BUT completely understand that Dames is guaranteed a wait. I only go at 2 times: at the door before they open on Sundays or any day of the week AT 5pm sharp. Never have to wait at those two times. If you think those times are inconvenient...they aren't once you taste the chicken and waffles =)
(4)Cynthia G.
Think they should reorganize their interior because it looks kind of cluttered but that's probably because they have a lot of business, very busy. Menu can be reorganized to make more simple. The food is good though, chicken and waffles is a great combo and they have specialized in it. But everything is fresh and hot and delicious.
(4)Jennifer M.
Mimosas are great and huge! Huge bang for your buck. The mac n cheese is simply amazing and the sweet potato waffle was fantastic. Friendly staff. Fast service.
(4)Jenny C.
A Durham classic. As a vegetarian this wasn't exactly my cup of tea, but I see why people like it so much. I got macaroni and cheese, and a waffle with shmear on it, and I enjoyed it. Service was slow because they were really busy, but I think that's usual.
(3)Haoming H.
I'll keep this review short. Excellent service. Excellent food. Make a reservation to avoid the ridiculous wait times. I've had my fair share of chicken and waffle dives and Dame's ranks up there with the best. I ordered Dame's favorite: The Carolina Cockerel. The chicken was moist without being greasy. The blueberry waffle was perfection with the peach and apricot shmear. I literally just drooled as I was typing this review. Good thing I don't live closer to Dame's or my picture would appear in the dictionary next to the word 'obese'.
(5)S M.
It is great. The food is fast and service is pretty good. It is somewhat of a dive location and the environment is pretty dingy, but I LOVE the options, and the food. Much better than most other places.
(4)Nick F.
This place is overrated. I wouldn't wait a hour in line for it. I had the chicken and waffles -- Japanese style. I thought it was going to this amazing tempura-fried chicken, but it turned out to be more like shake-n-bake. The waffles were standard belgian waffles you can make at home. Oh, and the coffee was so weak. Thin and tasteless. I don't know, this place is worth checking out once, but that's about it.
(3)Eduardo G.
Small spot so better for groups of 4 or less. It would be hard to get seating for any groups larger than that. So this was my first time at any waffle house. So I ordered the Buff Brahamas fried chicken and I tried about 2 different smears (vanilla-almond and apricot). Both smears were awesome balls but the Vanilla-almond was slightly better in my opinion. I had them add the calypso BBQ sauce which was amazing. I was going to order the dueling Roosters but I didn't want wings. So I got the best of both worlds. I love that the breading on the chicken and it didn't feel too heavy. The atmosphere of the restaurant was real nice. The service was great. Our server was very nice, provided some great recommendations and we never had to hound him down for anything. H
(5)Cynthia T.
To make it quick, the food was great, but the service was terrible. I ordered the Buff Brahmas with a sweet potato waffle and it was delicious. The chicken wings were crispy and perfectly seasoned and moist inside. The waffle was on the softer side, but I enjoyed it... especially when it was topped with that peach and apricot schmear! I also had the cheesy grits AND the mean greens (collards), both of which were good. The other people in my party all seemed to be pretty satisfied with their food as well, except the two that ordered their food with the chicken cutlets noted how tough and hard to get into it was. Now to the bad, which ruined the entire dining experience for me. There were no reservations available, which was our fault for trying to book it so late, so instead we decided to come at 10am (right when they open) and wait it out. I had to leave for work by 11:45 so I thought that would be sufficient even if I had to eat quickly. There were six of us and we were told we would have to sit at two different tables, even though we witnessed them pulling tables together for a party of 10. Instead we asked if we could all cram at one 4-person table which they allowed. We were quickly seated right after they opened the doors, but please tell me why we did not get our food until 11:30!! Our drink orders were promptly taken, but we didn't receive our actual drinks until 20 minutes later (5 waters without ice and an orange juice) and our food orders were not taken until after 10:45. From that point on our waitress avoided all eye contact even though half the table's waters were empty.. She wasnt even that busy, she was standing by the kitchen just talking. I understand it's busy and you want to avoid confrontation about it taking too long, but a quick refill and maybe an update on our food would have been nice. By the time I got my order ONE AND A HALF HOURS after we were seated, I could only have a few bites before I had to ask for a box to pack it all up. I literally had to throw cash on the table and run out of there while the rest of my party finished their meal. Dame's is known for being busy, but I think their service has and lot to do with that. Had our orders been taken in a timely manner we would have been in and out of there to make room for the next group of people.
(3)Rebecca R.
I read some of the past reviews and I have to say just make a reservation and be on time, simple as that. A group of us had Sunday brunch here before going to see a play at the DPAC. I had Chicken Wings with a Blueberry Waffle and Vanilla-Almond Shmear... so delicious! Service was great, very attentive. The owner even came out checking on the customers and also handed out free Mimosas at 1 to our table! Nothing bad to say about this place except you may want to add a little extra cardio to your work out routine if you frequent here a lot.
(5)Michael U.
Items Selected: Light Brown Leghorns - Four chicken legs, a Classic waffle drizzled w/ Caramel & Cashews, Chocolate Hazelnut Shmear A Quilted Buttercup - A Chicken cutlet "sandwiched" b/w two petite Sweet Potato Waffles w/ Maple-Pecan Shmear Triple Cheese & Macaroni Smooth Southern Grits Schlepping back to the snowy streets of downtown Durham, the suburbs surprisingly more well maintained than those of the city, it was nearing the end of the lunch hour rush that we entered Dame's and with Red Velvet Cupcakes as well as the daily special waffle already sold out it was it was in the chilly front foyer that we sat and began to color, some funky triangular crayons with names like "duck yellow" amusing the inner child while our towering, bald waiter milled about serving large platters of food to tables ranging from 2-tops to those containing eight. Recently renovating the menu, with images of jazz legends and icons like Ali and Gandhi decorating the space, it was after a brief delay that water and lemonade were delivered, a two plate order with included sides expedited as the dining room began to clear out with the din subsiding to reveal an overhead soundtrack of everything from old school rap to Delta Blues. Celebrated for their combinations of chicken and waffles, as well as housemade trimmings and sides, it was almost without hesitation that both my mother and I spotted our desired dishes and although the days dining was already substantial with two more meals to go the plates at Dane's each proved well crafted if not particularly 'wowing,' both dark and white meat juicy beneath crisp batter while waffles were soft and supple, the buttery grits and luke-warm mac' each plenty savory to offset the decidedly sweet 'shmears.'
(3)Renu A.
Where do I even begin? The shmear? The chicken? The waffles? It's just all SO.GOOD. If you're anything like me at your first time here and have no idea what to get because you'd rather just say "i'll have one of everything please"...this is what you should order: The Classy Hen with a sweet potato waffle, chicken cutlet, and maple pecan shmear. Make sure you get everything in one bite. A savory crispy chicken cutlet, waffles, with a sweet shmear just seems like one of those things that shouldn't work together, but it really really does. I got a side of the mac n' cheese, which I forgot about until I finished my waffle so it was kind of cold and I didn't enjoy it too much. I can imagine it's good when its warm and melted cheesy. It's not all that creamy so if that's what you expect with mac n' cheese, then maybe try something else for your side. Anyway, if you have a free morning during the week, I highly recommend coming to Dame's for just a flippin' delicious meal. The weekends get really busy and the wait is long from what I hear, which is why I suggest a weekday if you can help it. And if you can only do it on a weekend, come here anyway. They do take reservations so you can avoid a wait. Dame's is a must try if you're in Durham!
(5)Bradd N.
Very unique restaurant. The price for my budget makes it a rare visit but when my wife and I have the extra dollars we definitely visit.
(4)Katherine Z.
I lost my chicken and waffle virginity here and I have absolutely no regrets about it. Fantastic place that deserves all of the praise it gets. Normally it is super packed, but my friend and I went on a random weekday afternoon around 3pm, so we got seated pretty quickly. I got your typical chicken and waffles dish, which was such a neat combination. Really, it is a fun experiment with textures (crispy coating of batter around moist chicken, soft and fluffy waffles) and taste (savory wings and sweet-but-not-too-sweet waffles). But the part that made it AMAZING, was the schmear. I have no idea what goes in it, but it is like a piece of heaven melting in your mouth. So delicious. So good. I'd gladly risk a cardiac arrest and eat a pint of it while watching a movie or something. That's how good it is. If you want a quintessential Durham dining experience, go to Dame's.
(5)Dylan Keith W.
Many different combinations of chicken and waffles. I went for a plain waffle with the vanilla almond smear (flavored butter); excellent. The chicken is heavily seasoned, which I'm not sure pairs well with the sweetness of the waffles once you put a smear and syrup on it, but by itself it was quite tasty. I opted for macaroni as a side, which was also heavily seasoned and baked, but it was also pretty good. The star deduction comes not from the food, but from the atmosphere and staff treatment, both of which were lacking. But it's fine to overlook this considering the high quality of the food. 4/5.
(4)Kim W.
The horrible Host that wasn't the Most..... (Directed to the rude Asian male host) If you tell me a wait time and I agree, please keep that wait time.... If it's a longer wait time and I agree to wait then fine.... But don't tell me a 45 minute wait and then the wait is over two hours..... Tell me 2 hours the first time! And on top of that when I ask what the status please don't give me an attitude....
(1)Karen L.
Horribly rude host! He needs to learn to leave his attitude at home or get out of the customer service business. Then be tried to squeeze 3 of us at a 2-person table... We elected to wait but then he had a 4-person table open for almost 10 mins before we up and asked about it. His thoughtless response was "oh yea, you guys can sit there" because I guess he forgot to do his job?? The 3 stars is for the food that was great and worth the wait, but almost not worth the rude host. I may stick to the Greensboro location as I've never dealt with a rude person there!
(3)Kelly S.
Chicken and waffles were good, just not the best I've ever had. Good location The staff was fine. Again everything was just ok.
(3)Kelsey T.
I've been dying to try Dame's for a long time. And after several months of building up this restaurant in my head, I was not disappointed. If I had one suggestion to those who plan to try out Dame's, it would be to make a reservation beforehand. The dining room fills up very quickly. One of the reasons I had been hesitant to try Dame's for so long was that I knew that if I didn't go at the right time, I was in for a long wait. But once we found out that we can conveniently make online reservations, we decided it was time to try it out. For overall experience, I have only given the restaurant 4 stars, because the service was not the best and the interior is small and pretty plain. While the people were friendly, the service was a bit slow. But since it was our first visit to Dame's, the server walked us through the menu, which was helpful in creating the perfect chicken, waffle, and schmear (spread) combination. I took advantage of the substitutions that they allow and ordered the Light Brown Leghorns, with a Gingerbread waffle instead of the Classic waffle. This would probably be a better fitting meal for brunch instead of dinner, but it was heavenly for someone with a sweet tooth like me. The fried chicken legs put others to shame and the chocolate-hazelnut shmear and the caramel-almond drizzle paired perfectly with the gingerbread waffle. I ordered the mac and cheese as my side. Not the most amazing mac and cheese, but definitely good. I also managed to get my boyfriend to (reluctantly) share a couple bites of the Carolina Cockerel. The chicken wings were just as good as the chicken legs, but the peach and apricot shmear was my favorite part of his dish. The schmear's sweetness complemented the blueberry waffle. He ordered the mean greens as his side, which is definitely spicier than the typical collared green dish, but great if you like some heat. Aside from the amazing food, another big selling point is the prices. The quantity of food to price ratio is definitely in the customer's favor. I definitely plan to go back. And if you haven't been yet, you should put this place at the top of your list!
(4)Andrew B.
Great mac and cheese to go with the already great chicken and waffles. Worth a visit with a date. Not too expensive and the food is so good, you'll have a bonding experience just eating the food at the same time. A bit small so sometimes there is a wait but they will take your cell number and text you when your table is ready. Worth it! Get. the. Mac. and. Cheese. What is in there? Thyme? Rosemary...? I want to know....
(5)Eric H.
I had heard a lot about Dame's before getting to Durham, and boy did it live up to the hype. I got two chicken cutlets on a regular waffle with a peach and apricot shmear and a side of Mac and cheese. I honestly can't decide which part of the meal was the best; everything just worked so well together. Very simple food, but clearly mastered here.
(5)Theo B.
You'll find this fried chicken to be really good! I always love the crispy cutlet atop a classic waffle. Trying the peach & apricot shmear drizzled with Whiskey Creme sauce. Will definitely have to hit the gym hard after this, haha!
(5)Christina L.
This place quickly gets very full! Came here right at opening on a WEEKDAY, and it was already full! They send you a text when they're ready to seat you, allowing you to walk around downtown Durham instead of waiting at this small venue. However, once you receive their text, you have a very short amount of time to return. Otherwise, you will lose your seat. As mentioned, the interior is small and a bit cramped. There are large glass windows to allow outdoor lighting to enter, but it was an overcast day, so the lighting was poor during my visit. It didn't affect my experience too much though. The waiter sounded very scripted whenever he talked to our table, but he was very attentive. When asked to take a group photo for us, our waiter decided to take a selfie first. I gotta hand it to him though -- the fact that he managed to take a decent selfie on the first try with a giant DSLR is quite impressive! There are multiple options for chicken and waffles. You are allowed to substitute the waffles and/or schmears as you please, at no additional cost. The combos listed are suggestions of what goes best together, but you are by no means limited to the items listed. The waiter highly encouraged us NOT to use the provided syrup because they are super proud of their schmears. You're also allowed one side in addition to the main meal. What I had: Light Brown Leghorns with Blueberry Waffle - Four chicken legs, a Classic waffle drizzled w/ Caramel & Cashews, Chocolate Hazelnut Schmear for $13.25. Side: fresh fruit (strawberry, pineapple). Highly recommend this for meat lovers. Red Crested Rose Comb with Sweet Potato Waffle - Two Chicken legs, a Classic Waffle w/ Candied Pecans and Strawberry Schmear for $10.75. Side: potato salad. The Carolina Cockerel - Three chicken wings, a Blueberry waffle, Peach & Apricot Schmear for $11.25. Side: triple mac and cheese. Love the waffles, chicken, and schmears! Sides are mediocre. The meals are great portions. Don't be surprised if you leave with leftovers because they're quite filling! Check this place out. It's popular for a reason. It's an absolute must if you're in Durham!
(5)Lamont D.
Visited the Durham area recently and dined here for breakfast. It took about 45 minutes to get a seat (the place of packed), but it was worth the wait. The chicken and waffles were incredible. Highly recommended if you're near or in downtown Durham.
(4)Lissette S.
Worth the 2 hour wait. Seriously. I was livid until I sat down and ordered. So so good!
(5)Mario T.
Decent is about the best adjective I can use for this place. Yes, the fried chicken was good, but it wasn't "oh my! I must go back for more of that overpriced fried chicken!" good. The waffle was also just good, not great. If the place was priced lower, I'd be inclined to visit regularly, but the taste of the food simply doesn't warrant the price. Add that to the fact that it's always packed and loud, and that there are like 20 other good restaurants in a 3 mile radius of this place, and I'll pass. It's seems to be "hip" to eat here, like your experiencing something utterly unique and divine, and it probably could be that for me, but it would have to either be cheaper, or better tasting. As it is, it's a novelty that simply isn't worth it.
(3)Dude S.
I love Dame's Chicken and waffles, the food is always amazing, the staff is (generally) hospitable and the mimosas.... amaze-balls. The host is generally this Asian guy who is very polite and never sits still. He greeted me at the door with a smile. When I asked for a table for 7 he graciously offered to put 2 tables together for me due to a reservation of the same size. I declined and he put me on the waitlist-when my grandmother came in he immediately made a place for us so she wouldn't have to wait too long. My server, Joel I believe, was very attentive and quick. He made me feel welcome and even happy to be there. And he as well never stopped moving. Not that he had much choice as it was busy like usual. The buff brahamas is pretty massive. I got it with two cutlets drizzled in the whiskey sauce. I swapped the smear for the orange and honeycomb and was absolutely blown away. Got it with... The potato salad. Highly under recognized. I normally get the mac n cheese but this was definitely worth the switch. There's nothing else to say, just try it and you'll see for yourself. The manmosa: a less fruity version of the breakfast classic made with Jim beam, sweet tea and champaign; can you say wow? May not be for everyone but you'll never know until you try. It's the perfect summertime porch drink. Completely the epitome of southern. Your taste buds will thank you. By the time you're done you'll be wishing there was more- if you don't catch the itis first! Just be careful, it can be addicting.
(5)Ruby W.
Really surprisingly delicious. I especially loved the almond vanilla smear.
(5)Jade T.
I would do ANYTHING to be able to get Dame's to open up in Jersey. I've tried many restaurants in NC, but Dame's is the only MUST-HAVE during all my trips down here! My favorite combination: sweet potato waffle, maple pecan smear, and a chicken cutlet. I'm not a grit lover, but Dame's cheesy grits are so amazing that my family and I order extra to bring home to eat the next morning. The servers are very helpful and polite, which makes the experience even better. If you are from North Carolina... I'm warning you. Once you try Dame's it'll make you want to go back every weekend.
(5)Jamie S.
This place is fantastic! The chicken is moist and seasoned to perfection. The waffles are the perfect texture with delicious flavored butters on the side. I had the vanilla almond, which was a superb complement to the waffle. We had the cheese grits and mac n cheese for sides. Grits were creamy and salted perfectly. Mac n cheese had a spice I've never had in the dish, which I believe was oregano. Interesting but very good. Definitely stop in if you find yourself in Durham.
(5)Monica L.
I was living in Durham for 3 years before I finally tried this place. WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG?! I was very impressed and the food was beyond my expectations. How is it that something so simple can be so dang delicious?! Can't wait to go back and bring my family from out of state!
(5)Marquis P.
I've been wanting to try Dame's Chicken and Waffles for a while and I finally got the opportunity and I was more than satisfied (thought about returning the following day). You can make reservations, but we decided on this last minute. The wait was like 35-40 mins, but we utilized that time by hitting up a bar. Our waitress was okay, I know it was a little busy, but I felt she could have been a little more attentive. The food made up for her lack of tentativeness. I ordered the Classic Chicken and Waffle with a side of Mac and Cheese, because I heard their Mac and Cheese was phenomenal. I was not displeased with my meal at all. Everything from the Chicken to the waffle was awesome. The seasoning on the chicken tasted just like my grandmother's and I was seriously contemplating ordering some to go! Overall I enjoyed the environment and I will most definitely be returning. My only con is the lack of space in the restaurant.
(5)Chioma I.
The food here is amazing. I ordered the Dueling Rooster and got a gingerbread waffle with chocolate hazelnut smears, four fried chicken wings, (the calypso barbecue sauce that it comes with is to die for), and macaroni and cheese as my side. On this last visit I brought a friend from out of town and she raved about the food. I think I'm going to start bringing all my out of town guests here! There's a bookshop a couple of doors down from Dame's called Letters that you can peruse while you wait for your table which is nice, and some other cute little shops in the area. Definitely add this to your list of restaurants to try in Durham but make a reservation before you come because they're quite popular!
(5)Justin D.
Overall extremely good. Good seasoning, good portion, good service. Pretty small room with not a lot of space to move around, I could hear the conversations of 2 or 3 tables near me I would give it 5 stars if the room was bigger. Just a little to loud and to many people in a small place. Great food though!
(4)Erin N.
AMAZING. Its also worth the hour long wait. Put your name down and go get drinks somewhere while you wait. Its a small place but worth the wait. Several different types of options of flavors, and butter flavors and syrup flavors. It all works and its all good. Its been a while since I've eaten there but its so good and always jam packed. I remember the collard greens being excellent too. I wish I could remember more and more description but needless to say is amazing!
(5)Clarence W.
Had a taste for Chicken & Waffles, Dames hit the spot. Can be busy, but the wait is worth it. We had the Carolina Cockerel with a blueberry waffle, and a sweet potato waffle, sides were collards and mac & cheese.
(4)T D.
lives up to the hype!! I live in Los Angeles and have been to Roscoes's many nights after hitting the W (lol) & let's just say Dame's is in their own playing field when it comes to Chicken & Waffles and I understand it .... ALL OF IT. there's a reason why it's been the #1 spot to be at since I've been in NC. honestly every single person I met... DAMES IS ON THE LIST & I thank everyone of you because my life is forever changed. The chicken is breaded and extremely flavorfully. It's crispy and seasoned on the outside and remains SO JUICY on the inside. SO DAMN GOOD. like they spent time perfecting their chicken & not just throwing it in a deep fryer I really like that they have different types of chicken + waffle that you can get! like honey mustard / strawberry pecan/ etc etc its just more than a piece of fried chicken and a waffle. each dish is a differ all with their in house made smear (flavored butter)
(5)Albert S.
Get there early or expect to wait. There is a reason this place is so busy, almost every time I walked by the place there was a line. The food and service is fantastic. Being a vegetarian there are less options, but there were still plenty to eat. Went with a group of 5. Showed up at 9:30 (a 1/2 hour before opening) and we were the first in line. A line soon formed behind us and when we finally got in (promptly at 10) the placed was packed in about 2 minutes. We were greeted by our server who was very friendly and promptly got us drinks. Most of my friends had the chicken and waffles. They say it's fantastic, but that's about all I can say about the chicken. I ordered a classic waffle with Sweet Whisky Creme, the Mac and Cheese, and grits. The waffle and whisky sauce was awesome. Perfectly cooked. The Mac and Cheese was great and had a little herb spice kick which made the dish. The grits were also very good. Can't say enough about the staff. The servers and manager were very friendly. Next time I'm in Durham I'll make another trip.
(5)Stella M.
Yum! I had such a hard time choosing what to eat! Everything looks so good. Our meals were delicious. Everything turned out great and it's easy to turn your meal vegetarian if you don't eat meat! They're very flexible. If you come here late expect to wait over an hour. I highly suggest getting here before they open
(4)Blakeley S.
There was a long wait (about 45 minutes) for Sunday brunch, but they took our phone number and texted us when our table was ready so we could walk around Main Street instead of waiting in the restaurant. When we sat down the waitress was very attentive and came right over to us. Food came out quickly, and was SO good. I got the Frizzled Foul, with Panko crusted chicken, vanilla and almonds, and blueberry shmear. It was an AMAZING first experience with chicken and waffles!
(5)Mike J.
Dame's Chicken & Waffles is smack yo mama good. Simple as that. Forget IHOP, Waffle House, Bob Evans, or whatever breakfast spot you were thinking about. Dame's puts them all to shame. This place is the truth. Come early (like before they open) or you will be waiting with your mouth watering.
(5)A C.
What more can you ask for...nice giant fried chicken wings on whatever type of waffle you want with your choice of shmears. The collards were ok, maybe my least favorite that I've had since I've been here. Not to say they weren't tasty, but the chicken and the waffles really are the stars. So really I think anything else I had would've only been ok even tho I'm a huge sides guy. The wings were ginormous and nicely fried and not crazy greasy. The waffle was nice and fluffy though I wish it was a little more crunchy. I should've consulted what shmear to get as the strawberry creme one was alright but the nice guy serving me (think his name was Marcus) suggested the maple pecan for my other choice and was on the money. You definitely get the southern hospitality here. My man Marcus remembered a girl that hadn't been there for a year. His game was like the chicken and waffles, tight!
(4)Vu N.
Dame's Chicken & Waffles filled a void in my life that I had been missing: a great chicken & waffles joint. I would highly recommend making a reservation because the restaurant is very small, and definitely allow yourself ample time to get there as there and park as there is limited parking. There's nothing special about the decor, but you can tell the restaurant has a family run type atmosphere. Our server was very friendly and did a great job walking us through the menu. The menu is mainly comprised of different parts of the chicken paired with different flavors of waffle and spreads. And you're allowed to mix and match whatever combinations you want, so the possibilities seem endless. I went with the Carolina Cockerel and didn't change anything. It comes with three jumbo whole chicken wings, a blueberry waffle, and a peach and apricot shmear. Each whole chicken wing is comprised of a drumlin and wing; so it's like you're getting twice as much chicken compared to regular chicken wings. They were perfectly fried and seasoned. The skin had a great crunch and the meat was succulent and juicy. Unlike some other fried chicken places, Dame's chicken was not greasy at all and remained hot (temperature wise) through out the whole meal. The waffle had a nice depth of flavor with whole blueberries cooked into the waffle batter. It was a soft waffle, which provides a good texture contrast to the crunchy chicken. The peach and apricot shmear was a great compliment and was another element of flavor added to the plate. Covering everything with syrup, even the chicken, is the way go. The sweetness of the syrup and saltiness of the chicken is a great combination of contrasting flavors along with the waffle and shmear. The meal also comes with your choice of side, and I got the mean greens. They were spicy and had a great balance of bitterness and spice for collard greens. Overall, I would highly recommend Dame's Chicken & Waffles. It's a great place to eat for brunch, lunch, and dinner. It's my favorite fried chicken place in the triangle area, and I do think it's a touch above other similar places like Beasley's.
(5)Valerie G.
After a close encounter with missing our reservation on a busy Sunday, lil sis Connie L., le fiance Jimmy C., and I were luckily seated to enjoy this "almost" world famous fried chicken! Note - they are EXTREMELY EXCESSIVELY strict with their reservations. They gave us zero grace period and almost moved us to the back of the wait list before my little's quick thinking got us only a short 20 min wait. Between the 3 of us, we shared 2 friend chicken and waffle dishes. Both were phenomenal! They pretty much let us mix and match between the chicken type (wing, drumstick, cutlet) and the waffles/shmears. The 2 entrees were a perfect portion. The grits were on point as well! Unfortunately, Dame's only gets a 3 star review from me since they almost ruined the last lunch in NC for my fiance. They gave us SUCH a hard time for running late - even places in NYC have 15 min grace periods! We felt like we had to be on our best behavior with the hostess so that she wouldn't change her mind on a whim and not let us eat! Redonks.
(3)Jodonn D.
Ordered the Buff Brahmas. Advertised as "the baddest birds of all! Four wings or 2 cutlets drizzled w/Whiskey Crème Sauce, a Classic waffle, Peach & Apricot Shmear." Subbed the waffles with Vegan waffles based on the recommendation of my waiter. Chicken was flavorful, very different from the west coast. It was still crispy even though it was drizzled by syrup. Ordered a side of triple cheese & macaroni which was OK. I received great southern hospitality from the waiter. Very personable and made great recommendations. Wish I could recall his name to give him a shout out. Overall I think Dame's is a spot to check out if you're in the mood for chicken & waffles while in the Raleigh/Durham area. I'd repeat if I'm in town again.
(4)Annie G.
Yowza! I love this place! The chicken as waffles are spot on! I always get the Buff Bramahs as it is amazing! The whiskey cream sauce is so so very good! The chicken is cooked perfectly and is so juicy! Make sure you ask for some Texas Pete! You need the spiciness to accent the sweet. The mac n cheese is okay but not the best. Quite herby. I am drooling now just thinking about the food. Watch out, you will eat it all and then be hurting after :) Lots of good food at great prices!! Make a ressie!!!
(5)Angelique A.
We went to Dame's at 11 on a Sunday and were happy to be seated immediately! Our server was friendly and explained a bit about Dame's and how we could customize each dish by changing out the waffle and smear. However, after the intro spiel he wandered off and we had to flag him down to order, did not get refills etc. for the remainder of our time there, It wasn't a big deal, but we were surprised at this since they weren't yet super busy. Food wise, we ordered the dueling roosters and red crested rose comb. We loved the peach and strawberry smears and the chicken was done well; the wings are difficult to eat with the waffle, so I'd recommend the cutlet in the future. Waffle wise, mine was kind of burnt and not fluffy. At the end of the day, Dame's a great for trying something novel and you get a lot of food for the money. Would recommend for a casual dining experience, but not for something fancier.
(4)Christine N.
So. Good. I'm pretty sure they laughed at me the first time I tried to make a reservation for a Saturday night. I learned my lesson and called far in advance the next time. I couldn't figure out why until we actually tried the place. Their chicken and waffles are incredible. Obviously, it's what they do, but boy do they do it right. I love the variety of waffle flavors, the schmears, and the amazing flavor and crispiness of their chicken. I would never be called a big 'meat eater' and when I do eat chicken, I usually only have a few bites before I call it quits, but Dame's had me practically licking the plate. I can't recommend just one dish either because every one that I've tried has been incredible... it makes choosing the next one tough! My husband is as big of a fan of this place as I am and we try to take out of town guests too whenever possible. We mainly go before shows at the DPAC and they've always been very accommodating to ensure we get out in time. Great place, excellent service, and delicious food. Just make your reservation in advance.
(5)Sara T.
At dames again and LOVE IT! Waiter Mike was quick, courteous and friendly. Place was packed for lunch but good came fast and hot. Tried scrambled eggs with cheese this Time . They were hot, Fluffy and perfect and I'm not big on eggs. Everything was excellent. Now the trek to my car. Aughhhh the parking but well worth the hassle. Go soon!
(5)Daniel B. O.
Had the chicken and waffles. The sweet potato waffle had a great taste and is very light. The chicken was lightly breaded, which was good but a bit too greasy. The orange Shmear was good, but you don't want to count the calories.
(3)Moiz T.
There are very few chicken and waffles places like this. Definitely try the different smears out. The Mac and Cheese was good too. I'm from NJ and we certainly don't have anything like this back home. Especially the "Smears". Give it a try!
(4)Susan Z.
The BEST chicken and waffles place around. The food is really great and the schmear is to die for. Definitely would recommend the Classy Hen. The wait time for Dame's however, is pretty long, which is annoying for last minute decisions.
(4)Keschia M.
Hot fried chicken, thick, yet light waffles and smears!!! Wooooooooooooooo!!!!!! So the most exciting part of my visit to Dame's was every moment. I took my Dad there and had to get there an hour before opening just to be sure we got a seat. The place is cozy and a little tight but i didnt even notice because the food was amazing. The chicken breast and wings are seasoned so well. The breading is light and crispy. The waffles cant even be descibed in words, just moans of happiness. They have special butter called smears for the waffles. They are mixtures of butter, fruits and spices. Just go get some already. Four of us ate for just over $50 bucks.
(5)Cherie L.
Delicious!! I really enjoyed the blueberry waffle! And the wings were no big deal but really good as well. Sides can be Mac and cheese- that's what I got. That was super hearty!! But good. Customer service was okay because our waiter was a bit flustered with many tables, but they are kind if you ask for something (ie when we asked another waiter for assistance because our waiter forgot to give us our sides). Other than that great space, and good food. Charismatic review. #fromNYC
(4)Erika F.
love me some dame's!!! all i can say is...mmmmm, mmmmm, mmmmm!
(5)Kolitha D.
Try the sweet potato waffles. I cannot remember the menu name. They give it with a lemon source.
(5)Shey P.
Food is great i cant complaint about that its a OMG like waffles and chicken godness greatness, but the place it self its like an oven so hot you cant even enjoy the greatness of the chicken! Slow service it took 20 minutes for my drink to get to me. Food is grt and F but the environment is really hot and srv is slow limited space but food is fng awesome
(3)Grace S.
If you like mac and cheese, get their mac and cheese as a side! Super cheesy and filling. I used to always get the Classy Hen (large waffle and a cutlet) but then realized A Quilted Buttercup (two small waffles and a cutlet) was basically the same thing for a dollar (?) less and I've been ordering that ever since. Here's a shoutout to that one waiter who memorizes everyone's specific customized order without writing anything down--even for a large group! Definitely make reservations.
(5)Stephen W.
Food was DELICIOUS and our waitress was great! The only problem is this place is so small - we had reservations and still waited at least 30-40 minutes. They need a bigger location! Don't skip this one though, just make a reservation and be prepared to wait still. :)
(4)Rebecca H.
The wait was supposed to be 30-45 min. After 50 min I asked and they couldn't even find my name. Instead of putting us in close to next we waited another 30 min and nothing so we left very upset. How do you put people's names in but then they disappear?
(1)Julie B.
So on a Saturday afternoon my sister and I decided to stop in this place. The drinks were pretty good. However when we got out food we ordered the sandwiched chicken cutlet between two sweet potato waffles. And the sides of mac and cheese and collard greens. When the chicken and waffles came out the chicken was like rubber it was totally over fried and just gross looking. A random server behind the bar tried his best to rectify it but still the chicken was pretty dry. And the collard greens were not even drained full of the water they simmer in. Overall it was just ok. Not worth the wait and probably will not return here.
(2)Nate P.
There are a huge amount of reviews commenting on the food, so I'll make that part quick. I had a sweet potato waffle, chicken cutlet, with the vanilla almond shmear. Collard greens on the side. Everything was delicious, especially the seasoning on the chicken. Food took a bit to get out, which was to be expected as it was packed, but it was hot when delivered. Coffee was ample but weak. Overall everyone was very pleased with the food. Five stars for that. Minus one star for service though. Our server was fine, the host had some problems. Our party of 3 got there about 15 minutes after they opened, and he said it would be about a 15-30 minute wait. Not an issue. Except, we sat there looking at an open table that seated 4. It stayed empty, even as other groups of 2-3 people came in and put their names on the list. Eventually, we waited long enough that 2 more of our friends showed up, and we asked the host if we could make it a part of 5. He said not a problem, and..then proceeded to seat us at the open table in the back, adding another chair. I can't fathom why they would have people stack up in the waiting area like that instead of seating 3 people at a standard square 4-seater. Instead we seemed to be waiting for one of the circular 3-seaters at the front. For the amount of time we waited, we could have ordered and nearly been out the door if they had just used the open tables they had. For a place as busy as this, they need to be on the ball in this department.
(4)Lauren S.
I too lost my chicken and waffle virginity here. When we arrived at 11am on a Saturday morning and there was a 45 minute wait for 2 people, I knew it had to be good. The place was very small and doesn't look like it's seen much renovation over the years. I think that's meant to be part of the charm though. The tables were really close together so it's kind of hard to just focus on the conversation at your table. I got the sweet potato waffles with the chicken cutlets. The food was good, but I don't think it lived up to the hype. Maybe chicken and waffles just aren't my thing. Too much fried food/carb action going on for me I think. The collard greens were my favorite part! I would go back, but it definitely has to be something you're in the mood for.
(3)Marlon O.
You're pretty much going to love anything and everything you get. If you're not a reservation kind of person, I'd suggest the off-beat times like weekdays for late lunch/very early dinner.
(5)Nicole G.
I finally made it to Dame's during 4th of July weekend. It was quite an experience. I ordered a sweet potato waffle, a chicken cutlet, with grits. It was my ONLY meal of the day. I highly recommend that you make a reservation. No matter when I pass by this place the line is always outside of the door. However, it is worth the wait!
(5)Pranav R.
May be a little overrated. Personally not a big fan of waffles and chicken together. It's filling and worth a try. Hard to get a table on weekday or weekend for lunch. Not enough space to wait outside too.
(3)Eve B.
Loved, loved, loved, loved, LOVED the food. It wasn't a single thing that I had on my plate or tried from my fiancé's plate that didn't make my taste buds scream. By far this has been my favorite chicken and waffle spot, BUUUUUUUTTTTTTTTT... The thing that really got to me and made the experience a bit sour was the wait time. For two of us, we had a 45 minute wait and during our stay we time there there was a minor hiccups that led to us getting our food after about another half an hour. By the time our food came, we were hangry and disengaged. (And nothing sucks more than waiting to waiting and seeing people who come in after you leave before you.) I will say that those with whom we came in touch with were professional about everything, I just didn't like that the long wait is "standard"-- it just may be that I am spoiled when I go other places (and I don't mind spending good money for good food). Also, the space is really tight--you're sitting on top of each other and there were a few unwanted outside guest. In terms of food, I would give the place a 10 all day. (And ten isn't even on the scale.) In terms of other things, I would give the place a 2.5. I really want to give it a 3.5, but the food so good that it's forgiving of everything else that happened! I'll be nice. 4.
(4)Kristy D.
Oh my gosh!! So good. I want more now!! I came here with a friend right after we had flown in from Chicago. This was right around 2pm so we were seated right away. I can't remember the names of what we ordered but my order came with a waffle, four drumsticks, shmear, and a side of my choosing. I've only had chicken and waffles before at Roscoes in Southern California. I want to say that in comparison, Dames is a tad fancier in presentation and equal if not better in taste. My friend ordered their shrimp and grits dish and was kind enough to let me try. I was skeptical of him ordering something else at a chicken and waffles place. But... So rich! So much flavor! It is everything! Highly recommend coming here for anything and everything!
(5)Aliyia P.
We went on a Saturday around 7 so it was pretty packed. Had about a 30 min wait for our table which went by fast since my cousins were shopping at the African shop next door (great shop). I had salad and 2 chicken cutlets with sweet potato waffles, and the maple pecan schmear and a side of greens, It was fabulous! THe chicken was cooked perfectly, waffles held up well under the chicken. My son had the blueberry waffles witht he apricot peach schmear he also loved that he had 2 wings and one chicken cutlet. One of my cousins got the shrimp and said it was seasoned well but a little too salty. The mac and cheese was a bit of a disappointment (my son and cousin had gotten that). You should go for sure if you have a love for good chicken and waffles!!!
(4)Debra N.
Lonnnnnnnnggggg wait but worth it. Yummy chicken, waffles are fluffy, schmears fabulous. Friendly bartender. We sat at the bar and had a great chat with the neighbors. Worth it
(4)Eric G.
Definitely call in for a reservation. Sweet potato waffles, Maple pecan shmear, wings, and Mac N Cheese. Best chicken and waffles I've had yet. Hit the spot.
(5)Mohamed N.
"Chicken + waffles + buttery smear (+ syrup) = yum!" It's been 2.5 years since my initial review of this place (when it was very new), so I figured I'd update. Positives: + Extremely tasty/ high quality. The chicken and waffles are both consistently excellent (I can't stop ordering the sweet potato waffles), and the buttery smears taste great and complement the dishes well. The sides are also consistently very good. + Interesting concept. Don't know many other places around Durham to get this combination (Watts Grocery might have it), but it really does work well. Negatives: - Perpetually slammed. I've arrived at 11:50am, only to be told there's a 30-minute wait for seating for lunch. I've even arrived at 11:20am, only to be told there's a 30-minute wait for seating for lunch. What? Fortunately, the latter time, I was able to get a seat at the bar in a few minutes. But seriously-- a long wait for lunch starting before 11:30am? - Variable customer service. The wait staff have been typically friendly, though sometimes overstretched and hard to catch. The persons at the front door are sometimes dour and unsympathetic, though. +/- Not especially cheap or fast. These aren't really negatives-- you're getting a very good product at value pricing, but it's more "absence of a positive" of it being cheap or fast. It's hard to get in & out in under an hour (even if you eat fast), and even the most basic dishes run well over $10 after tax even for lunch. Synopsis: This place has been extremely successful, and deservedly so given that it's really good. However, that hyper-success is now hindering further growth and reducing morale of its customer base. I probably only eat here successfully about 50% of the times I go there, and I've seen many others walk away as well. My guess is the front door people are dour because they have to greet people who are frustrated all the time about the long waits (and especially frustrated about being further told to wait outside when it's hot/ cold/ rainy). My impression is there's a large market here for their product, so it's time to consider expanding into a new larger location. Doing so would potentially eliminate (or alleviate) the negatives while maintaining the positives.
(3)Ani V.
The most delicious combination of chicken and waffles. Their waffles are light and array. Plus the have a variety of flavors to choose from and unique toppings. The service is great and friendly. Great for brunch, lunch or dinner!! A reservation is a must because it is popular yet medium sized.
(5)Amy W.
We went with friends to check out the hype. We go out to eat fairly regularly to various local establishments so we have tried our fair share of food around the triangle. First of all, we waited an hour and a half to catch a seat and then as soon as we were ready to sit down, the host sat people before us who had just arrived. They obviously knew the waitress. That really set me off and when I confronted the hostess he had no excuse and seemed flustered. I am just wondering how many other people this happened to. So we finally sit down and I ordered my chicken and waffle. There was nothing great about the ambience and the chicken had the texture of beef jerky. It was not juicy at all! The waffle was ok but burned around the edges. I had vanilla almond butter which was the only saving grace. I choked down the meal as I was starved but I will likely never be back. There are too many other restaurants around the area with better food.
(2)Crystal J.
Like I said in the previous review, all my friends want to try this place. I was attending a conference at the Marriott convention center and my friends wanted to visit since it was basically across the street. This time, the chicken was better seasoned. I tried the spicy greens since I didn't care for the mac & cheese last time. The greens were really, really good. However they are SPICY! I love spicy food, so when I say they are spicy, they are spicy. The chicken was a little better seasoned this time. The service was the same! It was again PACKED! And this time we had to wait 1.5 hrs for our party of 4. It wasn't a big deal, b/c we went back to the conference until they called us. I think if we were just shopping downtown it would've been an inconvenience. Still 3 stars!
(3)Tiffany R.
Dame's is a hit or miss. The first few times I went I was screaming its praises. But it seems like after the honeymoon period it just all went downhill. Let me start by saying that the waffles are amazing and whenever the right cook is in you will enjoy your food. The shrimp and grits are to die for when the right cook is in as well. The collards are great, nice and spicy, when the right cook is in!!! I'm not sure if they get overwhelmed with the weekend orders or if there is someone else cooking on weekends but its not a good idea to go here on the weekend. The wait staff during the week seem to be very up beat and attentive to the tables. The last time I went I had a girl spilling water and collard juice on me with no apology. She substituted my waffles without me knowing and then asked why I didn't eat it. I told her I didn't like it and it didn't taste the same. She replied saying it wasn't the classic waffle and she had to substitute it for what they had, I'm thinking did you not see a need to tell me that I was getting a sweet potato waffle instead of what I ordered. When the food its good its really good, when its bad its really bad. I never send food back when the waitress bought me my shrimp and grits which looked and tasted completely different from the last time I'd ordered it i had no other choice. I recommend this place because when the food is good its really good. Just hope you go on a good day!
(2)Kathleen L.
I'm writing this review, not to comment on the food (which is undeniably tremendous), but rather the rather lame "late-night" experience we had this past Friday. The hours are clearly stated as open until 10:00, however we arrived at 9:50 (craving their chicken and waffles) and were told they were only offering take-out orders, which didn't work for us. There were still several other diners in the restaurant and it was a big turn-off for us to not be provided service. The blame was placed on the chef by one of the waiters. I would highly suggest to management and "the chef" that they reconsider their convenience of closing down "early" and live up to the hours they advertise. "Late-night" dining in Durham needs some help!
(2)Qing Z.
Long wait if you don't have reservation. Simple and delicious food.
(4)John R.
Dames has the best chicken and waffles in Durham. Unfortunately, it also can claim the worst hosting, service and longest waits in Durham. Life is too short to eat here. Spend your time and money somewhere else.
(1)Brittany F.
Oh LAWD. Mercy must come in chicken and waffle formation these days. You know those moments you have a food blackout? No one and nothing else exists except for you, your tastebuds and the glorious food in front of you. Five minutes go by like five seconds. Angels sing. Steven Hawking begins to walk. You're eating waffles with your new fiance, Ryan Gosling. All is right in the world. This meal was full of these moments. First of all-- this place blows Beasley's out of the freakin' water. We waited for barely 10 minutes on a Saturday during prime brunch hours. It's a very family friendly environment with a mixed clientele. Crayons on the table to encourage creativity. Service was exceptionally attentive, friendly and charismatic. The menu is INSPIRED and the food that came out was even more amazing. I ordered the The Frizzled Fowl, a panko encrusted boneless chicken on top of a freaking delicious waffle, with a blueberry whipped butter. And if that doesn't sound good (and interesting!) enough, it comes with plum sauce and sliced almonds. With hotsauce, this was the best effing meal I've had in years. The chicken was perfectly fried-- not greasy, but crisp and juicy. The waffle, blueberry and plum sauce did not over-sweeten the dish like I feared it would-- instead it took the place of syrup and added this incredible complexity. Such a wonderful spin on the classic dish. And did I mention that our chicken came out in heart shapes-- adorable. I got the grits as a side, which were also delicious, but I almost forgot about them because the chicken and waffle were that good. I also forgot to talk to the rest of my table. Whoops. (Eating is serious business.) Seriously, this is last-meal-before-you-die good. This is you-haven't-lived-until-you've-tried-this good. This is good enough to stop me from subjecting you to nonsensical hypenations and made up words. Just go, okay?
(5)Sarah L.
Chicken and waffles are great! The shmeres they match up the food with the great! Sides are OK...everything has that rosemary taste to it. Don't get me wrong, its not a bad taste, but beware if you don't like the taste of rosemary don't order the mac and cheese! Very small location which makes it intimate, however you HAVE to have a reservation or it takes 2 hours to get a seat for 2. Must eat in Durham!
(4)Taylor M.
I moved to Dallas shortly after discovering Dame's. I must say that no chicken and waffles here come close to yours (especially the sweet potato and gingerbread). And the schmears?! One of a kind!! The Mac and cheese rocks, too... and mmmm that fried chicken is slap yo momma good!! Please come to Texas... pleassseee. I need you in my life!
(5)Stephanie S.
My parents were in town from the West Coast and they needed a real chicken and waffles experience- Dame's delivered more than I could have promised. We showed up around 5:30 on a Friday and got a table right away, but a wait started to build while we were eating. We shared the Orange Speckled Chabo, which was an excellent choice. The honey dijon perfectly balanced the sweet waffle and savory chicken. But the real star was the blackened salmon, which came atop our house salad. It was cooked to perfection, and was the perfect addition to the fresh, delicious house salad. Between the two meals and a side of fruit, we were wholly satisfied (light eaters). We'll be back to try more combinations (gingerbread waffle?) with every visit. Service was also great :)
(5)Carolyn D.
First, yes, the chicken and waffles are REALLY good. I can easily see why they have made this place famous. If that is all you care about, this may well be the place for you. And if that is all I were rating with, this would be 5 stars. However, that is not all there is to a restaurant and I have a few issues with other aspects of my visit. Fist, I made a reservation. I saw online that it doesn't guarantee you a time, but that you will be first in line for the next table at that time. Unique, but fair enough. But when we arrived about 10 minutes early we were treated with an exasperated sigh when we said we had a reservation. I wasn't expecting to be seated early and said so, but was treated as if I was. We were rudely told to come back at the right time and told that they would TRY to seat us (with the clear implication that we would be lucky to get a table). Okay, fine, we walked around for a while, came back 10 minutes later and let them know we were back. There was a table open, so it worked out, but the early attitude was just not necessary. I don't appreciate being made to feel like a burden when asking to eat at a restaurant. Also, I should mention that they were very busy at this point. We weren't expecting lightening fast service. But we waited over 15 minutes after being seated to even be greeted by our waitress, which seemed a little long. At this point we deiced to order: two glasses of water (which we still didn't have 15 minutes in), two drinks, and two chicken and waffle orders. Five minutes later, the food came out. Great! Right? Well kinda... We got our literal chicken and waffles, but nothing else. Not the water, not our drinks, not even the syrup or sides to go with the chicken. That just is't a way to eat a meal. The food was also not brought by our waitress, so we couldn't ask her to help with the situation. We found her again another 5 minutes later to ask about the drinks, sides, and syrup. That all came about five minutes later. So now 30 minutes in, we finally have water and drinks and our entrees have been sitting on our table and cooling for 10 minutes. Not the best... I do understand that not everything gets done at the same time, but the restaurant should be able to bring things out in the right order. Maybe if the food gets done so much more quickly than the rest of what we orders (than water??? really???), not everything should be submitted at the same time. Many restaurants do that, it isn't a crazy idea. We also didn't really enjoy any of the sides we got, although the mimosas were excellent. Anyway TL;DR- the chicken and waffles are excellent as are the mixed drinks. The sides are okay at best and the services is terrible. If you still want to at least try the chicken, I can't blame you, but go warned.
(3)Acelyn B.
"OMG. THIS IS SO GOOD." That's all I could say while eating lunch here. I just couldn't get enough. The thing that makes Dame's better than other chicken & waffles places I've been to is that they have a variety of waffles to choose from. AND it takes the crown for the various shmears (flavored butter) they offer! It makes the choices endless! I finally decided on 3 wings, sweet potato waffle with vanilla-almond shmear, and a side of mac and cheese. The waffle was amazing, melt-in-your-mouth, sweet goodness. The combo of waffle and shmear that was recommended was perfection. Our server even said I'd probably forget about adding syrup once I taste it, and he was 100% right. The chicken was moist and seasoned well, a good complement to the sweet waffle. The mac and cheese completed the meal with its flavor-packed cheesiness. Ugh, if only I lived in the area and could come here all the time!
(5)Nancy N.
Before coming to Dame's, empty your negative thoughts of guilt and shame because you are, after all, going to Dame's CHICKEN & WAFFLES. Mind cleared? OKAY! Let's begin! We were visiting Durham for the day and found Dame's on yelp. I've heard some good things from some friends living in the area and after a few hours on the road, we were starving! We also wanted to try another restaurant nearby so decided to share one entree here and share another dish at the other place. We ordered the Light Brown Leghorns - 4 chicken legs, gingerbread waffle with caramel & cashews, powdered sugar, a chocolate hazelnut shmear AND a side of mac n' cheese.. mmmm.. I'm not sure if it's possible to have a more fatty meal. Not only does Dame's offer the ultimate comfort of country foods, the portion size is HUGE (how southern food should be eaten!) Between the two of us, we couldn't finish this dish... IMAGINE THAT! Even though I felt like running a few hundred thousand miles to burn off everything I just ate, it was worth every savory bite! Needless to say, but we did not make it to the other restaurant we wanted to try. I don't think i can handle more than two visits a year, but can't wait til I'm back in the triangle area to try other specialty chicken and waffles dishes.
(5)Shruti D.
Sooooo delicious! !!! I got a blueberry waffle and it was good. My non- vegetarian friends got some really neat waffles such waffle, chicken and chocolate. I would come back here in a heart beat!
(5)Jenny Y.
Best chicken and waffles I ever had. Can't wait to return. Chicken is nicely seasoned and crispy. Waffle is like Belgian waffle and the butter on the side is so good. Had mac and cheese and that was good too. Got there before the crowds.
(5)Michelle G.
Amazing place! In the heart of Durham!
(5)Bethany A.
I came here with my boyfriend for lunch and thankfully service was better. We were told we would have to wait for 40 minutes tops but they had us at the table in 15. Our waitress was very sweet and even though she messed up our side, she quickly fixed it and was very gracious about it. She brought our table crayons as well so we could draw while waiting for our food and checked on us twice throughout the meal. The food was good, as usual. It was my boyfriend's first time at the restaurant and he thoroughly enjoyed the chicken, the waffle and the triple mac and cheese. I personally thought the chicken was a little bland on the inside but with the schmear and the candied cashews it was delicious.
(4)Christina A.
Nothing not to love about this place. The chicken is amazing, the waffles are the best, the smear is love, and when I'm not in the mood for chicken and waffles, I get the shrimp and grits. Love this place.
(5)Christina M.
My favorite place to eat in Durham, hands down. Make sure to make a reservation before hand or you may be out of luck. I've been here quite a few times and have always received excellent service. I try to branch out and try different entrées but I always end up choosing A Classy Hen, which is one chicken cutlet (breaded to perfection) a regular waffle (I substitute it with the sweet potato waffle, which is OUT OF THIS WORLD), and I tend to dabble with different shmears with each visit. You also can't go wrong with any of the sides which include grits, hot collard greens, and the best macaroni and cheese that I have ever consumed. The restaurant is small, but the ambiance is on point. Each entree is around $10-15, so make sure you are prepared to spend a chunk if you're with a group of folks. Everyone deserves to experience this small piece of heaven!
(5)Stuart F.
I came to Dame's with friends based solely on the fact that they offer vegan waffles. That is awesome, and to my knowledge, is the only place east of Asheville that does so. It was a good waffle, but unfortunately they didn't have many other vegan options on their large menu save for a fruit bowl (just pineapple and strawberries) and a side salad. No vegan schmear to go with the vegan waffle. The vegan waffle itself was very good, but it was significantly smaller than the other pancakes I saw which all took up the full size of the plate. So I was still hungry. Customer service was good though, and the ability to draw on the paper place mat was a nice touch. I would get there during off-peak hours, we had a 1.5 hour wait. I wish they would raise prices during peak hours and lower them at other times. I also wish they would abolish tipping though, just read this paragraph: Studies have shown that tipping is not an effective incentive for performance in servers. It also creates an environment in which people of color, young people, old people, women, and foreigners tend to get worse service than white males. In a tip-based system, nonwhite servers make less than their white peers for equal work. Consider also the power imbalance between tippers, who are typically male, and servers, 70 percent of whom are female, and consider that the restaurant industry generates five times the average number of sexual harassment claims per worker. And that in many instances employers have allegedly misused tip credits, which let owners pay servers less than minimum wage if tipping makes up the difference. Citations for those claims can be found here: washingtonpost.com/blogs…
(3)Justin C.
Food is just good and people are great! I've had better chicken at other places!
(3)Neil M.
Have been here for lunch a couple of times. Their portions are huge. The fried chicken is awesome and their smears are great !!!.
(4)Nancy M.
I'm not even a chicken and waffles type of person but this place was amazing!!! So tasty!!! I had the vegan waffle with the chicken cutlet. I was a little apprehensive about trying a vegan waffle but my waiter assured me it was a great choice. I am glad I listened. If i'm ever in town again I will go here for lunch. LOVED IT!!!!
(5)Sharon H.
Yes the wait was long but expected and worth it. They take your # you leave and they will text you when your table is ready, no big deal. The food is smack your mamma goooood. Yes I will drive 4 hours to eat here again.
(5)Carlos A.
The restaurant was ok. Not the kind you go to for ambiance, and the service was so so. Not a friendly vibe from the staff. But when the food came. DAMN. Waffle was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Chicken was wonderfully seasoned, and cooked to perfection. The vanilla/almond smear was incredible. Overall food experience was top notch
(4)Kimber P.
First time I went the food was great but the wait was atrocious. Last time the wait was still atrocious and much of the chicken brought out had gross hairs all over it. Sent it back and received more of the same. Poor management.
(2)Neftali S.
This is indeed a must do in Durham. The waffles are other worldly good and the schmears are excellent. You will not need syrup to eat these waffles! The service was also excellent, polite, helpful and fast. Even the other patrons were cool. Downtown Durham is a bit sketchy/ run down but this restaurant was worth it.
(5)Dame B.
Dope spot. They're gonna need a bigger location soon, it's too popular. Food is always good, service is always good. We had a party of about 10 people, the waiter took our orders without writing anything down, and didn't mess up a single order. Very impressive.
(5)Sungmin S.
Had such a different experience when I went back last week. After studying abroad for 8 months, I was excited to eat Durham yumsies again i.e. Dame's. This time however, I had such a disappointing experience... Mediocre waffle, slow service, and.... Why were there feathers on my fried chicken?!?!
(2)Casey H.
The food is always good but the space is small and the service is always lacking. Went in with a group of 7 for lunch and the seating for a group that size was tight. The sever only refilled our drinks twice. 3 stars is largely for the service.
(3)Blair G.
Dame's is one of my favorite restaurants in Downtown Durham. The chicken and waffles are some of the best I've ever had. I highly recommend the blueberry waffle and blueberry schmear. The best value on the menu is the "Daily Deal" which comes with any waffle, schmear, and chicken variety. If you decide to get a side too however, economically you're better off choosing one of the abundant choices on the menu. If you're really hungry I'd highly recommend the Barnyard Honcho. Be warned that it is a ton of food. It includes a chicken cutlet, a classic waffle, a pair of cooked to order eggs and creamy grits. You will not be disappointed. Be warned that there is usually a wait here. I've found that if you come for lunch it's best to get there by 11:45 AM, but earlier might be recommended. It's worth the wait.
(5)Ashley W.
After leaving another restaurant, my friends and I wandered around West Main Street in search of some solid eats. Unfortunately, we were harassed by a homeless man who kept yelling, "Hey, BROTHA!" at my boyfriend as he walked alongside his bike and following us down the street. Luckily, he's the size of a football player and he yelled back, "I'M GOOD" as we all briskly walked ahead. We all managed to slip inside "Dame's" to escape -- and we luckily came face-to-face with a super bubbly hostess. As she jabbered on happily, I looked warily outside the windows, and the homeless man was staring at my boytriend with bug-eyes as he walked by. SCARY! Definitely not a good first experience in downtown Durham. After about 5 minutes, we got led to a table -- not bad for a practically full restaurant at 8:30pm! Upon sitting down, we were surprised to see a bunch of crayons and drawing paper on the table. Sah-weet! We all started studying the menu and doodling as we waited for our waitress -- we waited around 10 minutes to be acknowledged. If we hadn't already had some food at the other place, we would have been a lot more irritable. Once our server arrived, she was apologetic for the long wait. She took and delivered our drink orders quick -- I was in love with her shirt ("What Da Cluck?"). After fiercely studying the menu, I ended up ordering the "Orange Speckled Chabo" with a side of Triple Cheese Macaroni. We all colored and gazed around the restaurant as we waited. I will say that the decor of the place was in great taste -- staying true to the Southern theme with witty sayings on the wall (like "Kiss My Grits"). The wait was around 15 minutes for food. Once we were served, we attacked our dishes with ferocious hunger. I could barely hold back while I snapped photos of my boyfriend and I's meals. My fried chicken cutlet was perfectly fried on top of a scrumptious Sweet Potato waffle. It was drizzled with Honey Dijon -- which I regretted ordering since it over-powered the natural flavors. The orange-honeycomb shmear was a bit bitter -- with a tarty, citrus flavor. The mac & cheese was absolutely ASTOUNDING! I think it was the crushed garlic clove that was baked inside that gave my tastebuds a rush! Once I sampled the "Little Brown Leghorns" that my boyfriend ordered, I was in complete envy. I have never had a gingerbread, Belgian waffle -- and it blew my tastebuds away! However, he was envious of the cutlet instead of the 4 chicken legs that graced his waffle. I will definitely come back to order everything else on the menu -- since breakfast is my THANG!
(5)Kimberley B.
The best dining experience ever!
(5)Becca H.
I love eating at Dame's. I'm usually an adventurous eater. But once I found the Orange Speckled Chabo, I haven't tried anything else since. Their sweet potato waffles with fried chicken, honey dijon and orange schmear are delicious! The greens and mac & cheese are phenomenal. It's nearly impossible to choose between them (choose the greens!).
(5)Jameka W.
I may give a second chance to Dame's to make a better impression. First, we had reservations, so we didn't have to wait in line. But as I was walking up to the door, I noticed a half eaten chicken leg on the ground right at the front door and there was a hostess at the door, but she didn't throw it away or anything. At the time there was a waitress there who was pretty cold toward me, but pretty flirty with my companion which created an imbalance in the service. I had dark meat chicken with sides of collard greens and a tossed salad and my companion had white meat chicken with a waffle, eggs and grits. He wanted the honey pecan smear, but they were out so he had the blueberry one. When our food came, I could immediately smell that my collard greens had been "drowned" in hot pepper vinegar. Now first I'm not a fan of heavy vinegar cooked in my collards, but it was so spicy on top of that that it almost ruined my taste for anything else. Then when I bit into my chicken, not only was it dry and overcooked, but the amount of sage and rosemary in the crust overshadowed the chicken! My companion loved his grits and eggs and I tried his waffle, smear and his chicken. The waffle and smear was not bad, but nothing to lose my mind over and his chicken was not as dry as mine was, but it was still pretty heavy on the sage and rosemary. For the record, these are two herbs that a little goes a long way! All in all, that evening, Dame's just did not live up to all the hype I'd been hearing about it prior to my going. That said, I'm considering giving it another chance because it may have just been a bad night for them.
(2)Terry B.
Awesome southern experience ... Do make a reservation though because it gets crowded. At first impression, this curious mix of protein and carbs might turn you off but the taste is surprisingly good. Salty and sweet ... and they have the best house-made toppings (shmears) on waffles. Instead of looking for street parking, there's an indoor parking lot few blocks up (close to a big green wall) that's almost always empty.
(4)Dee B.
The wait is awful even with a reservation. That sours the experience. The food is great. Just order take out.
(3)Ahmed F.
The food was excellent, waffles crisped and chicken was seasoned well but too bad the service was mediocre today after the lunch crowd left.
(2)TiLissa R.
Our food was not very good here. Unimpressed. While the sauces were good, the chicken was dry and the Mac and cheese wasn't seasoned well. Also, the silverware given to us to cut a huge piece of meat was thin and flimsy... The fork was hard to eat with and kinda hurt my hand (cheaply made). Also, the place was pretty dirty for a slow night. Overall, not a place we would visit again.
(1)Jordan P.
I had pipe dreams coming into Dame's. In fact, it was a star on my Triangle Bucket List (a list of places I NEEDED to go/things I NEEDED to do before I left the area) and every single person I talked to spoke of how tasty and spectacular Dame's was, a true Durham staple, despite it's relative newness. I'll start by saying that the 4 star rating is not 5 ONLY because of service. And it's not like the service was awful. It just, alas, was not 5 star service. Ok, back to the review. We put our names on the list around 7ish and, for a party of 6, we were warned it'd be up to an hour and a half wait. A few of my buddies had been here before and knew that was about right, so we strolled over to Beyu Caffe for a drink beforehand. This worked out nicely because the hostess took our number, so that they could call us when our table was ready (instead of forcing us to stand outside, loitering like creeps.) An hour later (ish), we were called and, having built up quite the appetite (whether it was actual hunger or just anticipation, I'll never know), I grabbed greedily at the menu. After scouring it many times in the past, I still didn't know what I'd order. But I DID know that, whatever I decided on, it was going to be decadent. After polling the table, asking for suggestions, and searching the depths of my heart (& stomach), I decided on the Classy Hen. According to the menu, "A chicken cutlet, a Classic waffle, Vanilla & Almond Shmear". I substituted a sweet potato waffle for the classic, and got it with a side of mac & cheese. The mac and cheese came first, and LONG before the rest of the meal. If I'd ordered it as an appetizer, that would've make sense. But it was a side and most of my table finished their sides well before we received our main dishes. After about 10-12 more minutes waiting, our meals came, and they were totally worth the wait. Dusted with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, my sweet potato waffle was sweet and maybe a little cinnamon-y, moist with the vanilla/almond Schmear having melted in a puddle beneath it. I immediately split my plate in half and put one half in a box to take home for later. This was not an issue, as the meal is easily two servings. The cripsy parts of the chicken were the best, as the batter was flavorful and crunchy without being greasy or dry. It was the perfect match for the rich waffle, and the syrup flowed freely on the table. I was glad I saved some mac & cheese, it was a nice way to divide up the meal, and the leftovers heated up well under the broiler this morning for a perfect Sunday brunch. Now here's where the complaints come into play: -Our server, Nigel, was nice as could be. He also seemed to occasionally forget that we were there. We asked several servers for water after we received our initial glasses, and waited patiently, before divvying up what was left in our cups to dole out to the thirstier folks at the table. The water never came. -There was no syrup on our table initially, only an empty container. Even after we'd asked for more, we finally had to send someone up to the bar to get one. -We had to ask multiple time for to-go boxes, and the last box didn't come until after we'd paid the check and virtually begged for it. These aren't reasons to avoid Dame's, it's just something to be prepared for, especially if you go when it's crowded (like, for instance, Saturday night or weekend brunch). Go with appropriate expectations about the service, and you won't be disappointed with the taste. The cost was also on point, $10.25 for two meals worth of food sounds just right to me...
(4)Albert L.
A small shop that specializes in all things chicken and waffles in downtown Durham. We had a reservation on a busy Saturday morning, so we still had to wait about half an hour to be seated as previous guests finished up. Once sat, our waiter kindly came around to explain the menu to us and got our orders started. The interior is like a revamped, rustic jazz hall, if that makes any sense. There are tables in the middle and some bench seating along the wall. People also sit at the bar to eat. I went for the Classy Hen - a classic waffle with a chicken cutlet and vanilla-almond shmear (whipped butter). The chicken was fried most excellently, and the waffle, while a little thin and limp, was moist. The shmear was also very flavorful and paired up well. My tip for eating this dish is to cut a piece of chicken, a bit of waffle, slather on some shmear, and drizzle some hot sauce onto the whole thing. Bam. I tried some of the spicy greens, and they were really good with just enough heat. The mac and cheese was a hit as well. Overall, everyone enjoyed their orders very much, and there was more than enough to go around. Dame's is a great weekend lunch spot, but be prepared to slow down to the tempo of the South.
(4)Joshua L.
If you are anywhere close to Chapel Hill, Raleigh, or Durham, you need to stop by Dame's Chicken & Waffles. Not only should their chicken & waffles actually be world famous, but the atmosphere is also great. But make sure that you make a reservation a head of time, because if you don't you will be waiting a hour to two hours no matter what day or time you go. If you've never liked grits, you have never had them made right. Make sure to get cheesy grits (personally I like runny eggs in my grits). Do not miss out on the Mac and Cheese. It is the best Mac and Cheese that I have ever had.
(5)Fiona C.
Dame's is awesome. BUT the wait is CRAZY., the place is really small. Waiters were really nice but the wait is very annoying. Make reservations before you decide to go unless you go during the week. Even if you go during the week MAKE RESERVATIONS. The vanilla almond smear is AWESOME !!!! I love the classic waffles. Just basic lol. One hour parking on the street which sucks too, so car pool !!!
(5)Eva H.
I went here on a Sunday for lunch. Was expecting a long wait, but it was only about 20 minutes before we were called for a table. We got a few different dishes and shared them family style. I was disappointed by the dryness of the chicken - it seemed like the chicken had been sitting under a heating lamp for an hour and all the delicious juices had evaporated. We got the chicken on both a chicken and waffles dish and as an extra side serving, and got different cuts. All of it was dry. The waffles and smears were yummy. I liked that the waffles were thinner waffles, so it didn't overwhelm the chicken - it was a nice balance between the waffle and the chicken. The shrimp and grits was ok, nothing special and I felt like it was lacking inspiration. There was a nice amount of shrimp though, so they don't skimp. The best part of the meal was probably the three cheese and macaroni - to die for! One of the best mac and cheeses I've ever had, because of the herbs they blend in. I couldn't put my finger on the exact herbs, but there was definitely some oregano in there...
(3)Alice W.
Love!! Their Mac and cheese is soooo good! It's a must have. The smears are also very delicious, I'd advise getting 2! I had the gingerbread waffle, which was perfectly done. I didn't actually get any chicken because the Mac and cheese/waffle was filling enough, so I can't comment on that. The ONLY downfall of this place is that you can't phone in take out :(. Also, make sure to make a reservation ahead of time for brunch because it's busy!!
(4)Josh P.
Not your typical southern chicken and waffles place. Much more fancy options, and the long wait for a table and high prices to match. Very good stuff, though.
(4)Max Rocket M.
This is pretty much the best thing ever. Literally the best fried chicken I've ever had. Waffles are different than I'm used to, soft, not crisp, but still delicious and amazing and I'd marry breakfast there if I could.
(5)Eric N.
Bottom Line: The food is authentic and delicious - one of the best in North Carolina. The long wait times, slow service and baffling restaurant layout and decor are areas for improvement. The Food: The food is among the best in Durham and even beats other Chicken and Waffle establishments I've eaten at including world famous Roscoe's in Los Angeles. The chicken is crispy without being overly greasy and balances nicely with the sweetness of the schmears (flavored butter that you put on your waffle). I typically order something new each time I've gone but have had the Classy Hen, mac and cheese and Light Brown Leghorns. Portions are ample but the food does not feel heavy. If you are looking for an authentic southern experience, I highly recommend the food at Dame's. The Atmosphere: The restaurant is an odd mix of art deco and casual cafeteria. It doesn't appear to have any particular theme but has the feeling of a relaxed diner. The restaurant is nearly always packed and a little on the loud side. It could be made more efficient by changing the layout of the floor but again, the food is the draw here. The Service: Service is mixed. The staff are polite and helpful but tends to be on the slow side. Because there is virtually always a wait (even if you have a reservation), you need to allocate at least an hour and a half during lunch time in order to make sure that you'll be seated and be able to get to your next appointment. This is the restaurant's biggest area for improvement. Location: The restaurant is in downtown Durham and walkable from any place in downtown. This is a good thing since there is no dedicated parking. Other Details: The restaurant takes both cash and credit cards. The restaurant is clean but a little on the worn side.
(4)Charles K.
We were told that Dame's was a Must-do when in Durham... So we did. As a Californian, the idea of Chicken & Waffles just isn't in our consciousness, but DAMN, Was that ever tasty! Juicy chicken breast filet on a delicious moist waffle, with almond vanilla schmear and maple syrple. Simple, well executed, and since we're on vacation, NO CALORIES!
(5)Michael K.
Two words: simply amazing. Sweet potato waffles, ridiculous pan fried chicken, maple-pecan schmear, and homemade Mac and cheese. Get the quilted buttercup and you won't be disappointed.
(4)Hershell C.
Awesome!!!!!checked out for the first time, was not disappointed..Chicken was great and waffle was outstanding!!!
(4)Carla M.
Delicious chicken and waffles, HORRIBLE service and it shouldn't be that way. Service took off a star for me. It was an hour wait but once we sat down, I realized all they need is a new restaurant manager and probably a few new waitresses and it will all be straightened out. The food is delicious. The waffles don't even need syrup, just a dab of butter. The waffle has a delicate sweetness enhanced perfectly by a dusting of cinnamon and nutmeg. I am not a fan of chicken cutlets but theirs was flavorful and crunchy. This is the place for a leisurely brunch/lunch but needs better service.
(4)Kenny P.
Stopped by here on Labor Day with some friends visiting town from LA who wanted to try all that the Triangle-Area had to offer. We stopped by here on the recommendation of a friend and we were thoroughly impressed. Sure...we had a lengthy wait. This might have deterred some people. However, I think we all understood that if a place is crowded...it's because other people see the quality and also want to get in on it (much like...LA!). When we were finally seated the waiter came by and took our orders quickly. We asked for and he gave some suggestions before we ordered a variety of items. A number of us ordered from the variety of Chicken & Waffles and all of us were satisfied. I even got to try some of the Shrimp & Grits which have been the best that I've had so far. Left the restaurant feeling stuffed...but not in a greasy-stuffed kind of way. Quite enjoyable. Will definitely be returning here in the future!
(5)S Y.
I love the ambiance here, nice jazz playing in the background and I didn't mind eating at the bar (which I normally hate doing). I had the daily special and I cleaned my plate. And although I realize most people don't consider the ice when choosing a restaurant, they have that good ice, the little round soft kind. I recommend the sweet potato waffle.
(5)Audrey L.
The waffles are unbelievable, you don't need the syrup, just their butter. Chicken is perfectly cooked, great crispy outside. Also fantastic beer, fruit, and mac&cheese. All around great southern cooking!!
(5)Matthew K.
Delicious. You should definetely stop at this "Almost world famous" place when you come to Durham. The chicken part is my favorite. Their breading and seasoning hits the spot each time. Waffles are delicious too. Not much I would change besides the "smears" (various flavored butter), which don't add much in my opinion. Be sure and make a reservation or be prepared to wait!
(4)Ana O.
I was in the area, looking for a place to have lunch, and this popped up on Yelp. A restaurant that specializes in chicken and waffles? How could I resist! At lunch, they have a special where you can pick your chicken, your waffle and your shmear. I chose the chicken cutlet with the sweet potato waffle and maple pecan shmear. The chicken cutlet was a pretty good size, great seasoning in the batter, and still reasonably moist when it came out. The sweet potato waffle was tasty, but I could taste the spices in it more than the sweet potato itself. The shmear was a great compliment to it all. The service was pretty decent when we were here. The food came out within about 15 minutes. Our server was great in helping us to pick out what to get. The space was a little small and a little smoky in there. I don't know if it was just that day or if it's a normal thing, but the AC did not appear to be working very well and it was a little warm in there. I would definitely come back to check this place out again if I was in Durham. Hurray for multiple types of chicken and waffles!!
(4)Simona B.
Ahhhhh this place rocks! Went there on Sunday at 3 pm without reservation , had to wait for 45 minutes , so i would strongly recommend to call in ahead to book table . But wait was well worth it ! Chicken and waffles were amazing and smears to go with Waffle simply divine ! I don't usually go with sweet and meat combination ( being from Europe ) but this place servers you what they do best ! Oh yes and they do know what they doing, delicious perfect waffle ( i had sweet potato waffle) and pieces of crispy , seasoned fried chicken of your choice . I wish the facility was a bit bigger ;) more people could enjoy it at the same time ;)
(5)Keith R.
Very good chicken and waffles. All three of us cleaned our plates with great enthusiasm. Limited menu - chicken and waffles is about it. My 4 stars is based on this limited theme. If that's what you feel like, this is your place. Warning - they don't take American Express. Tip: get the daily lunch special.
(4)Lauren R.
I ordered fried chicken and waffles--big surprise at a chicken and waffle joint. The waffle was really good! And my favorite part of the dining experience was choosing your "schemer," which is a flavored butter to top the waffle. Mine was delicious. However, I was really really disappointed with how greasy the chicken was. The sides--I ordered macaroni and some greens--were also really disappointing. And it is very rarely that I leave macaroni on my plate, but this was inedible. It was almost like the restaurant was trying to put quantity over quality by giving me a huge about of chicken and sides that were barely seasoned and full of grease. I couldn't imagine eating the whole plate without having a heart attack. Finally, the coffee was pretty bad for a place serving breakfast food! I'd hope that such a trendy place that serves waffles wouldn't have IHOP or Waffle-House style coffee--but again, my hope was wrong. The service was also really slow and unfriendly. At one point, my boyfriend actually got up to go to the back to ask for a refill of the coffee because the waitress hadn't been back at all since our food was delivered. I'm amazed at how popular this place is considering the extremely greasy and fatty food and the poor service. If I ever go back at someone else's suggestion I would get a waffle alone.
(2)Henry S.
Dames really got everything right today...very professional staff, and excellent food. I had the Orange Chabo (chicken cutlet and sweet potato waffle with orange honeycomb smear) and my wife had the spicy shrimp and grits. Julius behind the bar was extremely helpful in explaining the menu to us 'newbies', and never made us feel rushed. When the food arrived, it exceeded our expectations! The only downside was,waiting almost 2 hours for seating . True, it was Centerfest weekend, but one of the servers told me this was a typical weekend, so be prepared for delayed gratification...for us, the wait was worth it.
(5)Virginia H.
Literally the best chicken and waffles I have ever had. You have to make reservations though as the wait times are unreal on the weekends for breakfast and brunch. Even with reservations you may have to wait fifteen minutes or so because the place is so small.
(4)Alexa L.
Dames is one of those places you have to try if you happen to be in downtown Durham (though I don't know why anyone would ever want to go to downtown Durham..). It's a small restaurant with only a couple tables and a bar and it is always packed, so make sure to make reservations for dinner, because if not, you will be waiting for a LONG time. Another downside is parking - be prepared to scout for any empty spaces on the sides of the streets that could be blocks away. If not, you'll have to do what I did once and park at a garage...ugh. The atmosphere is casual and fun: they have parchment paper that cover the tables and baskets of crayons for you to draw with while you wait for your order. The servers are all friendly and helpful when you're not sure what waffle/chicken combo you want. I say this because be forewarned: yes they basically only serve chicken and waffles, but there are like 10 different types of combinations offered. i.e. 2 legs on a plain waffle, 1 breast on a potato waffle, 3 wings on a blueberry waffle, etc. It can be daunting. I don't remember which one I chose, but I've gone enough times and with friends whom I've shared plates with to know that ALL these combinations are tasty. Each order comes with one side, and everyone always gets the mac and cheese, which never fails. The waffle is crispy and flavorful, and comes with a sweet shmear (whipped topping) if you feel that it isn't flavorful enough alone. The chicken is nicely seasoned and isn't greasy at all. The two pair so well together, and now I'm a firm believer in this classic Southern combination. It just works. The food isn't the cheapest, but you get big portions and I've never finished in one sitting, so you'll definitely be well-fed, with leftovers too!
(5)John R.
SOOO SOOO GOOD! Both the chicken and waffles KILL IT and my strawberry lemonade had actual strawberry in it. Didnt like the mac n cheese that much, but not that bad either. Cant wait to go back this weekend!
(5)alberto B.
I have never liked grits. I grew up in Arizona and never grew up eating them. The few times I have tried them they tasted like plain gravy with no taste. This has forever changed. Make sure you make reservations. When you arrive the service is very friendly and modern where you give your cell phone and will get a text when your table is ready. The staff is lovely and friendly. Coffee is good but be aware that you need time. The service felt slow (though this might be my New York rhythm). However the wait is worth it. The classic chicken and waffles are a must. The chicken is coked to perfection with the spices not overpowering the chicken. Waffles are tasty and fruit is fresh. My girlfriend had the shrimp and grits. Get the shrimp and grits. They were aMAZINg. I wish I had ordered this. The spice and taste made me fall in love with grits. I understand that I had had bad grits and now am a fan. Great food, but don't be in a rush.
(4)Jessie R.
Super yummy! Chicken was cooked just right....and the waffles...AMAZE-BALLS!!! The Schmears were out of this world. I went with four people and we each ordered something different. I got to taste all four schmears...OMG....YUMMO
(4)Ashleigh R.
This place is known for their chicken and waffles and they do NOT disappoint! My boyfriend and I have been going to Dames for over a year now and we can't get enough. The only major complaint that we have Is the service... It sucks! Having been a server for over 5 years I can be very critical but I'm also very empathic. I don't expect much and since they are always busy, I know that we may not receive the best service but you should be glad if you get the bare minimum at this place. We normally tell our friends not to expect much where service is concerned because the food speaks for itself. Although it has gotten better over time, the wait staff lacks basic customer service skills. On several occasions, we've received our drink order(water) at the same time as our food. This is after we've waited about 45-50 for a table. We've had several incidents with food mess-ups and small mistakes that could've been avoided but we continue to go because of their delicious food. If you have the time, and the patience... Try it out, the food won't disappoint but don't say you weren't warned about the service!
(4)Klaus J.
This place has really good waffles, but we thought the chicken was too dry and salty. This would be a great place to have just waffles, but there doesn't seem to be a way to get them except a la carte. Mac & Cheese was nothing to write home about. Only reason why this gets three stars instead of two is that the service was very good.
(3)Addyline L.
Because these are the first chicken and waffles I've experienced, I can't say I've had better. I CAN say that serving drinks in paper coke cups makes a restaurant look stupid. What the heck are they doing?! I had The Quilted Buttercup with maple almond butter (sounds great, I kno ryte) but the butter was only slightly flavored and the chicken was a little hard to cut through. The side of "fruit" was two overripe strawberries and two hunks of inedible pineapple. Great sweet potato waffles, but I wouldn't pay another 9 bucks for a meal here. Service was friendly and quick; they weren't busy when I went in for lunch. It seems like if they just tried harder, it could be a great place. Buy some glassware, for Chrissakes.
(2)Ivy H.
Overall the food was great. All of us ordered different dishes of chicken and waffles and they were throughly enjoyed. The chicken was flavorful and the mac & cheese was awesome. Bit of mixed review on the waffles. Some in our group liked them but others thought they were too thin and floppy. I loved the shmears. We made reservations so we were seated quickly. The restaurant is loud and felt very cramped. I do think they could use a slightly larger space. The service was a bit mixed. While our server was polite, he was slow and we did have to remind him to refill our drinks. No errors though with our order.
(4)Catherine C.
The food here is amazing. It's very heavy--not something I'd want every week, but a great place to take some out of town friends. The wait is very long so I recommend calling ahead, but the waffles were seriously worth it
(4)Chris B.
the food is great, but sadly always too long of a wait. they desperately need a larger dinning room, and the pricing on the menu dictates that they would easily afford the real estate, especially if you have to wait two hour off meal rush. while i think the food is great, i can not bring myself to make reservations for chicken and waffles.
(3)Laura H.
Yummy and worth the long wait to get a table! The fried chicken and mac and cheese are excellent. The waffles are great too, though I'm just generally not as much of a waffle fan. Ton of food for a great price - very good value, and a fun place to brunch with friends!
(4)Rahsaan A.
good not great not sure what the hype is all about. Im sure many ppl enjoy sweet and salty taste. Chicken was too bready and too many herbs; waffle is good but waffle house is better. I dont know ive only been a couple of times and just had breakfast. It stays packed so go early or during off time(eat breakfast in afternoon). The chicken and waffle combo is old made famous by similar spot in the "A"(that is slang for Atlanta for you non-hip ppl lol).
(3)Wesley K.
Tasteful and tasty!
(4)Liwei Y.
Great combination! Chicken is nicely breaded and very crispy. Waffles are great and a little sweet. I tried the Light Brown Leghorns and The Frizzled Fowl with mac n cheese and fruit. Also switched the classic waffle with sweet potato waffles. There were other options too, like blueberry waffle, gingerbread, etc. You can also switch your "shmear" out for something else if you desire. Loved them both. Sweet and salty, crispy, filling. Only issue I had with The Frizzled Fowl was that the chicken was white meat, but it wasn't too dry even though it was white meat. Still would have preferred a juicy chunk of dark meat on top. Fruits were fresh and consisted of pineapples and strawberries. Mac n Cheese was also delicious! It was lightly herbed with thyme which added an interesting good flavor in.
(4)Tommie C.
Best Mac n Cheese we have ever tasted, and my partner doesn't care for collard greens, but he ate half my bowl! Definitely going back, and taking friends!!
(5)mimi c.
Just came back from lunch at Dame's and I've cooled off enough to write a review. It's truly disappointing that I have to give this place 2 stars, especially since the food was actually good. Better than the famous Roscoe's in LA - by a long shot. Based on just food, this place would've gotten 4 stars from me. Unfortunately, for them and me, service was what killed it. The staff is friendly and this is by no means an attack on that. HOWEVER, service was a-tro-cious and unorganized, especially since they seemed to be fully staffed. And let me also note before getting into it, that although most tables were filled in the restaurant, it was a steady flow of customers and never any bum rush of people. The hostess didn't seem like she knew what she was doing (new, possibly). It took awhile for our waitress to get our drink orders and even longer to actually get them to our table. We ordered our meals right when we ordered the drinks, to be efficient. 40 minutes later, we were starving and pissed off. The table that sat down less than 2 minutes before us had already finished eating and gotten their check - and we were still waiting for our food. A couple who had come in well after us (like by 10-15 minutes) already got their food and was eating - and we were still waiting. Dame's has about 8 items on their menu - all of which are similar variations of the same thing. So why the hell did it take about 40 minutes to make our food?!?!?!?! It just seemed the kitchen staff was picking and choosing who's food to cook first rather than in order. We noticed this happened to another table as well, where they waited forever for their food but another table who came in much later had already gotten their plates. And to top it off, there were times during our wait where the entire staff was just standing around, chatting or staring off into space. There was definitely not a shortage of staff, yet no one was trying to rush the kitchen to get our food out or checking on its progress. Everyone just seemed to move at a lethargic pace. The staff definitely needs to be trained in customer service and efficiency. We sat down for lunch at around 1:30. We didn't get out til 2:45. You tell me if that's a ridiculous amount of time to spend on a fried chicken lunch. So the big question is, would I go back? Probably not. Service is unpredictable and it ruined my lunch today. I was so upset walking out of there that it completely overshadowed the quality of the food itself. I'm not prepared to experience that again.
(2)Chris S.
Based on continuous praise, I decided to check it out. If you get the chicken & waffles, you pick a chicken entree & flavored waffle. A side also comes with it. The waffle comes with a flavored butter they call shmears. The chicken was crispy & flavorful & was fried just right. The waffle was nice & fluffy & the shmear made it even tastier. I got the Light Brown Leghorn with a gingerbread waffle & maple-pecan shmear. I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. I had the macaroni & cheese for my side, it was ok nothing special. I'd probably try a different side if I went back. The service was great, the waitress was attentive but not overbearing. The atmosphere was cozy & inviting. They also have paper & crayons on the tables for people that like that. The portions are enough for two people so you'll probably end up taking some home. Overall, it was tasty & I'm looking forward to going back.
(5)Barry L.
This isn't an easy place to score for me. The good is that the food is beautifully prepared, gorgeous to look at, and very tasty. They're doing very serious culinary things. And so it gets 4 stars from me without question. The problem is, it turns out that I really don't like sweet fried chicken. I didn't know that before wifey and I went to Dame's. Little did I know at the time that I prefer the salty savoriness, and that maple syrup ruins that for me. Oh well. Dame's is a wonderful place, and I wish them all the luck. My issues with the food have nothing to do with preparation or presentation. Its creative, and very well done. For the record, my wife loved it. Absolutely positively go there. Odds are, you'll think I'm a fool. You'll not be the first.
(4)Ivy S.
Wait was long, although they do offer online reservations 24 hr in advance. I think that they can definitely move more quickly if they tried harder to. The restaurant was full but there were empty tables that would sit for about 5 minutes before they sat someone. Food was great! I had a cutlet and waffles and surprisingly, the cutlet wasn't dry. The mac n cheese was also good. Not the best for North Carolina, but it was still good. I would definitely go back.
(4)Kristal B.
Excellent Soul food that was creatively designed. The schmears that come with the chicken and waffles were an excellent addition to the meal. The service was great as well! Get a reservation. We had to have one on a Thursday night and the place was full!
(5)Amy S.
We were in Durham for an event and were looking for something within walking distance from our hotel that had a breakfast menu. We arrived 10 minutes before opening which ended up being perfect timing. We managed to get a table with only about a 20 minute wait. The staff was friendly and the service exceptional. We weren't sure about chicken and waffles but were from out of town and in a mood to be adventurous! The portions were very generous and the food arrived quickly. We had a great time coloring our tablecloth with the crayons provided. It was a fun little touch! The sweet potato waffles were divine and the cutlets cooked to perfection. This place really is exceptional and we felt welcome and well served. We will definitely return the next time we visit the area.
(5)Charlie T.
Really good, moist chicken. It will surprise you. I could have done without the flavored butters, but the chicken and waffles are worth the trip.
(3)Alan Z.
BEST MAC AND CHEESE EVER!!! I loved the waffles and the fried chicken...I had the chicken cutlet and it was super crispy on the outside while moist on the inside. I'm definitely hitting this place again if I'm in raleigh.
(5)Kelly H.
We were fortunate to only have a fifteen minute wait, since they are chronically on a wait, it seems. Very popular place, feels like a tourist destination. It was fine for what it is.
(3)Austin S.
This has to be the best fried chicken in the RTP area. Chicken was crispy outside and juicy inside, waffles were good (I was more interested in chicken), and service was great. Our waiter was very patient and suggested what he liked the best. I definitely like the chicken wings over their fried chicken breast.
(5)Dave S.
Ok. Drop whatever else you are doing and go here. It is amazing. I think my body would shut down if I ate here too often, but oh my God it is good. I had a waffle with pecan butter, fried chicken and hotsauce on it. It was literally the best thing I have ever eaten. Seriously. You have to go. The service is slow, the food is slightly expensive, and the place is a bit sketch, but nothing else in the world of food compares to this place. Nothing. My wife couldn't finish her's. I ate it after completely finishing mine. It was that good. Oh and the mac and cheese was sublime. Incredible.
(5)Felizia P.
My first time i went, i couldn't imagine a dinner item w/ breakfast. I was very hesitant. I took the recommendation and been recruiting ever since! lol Sweet Potato Waffle is my favorite I get that w/leg quarters and Mac n cheese n greens!! RECOMMEND most smears are awesome can't go wrong.
(5)Frank M.
Wow. The food was so good that I literally wanted to go home and slap my momma!!! I haven't been this happy with a meal in a long time. Service was friendly. Food was terrific. Service was a little slow but the atmosphere made up for it. Do yourself a favor and go. Don't listen to the negative comments....just go!
(4)Jacob C.
Fried Chicken and Waffles. Who would think that these two would tastes could cooperate on one plate? But then again, how could it not be good? That was my mindset going into lunch at Dame's Chicken and Waffles, both unsure of how good the flavor combination would be, yet intrigued at the thought of it. The restaurant itself has a very nice atmosphere. Surprisingly nice actually, seemed almost upscale (until you realize that Fried Chicken and Waffles are the only menu item) But really that's all that Dame's needs. The food is outstanding. Really one of the most bizarre and tasty dining experiences I've ever had. I ordered a buttermilk waffle, topped with a fried chicken breast with sides of two eggs over easy and grits. Our waiter supplied our table with both traditional waffle syrup and hot sauce as toppings. At first I just had the syrup. Then some hot sauce on the other side. Then, dare I try it, hot sauce and syrup mixed? Why not, I'm already eating a waffle topped with fried chicken, all reason has already gone out the door. It was a crazy mix of the hot bite from the sauce and sweet goodness from the syrup. My mind was officially blown. Without question Dame's is a place that must be experienced to truly know how these flavors come together. Friendly service, nice decor, plenty of food to leave me feeling satisfied (I impressed the waiter by completing cleaning my plate). Overall I had a great meal and will definitely go back in the future.
(4)Matthew F.
Oh my. So good. The chicken was tender and delicious. The waffles with schmear ... I can't even talk about it it was so good. The mac and cheese? I'm drooling on my laptop thinking about it. The best part about it though? The truly nice and helpful staff that were happy to chat with a tourist sitting by himself and point out places to go in town. I'm here for a few more days. I'll be back to Dame's before I leave!
(5)Nene K.
Dame's wasn't nearly as unhealthy as I thought it would be. I was expecting a huge heart-attack inducing waffle chock full of butter, eggs, white flour and everything that's awful for your health. I was looking forward to chicken battered in flour and cornflakes and deep fried in good ol' peanut oil. Plus the gluttinous flavored butters and sweet, sweet syrup drenching the entire plate. What I got instead was a pleasantly portioned meal (for a chicken and waffles joint) with the shmear and syrup on the side. I tried the "What a Classy Hen" dish with a plain waffle and fried chicken cutlet although you can also get it grilled. Delicious, interestingly spiced chicken and fantastic collard greens which came with the order. My partner in crime, Susan Z. got the sweet potato waffle . It's better than the plain one, imo. All in all, it was a satisfying meal, although I'm surprised that the place doesn't serve alcohol. Service was excellent. Verdict: It's probably a good thing that Dame's is one of the healthier chicken and waffle places I've been to. I also like that it's an African-American run business, and that, at least when I went nearly all of the clientele was African-American!! You simply don't see that in the Triangle (at least not in most parts of Raleigh) .
(4)Bobara B.
One of the best meals I have eaten in a long, long time. If you don't like Dame's, then you're wrong.
(5)Mia C.
This chicken is delicious. Juicy and well seasoned, not too chunky-bready. I'll leave it to the waffle fans/connoisseurs to discuss the waffles, which I did find light and tasty in the few bites I had. Strawberry shmear was irrelevant and forgettable. Mean greens side was too salty for my taste, but with chicken like this, the side dish was firmly in my peripheral vision. Great waitress. Awkward-but-nice man seated me. Love the down-home feel of the place.
(4)Janet L.
Great service. Delicious chicken and yummy waffles. Their waffles are different from Roscoes Chicken and Waffles in Los Angeles because they are thinner and softer, not as crispy so I can't really compare the two but they are both soo GOOD! The chicken was seasoned to perfection! Usually a long line though but well worth it. Also they give you crayons so you can draw on the paper table cloth, funtimes!
(4)Melissa P.
I was sadly disappointed. I normally try to watch what I eat, but decided to splurge for my birthday after eyeing it and its good reviews for weeks. It wasn't worth it. My sweet potato waffle was tasty, but thin and a bit soggy. Two of them might have made a nice breakfast if I wasn't expecting to be amazed. The maple cream butter hardly tasted like anything other than regular butter. The syrup was runny. And the chicken did little to dazzle me. I won't be returning, as the calories and cost aren't worth it. I had a friendly server, and enjoyed the street view.
(2)Josh K.
There is something inherently wicked and delicious about the idea of chicken and waffles. Perhaps it is the notion of fried chicken mixed with waffles, switching up the breakfast-dinner paradigm. Or it is the health taboo of sweet waffles and salty fried chicken. However, as often as it is touted, chicken and waffles often falls short. Except at Dame's. This small spot in Durham has perfected the art of the chicken and waffle. His waffles are light and fluffy, either regular, blueberry, or sweet potato (a definite win). They come with either butter, or about a dozen different flavored 'shmears' that you can smother your waffle. The chicken is delightful. Fried and crispy without being oily and heavy, and comes in several different styles and flavors (try the Frizzled chicken, a breast coated in panko crumbs served over a classic waffle, all with a plum sauce... an Asian twist to chicken and waffles!!). There is no bad combination on the menu, and you'll want to come back and try them all! In addition to the chicken and waffles, the entrees come with a choice of side. You can have a delectable mac and cheese, cheesy grits, fruit cup, or side salad. These rotate, so you might land the fried greens if you nab it at the right time. The whole place is small, with a classy look to it that is at the same time casual and upscale. Jazz posters from many of the greats are on the walls, and there's a nice bar in the middle if you're waiting for a table or wish to be more social. The waitstaff is friendly and inviting, attentive without being over-bearing, and willing to accommodate special requests. And keep your eye out for Dame... he often is working the kitchen, and makes the rounds to see how things are going. Tell him your opinion, and be sure to enjoy the chicken.
(5)Marquita S.
I just experienced the awesomeness known as Dame's Chicken & Waffles. I had been looking forward to and talking about going all week! This business has only been existence for 8 months, but you would think that they are restaurant vets. Our (my husband and my) experience was great from start to finish. The restaurant, though small, was nice and clean with a friendly and inviting feel. The jazz inspired ambiance was a nice touch. We went on a Saturday afternoon, so it was packed. We only waited about 10 - 15 mins. Despite the crowd, we were promptly addressed by the friendly waiter. He checked in often (without being overbearing) and kept our drinks fresh. But ok, enough about that, on to the food! To sum it up in one word, I'd say "superb". I ordered the "Light Brown Leghorn" and my husband ordered the "Dueling Roosters: Round 1". The fried chicken was perfectly seasoned and crispy. It came to the table piping hot and held it's heat for the duration of the meal. The homemade hot sauce that accompanied it was a nice deep red, and had just the right amount of heat and tang without overpowering the chicken. The waffles were nice and fluffy. Mine came with chocolate, hazelnut shmear (flavored butter) and drizzled with caramel and whole cashews. So, fried chicken and chocolate - can we say euphoria? My husband's wings came with a Calypso sauce for dipping. He described it as a jerk, barbecue sauce. He says that although it was good, he preferred the hot sauce. He chose the blueberry shear which he describes as a "light, fluffy hint of blueberry" that didn't overwhelm the waffle. We both chose the mac & cheese which was nice and cheesy with great seasoning. To wrap this up, Dame's is a great find and we'll definitely be back!!
(5)David G.
Being a Yankee, I was only familiar with chicken and waffles from movies - not as an actual menu item you could order in an actual restaurant. Like others on here, I sort of expected a heart-attack on a plate. I don't say that as a bad thing, I regularly eat a bowl of poutine with a fried egg on it for dinner. I was surprised that the menu had several different items (all variations on chicken and waffles) and that the food itself was appropriately portioned and fairly light. Not that I left feeling hungry, mind you. The food was absolutely excellent, but didn't make me feel weighed down and half-nauseous on a hot North Carolina day.
(4)Katie W.
I've never had chicken and waffles anywhere else, and truthfully I thought they sounded kind of strange at first, but once I ate at Dame's I realized the genius of the combo. It's like a flavor explosion in my mouth! Their mac and cheese is also one of the best I have ever eaten. The food is very filling though, so I prefer to split one. My only complaint was that I once made a reservation for a group of us to have dinner there and one of my friends was late. They made us wait until the entire group arrived and since there is no waiting area inside we had to stand around outside the restaurant for ten minutes until the last member of our table showed up. It would have been nicer if we could have sat down, had a glass of water and looked at the menu while we waited. But in general, I always enjoy my food and experience here and it's absolutely worth trying.
(5)Harry P.
Chicken and waffles, after you try them, you realize it makes so much sense. Like putting bread above and below slices of meat to make a sandwich. We'll all be having these Dame-whiches in the future, mark my words. It's the future. Honestly, this mashup of food has been something I've been meaning to try. Though I hear in the Pennsylvania area they do it with gravy, Dame's is from the South so they do it syrup-style. Let me tell you, these folks know how to fry up some chicken. Their wings were fantastic. I had some nice brown herb seasoned wings that were as juicy as they were crisp. My lady had the chicken cutlet which was cooked very nicely -- juicy with a crusty fried batter shell. I ordered the Carolina cockerel, 4 wings on a blueberry waffle with a side of hot sauce and a side of syrup. If you like hot wings, this is a good way to go. The blueberry waffle was really tasty too. The Quilted Buttercup came to my lady, a sandwich of sweet potato waffles with a sizeable piece of chicken cutlet in between. We both really enjoyed our entrees. The sides weren't listed on the menu, but change daily. We had the mac and cheese, fruit salad, and grits. The mac and cheese was the oven baked variety, very cheesy and delish. The fruit salad was pretty standard, and the grits were pretty good too. Very genuine Southern style for all. I know we'll be back for more from Chicken and Waffles. They'd have me back just for the fried chicken. It's amazing. Putting the waffles under it, just kicks it up to another level. Also, the service staff was very friendly and attentive too.
(4)Andre K.
Today I ate at Dame's Chicken & Waffles; If I were to die tomorrow, I'd be content. Went on a Friday evening and there was no wait. My date and I were treated well from the staff at all points during our visit. Menu definitely could have been better written. All it has listed are their "special" chicken and waffles combos, which each come with a side, but the sides aren't listed on the menu. However, apparently the waitress told us that you can order any waffle, chicken, smear combination you'd like. The prices are most definitely reasonable for what you're getting. Each plate ranges around $9.25 - $11.00, so for 2 people who both ordered water, it came out to just under 20 dollars; touche Dame's, touche. But how are your chicken and waffles? Pretty amazing, or so my taste buds seemed to think. I ordered the mac n' cheese as my side, and let me say, I'm not a big mac n' cheese fan, but this was delish. Not too cheesey but flavored well. Next the main attraction was brought out. I had the quilted buttercup, which is a fried chicken breast in between two sweet potato waffles, with a maple shmear (which is essentially flavored butter), and syrup. IT WAS DELICIOUS!! I've never had chicken and waffles before, but the sweetness of the shmear and the syrup perfectly complemented the umami (thanks for the word, wikipedia) of the fried chicken. My only complaint which forced me to take a star off (and trust me, It pains me to do so) was that the fried chicken definitely could have been much hotter in temperature. In summary, great food at decent prices from a very friendly staff. If you're from the area and you haven't been here, ask yourself if you're really content with the mediocre life you've been leading thus far, and then head over to Dame's to experience a little nirvana. My digestive and vascular systems are both eager to duel Dames' once more.
(4)Allie H.
With quirky places like these- think crepe, taco stands, mac n cheese bars- they often have fun food ideas that is always fun to take the random visiting uncle but fail on execution. Dame's truly works hard to perfect its recipes of both fried chicken and waffles. Their waffle mix is unique (pinches of cinnamon I think) and absolutely delicious and the fried chicken batter is equally unique. The chicken is not greasy, but crisp and yummy. The wait is CRAZY all the time. One hour or two usually. But you can make reservations if you have a large group. Otherwise, you can just send the person who draws the short straw to wait it out for the group :)
(5)Nick D.
Now this is southern heaven - Fried Chicken and Waffles! On a fun day trip to Durham from the other-side of Raleigh, the girlfriend and I decided to stop by Dame's (Almost) Famous Chicken & Waffles for a southern treat. And we were not disappointed! This is my second trip to Dame's within the new year, and that should tell you something. I have had both their classic and sweet potato waffle, smothered with butter and maple/pecan smear. Both were absolutely delicious that allowed me to clean my plate. And I have witnesses! What is the most delightful part of this meal, is in it novelty. While you should not eat chicken and waffles every day or week, it is so much fun on the rare occasion that you allow yourself to indulge in this southern classic. Dame's has a 3 star atmosphere. There is really not much going on besides cheap furniture and posters bought from a box store. Its service is rather slow on busy days (45/50 mins from entering to food in front of you?), but the staff is exceptionally nice. The food is obviously 5 stars. All the way!
(4)Jennifer T.
I took a friend here last night for dinner. the wait time was only about 10 minutes which was excellent because it was rather warm outside where we were told to wait. our very friendly hostess sat us at the bar where we were greeted by our server who got our drinks, took our order and then disappeared! literally we didn't see him again at all, not even walking around. nonetheless our food was brought out and it was AMAZING. there is no other way to describe the chicken at this place. fried to perfection. the waffles are out of this world! after we ate we started looking around for our waiter (whom we had not seen at all since he placed our order) and he was no where to be found. we waited a few more minutes and decided to get up and ask someone if we could just pay them because we needed to be somewhere. after several inquires to a few different staff members, and 15 minutes, we STILL could not find our waiter and no other waiter/waitress was willing to cash us out without his presence. we pled our case to a server walking by and he said he would call our waiter and that he "might come". he eventually did come and, disgruntled, we paid and left. all and all it took over 20 minutes after finishing our meal to be able to pay and leave. Over all I like Dames. The food is AMAZING, the atmosphere is really cool, and staff(who were present) were nice. we literally sat there eating our food saying "this is amazing, ahhh" but our excitement was pretty diminished when we couldn't find our sever so we could pay and leave and the 25 minute wait to do so, left us sprinting for our next after dinner plans. Im not sure what the policies are for dames employees but if they don't have the "power" to cash any customer in the store out they need it. Not sure why this issue couldn't have been resolved much quicker.
(3)Duke C.
If you are reading about Dame's wondering what the big fuss is about chicken and waffles, STOP. There are no words to describe it - you have to experience it for yourself. Just Go. It's not expensive and it's definitely worth a try. The food here is excellent - and I don't mean just the chicken and waffles, but everything that goes with them. The flavored-butter smears, sauces, side items, and specials. All very well down - some good old fashion southern soul food. The atmosphere is great - latin jazz playing all the time. Downsides - they always seem short on wait staff and the kitchen can be slow. Don't expect a fast in and out experience. I also don't understand why they even bother having a menu as they really only serve chicken and waffles and you can get those in just about any combination of cuts of chicken and types of waffles that you want.
(4)Virginia C.
This restaurant n.e.v.e.r. appears to be open. I've tried twice to go there during their business hours and they have been closed. I called them this past Thursday to check that they would be open on New Years Day after checking their hours on their website- the person I spoke to on the phone confirmed that they would definitely be open on New Years Day (after asking someone else in earshot.) When I and my party arrived at 1pm, they were... closed. When I visited their website again, there was a closed message posted to the site that was not there when I originally called. A suggestion to management: post your actual hours on your door and educate your staff on when you're going to be open. A suggestion to possible customers: call them immediately before trying to visit... they might even be open.
(1)David P.
First, let me just say that most of the food was fantastic: fried chicken was crisp, waffles were tasty, and their version of schmear (flavored butter) was also very good. Only the greens were a little salty. So, I'm only giving this place a low rating because the front of house service was perhaps the most neglectful I've ever experienced (other than one time when my server actually left her shift without telling anyone to take over our table), and only a single star because I hope that this will attract notice by the management so that the issues can be corrected. Besides, there are plenty of other great ratings to counter this one review. Now, here is why... Our first attempt to eat at Dame's was unsuccessful. We had our reservations cancelled on us the day of because of a private function - why were we even allowed to make our reservations? We instead went to nearby Lilly's pizza, which was great, by the way. Our second attempt was during the week for a party of nine. Upon showing up, the first three of us were told to wait outside (in the humid southern summer heat rather than at our already set table) until the reset of our party arrived. This made me thirsty. After we were allowed to be seated - the tables, by the way, were all pushed in one direction so that the 5 of us on bench side of the table had to slide all the way down rather than entering from opposite ends - we received our menus and were given a few minutes before the drink orders were taken. A short time later we had our food orders taken. Surprisingly, our food started arriving before our drinks, which included several beers, waters all around, a tea, a lemonade, and a bottle of sparkly. We told our server that we still needed our drinks. About half-way through eating, we asked another server if she could bring us our waters, which probably should have been on the table from the beginning, since we had to wait outside. I was ever more thirsty. She brought 4 of them, but then had to attend to her own tables, naturally. I was shocked to see our server at this point delivering drinks to another of his tables as ours stood at the bar. We finally received our drinks, most of them anyway, before our meal was finished, but a couple of the cancelled drink orders still made it on the bill, which included a 20% large-party gratuity (I understand this in principle, and generally tip this amount anyway, but I'm more used to seeing 18%). I would have expected more from the floor manager, too. She seemed pretty aloof to the quality of our service and inattentive to the dining room in general. I've spent a lot of time working in the restaurant business, and haven't witnessed anything like this. It really tinged my experience, despite the great waffles and chicken. I would suggest if you go to Dame's, don't take more than one or two people.
(1)Rebecca C.
Being Northerners, my husband and I were a little wary of the whole chicken and waffles concept. We were in downtown Durham between lunch and dinner and having a problem finding a place that was open that appealed to us. Well, we'd been by Dame's on the weekend and seen how completely packed it was, so we decided to throw caution to the wind and go in and try. I am a complete chicken and waffle convert now! Their waffles are fabulous and their chicken is flavorful and crispy. The schmears are innovative and yummy. Who needs syrup? Once you've had schmear you'll never go back.
(5)Russell M.
After hearing a lot of great reviews for this place from friends and reading the reviews on here, I had been wanting to try this place for a quite a while. Last night, my wife and I finally were able to give it a try. Overall, it was good. However, it just didn't hit the spot for us. Maybe the hype gave us unrealistic expectations or something. With that said, this was the first time for both of us to try fried chicken with waffles. We both got the simple friend chicken cutlet with a classic waffle and a side of mac n cheese. The chicken was really good. Not greasy. Good quality. Nice and crispy. I thought the mac n cheese was quite good and fresh tasting, but my wife didn't really like it too much. That was fine because I finished hers too. I thought the weak spot was the waffle. It wasn't crisp at all. It was rather soft and mushy. Maybe that's their style. But I wasn't very impressed with the waffle. Maybe one of the other waffle types would have been better. The service was fast and efficient and friendly. The reservation part was a little annoying. I filled out the form on-line mid-week to make a reservation and no one called me back or confirmed. When I was finally able to talk to someone on the phone, they had no record of me in the system but they put my name down at the time I requested. So it turned out okay but it was a bit of a hassle. Overall, I would consider going back again for maybe brunch/lunch one day, but I just wouldn't prefer this for dinner. Just not my style I guess.
(3)Lester M.
Chicken is good, right? Waffles are equally awesome, correct? Chicken and waffles together?! Insanity! Just try it, your tastebuds will thank you for long periods to come. Beware though, just plain waffles will never be satisfying again! The same probably goes for just plain ole' fried chicken. Seriously, though, Dame's makes one of the best waffles I've ever had, and their chicken is also food coma inducing. The menu is whimsical, with dishes such as the 'Barnyard Honcho' to "get the day crowing" (southern fried chicken, classic waffle, and a pair of eggs made-to-order, with buttered grits: $11.25), and 'Dueling Roosters - Round 1' (fried chicken versus jerk chicken, with hot sauce, a classic waffle, and two shmears: also $11.25). Let's get to the shmears. These are flavored creme butters like strawberry, maple pecan, peach and apricot, chocolate hazelnut, and they are sublime. I'd rather perish in a vat of lard than eat a waffle with regular butter from here on out. Basically, you need to try Dame's, unless you are a fervent hater of both chicken and waffles. In which case, what's wrong with you?! Also, if popularity is any indication, then it seems that everyone in Durham agrees. I live a block away from Dame's, and when I walk by it's usually full during regular meal hours, not to mention it's always seemingly packed during weekend brunch. They have seats outside on the sidewalk where you can wait, and, at least for brunch, those benches are always full. If I'm walking past Dame's, I usually have an awkward time making my way through the throngs of brunch-hungry chicken and waffle lovers.
(4)Matthew M.
Best chicken and waffles you will find anywhere in the Triangle. I have dragged a number of reluctant friends and relatives here, and left with converts every time. It's a great restaurant, the service is good, and I've been back many times. However, it's a popular spot, so be prepared for a long wait, and the meal price is a bit steep for lunch.
(4)L.S. M.
I was pleasantly surprised by Dame's - had thought it would be a casual breakfast place along the lines of IHOP. It's a lovely restaurant in a beautifully restored storefront in downtown Durham. The staff was very professional, helpful and efficient. My husband and I ate there on a Sunday morning and were in line when the restaurant opened at 10 a.m. We ordered mimosas but be advised that alcohol cannot be sold in N.C. on Sundays until noon. I had the Quilted Buttercup with a substitution of gingerbread waffles. The dish was delicious - the chicken was moist and flavorful, the waffles very tasty, and the maple-pecan shmear was a perfect accompaniment. My husband had the Frizzled Fowl with a substitution of blueberry waffle. His chicken was crispy (Panko-coated) and delicious, the waffle with blueberry shmear tender and fruity. He had the mac and cheese side - interesting with ?tarragon herb - and I had the side salad with Asian sesame dressing. Really nice place with great food.
(5)C M.
The first time I went to Dame's it was good. This past weekend it was vastly different. The food was good (after it was brought out the 2nd time), but the service was terrible. The hostess was clueless. My waffle came out and was charred. I'm not sure why it even made it on the plate. It looked like they were trying to hide the black char under a pile of powdered sugar. The excuse was that they bought a new waffle iron. That doesn't mean you give me the waffle from the test run. The manager was not doing anything to help or assist the service staff in any way. If I could give the service zero stars I would.
(1)Scott K.
Very nice place. Smears, essentially flavored butter, are tasty and the chicken is moist and flavorful. The mac and cheese was very good as well. The gentleman working the bar, Zuri, was very pleasant.
(4)Eleni B.
We worked with Dame's as a part of our Triangle Meatless Monday initiative. They were very good to us, and we decided to focus on Dame's for the article the Herald-Sun did on our initiative. Initially, they promised to add a veg-based chicken, which we brought to them to try/sample. It's one of the best that we sample out at festivals, made/distributed by a local company called Delight Soy. To sum up, one man said: "It's like chicken, except better!" Every time we have followed up, we have been told they are looking for a distributor (it's been since April '11) so there has not been further movement. I'm very happy they have a vegan waffle, which is delicious! Just need something savory to go with it. Adding a veg chicken option would add another star to this review. The more folks ask for this, the better chance. Would also like non-paper containers for syrup etc -- feels more like dining out rather than fast-food.
(3)P. F.
Re-post I was really excited to try this place, but the luke-warm chicken and waffle tasted like it had been sitting around all day and then microwaved. You don't go out to eat just to get leftovers of semi-warm food!!!! The server acted like she was doing us a favor by taking our orders and of course she ended up not being able to remember any of our orders or what we had asked for when the food came out. I have not experienced such rude service in a long time. On their website they mention having 3 local/regional beers on tap - none of which were available on our visit when all they offered was Amstel light (yuck!) and Heineken and some other beer that she couldn't be bothered to describe. I tried to order a glass of wine, but was rudely told I could only order a bottle. what!?!? Oh, and the mac n' cheese that everyone raves about is totally second rate - the only thing that makes it moderately interesting is the overuse of rosemary (as other reviewers have mentioned). Perhaps it was an "off" night, but you shouldn't have to worry about hit or miss with such a simple menu. Won't be coming back here - they need a complete management turn around and are making the mistake of alienating first time customers. Got too big for their britches apparently - news flash, you're not winning new customers. VERY DISAPPOINTED!
(1)Liana L.
I absolutely adore Dame's Chicken and Waffles. My mind (and my palate) was blown when I first heard of this concept ... and then consumed some a year later. Absolutely DELICIOUS. It does sound gross and bizarre, but Dame's is amaaazing at pairing flavors and making them go together wonderfully - take my dish as an example. :) I will write it on one line by itself because it might be too much to handle otherwise. Japanese breaded chicken + blueberry waffle + plum sauce + candied pecans + strawberry schmear = oh my gosh absolutely amazing I was kind of worried that it'd be too fruity, but it wasn't at all; it was simply delicious. :) :) Food like this makes me smile uncontrollably. The breaded chicken was so flaky and delicious and tender and juicy that I don't think I can try their fried chicken, and the candied pecans were fabulous. I don't know if their other smears are as sweetly subtle (and yet flavorful!), but this one was incredible. The plum sauce was good, as was the blueberry waffle. I'm pretty picky with waffles because I have a waffle maker and I can make my own, but these are great. :) The prices may make you balk for a bit, but don't worry - there is a lot of food. I could only eat half of what I got and I was very, very full. The service is also excellent. Friendly, courteous, and helpful - exactly the way it should be. 5 stars for everything!
(5)Sandra H.
Fantastic chicken & waffles. Had the Quilted Buttercup. Loved the smaller sized sweet potato waffles! Spicy greens were great!
(4)Claudine D.
It's taken me awhile to make a visit to Dame's but I'm so glad I did today. The DH and I went for a late lunch on a Tuesday. There was a slight wait to be seated and there was a longer wait for our meal to arrive, being served crispy fried chicken and sweet waffles were worth the wait. I had the Dueling Roosters and the DH had the Classy Hen. My DH wasn't a fan, but I am! I love marrying savory and sweet. Everything was so good: the crispy wings, the waffle with chocolate hazelnut and maple pecan schmears, and the mean greens. I was so into my meal that I almost forgot my DH was sitting next to me! The portions are huge. I could've...should have just eaten the two wings and half the waffle, but I inhaled all four wings and whole waffle. I'm paying for it though -- too much of a good thing. Don't make any plans after but taking a nap. Your meal will definitely put you into a food coma afterwards. I was completely useless at work, but fat and happy nonetheless.
(4)Gavin R.
Many other good reviews - I won't rehash but add the place has a fun attitude. The chicken is super tasty - herbs & spices in the breading - no need for a waffle if you don't want the extra calories (but then who goes to a chicken & waffle place worrying about the calories). Pro hint: If its the normal crazy 1 + hr wait, go to the bar, order takeout and eat at the tables just down the hill across the road. If you don't do that make sure to book online. Recommended
(4)S C.
Food - delicious, unique (sweet potato waffles, flavored smears), mac & cheese was different and very yummy, filling portions Staff - friendly, helpful, lots of front-end staff Time - take a while for the food to come out. Looked like there were only 2 people working the kitchen whereas the dining room at ~10 employees. Go for the good food but prepare to wait!
(4)Katie S.
I am sold. Dame's Chix n' Waffles are smack your mama good! The, hands down, best mac n' cheese I have ever had. I will make the drive back to Durham for more!!!
(5)Yelp H.
Holy hell, this was good. Staff lunch today, party of 5, the place was packed. We didn't have to wait long for a table, but we did wait forever for our food. It was worth it, though. I had the Red Crested Rose Comb - 2 chicken legs, a traditional waffle, candied pecans and strawberry shmear, greens on the side. It was keep-eating-til-it's-gone good. I wanna bring everyone I know here. Absolutely awesome. Do it...go!
(5)Jen F.
Pure unadulterated love for this place. Wow is the only thing I can say. I get the gingerbread and grilled chicken cutlet and it is amazing!!!! The waffles are light and fluffy and with the maple spread are the most delicious thing I know. This is a place to go to as much as possible, I know I will be!
(5)stacy W.
First off, I'm gonna go ahead and congratulate myself on no longer being a Chicken n' Waffle virgin. My first time was wonderful and I'm so glad my friends were there to watch the event. You're welcome. The bird I had was an asiany spinoff with plum sauce and panko-ey fried crust. It was crispy, but I was pretty jealous of the other birds on the table while scarfed mine down - not gonna lie, I don't think it's a go-to for me. It WAS good though. The other starlette, waffles, were delish with the strawberry spread. Can't go wrong with any waffles and spread here! And i know they're not a "starlette" but the sides were AWESOME!! the mac and cheese and i tried some of susan's squash and onions - both were cooked perfectly and tasted like they came from my grandma's kitchen!
(5)Jennifer W.
This place is a really neat concept. Chicken and waffles is not a new concept, and having never been to a chicken and waffle joint anywhere else, I have no idea how it stacks up in comparison. My husband had a long talk with the owner, and this guy has some really interesting menu items in the pipeline. There food is delicious! I love their plain waffles. They are a bit crunchy on the outside, and soft and scrumptious on the inside. They remind me of funnel cakes, really delicious. I've had the meal with the sweet potato waffles, chicken cutlet, and the almond smear. It was delicious as well. They have the best collards and mac and cheese that this yanks ever had! I find their service to be inattentuve, but friendly. The ambiance is a bit classy hospital cafeteria-esque. I really wish they had an ala carte choice, a sort of build your own delight, where you can pick your own smears. (for you non Dames patrons, smears are delicously flavored butter, yum!) A huge plus is that they're open late night. No more chasing down taquerias after a night of drinking at Whiskey!
(4)Dawn B.
seriously...this is the kind of food that if your hand got to close to me while I was eating I would growl at you.
(5)Peter F.
I went with The Buff Brahmas and it did not disappoint. The chicken was about as perfect a representation of fried meat as I've had, but the waffles weren't as crispy as they could have been. Service was top-notch, even during the lunch rush.
(4)Gavin C.
Food was great, chicken n waffles were on point. Grits were very good. Service was also good but a bit of a wait and they were out of utensils n gave us flimsy plastic disposable ones. Otherwise a great experience.
(4)Anne G.
Wait time was terrible, but food and service worth it. I had the cutlet with sweet potato waffles, delicious! Also had pink mimosa that was great. Can't wait to go back.
(4)Nas N.
We stopped by there yesterday for lunch since so many people had really good things to say. Details: Never having eaten chicken and waffles before, I was fairly excited to try this intriguing mix. The menu looked yummy and I figured, I love waffles, and I love fried chicken...Hey! It could be a match made in heaven! Alas, it was not. The place is nicely setup, and the service was very attentive and friendly. the prices could be slightly lower for what you get. Everyone who came to our table took their time to explain how it works. It wasn't Astro Physics, so I ended up ordering the Carolina Cockerel with a plain waffle which came with the syrup, peach creme and "Dub's hot sauce". For the chicken there were 3 pieces of whole wings on the waffle. The waffle itself was great, nicely browned and the peach creme was delectable. The chicken was fried to perfection, not greasy, and had the perfect blend of herbs and spices in it. It was truly one of the best fried chickens I've had. "Dub's hot sauce" on the other hand, needed a helping hand, and seemed out of place on the plate. It was nothing more than the original Franks "I put that sh** on everything!" hot sauce. Another pet peeve of mine is when I see chicken "hair" on the wings. That just puts a bit of a damper on my appetite. Even when I'm famished - which I was when we got there. My take on it was that there were just too many extremely dominant flavors going nuts all over the place. While not a paring that my taste buds would want to experience together again, indulged separately, the chicken and waffles are a great treat. I do urge the people to try because obviously, it seems to work for a lot of people - but beware - it just may not work for you.
(3)Nam N.
Never had chicken and waffles before, so this was an experience for me. Had the Buff Brahmas and chose to go with the chicken cutlets. The chicken was juicy and perfectly seasoned/cooked and the waffles and shmear were awesome as well. Will definitely be back, but it'll probably have to wait at least several weeks because my arteries need to recover ;)
(4)Margo S.
Some of the best fried chicken around and the sweet potato waffles are fantastic!
(5)David E.
OK, so you have to wait a long time to eat here. But this is chicken and waffles like you've never experienced. Had waffles, bacon, grits, strawberry smear. All hot, tasty, and full of calories! Nothing low fat here! And the bacon is to die for, honestly. Enjoyed great service. Great place for kids. I will be back.
(5)Tammy M.
This place is not to be missed. The waffles were delicious. The fried chicken was VERY VERY good !! Next time I go, I will ask them to put the chicken on a separate plate as I thought it made the waffle kinda soggy. I am not a fan of putting butter on my waffles so their "schmears" were not really appealing to me. The butter spread was good even though I only used a tiny bit of it., Collard greens were some of the best I have ever had. The mac and cheese had sage (I think) in it. I didn't really like it for that reason but it was super creamy and cheesy. The place is very small so if you know you are going make a reservation ahead of time. It will save you some time on the wait list.
(4)Benjamin B.
We were greeted by a hostess that didn't speak clearly and had better things to do than wait on guests. After a 15 minute wait we were seated and given menus. A waitress who didn't introduce herself came to take our drink orders. She was put off that we asked what was on tap. Hint: the online menu has local beers listed on tap but all they have are big box beers. The menu was much more limited than the online version for food also. The waitress got mad when I asked if they had something listed on the online menu and got more pissed off when I said I'd need a few minutes to look over the menu. She eventually brought the drinks but continued to ignore us for quite a while. Finally she came to take our order. She was very rude and kept interrupting me while ordering. I just got a waffle and grits as their prices are insanely high for breakfast food. Our food was delivered but not all at the same time. My undercooked waffle, which resembled a wet rag, arrived smothered in powdered sugar--so much that I picked it up and shook it out over the floor. It still had so much on it I couldn't taste the waffle. That was probably for the best as it looked disgusting anyhow. When the grits arrived, a meager 4 oz that cost $2.75, they were topped with parsley. Not a piece of garnish, but a large amount of dried leaves. Not really sure how the grits tasted either, I'm fairly sure they were a 50/50 mixture of grits and salt. To top off the experience the air conditioning wasn't working and it was hot and humid inside.
(1)Nicole C.
Great food! Lots to choose from. If you've never had chicken and waffles - you have to give it a try. Think "sweet & salty"! You'll be glad you did.
(5)Asia B.
Brought a meal here,chicken and waffles. It was pretty good but man was it expensive!!!! Not quite worth the price but it was pretty good.
(3)Catie F.
A large group of my friends went to Dame's for my Birthday party and I must say we had a rocky first impression. They wouldn't let us push our tables together so we had to sit our group at two different tables, which was annoying. I have to admit that I got a little snippy with the waitress about it but the meal more than made up for it! It's basically obesity on a plate but the delicious kind. I got the plain waffles with a chicken cutlet and peach schmear with the famous mac& cheese on the side. It was fatty, crispy, buttery, and decadent as you would expect from the ridiculous combination of fried chicken and waffles. I thoroughly enjoyed it as did everyone in my party. To top it off at the end of the meal they comped my meal because it was my Birthday which made me feel like a total jerk for being snippy about the table situation. I would recommend sharing a meal as the portion sizes are huge!
(4)Rachel W.
YES! I am a junior at UNC, and I have many friends in the Durham/NCCU area..I guess Duke too..Anyway, I have been coming here for two years since I was a freshman. I love this place; it is about 11-15 dollars per person depending on what you get. I usually get the Frizzled fowl, or the classy hen. It is pretty much all good! I wish I knew how to make chicken like this. I try, but it just doesn't work. Perfectly mixture of crisp and crunch, with a hot and juicy interior. Schmears (?) are a great addition to the chicken or waffle. It is pretty much good anyway you want to do it. I will say, the spicy collards are spicy! I have a very high tolerance, eating cajun, jalapenos, and very hot, hot, hot wings all the time, but I cough when I eat those. I would suggest the mac and cheese, which is cheesy and baked. Perfect! Have not had a bad experience there yet, and I've invited family and friends from out of town to this place. They all loved it!
(5)Alexia P.
Excellent spot to satisfy that waffle & chicken craving. Used to frequent Roscoe's on the left coast & now I have some place close to me East Coast home. Great service, good atmosphere (if a bit noisy), and the food is fantastic. Looking for somewhere casual for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner? This is the place :)
(5)C P.
Amazing chicken and waffles, but my personal fav is the grits!
(5)Michael D.
Fantastic food, great service, fun vibe. A wonderful (and relatively inexpensive) dining experience.
(5)Patrick C.
I went there today with my 3 year old son for lunch. Maybe it was the time we went (11:30am), but, unlike some folks here, we were seated very quickly and our food came out in a reasonable timeframe. Torn by too many good choices, I got the "Red Crested Rose-Comb" which comes with Strawberry creme. Having never had chicken and waffles before, I was impressed. I loved the mixture of sweet & savory/salty. It's like all the things I enjoy about the (admittedly, trashy) General Tso's chicken, except without the msg. My only complaint was the price, which seemed a bit high for lunch (they don't seem to offer a different lunch/dinner menu). My son loved it as well and probably could have finished an entire plate himself.
(4)Caroline J.
Dame's is just so dame good---haaaa. Really though, it's one of my favorite places to go and I love bringing people who've never tried. They always love it. The dishes are simple, chicken + waffles + smears. It's lovely. I love the mac and cheese here so much.
(5)Jackie Z.
Service was wonderful. Our waiter was extremely friendly and just all around welcoming. This was my first time here. The chicken is fried very nicely and the waffles just soak up the syrup in the perfect way. Best chicken and waffles I've had. Granted...I've only had Oakland's Home of Chicken and Waffles. I was definitely a fan of Dame's thicker waffles. Also the pre-created waffle chicken pairings made it easy on me. They were good! Even though it looked weird on paper. The mac and cheese was definitely a good call.
(5)poli E.
After packing up my office and shipping my books to my next office I was hungry. Where should I go for my last "work lunch" with the grad students? After toying with the idea of a Gourmet Kingdom run, we decided to go to Dames Chicken and Waffles. Most of our group had never been and those that had spoke highly of it. After taking the Bull City Connector to 5 points we arrived at about 1:45. After walking in, a hostess approached and asked us how many. We told her there were only the 4 of us. She then said, "It will be a 10 minute wait". We decided that would be fine. Then she said "You have to wait outside, it's our policy". We laughed, assuming it was a joke. She said, "No, you have to wait outside, it's our policy". We told her it was close to 100 degrees outside. She said again "we'll that's our policy, you have to wait outside". We asked if we could sit at the empty bar. No dice. Apparently, it is also policy not to allow people to wait at the bar. Even if they are the only people waiting, the bar is completely empty, and it is 100 degrees outside. At this point we decided that this was not the friendliest place to eat lunch, and made our way down to Toast where we had an excellent lunch that was probably cheaper, healthier and tastier than what we would have had at DC&W. Because we are all social science nerds, we occupied ourselves over lunch thinking about the amount of future income they had just forfeited due to this poor service. Not just our lunch money today, but all the future lunches, dinners for us, and our friends who we would tell. Also there are all the lunches and dinners with guest speakers, job market candidates and prospective grad students who we would not be bringing. One of the grad students called the manager to complain, and was told it was not their policy, but a requirement of the fire marshal. Well that makes sense. They have only the one entrance and it should not be blocked. Why was it not explained this way to us, and why could we not wait the few minutes at the empty bar? A simple "I know it's hot outside, but the fire marshal won't allow people to wait in the door way. You guys want to wait at the bar and go ahead and put your order in"? Would have made complete sense and endeared us to the place rather than making us feel like the guys behind the velvet rope at Studio 54, who are not cool enough to get in. When you are the new novel kid on the block it may be hard to remember that Durham has many great restaurants and that building customer loyalty is what allows a place to survive.
(1)Amy Y.
With customizable dishes, you can add your own twist to the menu by switching up your waffle of choice and shmear. I had the "classy hen" and would definitely recommend the maple pecan shmear on the waffle and topped off with more syrup.
(4)Scott R.
Food was overpriced. Service was terrible. Empty tables yet people were forced to stand in line outside. Someone sat at an empty table after several minutes of not being greeted by anyone and after being asked to get up and wait due to the table being reserved for someone else, the owner (?) then came to the front and told them to leave and that there were plenty of places downtown to eat. Wow. I grew up in a restaurant-owning family. I have worked in restaurants all my life. I have never seen anything like that before.
(1)Jessica G.
Where to begin....having been intrigued by the name of the restaurant itself, I couldn't resist when asked a few Sunday's ago where I'd like to go for Brunch...I knew when I said "Dame's Chicken & Waffles" I would be confronted with a bit of trepidation and assured my comrade that the culinary adventure would be worth it. And I am happy to report that Dame's did not did not disappoint...for starters the service was EXCEPTIONAL...so refreshing to have servers who are passionate about the menu...our server, Lamont, did a great job walking us thru the selection of waffles - a total of 10 I might add - WOW!!! I chose the Quilted Buttercup - a sweet potato waffle w/ fried chicken, accompanied by the mac n' cheese....let's just say a good long walk was had to ensure every delectable bite consumed was deserved =) Oh and lest I forget the "shmear" (aka "rock-your-face-butter) - was sooo good - I suggested having an appetizer w/ an assortment of these creamy treats. Suffice to say I WILL BE BACK... for my next visit I think I will try the Carolina Cockerel, or the Orange Speckled Chabo, or the Red Crested Rose-Comb...sooo many choices? I wonder if they have a frequent-diners rewards program???
(5)Boris D.
My first visit here was a very pleasant experience. The service was very courteous although there was a 15 minute wait to be seated. The fried chicken was delicious and they has a variety of waffles to offer. I ordered the Classy Ren, which is a boneless chicken breast served with a waffle, a toasted almond creme, dipping sauce and syrup. The meal came with a side order and I selected the fruit. I will return.
(4)Rachel M.
Service was on point, food was amazing and location was perfect! I got the Orange Speckled Chabot and asked for the Honey Dijon on the side and instead of Orange Honeycomb Shmear I got Maple-Pecan Shmear. I obviously can't compare which one is better because I didn't try the other one but what I got was absolutely delicious. I never ended up touching the Honey Dijon but I was 'mmmm-ing' every bite!! I would not only come back here again but I would also definitely get that same dish! We got the macaroni and the spicy mean greens as sides and both were great as well! I LOVE anything spicy and my tolerance for spicy food is ridiculously high, but there actually was a nice kick to the greens, so well done Dame's, well done! By far the best chicken and waffles in the traingle!
(5)Brandy G.
food is worth the hype. just go when you get the chance, you will not regret it. We did not have to wait for a table, so its not a bad idea to go during off hours to avoid the wait.
(5)John L.
OM NOM NOM NOM NOM NOM NOM! NOM NOM NOM! NOM! NOM! Dame's Chicken & Waffles specializes in... chicken and waffles! Both are amazing! I ordered the one with the chicken legs and the chocolate hazelnut butter spread. It was amazing. The chicken was perfectly cooked, a combination of tender inside and well-seasoned outside. The waffles were doughy goodness. In conclusion, chicken and waffles!!!
(5)Amy P.
Food was excellent! Service was excellent! My only suggestion would be a larger location in the Durham Downtown area or an expansion of its current location.
(4)G B.
Let me start off by saying that the food is excellent. Unfortunately, the service is not. As a disclaimer, let me say that I've only eaten their once, however I have attempted on four other occasions and was met with either disappointment or inconsistency. They originally had a statement on their website to "Meet us for breakfast from 9-11am" and when I arrived @ 10:15 that morning they were closed. When I knocked on the door and inquired about this with a young lady cleaning inside, she informed me that it was her first day and she didn't know why they were closed. The second time I checked the website again to insure that I had not made a mistake and it DID say "Join us for breakfast from 9-11am" and again they were closed. Assuming that maybe they just don't update their website as well as they should, and conceding to the reality that a "chicken & WAFFLES" subtitle does not explicitly imply "breakfast", I came back the next week around lunch time, they were...thankfully... open. Third times the charm I guess, because the food was great, the wait wasn't too long and I had a conversation with Dame himself who was sitting at the table next to my wife and I reading a newspaper. A good experience all around and I told him I would definitely be back. That would prove harder than anticipated... I'm not sure what time zone they operate on but I'm not so sure it EST. On labor day, I called to see if they were open and was told that they would be until 4pm, at 3:30 when I arrived I was greeted by a CLOSED sign while I watched people eat thru the window. I know it's a family owned business, so I assumed that maybe something came up and they needed to close early so I'll try again another day... which turned out to be this afternoon. After church today I called to see what time they would close and was told 3pm, I arrived at 2:40 to again be greeted by the friendly CLOSED sign with plenty of people inside dinning away. Some might say, GET THERE EARLIER!!! as if my expectations for a business to operate during it's posted hours is grossly unrealistic... that punctuality in business is too lofty of an idea and was not, in fact the change that Obama was talking about. I think I'll be voting for him again but that's not the point, the point is however that if Dame's happened to be where people needed to go to cast their votes... there's no guarantee they're open and if so, it's anyone's guess as to until when. And so DAME, because I don't want to see Mitt Romney in the White House, I must implore you to be open when you say you will. I understand you're a family owned business and things come up... but ... for the future of our nation... C'MON SON!!!!!
(3)Matt K.
Can you imagine a 45 minute wait for lunch being worth it? There are probably few places where you could say that, and this is one of them. We came by at noon on a sunny Thursday and waited outside until a table opened up. During our wait, we saw several cars get parking tickets in the 1 hour parking spaces on the street in front of the restaurant. I don't know how pricey the fine is, but yikes! There were more chicken and waffle combinations than I expected or could imagine. I had one with some maple pecan butter and it was very good. As you'd guess these things are pretty rich and filling so it might be worth sharing with a friend if you're a light eater. Or, plan to take a little box home.
(4)F Khristopher B.
I pledge allegiance to Dames... the best food spot (in my opinion) in the RDU... that is if you are someone like me from LA who likes chicken and waffles like I do. The menu is eclectic. The waffle and chicken combos are amazing... the sides are great, but once you go a few times, and I have been plenty, you wish for a more diverse selection. The vibe is cool... in the middle of downtown on Main street... and it stays busy, it is a very popular spot and with good reason.
(5)Dinky B.
This was my first time eating chicken and waffles, I loved it! I had a regular waffle, chicken cutlet with pecan honey butter. Delish! The place was very busy, but it didn't take long to get served. Our waiter Marcus, was fast and friendly. I would definitely go back.
(5)Aeriel B.
I got the peach orange on the specialty menu and it was a good choice! The cutlet was delicious but the waffle itself wasn't expected. It was a little soggy. I don't know if it is because of the moisture of the chicken but it wasn't as good. Overall it was a good experience because the honey Dijon sprinkled on the sweet potato waffle and the peach schmear were a good pair! I also got the squash and onion side and it was DELISHH! Such a long wait. I waited 1 1/2 hours but was only told to wait one hour. You should have a lot of time for this. Okay service.
(4)Molly H.
While the waffles were perfect, and the shmears were intriguing, I wasn't amazed by the fried chicken. The wings were huge, but the flavor was bland and they were a bit overcooked. However, the quality of the waffles and the creativity in the flavor combinations with the shmears made up for the lackluster chicken. Next time I'll just order the waffles!
(4)Jourdan C.
This place is one of my favorite restaurants I've ever been to. I always get the sweet potato waffle with vanilla/almond smear. It is so, so, SO good. I give it four stars because the wait to sit down is pretty outrageous. Usually it takes about two hours from the time you get there to when you finish. I've never been without waiting at least 30 minutes. The restaurant is quite small so seating is limited. Also, sometimes the wait staff is inattentive. But generally the owner is walking around, greeting tables and helping out - something I really appreciate about small business ownership.
(4)Maya M.
BEST FOOD! Great service! Went to NC for a weekend visit & I would totally go back just to eat here again. It was honestly the best chicken & waffles experience I've had in a while. I also ordered a side of grits & mac & cheese which was absolutely delish! Expect a wait due to it's warranted popularity. However, it'll be well worth it. The service was friendly & does a great job explaining their speciality of smear, for those who haven't tried it before. If your in the mood for chicken & waffles and are in downtown Durham, Dame's is definitely the place to go!
(5)Chris J.
This is one of my favorite spots to meet friends or take family that is visiting from out of town. Absolutely awesome!!!! The waffles are my favorite part, but the side items are always great and the way that the chicken is seasoned is divine!!! If you're visiting the area please do yourself a favor and GO!!!
(5)Donnell P.
I always order the Classy Hen with collard greens and Mac and cheese. Try it out you won't be disappointed :-)
(5)Ashley V.
Oh man, this place is so yummy. This was my first experience with Chicken & Waffles and I was pleasantly surprised. The service was attentive, the food came out quickly and it was delicious. I ordered the sweet potato waffles and chicken. The balance of the sweet potato, syrup and chicken worked together perfectly. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking to experience Chicken & Waffles for the 1st or the 40th time. You won't be disappointed! One tip, get there early-- maybe even about ten minutes before they open. There will already be a wait, but you will get in a lot quicker that way.
(5)Ian N.
Great food!! Very popular so we had to wait about an hour for table, which was not a problem as bar upstairs. Love the decor. The only thing I didn't like was the acoustics of the place. Low ceiling meant it was loud!
(4)Brittany G.
WOW. That's a good waffle! I came here with the morning show at my job, on a busy weekday afternoon. Luckily we didn't have to wait more than five minutes for a table for 6 and once we were in we were served almost immediately once we were in. Service was great and the owner (I believe it was him at least) even came over to see how it was (but that may have just been because of who I was with!). I ordered a gingerbread waffle with two chicken legs and orange shmear and a side of mac and cheese. Naturally I dig in and make the comparison to my other favorite chicken and waffle joint; Beasley's. Waffles: Once again, WOW. That's a good waffle! I had the gingerbread and it was flavorful and HUGE. MUCH more creative than Beasley's...I could eat them every day! Chicken: I liked the chicken, but Beasley's wins out on this one, there wasn't any wow factor with it at Dames, it was just good basic chicken. Don't get me wrong it definitely wasn't terrible! I probably should have put some honey or syrup on it. Condiments: I tried the shmears of everyone at the table and the variety and different flavors win out easily! While I love honey, there are just so many more choices at Dames! They also take suggestions on what to make next! So cool! Mac and Cheese: I'm sorry Dames but your mac and cheese was strange...It was like a packet of Italian seasoning was covering my kraft mac and cheese. I'm a sucker for baked mac and cheese which is why Beasley's wins. All in all I CAN'T wait to go back to Dames, though i'll probably order a different side next time (the collards looked good!)
(4)Jennifer W.
Oh. Oh, wow. Yes ma'am. This place is amazing. I got the Classy Hen and regular waffle, with the peaches and cream spread. TBH, it's so rich between the fried chicken and the syrup that I didn't even use the butter spread - but you aren't eating at Dame's as part of your weight loss plan, so might as well not hold back. I recommend the cheese grits and the mac and cheese as sides. Oh! Get there early to put your name on the list - they're popular.
(5)Desiree C.
The food (mine was bruff brahmas n hot and spicy greens) was simply delicious. I'm soooo glad our waiter suggested the sweet potatoe waffle which was mouth watering and the perfect touch. We had a large party of 11 but we were accommodated, did not have to wait long for our food; however the restaurant is small and we were cramped. Friendly atmosphere. Lovely artwork of musicians. A great memory of downtown Durham for my 4 of July visit with family !!! I'll be back !
(5)Margaret N.
Craving greasy, delicious food? This place is worth the hype! Make sure to call ahead of time and make reservations, or else you will need to wait for more than an hour for a table. Restaurant space isn't that huge, but service makes up for it. My friends and I got waited on by multiple waiters and waitresses. Had the chicken legs and they were nice, juicy and flavorful! My friend got the chicken cutlet and it was crispy and juicy as well. Definitely ask for the hot sauce... Delish and tangy! Got the sweet potato waffles with maple pecan smear and it was nice and crispy, and delish!!! You can swap any waffle and smear to the combos, to your liking. Wasn't a huge fan of the Mac and Cheese... It had too much parsley and rosemary, and not enough cheese. Could've used the melted cheese on top. Definitely going back!
(5)Chris H.
Quick and efficient service. The chicken and waffle combination is beyond description. The waffle is ridiculously soft and moist with the perfect amount of sweetness. Not overly sugary. Does not even require syrup. The chicken is moist and juicy and succulent. I had the Buff Brahmas with two chicken cutlets and vanilla/almond shmear and my fiancé had the Red Crusted Rose Comb. The shmear you place on the waffle is delicious in and of itself. Combined with the chicken and waffle and it's perfection. We also had macaroni and cheese and cheesy grits which we both readily enjoyed. If ever we go back through Durham it's a must stop. TIP: You can go online and make reservations which I would recommend since the restaurant isn't large and can get pretty right. And there is plenty of free street parking around.
(5)Sam C.
Pretty darn good and simple combos.
(4)David S.
This place does not like interracial couples. I am a thirty year old white male, my fiance is a 29 year old African American woman when we came onto the establishment standing next to each other I was asked if it was a table for one. It was plain to see that we were together, by the proximity in which we were standing. When I stated that it was for two, and made mention that we are standing together, the employee who we later found out is the manager, started to laugh never once offering an apology. At this time we were told there would be a wait, which was fine it was a busy time for lunch. The man, I believe his name was Eric, asked if we would sit at the bar or wanted a table. We stated either would be fine. Thirty minutes later I get a page that our reservation is ready. When we come into the establishment he proceeds to bring is to a table by the end of the bar while there is a table open. When asked if we should sit at the table he said we couldn't because there was a table ahead of us, and would have to wait longer. At this point my frustration became apparent cause Eric asked me what is wrong. When we make the issue previously stated, we were quickly shooed outside. At no time did the man ever seem apologetic, or understand why we were going upset at the issue. When we asked for the name, or number for the owner or general manager we were given a flyer for the establishment without letting us know who the person we wished to speak to was. I regret not being able to dine there but this whole experience has left a sour taste in my mouth.
(1)Adam B.
If you don't think that Dame's is awesome... then you need to take awesome lessons. The chicken has a brown sugary, sweet crispiness to it, with just the right amount of crunch. The waffles are pieces of nook filled heaven plates, where the chicken is just happy to be placed upon. You'll love the smears, which vary in flavors of fruit like strawberry or peach, or exotic like nutella and almond. This is not my longest review, because it just doesn't need to be. There's ALWAYS a line out the door and down the street. Part of it is due to limited seating, and part of it is because Dame's just does it well. Have a waffle, change your life, and leave very full :)
(5)Lukas D.
Great waffles and good service, different type of restaurant but an overall enjoyable time. Would recommend to anyone for breakfast or lunch.
(4)Robert A.
I've only been to Dame's once because I am not local to the area, but went on a friends recommendation. Ok, so it was incredibly hard to decide, but I went with the chicken and waffle with some kind of chocolate smear, but i can't remember what it was called! Anyway, food is great, atmosphere is upbeat. I took a star off not for anything they don't do right but because the wait to get in the place :) Dames is very popular and my suggestion is to go when you anticipate it's not a going to be crowed for a five-star experience.
(4)J S.
If you've never had chicken and waffles before, this is a pretty good place to start. Make sure you try all the different schmers. They really make the meal. Note: I usually only review the food, but I'll make an exception for Dame's. BEWARE: The wait times are some of the longest of any restaurant in Durham. Especially if you are trying to get there for brunch. I've waited upwards of 90 minutes before.
(4)Grace H.
Got the Orange Sweet Potato Chicken & Waffles. Heart Attack coming, Love Handles Forming....But oh so worth it at the moment. I will probably at this only once every 6 months so because it is so unhealthy, I am giving it 3 stars, lol. PROS: 1) Free parking on weekends 2) Not that long of a wait 3) Good food - Sweet Potato Waffle, Mac & Cheese (Not your typical mac & cheese, it had herbs in it , which was delicious) , Smear (Orange - very delicious). But the fried chicken sort of lacked flavor on the inside , though it was nicely fried. CONS: 1) Too expensive. It was like $14 for chicken & waffles..I guess a good experience 2) Too unhealthy - I can feel something bad happening in my stomach lol Overall, good food. But would probably not be returning for a while.
(3)Michael L.
After all the hype, I was really expecting more. We had a reservation, still had to wait for 20 minutes to get seated. The host was curt, the waitress was inattentive and rude, and the food was mediocre at best. Just go to Beasley's in Raleigh and have a much better experience.
(2)Lizzy L.
I was hesitant, like many others before me, about this whole eat-chicken-in-the-same-bite-as-waffle thing, but I am now fully converted because I loved my lunch here today! First things first, make a reservation before you go. We reserved a table for 6 and got a table within 10 minutes when we arrived. Street parking was tight and we ended up parking 2 blocks away. Secondly, the mac n cheese IS as amazing as everyone says. I now understand why it is much raved about, because it deserves it. There's some other seasoning/herbs that give it the perfect flavor in addition to the 3 cheeses and I wish I had the recipe. I am definitely coming back here for the mac n cheese. The chicken and waffles: I ordered A Quilted Buttercup (cutlet + sweet potato waffle) with a blueberry schmear. You can switch the waffle flavor and schmear flavor to anything you like, you just have to keep the type of chicken (cutlet, drumstick, etc.) when you order. My hubby ordered What a Classy Hen (cutlet) + blueberry waffle + vanilla schmear. The cutlet was AMAZING. I seriously think it's some of the best fried chicken I've had in awhile. Super flavorful and crunchy and filling and comforting in my tummy. Not too greasy. I took a chunk of waffle with schmear and a chunk of chicken and ate it together and it was awesome! I liked that the sweet potato waffle had a hint of cinnamon to it. It is a bit more "mushy" than the blueberry waffle though, if you prefer crispy waffles with fluffy interiors. I also got a side of "hot & spicy greens" and they were definitely spicy...and a bit sour? Not my favorite part of the meal, but if you like strong and spicy, they fit criteria for both. I still prefer the mac n cheese as a side. I had wonderful service the whole time we were there and will be coming back!
(4)Tiffany P.
My hubby and I were actually headed to a different breakfast eatery on the same strip when we walked past Dames and they had just opened the doors. I had never been before, hubby has, and we decided to grab a seat before the line formed. The place is small and quaint and could definitely use more seating. Once we got our food, I then understood why there is always a line waiting for this charming local find. It was amazing delicious and I cannot wait to go again. My advice is to go right when it opens or during a slower weekday. Also, I was asked if I would like to try a smear and I got one only to find out that they charge extra and I barely touched mine. So ask before ordering one since they don't come out and tell you that it is an additional fee. All in all, a great find in Durham!
(5)Danielle D.
Food is great! I'm not a huge fan of this waffle and chicken idea, but their spreads are amazingly flavorful. The mimosa like drink selection is very interesting as well. We sat at the bar and the bartender was very polite and attentive. Only complaint would be the male host. He quoted us 30 min, we were sat in 1hr and 15min. Sure, I get that you can't control the surroundings, but, when we inquired about the status, he completely snapped at us. We had just run the 5k color vibe and did not have the energy for that sort of negativity. We didn't say another word to him. But jeez, maybe having someone that is capable of snapping like that at the front of the house is not the best idea. Hosts are to begin the great experience. Thanks to the bartender for being such a sweetheart and redeeming the experience.
(4)Dani R.
Dame's is a treasure in downtown Durham. I went with classmates after our final exams and it is a wonderful treat. It is a small restaurant so come during the week or right when they open for the shortest wait time. The staff is extremely nice and answered all of our questions. Order: The mimosas. They have several kinds of mimosas and they make them with the small bottles of champagne and they give you the extra champagne to add or drink solo if you want. Frizzled fowl. Oh my gosh. It is panko breaded and fried chicken breasts, waffle, blueberry shmear, almonds, and plum sauce and it is worth any sort of wait. I love this dish and a little bit of syrup makes it perfection. Their sides are amazing - the mac and cheese is fresh and hot and the portion sizes are large. Come early, try not to bring too big of a party, and try their delicious chicken!!
(5)Mark C.
I'm a believer! My first time trying the famous combo an loved it. I won't belabor what we ate. It was chicken and waffles with various sweet smears. What more do you need to know? I'll be back!
(4)Alexa O.
This place is just too good. Dames introduced me to chicken and waffles which is my be why I love it so much. I get the chicken wings and the blueberry waffle with peach and apricot smear. It sounds weird, but trust me it is amazing! You should make a reservation in advance though. It gets pretty busy especially on the weekends.
(5)Sarah D.
Went here for the first time today and it is now one of my all-time favorite restaurants. The 30 minute wait was totally worth it, and a tribute to how great the food is! Service was great and they brought our food out quickly despite the restaurant being completely full. And the food...oh my goodness, the food. Waffles and chicken were both phenomenal. Also, a great value for the amount of food you got...my dish was easily 2 separate meals! We will certainly be back!
(5)Katina M.
I would like to say I'm very disappointed with Dames chicken & waffles! I go food from there last night and was very mad ! The collards were way to spicy ! Someone let loose with the pepper flakes ! The waffles had no fluff at at flat as a table top ! The chicken was burnt too big and just not good at all ! If your gonna do chicken & waffles please do it right ! This is the second time their service has sucked ! Last time the waiter was a complete bitch ! She was asking for a total ass whopping ! Anyway I wont eat there again unless the food & service changes !
(1)S D.
Went there for Sunday brunch...had to wait in line 45 minutes before being seated!! After finally being seated, had to wait 20 minutes for drinks. Then to top it all off, after we finally got our food, the chicken was so tough I had to send it back, the grits were bland, the scrambled eggs were forgettable, and the waffles were dry. The only bright spot was the shmear. It was pretty good. I will never eat there again!!!
(1)Jessica C.
I really like the atmosphere here, and the smell when you walk in is fantastic! The sides are especially good and it's a fun place to eat. I much prefer the chicken to the waffles and the different smears are a nice touch. Would recommend everyone try, although if you go on a weekend expect to wait!
(4)Tara M.
It's dangerous that Dame's is walking distance to where I live. This place is definitely worth a try. The service was a bit slow but the food was worth it.
(4)First L.
I love this place! And I'm not one that would typically be a fan of chicken & waffles fare, if for no other reason than that it's a nutritional atrocity. But far beyond my expectations, the food was YUMMY! The chicken was moist and delicious, cooked perfectly, with breading that was herbed for extra flavor and not greasy. The waffle I couldn't stop eating -- it was good in its own right (and I'm not a big waffle fan) -- and on top of that the shmears were so good that I couldn't pass up one bite. My only criticism is that they served drinks in paper cups, which is just tacky and unpleasant. If it weren't for that I would have thought I was somewhere a bit more upscale. This place has a nice atmosphere, as well. Lots of families out to dinner, but dressed up a bit, to make for a nice casual night out with surprisingly good food.
(5)Romenna J.
The waffles and smears(flavored butters) are why this restauarant gets 5 stars from me(and my family). With waffle flavors like sweet potato and butters flavored in strawberry and orange, this place is a love at first sight(menu) and bite experience. Their creativity with the chicken and waffles theme is a winner. This is a place that my out of town guest will be taken to. Durham has been long overdue for a place like this. I hope to see it around for a long time.
(5)Kevin B.
This place rocks! I wish I could eat there more often but my waistline can't handle it. Wonderful comfort food! Love it!!
(5)Kevin C.
roscoes ain't got shieeet on Dame's
(4)Nancy H.
Can't live in the south and not have chicken and waffles! Dame's takes the classic a step further with a variety of shmears like blueberry, vanilla and toasted almond creme, peach and apricot creme, chocolate hazelnut, etc. and by offering blueberry, sweet potato, and classic waffles. I ordered the "Frizzled Fowl," (a panko crusted chicken cutlet nested atop a classic waffle shmeared w/ baby blueberry, all drizzled w/ plum sauce and sliced almonds). I didn't find out until after I ordered that the "Frizzled Fowl" comes with the biggest portion size of chicken out of the ten options on the menu. The waitress wasn't lying, it was HUGE! I made everyone take a piece and I guess the consensus was that the Frizzled Fowl was the favorite out of the other orders of "Orange Speckled Chabo," "A Quilted Buttercup," and another one ordered. The plum sauce is key because the panko crust wasn't really panko, but the sauce made up for that. I did try my friend's sweet potato waffle and I liked the classic better. The sweet potato waffle had a ginger spice kick to it that to me is best in a gingerbread cookie. Service was really nice, although we got some questionable looks, coming in close to closing time, even though we had called ahead. Liked the jazz decor. FYI: You can make your own combo of chicken and waffles, which I didn't know until after I ordered. Next time! Oh and the mac n cheese side did not disappoint!
(4)Susan M.
I was pretty skeptical about this combo, but OMG.....yum! The seasoning on the chicken is awesome, and the waffles are so fluffy but not dry. Try the spicy greens, but be ready for some serious heat!
(5)Megan M.
Deeeeelicious! Gourmet styling of a classic...loved the honey mustard orange with sweet potato waffles. AND, the prices are decent.
(5)Faith X.
I think this place is a bit overrated. The concept of chicken and waffles seems incredible, but in reality, taste is just so-so. They do a great job of going through the menu with you and selections are pretty great. The chicken tasted great, the waffles were okay, and together, it was just...okay. I wouldn't mind going back, but I don't think I'll ever get a craving for it. A bit disappointing.
(3)Roxanne R.
Dame's chicken and waffles is one of the most delicious meals I can remember having. I had fried chicken breast between two sweet potato waffles sprinkled in confectioner's sugar with a side of maple pecan butter. It was delicious, decadent, different, comforting, and homey. It was a real treat for everyone - myself, my husband, and my two-year-old. We will definitely be going back. Also, our waiter, Nigel, was a gracious guide through our first chicken & waffles experience.
(5)Joyce B.
best chicken and waffles i've had. got the classic hen with fried chicken and sweet potato waffles. yum~ also had the mac n cheese but didn't think it was so great.
(4)Dorian B.
Great service, better food. The shmears on the waffles acted as a perfect counterbalance to the fried chicken. Be prepared to wait a little while for a table but, it's definitely worth it.
(5)Angela E.
Dame's food is delicious and he is also a wonderful guy! A group of us went there on a break from our daughters' Triangle Youth Ballet Nutcracker performances. The young ballerinas were excited to try the famed chicken and waffles but the restaurant was packed. Dame himself was working the front of the room and said he could not seat us. Seeing the sad faces, he then said "give me 10 minutes." Next thing you know, he was handing us four full meals of his delicious foods ON THE HOUSE!. He really made our night and we will be devoted chicken and waffle lovers forever. Thank you Dame!
(5)Jacques P.
Wife & I went on Sunday. The waffles weren't anything special, but the fried chicken.. it was to die for. They had nice sides, though the mac and cheese was more mac than cheese. Again, the fried chicken.. fantastic! The "shmeres" were nice, as was the sauces on each meal. Need to go again to get a better feel for the food. But there's a 100% chance we will go again. THE FRIED CHICKEN!! Gah! Wish I had some right now.
(4)Leo C.
The Sweet potato waffle is awesome!!
(5)KD M.
I have always enjoyed every meal at Dame's. Put simply they have excellent food and excellent service. But, what put them over the top for me was when I used Dame's to cater my father's surprise 70th birthday/retirement party. I worked with Mike (a manager) to come up with the menu and find out how much food I would need to accommodate everyone. Mike was very professional and even was gracious enough to meet with my mom and I (over chicken and waffles of course), to finalize the menu and answer our questions. I was elated and so was everyone else at the party because their service and food exceeded all expectations. Thank you Dame's and (manager Mike) for helping me to make my event a complete success!
(5)S P.
Had the chicken and waffles and it was tasty but I was expecting more which is why I gave it 4 stars. It wasn't spectacular.
(4)Tom L.
Waffles are good. Chicken was a little salty and not very flavorful.
(3)Jackie S.
The only thing that keeps this business alive is the uniqueness of the chicken and waffle combination. I've been four times, and every time, my party and I have had to stand at the door waiting for a good amount of time for a hostess to greet us. There are also not enough servers on staff. I see one server to about five tables, and that is excessive because this place is always busy. I only go here when I have friends visiting from out of town, and they want to experience a "Durham-only" kind of place. Dame's Chicken & Waffles also NEVER answers their phone. Food is good, but good customer service is vital too.
(2)Taylor T.
Amazing food. Wait times can get long, I recommend calling ahead
(5)Gian J.
Would have been 5 stars if not for the indifferent service. The fried chicken is fantastic! I'll say it again, the fried chicken is fantastic! The waffles were also very good. Light fluffy and tasty. Did I mention the fried chicken?! Simple menu, good prices, great chicken. 'Nuff said!
(4)Kimberly Y.
This place has a really cool vibe. I love the pictures on the walls of jazz greats. As for the food, you really cannot compare this chicken & waffles joint to any other. I've eaten at Roscoe's on Pico in Los Angeles, and this place is better. The waffle is scrumptious and the chicken is not overly salty. The mac and cheese was definitely on point. Too bad the greens weren't ready yet, because that's how I judge a soul food restaurant. For Saturday brunch, it hit the spot.
(4)Mr E.
Went to Dames last night (Saturday, 1/8) with my family of seven. I had a bit of trepidation after reading the review of D-Man N from 2 days prior. I am happy to report a drastically different experience. I called about 90 minutes ahead and reserved a table for 7. I was told that it would be no problem to push two tables together for us. Upon arrival our table was prepared and had a sign on it with my name. We were seated immediately and our server Lamont introduced himself and explained the basic structure of the menu. He brought drinks immediately, offering a full spectrum of beverages. Our order was taken within 10 minutes, even though the restaurant was rapidly filling by 5:45. We waited about 15 minutes for our meal. During this time, we enjoyed our drinks, the jazz music and intriguingly artful decor. The food was as described by others. Wholly original in its conception and execution. The food arrived simultaneously for all seven of us with much enjoyment and sharing of flavors. Upon completion of the meal, I paid with a Mastercard. Lamont explained that they accept everything except American Express. By the time that we left at 6:15, every table in the restaurant was taken. As we left, I was so pleased by the experience and service, specifically in contrast to that reported just a few days prior, that I was motivated to write this my first review on yelp.
(4)Jenean E.
I love love love this place. It was a bit pricey, but I think worth it- big portions, delicious, and a side included. The service (table service) was so welcoming and prompt. My blueberry waffle was so good my 3 year old that barely eats these days raved and ate 1/2 of mine. The fried chicken was as good as it gets (as was the mac n cheese). The shmear (apricot) was soooo good. With so many things going on on one plate (hot sauce, shmear, syrup, chicken, waffle) how do you eat it? Together? Separately? Either! Can't wait to go back and try a different combo.
(5)Kat M.
Still 5 stars. More chicken and waffles please! The wait (for brunch in particular) can be long and the coffee is bad but the chicken and waffles are divine. This was first time ordering off the real menu and I was surprised by how large the portions were. I got the orange speckled something or other and there was no way I could eat it all. The barnyard honcho is immense and even my friend with a bottomless pit for a stomach needed a to-go box. My other friends got the quilted buttercup and were happy they had ordered something "petit" bc it was still too much food for them. BTW the mac and cheese side was AMAZING (Two thumbs up from our entire group of 8 who tried it). I didn't have any problem with soggy waffles or boiled chicken. My waffles were definitely fresh as was the chicken. My only complaint was the coffee situation. We had to wait for the big industrial percolator thing to do its business and they don't have cream or milk, only powdered creamer. However, the coffee is free I think so perhaps you get what you pay for? If you are worried about the wait I think you can call for a table ahead of time. It helps if you are going to show up with more than 4 people.
(5)Kate B.
Oh my goodness, this place is the BEST! Although, I will admit--I don't eat meat. So I can't judge the chicken. However, the cheese eggs are amazing, and the grits are the best I've ever had. The waffles are always delicious and don't get me started on the flavored butters--amazing!!! As for the service, it's only gotten better with time. All restaurants need a few months to work out some things. This week I had an awesome server. I'm sure he was incredibly busy (had many tables around us) but he still took time to explain the dishes, check up on us, get us boxes, etc. And the hostess was really nice. Only downside is the wait, but suck it up!! It's not their fault their business is going so well, and the place isn't very big! Trust me, it IS worth it.
(5)Jennifer S.
I'm going to have to be the dissenting voice on this one. I'd been looking forward to trying Dame's for months, but like another poster, was having a hard time convincing friends that this was a good plan and wouldn't kill us dead of a heart attack instantaneously. Finally, we went last weekend. I *really* wanted to like this place, but it just had a few too many strikes against it to get that next star. When we got there, it was fairly busy, but we were seated pretty much immediately and handed menus. Then we waited. And waited. Seems our server was less than prompt, in taking drink orders, or food orders, or bringing food, or... you get the idea. So that was a big problem, though not as bad as it could have been given we weren't in a rush to get anywhere. Ambience was rather nice, if unexpected - they have a "jazz" theme going (emphatically - the place gets a bit loud with conversation AND music). I rather wonder what the location was before Dame's, as to whether the columns belong to a previous location or whether they put them in. So, the most important part: the food. I tried the "What a Classy Hen", which is a breaded cutlet on a plain waffle with a vanilla-almond schmear. The chicken itself was wonderful - breading was tasty, chicken was moist, yum. The waffle, though... too thin and too limp, almost undercooked., and the schmear was ok but a little artificial tasting. The mac and cheese was great though, with a distinct herb flavor that made it a bit more interesting than standard pasta+cheddar flavors. I may go back to Dame's and give them another try, but it wasn't the experience that I was hoping for.
(3)Dave L.
Stepped into Dame's for lunch last week and mmm, mmm, mmm was it good. We arrived at about 11:30 on a Thursday and had no problem getting a table. By 12 it was packed. I was expecting a hole-in-the-wall type place, but the inside is quite nice. I ordered the Dueling Roosters: four chicken wings two fried and two jerk, but they did not have the jerk prepared so I got four fried with a couple different sauces. The wings were very good by themselves and the hot dunking sauce put them over the top. Having the waffle after the wings was a nice treat. For a side I went with the yellow squash, it was also yummy. Others at the table sampled sweet potatoe waffles, a variety of "smears' and the mac & cheese - everyone was happy with their food. Overall the service was good, we were out the door with a beverage for about $12 per person. When I get the urge for chicken and waffles again I would not hesitate to head to Dame's.
(4)Ben S.
It's my birthday today. I had been meaning to try this place for quite some time, and my girlfriend and I decided to make it a date. Their website said they were open until 8 PM Tuesday-Thursday. Today is a Tuesday. We waited for our appetites to peak, and maybe twenty minutes ago, we made the drive over. We parked, walked over, and the lights were all out and the chairs were upside down on the tables. I didn't see a note on the door. Another couple was standing there disappointed as well. Seriously? In this day and age, you can't update your website when your business is going to be closed? Thanks, Dame's. Way to make a good impression.
(1)Lynda S.
After reading some of the reviews on Yelp my husband and I decided to give Dame's Chicken & Waffles a try last Saturday. We got there around noon and the place was packed. There was no official greeter, and one of the customers told me, "You'll just have to wait til someone gets up and leaves to get a table." Well, I depend on a cane to walk so the thought of "waiting" was discouraging. I did manage to find a long bench in the back where I went and sat. Still, I was never greeted or acknowledged by any one working there. We saw a couple sitting at a 4 top and asked if we could share their table. They were very nice and said "sure." After approx. 30-45 minutes in the restaurant the people with whom we were sharing the table got their food. That's when we asked the wait person if he could take our order. He was very polite, but said he was the only one working in the front of the house and would get to us as soon as he could. Again, he was very polite. We finally placed our order, and quite frankly, when the food came it looked like it was just thrown on the plate. (We had the quilted buttercup) The waffles were thin and soggy. The chicken was bland and looked more broiled than fried. The smear was nothing more than maple syrup with some pecans in it. People were waiting and waiting for seats, the place seemed totally disorganized, but let me say, we were treated with courtesy and respect by the staff. No, I will not go back there nor would I recommend it to any of my friends. These folks have a good idea, it's a pity they are executing it so poorly.
(2)Laura C.
Waffles were wonderful, light, and fluffy- definitely the highlight of the meal. The chicken was good but I would have liked to see a smothered version (Roscoe's has it). Service was also quick ad attentive.
(4)Caroline S.
This place is no frills, good food. Perfectly fried chicken laid lovingly atop a scrumptious waffle. A bit on the pricey side (average $10), but what a splurge for lunch or dinner!
(4)Timothy C.
Underwhelmed... my wife and I went during lunch with a friend. The wait wasn't too bad, but it was a bit noisy. We were expecting great things because of all the hype. Our server was friendly and knowlegable about the menu and made good suggestions. The wait was a bit longer than I expected since we only ordered chicken and waffles and some sides, however, it was quite busy so no real complaint there. Once the food got there things went downhill. The waffles were heavy and rubbery and the chicken was just average. My friend said that the food was usually much better, so maybe you we caught them on a bad day... I dunno. I will say that the side items were in point... very flavorful and quite tasty. Maybe I expected too much from all of the hype, but I don't feel compelled to stand in the long line that is usually in front of the place to see if my visit was a fluke. Food was a 2 star visit. Service bumped it up to three.
(3)Annabel S.
Friendly service and the fried chicken was to die for! I had the sweet potato waffle with chicken. The order comes with one side but my son and I didn't have room to eat more. Definitely want to come back to try the gingerbread waffle....
(5)Photon O.
Waffles for dinner? Waffles + chicken for dinner? yes! Sweet potato waffles with a fried chicken cutlet, honey dijon mustard, orange smear, and maple syrup. SO GOOD This place has amazingly delicious food, but also some bizarre things. The waiters are really nice but also very relaxed - so much so that it still seems like a new restaurant, instead of a happening place in downtown durham. The house salad has baby greens, sliced nuts, cranberries, and... bottled dressing. The mac and cheese is really good, and the fruit is fresh and not canned/cooked, which I appreciate. Maybe they are taking the juxtaposition thing a little too far? Either way, I will be back. It was a perfect ending to a long day at work.
(4)Barb B.
My friend and I would love to have tried the food, but Dame's didn't honor our reservation even after calling to confirm earlier that afternoon. We arrived 10 min early. The hostess abruptly advised that they were closed, even there were people being escorted to tables and given menus and other diners eating. She then told us we would have to wait the 10 minutes and no waiting inside the restaurant. We started walking around outside and within 5 minutes, she called back to say they had a large party coming in and couldn't seat us for at least an hour. Needless to say, I opened the Yelp app on my phone and quickly found another place nearby to eat
(1)Naomi K.
Chicken and waffles, the perfect comfort food. They have quite a few choice combinations. The flavored butter is a nice twist. Side dishes were small, but tasty. The squash with grilled onions was savory and delicious. The macaroni and cheese was also quite tasty but seemed like it had been sitting out for a while, under a heat lamp- it would have been perfect if it was fresh. The waffles, although tasty, seemed like they were frozen from a package. The chicken was delicious, particularly the cutlet with the seasoning in the batter. Probably the best part was our server. He was hustling around making sure things were going smoothly. The other workers there seemed to be standing around quite a bit, not sure which tables they needed to take care of, but our server was certainly pulling his weight. He was polite and well mannered. Our receipt says Jimmy, so hopefully that's the right guy. Looks like they're still working out the kinks in the mechanics of the business. Definitely something you can only eat once in a while because it can't possibly be good for your arteries.
(4)denise t.
The chicken cutlet and waffle combination is simply heaven. But be prepared for long waits for both table and service. Save yourself the aggravation and make a reservation. It is also quite noisy.
(4)Jaimie C.
What a fun place. I went with some co-workers for a friends birthday. Although I'm not a meat eater, I was able to enjoy the amazing waffles. They have these great whipped butter creations called "smears". I ordered a sweet potato waffle with the almond & honey butter and a side of fruit. Amazing! Their syrup is a bit on the sweet side but I of course smothered my waffle with it and asked for an additional portion. This is def southern home cooking. The side options change daily and follow a "collard greens", "mac-n-cheese", "grits" or "watermelon for fruit" trend. Everyone at the table really enjoyed the salty/sweet combo of the fried chicken with waffle creations. Potentially, the sugar wouldn't be as strong if I was able to balance it out with a good ole piece of fried chicken. The bill pay system was a bit wacky. You stand in line to order your meal, but don't pay at the time you order. You have a waiter/waitress bring out the bill afterward. Then you have to stand in line again to pay. Just seems like it might be easier to go ahead and pay before when you order. I would go back but this isn't a spot where I'd go back once a week. The sugar comma I fell into later that afternoon couldn't be something I did every week.
(3)Melissa G.
Even with the hour long wait I would still say this place is amazing!!! Huge portions. I saved my chicken and waffles for breakfast the next day. Threw the waffles in the toaster oven and voila nice, crisp and ready!!! Soooo delicious!!
(5)Ryan B.
Came here for brunch on Sunday and waited almost 1.5 hours for a table for 4 people. Chicken was good, but the waffles were amazing! Almost worth the wait. Very friendly waitress and host. speedy service once actually seated. evidently you can only make a reservation more than 24hours in advance.
(4)Danielle L.
Too much Thyme in Mac and cheese. Service very slow. No management walking around to see how things were going. 1st and last visit.
(2)Shareef S.
I have been here one time so far and trying to work my way back. Chicken & Waffle combination is great alone but his place takes it to another level.
(5)Mimi T.
Ok, regarding the food here- I rate it 5 stars. This is a very special restaurant and I suggest it especially for out of towners to try something that is not easily accessible in other places- the chicken is very well seasoned, moist, and with a slightly crispy outside texture. The 3 of us tried several items on the menu and shared everything. The flavored smears were surprisingly subtle and delicious. The combo of waffles and chicken is shockingly yummy. The descriptions on the menu seem bizarre, but amazingly, the flavors go together quite well and are well balanced. Regarding service, I rate it 2 stars. This could be a fluke, but based on some of the other reviews here I see that some people had an issue with the service as well. We waited FOREVER to be seated for brunch on a saturday and were told we could not wait inside and must wait outside in the cold. After a while, being so cold outside, they let us in, but told us we must wait in the tiny back hallway by the bathrooms. Ok. This made the experience worse because we had to observe the loads of empty tables that they weren't seating people on. Why not let people sit down rather than waiting in the dingy hallway or cold outdoors? We would definitely have preferred to sit at a table sipping drinks and chatting, waiting to be served, than waiting in the other uncomfortable circumstances. The hostess was preparing each table in a strangely inefficient way, getting one table setting at a time and walking back and forth. When she completed this ritual for 1 table, which appeared to take approximately 10 minutes, then she went outside to get the next group and seat them. So I don't know if they just didn't want to seat people quickly for some reason or if this hostess's inefficiency was the problem. It was pretty painful to watch while hungry and nearly ruined the experience had the food not been so good. After we were seated, the service was better, but going through that process didn't put us in a great mood to start. I would like to go back and try again. It is possible this was a fluke that day.
(3)paco s.
It amazes me that this combo illicits such polar reactions from people around here. I understand that type of reaction from state fair foods (think Krispy Kreme bacon burger) but I don't see how chicken and waffles is that much of a stretch from chicken and biscuits. I guess you either love them or are so scared of the concept that you bury your head in the sand .... don't be a hater! Anyway, so much for the social commentary and now to the food .... I don't know what they put in the waffles, but these are not your ordinary "L'Eggo my Eggos". I typically like my waffles with a little more crisp to them, but I wouldn't change these at all. The chicken was fried up perfectly. What can you say ..... throw in some syrup and there was a party in my tummy .... so yummy, so yummy! Oh yeah, and the collards were some of the best I've had and the quick taste of the mac and cheese was top notch. Hope they can keep up the quality.
(5)Deborah S.
Clear your day, because if you don't go into some kind of insulin-related shock after eating here, your glucose tolerance level is inhuman. Oh man. I sort of custom order. Either plain or sweet potato waffle with hazelnut chocolate schmear, cutlet on top, smothered in syrup. Mac and cheese on the side. You can't go wrong here, so order whatever floats your boat. It was worth the hour and a half wait. Welcome to the American South in all its artery-clogging, heavenly glory.
(5)Jim C.
Don't forget to bring your appetite. Fried and carb heaven. Combining waffles and chicken - food with soul. I had fried cutlets and waffle and a side of delish mac and cheese.
(3)Sue M.
We went on a Friday at lunch with some out-of-town guests. We were seated relatively fast and had incredible service. We all ended up eating one meal that day and none of us were really hungry for breakfast the next day. These chicken and waffles were filling! I had the Frazzled Foul, the hubby had the Barnyard Honcho and our guests ordered the Orange Speckled Chabo and the Buff Bramas. The chicken is moist and the panko crust was fried perfectly. The mac and cheese came in a nice portion size and was delicious. Parts of my waffle were a little salty. Dames has an excellent selection of local beers to pair with your meal. Seriously, this place gives you way too much food for the money. My only wish is that they offered a lunch portion or a lady portion- there was no way I could finish my meal.
(5)Taylor Q.
My party of 4 was seated on time (I made a 6 PM weekday reservation) but it took about 40 minutes to get our food. It was also about 85 degrees in the restaurant which probably made me more impatient. Nonetheless our food was good--my "classy hen" chicken was tasty and crispy and the gingerbread waffle and vanilla almond shmear were an outstanding combination. Though my friends were each happy with their choices as well, I'm not sure it was worth $12ish/plate...
(4)Marc L.
Had some delicious food here at Dame's on this weekend..The chicken and waffles was divine, and my lady friend Yvette said she would compare their Shrimp and Grits to that of Mixto's in Wilmington and Humble Pie in Raleigh...The service was amazing and of course we both admired the art work and decor...Definitely would give it a strong recommendation.....
(5)Ashley G.
So I stopped by Dame's again a few days ago...and they changed the mac and cheese! I was devastated lol! It was still good, but definitely not as good as the first time. This mac and cheese was a little more "gourmet" and not the homestyle mac and cheese that I remembered. I hope this was just a one time thing and the old mac and cheese will be back. However, I am still a fan and will be back :)
(4)Pierre D.
I was really expecting more but it fell flat. The waffles taste like Beignets that are a little under cooked. The schmears are forgettable and the chicken is just average. The wait for a table on a Saturday evening was at least an hour. The mac and cheese was different with the addition of Panko. The collard greens was excellent. Service was poor as the waitress was completely distracted. There was nothing that inspires me to give this place another chance.
(2)b o.
I am a fan of the food, when its hot and fresh. My husband and I waited 11 minutes for two cups of water. Then when we received our food a minutes late my husbands food was hot and my plate was not. The service gets 1 star and the hot, fresh food gets 4. What was really awesome is that I think the server thought that receiving two waffles and fried chicken almost 40 minutes after you order was "normal and courteous" because there was no apology.
(4)Obinna A.
Soooo amazing! I loved everything about it. 2 min wait. Nice waiter, delicious mac and cheese, well seasoned fried chicken wings and a thin delectable blueberry belgian waffle. Will come again!
(5)Erwin L.
Finally! After several attempts to eat here, most of which consisted of "I don't want to drive to Durham tonight...." and one misguided attempt to eat here on a Monday evening when they were closed, we took the plunge and what a refreshing experience it was! Now I love chicken and waffles and to this day no place that I have had it can compare to the perfection that is produced by the Cravings food truck in Tallahassee, FL; but Dame's comes in a very close second. The restaurant was smaller than we expected but this produced a warm and welcoming atmosphere that seemed to delight all the customers. The staff was nice and attentive and the sweet tea was good with a surprising hint of lemon mixed in. The only frustrating thing about this place is choosing just one dish off the menu. After much soul searching I settled on the Buff Brahmas with fried chicken cutlets and a blueberry waffle with a side of cheese grits and my girlfriend chose the What a Classy Hen? with a side of triple cheese macaroni. Our entire meal can be summed up in one word, AMAZING The South has given many fried and delicious things to this world and this place cooks grits with pride, and does a darn good job of it. Super smooth and creamy grits full of melted cheese almost stole the show for me that night, but it was tough to out do a waffle loaded with fresh blueberries and covered in peach and apricot "shmear" (a flavored butter that can be served on the side or on your waffle) and two tender chicken cutlets drizzled in a decadent whisky creme sauce. The portion was huge and I savored every bite. Well worth the 30 minute drive from Raleigh and a place we will definitely be back to, I even hear rumors that they have a food truck!
(5)Jesse K.
Dame's is amazing and anyone who says any different is wrong, it's just that simple.
(5)Steven M.
Changed my life! Complete smash fest, cleared the plate...if you have never tried chicken and waffles GO! Dame's will not let you down.
(5)Shannon W. W.
What a good experience absent the wait to be seated. A simple menu with a array of options. The flavored butter options are excellent and the chicken was cooked to perfection. Highly recommend the shrimp and grits, my wife and I shared them.....wow!
(5)J H.
Just came back from the place today. WOW talk about shitty service and mediocre food. When you are the only one in town, you have monopoly control and right to be an asshole. Dame's Chicken and Waffles is a classic example of this. So sad that Durham has no alternative and choice, thus submitting themselves. Regarding my experience. They have empty tables and they make the customers wait outside in the cold. I wonder if it snows they will provide syrup and cones to make snow cones while waiting. Today was no warm day in the morning, standing in the shadow in 40 degree weather. They won't seat you unless your entire party arrives. I see the point of this policy when you don't have room and you are a hot restaurant in NYC, but come on! This is Durham, not Manhattan and Dame's Chicken and Waffles isn't Magnolia Grill or Four Square. From operational standpoint, I see so much inefficiency. They seem to have plenty of crew to work the joint but the speed of delivery was horrendous. Wow, I wonder how they are able to get a decent profit margin with that many staff and such a inefficient and slow turnover. Regarding food, the food was decent but not mind blowing. They are famous but soon to be WORLD FAMOUS? Are you kidding me? A used car salesman would be blushing. This is not Roscoe's in LA nor Amy Ruth's in NYC. The waffle is good and fried chicken is decent. However, the friend chicken was damn greasy. It was a challenge without some hot sauce. The sides were decent. The plates and silverware is nice and clean. However, for coffee one had to self serve. You come to a restaurant to be served, not self serve. Unless they change their attitude and service, this joint will ride out until its novelty and fame fades. Classic example of hubris.
(1)Lisa M.
If you haven't gone, GO! O.M.G. that is the best food I've had in a very long time. Excellent service. Even felt to homey we had a great time chatting with the table next to us! And, icing on the cake, butcher paper to color on while you wait for your feast. We ended up sharing but if you want to starve yourself and gorge, you will certainly get your money's worth. Loved it. WILL be back soon.
(5)Bill T.
Unbelievable. Only thing, small establishment so make a reservation and don't be surprise if you want to go on Friday and get a reservation for Saturday. Amazing food, service and ambiance. Generally, good chicken..so so waffle vice versa, but this place got it on point ...TOTALLY, best around....Had the best waiter Jace..U da Man.
(5)Rachel M.
Delicious. Come hungry or with a pal because the amounts of food are huge.
(4)Lynn C.
The hype outweighed the actual experience. After a 45 minute wait, the table was cramped and the service was terrible. Our table of 5 all ordered water to drink and each time we inquired about getting our drinks we were told that they were working on that...what is involved in getting water? We finally got our drinks half way through our meal. The mac & cheese was dry, chicken was dry and the waffles were soggy.E
(2)Tammy H.
Oh I will be back to try everything on the menu. The chicken was phenomenal the wait staff was attentive. The only thing I would change is the price of the t-shirts.
(4)Christina P.
The first time I came here, I thought it was a bit overrated. The mac and cheese was interesting and tasted a little too "herby" for my liking. I got the sweet potato waffle and didn't really taste the sweet potato. The fried chicken was also good, but not totally mind blowing. I decided to give this place another chance this past Thursday evening. My friends and I arrived at the restaurant only to be turned away by the waitress saying that it was closed for a "private event." Lame. Dejected, we went down the street to eat at Toast. A few hours later, we passed by Dame's again and the restaurant was just plain closed. There was definitely no "private event" going on and the restaurant was completely empty. We were pretty disappointed that Dame's would do that to us. I hope they have a more professional way of telling their customers when they plan to unexpectedly close next time.
(2)Matthew G.
Classic Combo done right. The sides I don't remember too well though last time I had the Mac n Cheese and it was good, but the main draw and really all you need are the chicken and waffles. I tend to get the Buff Brahma, but regardless I usually go with a filet/cutlet.
(4)Tony J.
First time in Durham and first place I ate. Yumm is the word. The staff was really nice and informative. i will definitely be back!
(5)Stephanie P.
First off, the reviews are right. The food is incredible. Initially I had some pretty serious doubts about the chicken and waffles combo, but I had the orange speckled chabo, and it was AMAZING. The service staff is horrendous and disorganized. All in all, I would come back, with a ton of patience in tow.
(4)Stacy H.
I have eaten here three times and each time the food is on point. It's not very big and there was about a 15 min wait when I went around lunch time last Saturday. I usually get The Carolina Cockerel which includes wings and a blueberry waffle with sides, or the Light Brown Leghorns which includes FOUR drumsticks and a regular waffle with yummy chocolate hazelnut! If you're really hungry I would go with the Light Brown Leghorns. I always end up taking a to-go box home. The staff is really helpful with the menu and the service is pretty good. The only downside is the parking, but hey its downtown Durham so there isn't much you can do about it.
(5)a. a.
Great, attentive and charming staff. Cute atmosphere with local art. I have never heard of such a thing, being from Minneapolis and all -- and I was apprehensive. My Virginia-born sweetie knew what was up, and we wandered on in! Amazing combination. I had the Quilted Buttercup -- the sweet potato waffle was the most delicious waffle I have ever, ever eaten. Just perfect. Their chicken is perfectly fried, their mac and cheese herby and delicious, the shmears super decadent.... I thought the prices were reasonable for the portions, which are ample. Our new staple for southern cuisine when my northern family come to visit. A+++.
(5)Alicia P.
Best chicken and waffles that I have ever had! Hands down!!! We went there for breakfast on a Sunday and got there early (around 9:35 am) as we had heard the wait can be really long on Sundays. We got there at the perfect time as we were the second in line to get in the restaurant when they opened at 10. By the time they opened, there was a line down the street and I'm sure stayed constant all morning. The waffle and chicken selection was great, especially the special schmears (sp) that come with dish. So delicious! Our waiter even brought out samples of each of the side dishes while wee waited for our breakfast! Great service and even better food! Worth a week of workouts just to enjoy a meal here on a Sunday!!
(5)Oliver A.
5 stars doesn't do it justice. The quality of both the food and service were stellar. Great environment, great people and crazy good food!
(5)Cortnie R.
I have never written a bad review on Yelp before but my experience was so awful I thought I would warn people. I was really excited to try Dame's for brunch since it is on every list of Durham's places to try. We called ahead and no reservations were available but the host said that it was a 20 min wait so we decided to chance it. We arrived and he said minimum of 30 min so we went to get coffee at Beyu. We came back after 35 min to inquire how much longer and the host told me there were "a few" parties ahead but two large parties were leaving so it would be about 15 min to clean up and get us seated. We waited 30 more min then my friend went to ask and she said we had been told 30 min originally but it had been an hour. The host raised his voice a little (and other customers were startled too!) and said " I said a MINIMUM of 30 not 30! You now have 8 parties ahead of you." We were so sad! We went half a block down to Beyu and enjoyed exceptional services, great prices and lovely live Jazz music! We did end up getting texted for our reservation 2 hrs and 15 min later...My friends and I will never give Dame's our business and I hope you don't either.
(1)Stephanie R.
Really unique place. Super filling -- I couldn't finish everything what with the waffle, the chicken and the sides.
(4)Emily S.
A must-stop destination in Durham for good comfort food. The Mac n Cheese is on point. Favorite thing to order is the "Carolina Cockerel". Just don't plan any physical activities for afterword. Wait can be long during popular hours, it is a pretty small restaurant.
(4)Sarah C.
We found this restaurant on Yelp while in the Durham area, and we chose to go there off of the reviews. The wait was long; went on a Sunday morning. The food was well worth it though! A lot of unique choices and you can't go wrong with any choice! The wait staff was really nice as well. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone.
(5)Minnow N.
Wow, I am so sad that I couldn't give this place more stars!! I was visiting in November and was passing by Dame's Chicken and Waffles when an employee (or owner/manager) came outside and welcomed us in and tried to get to try it. I told him if I moved to Durham I'd come try it. Well, i moved. and i tried. and i was SO disappointed after reading all these GREAT reviews! a few of my friends also highly recommended this place. I came in last night (Saturday) and had to wait 15 minutes to be seated. That's ok, 15 mins is fine. We were seated and the service is extremely friendly. Very nice and welcoming and made sure we had all our questions answered. Very helpful especially since I've never had chicken and waffles before (i'm from the west coast). Our orders were taken and then we waited. and waited. and waited. It took almost 20 minutes for the food to come out.. and when it did.. my waffle was just warm (not freshly hot) and my chicken was BURNT! it had been overcooked and it was obvious. It was a VERY dark tinge of brown and the chicken was quite dry. I ordered the Frizzled Fowl, per yelp recommendations, and didn't even get a HINT of the "drizzled plum sauce". it was more like a sprinkle? either way, it was quite disappointing. Maybe because they were a bit busy that night. or maybe because they're still relatively new. Either way, I am determined to give this place another try. Hopefully next time it'll be better. p.s. not sure how chicken and waffle places are supposed to work but I thought it was odd that they served their beverages in paper coke cups. Too busy to wash plastic cups? or intentionally environmentally unfriendly?
(3)Alio G.
Fried chicken and waffles is an interesting idea but definitely worth a try. I had the Red Crested Rose Combo and it was delicious. The chicken was crispy and tender and when paired with the straweberry schmear (flavored whipped butter) and waffle, the dish is definitely more than the sum of its parts. I thought the vanilla schmear with the Classy Hen combo was quite good but the chicken cutlet wasn't as tender as the legs. A side dish is included with each chicken + waffle combo, so I ordered the Triple Cheese & Macaroni. They sprinkle cheese on the top, so I had to stir it in to melt it before enjoying. The listed menu items are just suggestions and it's possible to create your own chicken + waffle combo. I look forward to eating their other flavored waffles and schmears!
(4)Lance J.
Amazing food just long wait and very loud inside. Also unsweet tea sucks, just get water. lol
(4)Preston A.
Good food, terrible service. Saw our waitress in the beginning to take our orders and she must have taken a trip to Bosnia for the next 45 minutes because I sat with an empty water cup and growling belly for quite a long time. Enjoyed the food but there's no reason it should have taken so long to prepare. The gentleman and his wife beside us complained about the servers poor performance and length of time to receive their food and we watched the same poor server roll her eyes and exclaim "I'm glad they're gone" after the couple left. So once again, great food, poor service. Could be great if the manager would weed out the poor attitudes.
(3)Dean S.
The food might be great but we never got seated. We arrived around 11:30 and were told it would be a 20 min wait. 35 mins later we asked how much longer and he told us it would be 20 more mins. 30 mins later he once again told us it would be 20 more mins. After waiting for more than 1.5 hrs we left. Apparently he needs to learn his job a little better because being off a little is understandable but that was just ridiculous. Won't be returning!
(1)Sharon T.
Awesome place food always good and service.the chix seasoned perfect and the smear butters r crazy.
(5)Michael S.
Going downtown Durham, go to Dame's Chicken & Waffles. I had a blueberry waffle. The berries divine. The waffle itself, the cake....amazing and off the chart. It is really clear that they make the mix for their waffles. The cake is just marvy. Hold up though, I'm not done. I had the cheesy, grits and if my waiter who was excellent had brought me the pot in which the grits were cooked...well I would have licked it clean. Go to Dames, the atmosphere is great, the food is great and the service is outstanding.
(5)J S.
Slow service and long wait times (at times) but that sweet potato waffle and fried chicken is the bomb!
(4)Sharrell H.
Outstanding food! I went twice within one week and I was only visiting for two weeks! Most people shy away from vegan.... That was me as well, however the Vegan waffle is the absolute best waffle I have ever had. I may never eat a normal waffle again. I had their regular waffle and the sweet potato however the vegan is the best!! I can't wait to visit Dirham again just to go to Dame's. The grits, greens and Mac n cheese are also very very good. I see myself as a connoisseur of grits and these are simply outstanding but don't forget to add the cheese!
(5)Daniel K.
Um, Fried chicken on top of delicious waffles? Whats not to like. Definitely make a reservation though, especially on weekends. It gets packed!
(5)Sophia K.
After eating here, I felt a little bit sick but mostly GREAT! The combination of crispy fried chicken and whiskey creme sauce, peach apricot butter and warm fluffy waffle, was so good that I made a face that looked like I was in pain. Probably a week's supply of calories, but worth every single one. I'll be back to try the chocolate hazelnut shmear. Quick tip, get the cutlet (instead of wings) if you prefer white meat.
(4)Kate V.
It is a great chicken and waffle place. Definitely live it up its hype. Definitely a diet buster but the fat is what makes it good. service is also good, once you get seated why not 5 star? They don't have a waiting area, and have very strict rule in term of sitting. If you sit at the bar to wait for your friend, you can't join them at their table. I dont like the nazi rules when I expect southern hospitality
(4)Jennifer S.
Service: Absolutely unacceptable behavior by the hostess/ manager Mike. Walked in and was told theres a wait u less i didnt want to sit at the bar. Ok. Fine. Decided to wait for a table. He then proceeds to, inaccurately I might add, inform me that they'll get fined of I wait in the entryway. Note that this is a huge entry way. There are no other people waiting and there's a nice book next to the double doors that would completely let me be out of the way. He tells me they've been fined before. Ok. But I was a firefighter for 7 years. One person standing no where near blocking the doors is NOT against for regulations. I'm sure that was during a busy moment when a dozen people were waiting for tables. I was then informed I could sit in their back waiting area. He takes me back there and all it is is a small hallway near the stinky restrooms where a couple dozen chairs are stacked against the walls. He unstacked one and asked if I wanted to sit. I declined. So my only other option was to stand in the 95 degree heat outside. Note to management. If you're going to "inform" customers about a fire code regulation, please make sure you understand it accurately. My 30 min wait ended up only being 13 mins. Food: what can I say. Always delicious. But tasted a bit sour after the treatment by the manager. Ordered a chicken breast and waffle with strawberry schmeer plus their Mac and cheese. Chicken - light and fried. Tasty. Not chewy. Mac and cheese was delicious! Waffle still soooo good. Liked the schmeer. Server: sweet kid. Knew his menu. Was helpful and kept my drink refilled. Drink came out fast. He got my drink order within 3 mins of seating. Drink came out 2 mins later and good order was in. Made accidental eye contact and he rushed right over. Was impressed. FYI: Manager ended up giving me a discount on the bill. Not sure it makes up for everything but guess it helps.
(4)Michael B.
They are very un-accommodating. I am on an oxygen machine and needed to use an outlet. They would not let me use an outlet despite there being a full power strip open next to a table. Unable to even eat the food there due to this. I'm sure the food is good, but I won't be eating there.
(1)Positron P.
went back to dame's because i heard that the service had improved. was still disappointed... the workers seemed overworked and the wait times for service are just not worth the food or the price.
(2)Cami C.
This is a perfect place to take any Durham visitor. Everything about this place is great. The waffles are cooked perfectly. The chicken is seasoned well and is moist. The shmears add that extra something special. All the different combination of flavors work well together and it fulfills both the sweet and savory craving. The prices are good and it is an experience you will remember
(5)Emily T.
Easily some of the best food that I've ever eaten. So good in fact that I continue to come despite the terrible customer service I've received the last few times. The waitresses always seemed annoyed by my presence. The food took over 30 minutes to come out and my drink didn't get refilled once. It was impossible to find a waitress to even flag down. But it still gets 4 stars because the food is just that damn good.
(4)Janeen M.
Prepare your self to take a nap later! So I have been to Dame's a few times and I have to say that it is the best place to get chicken and waffles in the triangle. The chicken is always crispy and flavorful and the waffles are crispy on the outside, soft in the middle and full of yummy goodness. I really love the smears (flavored butters) they really enhance the flavor of the waffles. My favorite is the sweet potato waffles. It has a nice balance of cinnamon and spice. The only thing that gets to me its the wait. If you don't get there early you could be waiting for quite awhile to get a seat because the restaurant is rather small.
(4)Sophia C.
This is really, really tasty. But. It's fried chicken on top of a waffle. I always think it's yummy, but it's hard to get too excited about once the novelty wears off... the wait times are long, but not terrible, and they usually have chairs to sit in while you wait. A really fun place to bring anyone who has never had fried chicken on a waffle. Because that's kind of mind-blowing the first time around.
(3)Stephanie R.
I got the "What A Classy Hen" and LOVED every bite of the chicken, cinnamon-tinged waffle, shmear, and butter grits. YUM!
(4)Bryana R.
The food here is really good, even stuff that aren't chicken and waffle combos (ie the blackened salmon). But I had to give this place four stars because of the crazy wait time even with a reservation. I visited this past weekend with some friends of mine and we had a reservation that was made a week in advance. We still had to wait for almost an hour to be seated. Some of us got so restless that we started to order at the bar. I will say that the service staff was very friendly. Great customer service, even though we were really annoyed by the waiting time. In all honesty, Dame's should not offer reservations for parties 5+ because there's just not enough room. That being said, I will still come here to eat, but will not bring a lot of people.
(4)Jane Y.
Don't go to this place if you are on a diet. That may have just been common sense, but in case you think you'll end up getting something healthy, you won't. The smell of the waffles and chicken will get you before you even enter the door, and there is usually a wait. Their chicken is good but not the best. Their waffles are good, but not the best. Their schmear is good, but I've had better. So why the 4 stars? Because it is a great place to come and enjoy this simple southern combination with friends. The waiters are also really nice and friendly, you really get that southern charm being here. I like to bring my northern friends here to experience the south. Beasley's in Raleigh just doesn't have the charm this place has. I recommend bone-in fried chicken with the sweet potato waffles. If you get the fried chicken breast, that's just not the real deal.
(4)Marla C.
The food here is beyond awesome! Tastes so good you'll smack your mama. And the Mac 'n cheese is great!
(5)Arika S.
Yum yum yum... great spot for chicken and waffles in Durham! Large portions, decent prices, and good food. I wouldn't go here if you're on a diet, but otherwise - this is a must! Try the sweet potato waffle and the grilled chicken. Delicious!
(4)Adam S.
Best fried chicken I've had, hands down. I chowed down on 4 wings and left wanting more. Waffles are also great. Got mac and cheese and greens for sides, and they did not disappoint. Service was terrific. They seem to have instituted a system to text when a table is available, since there's always a wait. This at least makes it possible to walk around and shop, and not have to linger outside.
(5)Jared M.
The food and service was awesome. It's a little tough to get in. Not a whole lot of tables and it's a pretty popular place. The different schmears were awesome. The grits were just okay. I recommend the mac and cheese as a side. The sweet potato waffle was really tasty.
(5)Kara F.
Dame's Chicken and Waffles? Yes Please!! I've had many a chicken and waffle in my time, and I have to say that these are one of the best. The waffles are AMAZin and the chicken is seasoned to perfection. Our server was really nice and our food didn't take long at all. While I waited I put the crayons on our table to good use and created works of art on the paper table covers. The 5 year old me was kicking up her heels in a fit of joy. I cannot wait for my next trip to Durham so I can go back!! I want to try the mac n cheese.
(4)Kristina B.
This place is amazing! I had waffle and chicken for the first time visiting North Carolina. This must have been the best chicken and waffles. A few of my coworkers went and raved about it. I decided to check it out and it was worth it. The waffles were perfect and fluffy. The chicken was tender and crispy on the outside. Highly recommend this place for chicken and waffles.
(5)Alison L.
Edit: Went again for date night on a Wednesday evening. No wait; almost empty restaurant; hilarious servers. Upped it to 5 stars because the service, food and overall experience was perfect! Perfect for a guilty pleasure eat of carbs and fried chicken. I had the vanilla almond shmear and I swear, it is the greatest topping I've ever had on a waffle (aside from the perfectly fried chicken cutlet). Went for dinner and didn't have to wait at all--but when we left around 7, there was a huuuge line, so I highly suggest making a reservation. Note: they only take reservations 24 hours in advance or earlier.
(5)M R.
The food is really good & consistently scrumptious! Every component of my entree was made to perfection. Best mac & cheese I've ever had. The service is warm & fast! I deem this place worth the drive from South Raleigh to Durham!
(5)Tori H.
Dame's is good, but it's like stomach explosion good. Their waffles are delicious- but I am not as crazy as I thought I was about their fried chicken. The breading on it just isn't my fav. It's not bad by any means, it just isn't my favorite. We went there today, had a reservation, and got there and all the tables were full. Not sure why they take reservations. I guess we were still seated before the people waiting though. So maybe it works that way. So expect to wait 10-15 min even if you make a reservation. It took quite a long ass time to get our food. It was lunchtime though. The guy brought out our sides first without silverware. He said it would be awhile for the chicken and waffles... ok, I was fine with my potato salad, but I think my friend may have wanted to eat his eggs with his waffles. Finally we got some silverware so we could eat our potato salad and eggs 10 minutes before the rest of the food came out. Kinda odd. The server seriously redeemed himself by getting me a fresh coke in a to-go cup. I like Dame's- the laid back staff (even if it isn't the best service) but I don't know if it's worth the stomach ache after. I eat badly pretty often and for some reason I can never stomach the food here. But it's goooood.
(3)Tiarra A.
Looooove this place! First time having chicken n waffles and I am hooked. The mac n cheese and collards r delish too. Please make a reservation especially on wkends or u could b waiting for 2 or more hours. 1 thing they could improve on is a bigger restaurant. They have outgrown that spot. Check out the little african shop nxt door while u wait.
(5)P G.
So I am a faithful Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles (Los Angeles) fan.... I hold all Chicken and Waffles to their standard. Roscoes has one style of waffles and cuts up the whole chicken. Even when their food is cold, its so good.; Dame's is a unique concept with different twist.... different kinds of waffles (original, sweet potato, gingerbread, blueberry, etc...) and different "schmears" (flavored butters). The chicken is either wings, drumsticks or cutlets/breast. The sides are limited to grits, collard greens and macn cheese. No okra, no cornbread, no yams. I got drumsticks with sweet potato waffle/pecans and apricot schmear (recommended by the server)... I wished the waffle was crispy, but it wasnt. It had a good taste and with the butter, was a good combo. Add the syrup and you cant taste either the butter or the sweet potato. The chicken was freshly cooked and was juicy; however it lacked salt. Perhaps they should brine the chicken to help to bring out the flavor. The collard greens were very tasty and so were the cheese grits.... I'd say the best out of all of the items I ordered. The service was great the whole time. Getting seated immediately at the bar and my server letting me sample the local beer before buying a pint, tasting the sides to figure out which one to get.... She always asked if I was doing ok or needed anything. I can see some of the other servers not being as attentive to their customers, but mine was fantastic. Overall, I can't say I was highly impressed with the food. It's a good concept to try if you're in the area, but it's not one that I'll be back to anytime soon.
(3)Eric S.
Fantastic chicken, and their waffles and shmears are even better! Hard to beat this place. Definitely should check it out if you're in the Durham area.
(5)Abby W.
The savory and sweet combo is great. It's a must try but I wouldn't frequently visit. It was one of the heaviest meals I've had.
(4)Dan O.
Amazing! I was completely surprised how delicious the combination was!
(5)Thane J.
So a co-worker brags about this place over the phone one day and I'm thinking Waffle House cuisine! Not even close. The flavors are amazing. Nothing my palate has ever experienced before. In town on business 2 different weeks. Going back the 2nd week!!
(4)B E.
Food was great and service was good. I agree about the host staff though. The host claimed not to have my reservation despite the fact that it was right in front of him. It was for 530 and the place was empty.
(4)Cole W.
This place is amazing!!! I had heard many good things about this place but Friday night was finally able to experience the wonder that is Dame's Chicken & Waffles for myself. Now let me begin with saying this place is busy, so you might want to make reservations if you're thinking about going. We did not and we had to wait 45 minutes but that wasn't too bad...as they will even took our phone number and told us that they would text us if we wanted them to. The food was amazing, but what pushed this place over the hill for me was the staff. Both the Waiter and the Host were wonderful people, and they truly made us feel right at home. Unlike some of the other popular Triangle restaurants in the area, this place did not try to rush me out and I could literally take my time and hang out with my friends which was awesome. I also encourage the Vanilla/Almond butter! Again, it's an awesome place that I am definitely looking forward to going to again.
(5)Ben B.
Chicken was good (cutlet) - hot, juicy, seasoned well Sweet potato waffle was limp - get a regular one, compound butters are all good Good greens, have at it!
(4)Shacora D.
Love this place , and mac and cheese is to die for prices aren't as great but its worth it
(5)Brian K.
Makes a grown man want to say, "Oh em gee." [Post note: Yelp made me confirm that this review is in English because apparently "Oh em gee" isn't English.]
(5)Jay L.
First time trying chicken and waffles and was blown away! The chicken is lightly battered and the waffle was light and fluffy. We loved it! If you want a bigger portion of chicken, bypass the cutlet and go for the wings or drumstick. They only give you 1 (one!!!) small piece of chicken tender with a waffle if you go for the chicken cutlet (it is white meat and has no bones - if that floats your boat, go for it). The SMEAR is their specialty - flavored butter. It was okay, did not blow my socks off? The wait can be ridiculous. We waited for 1 hour 1/2 for a table of five. In overall, the wait was worth it. We will definitely come back again.
(4)Firstname L.
I almost never write a review for a restaurant I haven't eaten at, but I *really* tried to go to this one; I was in town in mid June for work. A coworker had recommended Dame's earlier in the day. Another coworker wanted to go out for an early dinner so I suggested we go to Dame's. I called before we left the hotel to see how crowded they were and to make a reservation. The first time I called, nobody answered. The 2nd time I called, nobody answered, The 3rd time I called, I got a person who said "we don't take reservations by phone". I called back again and listed to the answering machine this time. It said that you could make a reservation by emailing " reservations@dameschicke… " or on their website. I went to their website, which requires signing up with some reservation company (I'm not interested in providing my personal info online, as you can tell by my name) so I emailed the address given on their phone message. I got no confirmation or response. Parking is tough in this area; there must be a municipal parking lot somewhere, but not really close by. You might get lucky and find street parking. We headed over there and it was chock full. This was Friday, which probably made things worse, but it was rather early; before 7PM, and it was bright out. There was a line out the door. I finally got up to the hostess and asked if she had my reservation. She pulled out an iPad and proceeded to peck around on it for a while and then said 'no'. She seemed completely baffled by the email thing (sounds like they need to change their voicemail message- reservations by email must no longer be accepted). She was pleasant enough, but when she said the wait would be 2.5 hours, we left and went down the block 200 ft to Mateo Bar De Tapas and had a great meal. On the way home, Dame's called my cellphone to say our table was ready :-) I told them to give it to someone else.
(2)Lindsay H.
First off, the food was awesome. Very flavorful and great combination of flavors. We were so excited that we did not have to wait in line and sat at the bar. I don't know if this was why, but the service was lacking. The server/ bartender was not attentive and the food was very slow coming out. Even though the service was not great, the food earns this place four stars in my book.
(4)Robyn P.
Make sure you make a reservation! Sometimes you can get lucky at Sunday brunch time to snag a table, but 98% of the time you need a reservation. The food is delicious. I love the sweet potato waffle. We've tried a few things there and all of them have been good. My favorite side is the Mac and cheese.
(5)Tess M.
Pleasantly surprised by their fried chicken- the seasoned batter makes this place special and I'd bring visitors who like fried chicken to Dame's for sure!
(4)Ron W.
Oh wicked, wicked waffles! Covered in butter, drenched with syrup and well, let's just throw in some fried chicken for good measure! I've been dying to try out Dames Chicken and Waffles for ages. I did a drive-by right when they opened up but was never able to convince my more health-conscious friends to eat it up there. But finally my friends Allison and Arlan caved in and a short walk later, we were at Dames right after they opened. The place was already pretty busy and 10 minutes later, they had a line out the door. Inside Dames it's all cafe and casual. Grab a self-serve coffee up front, they've got a long bar for single diners and a small service window in back where all their goodies come from the kitchen. Black chairs and tables abound, Dame's spices things up with some music memorabilia and jazz floating out of the speakers. The menu is simple but with plenty of choices. Choose a waffle with a fried chicken on top (filet, wings or drums), add in a flavored butter shmear, some syrup, a side (fruit, grits) and you're good to go! I went all out doing the Light Brown Leghorns: four drumsticks, with waffle, chocolate hazelnut butter and caramel cashew sauce, woohoo! Now you gotta take your time at Dames, the place is busy and the kitchen gets backed up a bit but it's all good. Our plates showed up after a leisurely wait and it looked great. A large soft, waffle cradling crispy drumsticks and with the shmear and syrup on the side. Cut into that chicken, fork off some waffle, dip it in some syrup and bam! Flavor and texture explosion! Salty, sweet, crunchy and savory, you get it all in one mouthful. It feels like a decadent combo of breakfast and dinner, yum-eee! There's a lot of food here so take your time and enjoy all those carbs and sugars at Dames. Service was fine but like I said, don't plan on being in a hurry because your chicken and waffles isn't fast food, people... Now I'm not sure how chicken and waffles got invented but boy oh boy, they were probably drunk at the time. Definitely a meal you should try sometime soon. It's oh so good in such a bad way. So definitely check out Dames, just try not to make it too much of a habit, your body will thank you for showing some restraint!
(4)Tracy D.
Ate there this past Saturday 11/13/10 with my 2 daughters, loved the atmosphere. We were seated immediately, and the waiter took our orders promptly. It look almost 1 hour to get our food, then after my daughter ate half the waffle, the waiter then informed me that there was a mistake made in the back and they prepared the wrong meal for me and it was the one that my daughter was actually eating...nice! No offer to deduct any price or something, just I'm sorry. So now I have a half eaten waffle, my daughter waffle had toppings that I did not want...anyhoo my girls like it....but after all of that I would eat there again the food is OK.
(2)Alexis H.
How have I failed to review Dame's? I love fried chicken and I love waffles. I got over the "WHAT DO YOU MEAN, CHICKEN AND WAFFLES?" question years ago, back when I discovered the awesome combination in Arizona. When I made the move to The South, I hoped I'd be in store for some awesome soul food findings. I wasn't disappointed. Dame's is not your typical chicken and waffles joint. While I'm usually opposed to "gourmet" versions of anything, they do it right here. They add their own spin on things (flavored schmears, mac n' cheese with herbs mixed in, seasoned chicken) but leave out the pretentiousness that often accompanies jazzing up simple dishes. Come hungry, leave full. Seriously, don't plan on eating for the rest of the day.
(5)Heather G.
So I went to Dames New Years Eve Day for a late lunch with my husband and some friends. Our friends had been several times before but this was our first time. We arrived and had about a 45 min wait, the hostess took my cell number and said she would text me when a table was available. The text never came, we happen to go back about 45 mins later and she told me they had sent a text a while ago, never apologized or double checked the number. They say us when we came back at the least desirable table they had-right by the door-it was cold. We sat for a bit, ordered, asked if we could move as we saw several other table open-we were told no by the hostess. My friend then asked our server-she graciously said sure-we moved as our food arrived-the hostess was clearly annoyed by this. Then our food came -all seemed well. Everyone got what they ordered-it was tasting delicious the. I cut into my chicken-I ordered the drizzled fowl-I couldn't cut the chicken it was overdone, I ate what we could l, we grabbed the server, she told the manager (Marcus) he came over to our table about 10 Mins later and I hear you have a problem, I told him what was wrong, he told me that since I had already eaten half the chicken that he would just discount my meal-I hadn't eaten half the chicken-I couldn't. He never offered to make me a new piece or even apologize. He took $4 off my meal. I am not a complainer, I never complain about my food, I've worked in the food industry, I think the way he handled things was wrong and I will probably never go back. Between the manager and the rude hostess, my experience was ruined.
(2)Conrad C.
Really good chicken and waffles. The idea of the flavored butters ("schmear") was a brilliant one and really lets certain waffles stand out. I had a blueberry waffle, peach-apricot schmear, and a cutlet. The chicken is good and juicy but a bit bland. Maybe that's for the best, since you might not want too many flavors going on. The waffle was light and fluffy, with lots of blueberries. My mom got the Orange Speckled Chabo and liked it, although she complained that the honey dijon drizzle made the chicken soggy. My wife got the Quilted Buttercup and wasn't as big of a fan. Of the three kinds of waffles I tried, the sweet potato was probably the weakest. I tried some (a lot) of my dad's Classy Hen and, as boring as it might sound, the regular waffle with almond-vanilla schmear was the best combination. The schmear just had a great flavor, with not too much vanilla to overpower the almond taste. Each of us got the mac & cheese as a side. They serve a lot with that side portion and it's creamy and good. But it is absolutely loaded with oregano. It's got a distinctive taste and can be overpowering.
(4)Yilun K.
They told us the wait is 20 minutes, but we waited over an hour and still didn't get our service. This was a waste of our time waiting.
(1)Carter C.
Worth a visit, but keep it simple. We've tried to get in to this place 3 different times before we were finally in Durham at a time when they were open. After trying Roscos in L.A. we both became fans of the chicken and waffles delicacy. Unfortunately the Raleigh Durham area hasn't offered many opportunities to relive that wondrous moment when you first realize that fried chicken and waffles do indeed belong on the same plate. The wait for Dames was about 45 minutes when we arrived at 2pm on a Saturday. They don't have the space for seating for those who have to wait. Instead, they take your phone number and name and you can go sit....wherever you want. We loved it, and took the opportunity to go sit in the car instead of standing out on a busy sidewalk for the better part of an hour. We tried the classy Gal, and the Orange Speckled Chabo. Both were good, but honestly the honey dijon on the Chabo one was a little over the top for me. The taste of the butter, plus the herbs in the chicken, plus the drizzle of honey dijon was a sweetness overload that had me almost unable to finish the dish. The side of Mac and Cheese was suggested by our server as the best they've ever had. They were good, but they had a strangle hint of something processed in it that had me a little disappointed. The grits were also a 3 star dish. In general, everything felt almost 4 stars, but not quite. More of a 3.8, which is a bit of a let down considering the many 4 and 5 star reviews we've seen. I'd go back, but I'd probably stick to just the classic chicken and waffle combo and skip the fancy variations.
(3)Nicole H.
The service sucks. It takes forever to get your food. The food is good though. The chicken and waffles are great. The smears are good as well. I've also had the shrimp and grits, which are normally pretty good. There is no where inside the restaurant to wait and honestly, there aren't that many tables. I don't understand why it takes so long to get a waffle and two pieces of fried chicken, but it seems to work for them. The wait is typically very long on weekend nights, lunch and for weekend brunches.
(4)Sam P.
Simply the absolute BEST!!! I was visiting my parents in Holly Springs and the first place they wanted to take me for brunch was Dame's!!! Let's just say that was about 3 weeks ago and I'm still thinking about it!
(5)Alice Y.
My first chicken and waffles experience was at Dame's, and I was an immediate convert. Get the sweet potato waffles. I highly recommend the orange speckled chabo. It is heaven in your mouth and just writing about it is making me hungry. In some cases, their chicken can be a hit or miss, but their waffles? Perfection every time. Brunch can be a long wait, so I definitely recommend getting there on the earlier side to get your name on the list. If you have a large group, they'll take reservations. The staff is extremely friendly too. Dame's is an excellent addition to the Durham food scene!
(4)Chris L.
We came here because we have never had chicken and wattles. We are all from michigan and we had been meaning to try it. We are also on vacation and my sister and brother in law took us here based on some yelp reviews. Dames is the place to stop and eat if you are here for a couple hours a day. Unfortunately if you get here too late you may have to wait and wait. The wait is worth it. We arrived at 11am and the wait was at an hour. Apparently the yelp hours are incorrect. They open on Saturday at 10am. We had hoped we to be first in line as it opened but it didn't work out that way. Parking can be a challenge as it was Saturday. There is one hour parking in front but eating here at dames is more than an hour ordeal. DECOR The decor isn't anything to write home about. Its rather plain and bare. It seems dirty near the back of the house near the toilet. They visblu store toilet paper and cleaning supplies behind a curtain. FOOD We ordered the frizzeled fowler and the classy hen. The frizzled fowler is a classic waffle with a blueberry schmear. Their schmears are just a small scoop of whipped butter. The whipped butter gives each dish its unique flavor. You are also given the option of different flavored waffle. The arrived and they look very unique. They are very light in color and texture. They are a sand color and they are so soft! Its like laying on a pillow. My frizzled fowler is a panko encrusted chicken cutlet. It came and it was very dark brown. I was a bit disappointed by the chicken. It was bland and had no flavor. I ended up pouring salt and syrup to make it better. The chicken lacked seasoning and it was almost overcooked. If it was for the delicious waffle and supurb Mac and cheese it would have not been worth the wait. SERVICE Our server was pretty good at the beginning. But she forgot about us for a bit. I suspected she was busy. She was rather friendly. Overall I couldn't eat here every single day. The food is delicious but so heavy and thick. You'll want to pack a pillow in the car to sleep after your meal.
(4)Ravonda W.
I LOVE their food. They aren't always consistent though. You can go in one day and have really good service and the next you'll be saying you're never coming back. The food is so good that I still come back though. I take all of my out of town guests here and they always love it.
(4)Sam B.
Some of the best fried chicken I've ever had. The waffles are very good also. The schmears are excellent. The only downside to this place is that the food is heavy.
(5)Shellouy H.
Last Thursday I came to your restaurant with my boyfriend and my friend Nellie. The service was great from the time we came in. The waitress was really awesome to us. The collard green was to spicy and the chicken taste delicious.
(4)christine w.
Food was AMAZING! I got extra schmears (flavored butters) for my waffle which i recommend trying a few! Chicken was phenominal. Im sad i dont live nearby to eat here all the time. Service was also excellent.
(5)Eric D.
I have been wanting to try Chicken & Waffles ever since I missed my opportunity to try it at Rosco's in Long Beach, CA last year. So I was all 'geeked' to see there was a chicken & waffle place in downtown Durham. After reading the positive reviews I was able to convince my coworkers to give it a try for lunch. Atmosphere - painted black tables and chairs, laid back, mellow music, slightly narrow room Service - prompt, overly polite, helpful. Food - Ordering takes a few minutes for a newbie, as the front of the menu has a story associated with what you will be ordering. I opted for the 'A Quilted Buttercup' , which consisted of a fried chicken cutlet between two petite sweet potato waffles accompanied by maple & candied pecan butter and powered sugar. While the chicken was fried, the breading was light and not greasy. The bread cutlet also tasted fresh and in-house made...not an everyday Cisco item like at other restaurants. The waffle was soft w/ chunks of sweet potatoes inside that gave it a nice subtle flavor. Overall - I was glad and so were my coworkers that we stopped by and I am lucky it was during off peak hours. The whole experience was great. I even tried some maple syrup on my chicken and it was delicious. I will definitely make an effort to come here again the next time I am in the area.
(5)James P.
This place is really a staple of Durham and a great place to take visiting friends. It's casual, fun and the food is great. The waffles are sweet and don't even need the smear (flavored sugar buttery deliciousness), but the extra flavor makes them even better. What was really surprising to me is that the batter for the chicken is sweetened and it mixes beautifully with the chicken's natural fat. The atmosphere is casual and the pricing fair, so the restaurant can draw a big crowd, especially on weekends. Showing up early or making reservations is key. Parking can also be challenging. My only critical feedback is that they could do more with the decorations and comfort of the seats/tables. Overall, a great place for nearly any occasion!
(5)PQ L.
We made a reservation for 8 people around dinner time and were seated right away upon arrival ( there would have been more people in our group but they have a maximum in place on the number of seats you're able to reserve). The waitress was extremely friendly and joked around with our group the whole time. She joked around with one of my friends telling her that Dames doesn't offer regular butter because it doesn't fit in with the uniqueness of the place. She ended up telling her that she would give her some regular butter on the side if she promised to try one of the shmears. For such a large group, our food arrived pretty quickly. Both the waffle and chicken were extremely good. Everyone finished all their food and our table ordered a variety of things. It was cool they offered crayons to draw on the "paper table cloths"; it added to the very laid back environment. Since this was a birthday dinner, the staff also gathered and surprised the birthday girl mid dinner with a song! Great customer service! Highly recommend it if you can beat the crowd to try it!
(5)SW J.
I would be remised if I didn't write a review about Dame's. I rarely give any business 5 stars, so clearly they left a lasting impression on my heart and palette. Up until a few short months ago I lived in Durham and this was my spot! Before I began regularly yelping, I was helping my stomach to some Dame's. Every time I had family or friends visit I took them here. There waffles and chicken meals are innovate; and most of all deeeliiciois! They have thee most creative butters, they come in different yummy flavors, ie, blueberry, raspberry, etc. And the service...one word, excellent. In all seriousness, they are one of the few businesses I have patronized that know how to effectively deal with complaints and how to woo their customers. How can you not feel great about giving money into a business that treats you well? I totally value the high level of service given by waitstaff and management. KUDOS to you all! And of course major PROPS to the chef. As soon as I touch ground to Durham, I will be there. Unless you all are opening in the DMV area soon. Let me know :).
(5)Sidney T.
I will preface this by saying that I did not read any reviews before eating here, so I had no idea this place had rave reviews. It was a spur of the moment thing because my husband and I just happened to be visiting Downtown Durham last Saturday and walked past it. Because we were only a party of two, our wait was about 20 minutes, not too bad. However, large parties did have to wait much longer than us. My husband asked the host, "So, is Dame's really worth the wait?" The host replied, "Yeah, man." Let me tell you, the host lied because I would NEVER wait an hour or more for this place. The food was overall okay...at best, and the service was okay. I got the sweet potato waffle, chicken wings, and the "famous" mac n' cheese. The sweet potato waffle was good; I enjoyed it. The chicken was okay; honestly, a piece of Popeyes or Bojangles tastes better than the chicken here, which isn't a good thing considering this is supposed to be the best of the best. Now, the mac n' cheese...I hated it. It has to be one of the worst ones I've ever eaten. It was really dry, no creaminess or that fluffy, moist baked texture, and it was overloaded with herbs. I don't know if they gave me old, left over mac or what, but it just didn't cut it. The waitresses was accommodating and allowed me to switch out that nasty mac for their fresh fruit (no charge, of course). The fruit (strawberries and pineapples) was better than the mac, but it wasn't the freshest. Three things I hated about this place are the flies, the temp, and the mac n' cheese. The numerous flies were a constant nuisance. It was pretty cramped and hot, too. But, I did like the waffle. I don't think I would go again on my next visit to Durham; I will try other places around town. I certainly hope this is not the "best" offered around town as they proclaim.
(2)Regina L.
The food is outstanding and authentic! The wait is horrible so make reservations (highly recommended). Meant to post pictures but we were so hungry by the time we got served (be patient) that we scarfed the food and thought of the pictures after! I had the sweet potato waffle with a chicken cutlet and orange smear. Yummy, and tangy sweet! As a side I chose the collard greens which were superbly flavored and just the right level of spicy, but they were cold so I didn't finish. Those of you who know what a stickler I am about service will be surprised, but I will be going back and promise to take a picture. It was that good! Enjoy!
(4)Liz W.
I've been hearing people rave about how wonderful this place is for what feels like forever, and the husband and I finally got to go by and try it out! And oh. em. gee. I had been looking forward to it for so long, I was worried it wasn't going to live up to my expectations, but it was everything I dreamed it would be and more! I realize that when a lot of people hear "chicken and waffles", their default response is to go "Ew, really? Those don't go together". Oh but they do. They do. Just be adventurous and give it a try, you're doing yourself (but maybe not your waistline) a huge favor! And Dame's does chicken and waffles right. The chicken is perfectly seasoned and juicy, the waffles are everything a good waffle should be, and their flavored butters (or "schmears") are a great complement to the dish. I got a plain waffle topped with a chicken cutlet, drizzled with honey dijon mustard and accompanied by orange-honey schmear. All of the flavors worked really well together to form a dish that wasn't just sweet and wasn't just savory, but was the best of both worlds. I got a side of mac and cheese, which I was pleasantly surprised to find was flavored with rosemary. It was delicious, and I was really sad that I was too full to finish it. I also got a taste of the grits, which were yummy as well! They are definitely Southerner approved. The only downside of this place is that it's small and it fills up really fast. We went on a Saturday night and just so happened to be lucky enough to get a table pretty quickly, but shortly after we arrived the minimum wait for a table was an hour. It's well worth it, but make you sure you allow plenty of extra time for this when you plan on eating here. I also have to say that the staff was excellent. Despite how busy they were, our waiter took the time to be friendly, which we always appreciate! We will definitely be returning, and Dame's is just another reason to make the trek to downtown Durham.
(5)Ed B.
This being my 4th, 5th, 6th...Hell, I don't know, time here, once again I'm impressed! However, this time, I brought my family visiting from Baltimore with me and they were thoroughly impressed! It was just a pleasure to me to see all of their smiling faces and hear their compliments! Oh yeah, and the meal was "da bomb!" This time I had the Leghorn w/Gingerbread Waffle and a side of Spicey Greens. Damn!!!
(5)Capri K.
I dragged my husband here during a short weekend getaway and boy did we love it! The waffle was so light and tasty... It is the best I have ever had. The shmears were great compliments to the waffle also. I think they should really market those; they would be great for toast also. The seasoning on the chicken was a bit much for my tastes but it nonetheless was very juicy and tasty. My husband ordered the grits but I ate most of them! They were very creamy and seasoned to perfection. Our waitress stayed on top of things also. Even though it is somewhat of a tight squeeze, the ambiance made us feel right at home. They even provide crayons to draw on the paper laid on each table but you will forget all that once the food arrives! This restaurant warrants another trip to downtown Durham just for the food. I thought it was pretty funny how everything else seem dead for a late afternoon in a downtown area except for the place serving up chicken and waffles!! Obviously 90 degree + weather can't keep people away from here!
(5)Chip M.
Chicken and Waffles?? I laughed and thought it was a joke the first time I heard about it. Let me tell you, it is NO JOKE! It's a very peculiar combination, from an interesting slice of Americana history with a very rewarding ending. Oh, so delicious! We went with another couple who had eaten chicken and waffles in Brooklyn, where it all started, and they were quite impressed with how authentic they made it. As noted by other Yelpers, the parking is rough and the wait can be rather startling. The first time we went, we left a phone number and they called when our table was ready. Honestly, I think the wait just tells me this place is awesome, and well, a little small. Next time, we'll try the online reservations. And there will be a next time!! Echoing most other reviewers, the chicken is uniquely cooked and seasoned with an excellent balance. Similarly, the waffles are lightly crispy on the outside without being dry and tough on the inside. Separately, the two are nothing short of delicious. However, when they are combined, there is almost something magical that happens. Two items in seeming conflict and opposition collide together to perform a dazzling number of sweet and savory in your mouth. It's really fantastic. The sides were good, but honestly, not much could nor should distract you from the main event. Of course not everyone is as smitten with chicken and waffles as yours truly, but try it and at the very least, chalk it up to a new experience. Recommendations: Go during the week. Try and keep it in a group 4 or smaller. Make a reservation. Avoid the panko cutlet with plum sauce, it was crazy salty and a sad experience for the wife. Everything else was delectable.
(4)Codi Alyssa B.
This is one of our favorites! One of the first places we tried when we lived that way - everyone rants and raves and for good reason, too. Check them out!
(5)Sean B.
Wow.. perfect. . I have lived in the south for many years and love southern food. My parents are purely northern. I brought the here for there 1st visit to NC and my 1st visit to Dames. Impeccable family like service with even better food. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED! !
(5)Brad W.
The food is good, but only 3 stars because of service and details lately. A few weeks ago they ran out of cutlets one hour into Sunday, their busiest day of the week. There was a 2+ hour wait, and at one point they had almost 1/2 of the dining room with empty tables. They were in no hurry to get them cleared and get people in the door. This week I was seated for 15 minutes before I got my drink and they were out of maple syrup 15 minutes after opening. The food: the mac and cheese is good, but usually not as good as Tobacco Road's. the quality varies on different days. I love their chicken, waffle, shmear combination, but Beasley's in Raleigh has far superior chicken. The combo of everything is a bit better at Dame's though.
(3)Marissa W.
A friend and I stopped in for an impromptu dinner at Dame's yesterday (a Thursday evening) and we weren't disappointed! The wait was minimal - perhaps three minutes to sit down, and our waitress was more than ready to take our order, while we were still deciding. We both ordered variations of the first combo, the Red Crested Rose Comb. My friend ordered the combo as-is, with no substitutions: two fried chicken drumsticks, a classic waffle with candied pecans, and a strawberry "shmear;" he chose the salad as his side. I had the two fried chicken drumsticks with a sweet potato waffle, no pecans, and an orange-honeycomb shmear, plus the fruit side. We added on a side of grits to share, since my friend had never tried them! Beverages: He had a coke, and I had an unsweet tea. The coke was fine; the tea wasn't my favorite that I've had, but it wasn't offensive, either. Verdict: We both LOVED our waffles. I couldn't get enough of the sweet potato waffle, but I'm dying to try the gingerbread sometime, too! My friend loved his strawberry shmear but didn't like my orange-honeycomb shmear - which I thought was delicious. I had ordered my waffle without pecans, but received them anyway. I tried a few and wasn't terribly impressed, but I'm not a fan to begin with, so that's no surprise. I think we both agreed that the fried chicken was some of the best that we'd ever had (and the couple one table over confided that they think Dame's has the best fried chicken in all of Durham). The fresh fruit was strawberries and pineapple. The berries weren't great, but the pineapple was really, really good. The side salad was fine. My friend hated grits - obviously not a Southerner! - but I thought they were fine, and didn't mind eating the whole bowl myself. :) Overall: 4 stars, because I'd have to dine here consistently to be impressed enough to give a 5. No complaints (other than including pecans when I'd asked for my waffle without), delicious food; I'll definitely be back!
(4)Emma A.
I heard so many good things about this place that I just HAD to try it. The only problem was, I couldn't time a brunch time where there wasn't a long wait! The first time I tried, we went on a Sunday afternoon after 3. Closed. :( The next weekend, again, Sunday after church and a 35 min wait. We didn't want to wait that long, so we tried again the following Saturday. An hour wait! Tired of coming back, we decided to wait. And it was worth it. Our server was pleasant, but the place was grossly understaffed. When we entered the restaurant,, there was no host to greet us and take our names. I asked someone coming from the kitchen in an apron where the host was, and he was it. For a busy Saturday brunch, 3 staff was clearly not enough. There were also a bunch of empty tables, so we didn't quite understand why the wait was so long. But I digress. On to the food. The waffles were awesomely buttery and wonderfully sweet. I got the Buff Brahmas, perfect for my preference of mildly flavored foods. The chicken was crunchy and uniquely seasoned. I got a side of fruit, teeny portions in my opinion (just two chunks of pineapple and two strawberries) and my boyfriend got the mac and cheese, so I shared with him. The mac and cheese was awesome by the way. In short, the food was great, service has much to be desired, and if I return, I'll block out more time.
(4)John G.
Busy place, but it's legit as good as the hype, worth a reservation. If you have never been, maybe a weekday lunch instead of fighting for brunch spots.
(5)Laura S.
My fiancé, soon to be brother-in-law, and I went here for brunch on a Sunday morning. We made sure that we were there before they opened because anytime I drive by there is always a line and I've encountered more than an hour wait at Dames! So we arrived about 10 minutes prior to opening and were the first people in line. However, the staff didn't even show up until opening time, which meant that we were waiting for another 1/2 hour before the doors even opened (30 minutes after opening time!). I ordered the light brown leghorns (chicken legs, classic waffle with caramel and cashews) while my fiancé ordered the shrimp and grits. My meal was tasty but I ended up taking a lot of it home because the portion was HUGE (I should have known since it comes with 4 chicken legs). If I went again in the future, I'd probably order al a carte because I like a pretty plain waffle and not a lot of fried chicken! The schmears were wonderful!
(3)Danny B.
FOOL ME TWICE, SHAME ON ME. I decided to return to Dame's to give it another chance. I was craving a good waffle and my mother and I were downtown visiting the Farmer's Market--and for the second time, Dame's made a fool out of me. First of all, I am appalled by the lack of reinvestment in this business. It was raining outside, so we decided to wait in the waiting area at the rear of the restaurant by the bathroom. Dear management, if you are going to have customers waiting in your restaurant for an hour for your chicken and waffles, you can at least equip the area with proper lighting. We were basically sitting in a dark janitor's closet. The walls and floor was filthy, the paint was chipped and the chairs we were sitting in looked like they had been brought in from the dumpster. I realize it takes restaurants years to become profitable, but if you can open a location in Greensboro, you can throw a few coats of paint on the walls and buy a lamp. Now to the important part--the food. While my mother's wings were satisfactory, my chicken legs had to have been fried A WEEK before they were served to me. I have never tasted such dry, tough and stringy chicken in my entire life. The greens were ok, but too spicy. There was sufficient warning in the menu about the spiciness, but they were almost inedible. The mac and cheese was a disappointment as it had been before, but even soggier than I remembered. My gingerbread waffle was hideous (very dark, almost burnt on the edges and on one side), BUT DELICIOUS. As I've said before, the waffle batter is the saving grace of this establishment. The highlight of my meal was the strawberry mimosa that was was made with champagne and strawberry lemonade---it was absolutely delicious. So delicious, I almost didn't realize the ROTTEN STRAWBERRY that was used as a garnish. REALLY? What really made this visit horrible was the service. The server was not responsive or timely, and at one point she completely disappeared. After we sat down, I had to get up and go get our silverware. At the end of our meal, my mother and I asked for the check and purposely watched the server's every move only to see her walk around aimlessly, go check on few more people, go get a take out box for someone who was still eating their meal, and shoot the breeze with a coworker all before she went to print our check. Perhaps she was daring me to write this review. Needless to say, I will not be returning. Lesson learned: second chances are for suckas.
(1)Hitesh N.
Finally experienced what all the fuss was about this place and the chicken and waffles. Very glad I did. Friendly staff and great food, especially late night.
(4)Cait H.
Real quote from our meal at Dame's: "I want to put this shmear all over my face." It could be said that I was completely hypnotized by the notion of chicken and waffles long before we even got to Dame's, and once we started eating, I may've suffered a mild to critical food-induced euphoria, sprinkled with whimsy. To me, "schmear" (sans the "C" at Dame's) is a spread of cream cheese on a bagel. Dame's version is far better. Butter is already delicious, but when you whip it into submission and add fresh creativity - you've got yourself a winning combo. Being a classy broad myself, I ordered the Classy Hen and Jay ate his way through the Carolina Cockerel with pleasure. We shared sides of mac and cheese and "mean" greens (aka: spicy collards). The marriage of powdered sugar dust on my fried chicken cutlet, plus vanilla/almond shmear on a classic, fluffy waffle is pretty hard to explain. There was some fantastic spice and/or seasoning in the chicken breading that I still can't put my finger on. Maybe it's best left a delicious secret. The macaroni and cheese was good, but kind of an afterthought, and the collards weren't to my liking, but Jay was pleased. Jay's blueberry waffle came with a peach/apricot shmear, which wasn't as good as mine :-P This is not your everyday, ordinary, run-of-the-mill brunch. I don't think I would survive eating this way with any frequency; the carb coma was a bit much afterwards. However, out-of-town guests - call me. We're going here. I hope you eat joy.
(5)Matt P.
I grew up in Los Angeles and always loved going to Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles. I still miss it. But Dame's, I have to say, blows it away. I was amazed how much better this was than anything I expected. I got a chicken cutlet with a regular waffle with the "almond and vanlla schmear" (basically, that's whipped butter flavored with vanilla and almonds)... The chicken as tender, delicious, with a rich, savory breading on the outside. As good as any fried chicken I've ever had. The waffle was huge, fluffy, and just slightly sweet. Perfect. The "schmear" was a pleasant surprise.... sweet, nutty, and light. The restaurant itself is decorated in dark woods and has a bit of an upscale feelThe prices are a little high for a chicken-and-waffle place, but I loved every bite, so I didn't mind. I'll be back. I have a new favorite Triangle restaurant...
(5)Erica H.
Love this place! Definitely recommend getting a reservation though if you have more than 4 people!
(5)Kojo B.
That was some delicious chicken and waffles. I was in NC over the weekend visiting friends in Durham initially and then the Carolina's beach. My first stop was at Dames chicken and waffle, oh boy that was some good stuff. I will be honest most chicken and waffle places they nail the waffle, and the chicken are essentially flavorless wings. I care more for the chicken than the waffles. Anyhow, i ordered the leghorns and blueberry waffle and their choclate schmear (essentially flavored butter). THe only problem i had was the nuts that cam with the pancake should have held of on that, but that chicken (4 legs/thighs) was dynamite. Good and delicious. If i go to Durham again i am hitting that spot. You know its a good place, when prior to opening a short line had formed.
(5)Chris F.
I've been here twice. First time I had the Orange Speckled Chabo with mac & cheese, and the second time I had the Buff Brahmas with squash. The chicken has been consistently moist and tender. The waffles are the fluffy kind, whereas I prefer crunchy, but they were good nonetheless. It's nice to see such a focused menu -- all they do is chicken and waffles. I haven't been blown away by the sides so far. The mac & cheese was a little on the dry side for me, and the squash was a bit salty. The food seemed like an okay value. The Buff Brahmas (chicken cutlet) easily stretched into two generous meals, though I should note that fried chicken and waffles don't reheat particularly well. A better strategy might be splitting an order with a friend. The atmosphere was more upscale that I expected. Not a bad place for a date, though it can get a little noisy.
(4)Josh T.
Very long wait (30 minutes past reservation). Food was average. Staff was chatty but inattentive - didn't notice a spill, didn't refill drinks, manager preoccupied on a laptop in the dining room. Lots of potential. Hope they will get a bit more professional.
(2)Heather B.
So this doesn't seem to be the majority opinion, but I thought Dame's was...just ok. I went there for the first time last Saturday evening (April 6) with a large group (10), so the fact that we went with a group might have skewed my experience. The food was good (although not mind-blowing), but the service was pretty darn terrible. We made a reservation online for our group, so expected to be seated relatively quickly once we arrived. Instead, we were led to the dark hallway that leads to the restrooms and told to wait there. Since there really wasn't room for us back there, we took up the whole narrow hallway and basically blocked access to the restrooms. Awkward. And despite our on-time arrival, we waited about 45 minutes to be seated with our reservation. Once we were seated, the waitress handed out menus and asked for drink orders. We asked about beers / wines available and were told there were 3 local beer options on tap and 4 "white options" for wine. Once placing our drink orders and waiting 15 minutes, we were told that there was actually 1 beer and 1 wine option. Cool. I guess I'll get "the" beer. After that, the meal went relatively smoothly. We placed our orders and waited a reasonable amount of time for the food to arrive. My food arrived warm enough, but not hot. The chicken seemed a little under-seasoned. Despite those things, the food was still generally good. There was a lot of variance of opinion at the table, with some people saying it was delicious slash the best thing ever and others underwhelmed by their dishes. My opinion was that I've had "smack yo momma" good chicken and waffles (at the now-defunct Junior's in Charlotte) and this was not it. My husband was very pleased with his meal though, so I am willing to give it one more try. I wavered between giving Dame's two or three stars and ended up at three because my husband continues to rave about the chicken (he got a plate with a cutlet and mine had wings) and I will give the benefit of the doubt for the service because we had such a large group.
(3)Sheri T.
Delicious chicken and waffles. My personal favorite is the blueberry kind that my kids got. HUGE portions. The wait? Terrible. :) I suggest a reservation. Sweet tea? Nasty. Avoid. I was disappointed! For a southern style restaurant with fried chicken and waffles, I expected delicious, mouth watering sweet tea however I was given nasty instant tasting tea. Mac N Cheese? Tastes like Thanksgiving dinner. This is good and bad. There was probably an entire bottle of Rosemary in my dish. At first it was delicious but a few bites in, the overpowering Rosemary was a turn off. Atmosphere was good. :) It was a bit hot in there tho. $$$ Kinda pricy I think for what you're getting. You could go have sushi instead. Oh and parking sucks. :) Prepare to hoof it from the garage if you're unlucky to catch a street one near by.
(3)Mallory R.
This place is awesome, but I had one of the weirdest experiences of my life here. The food: The food was amazing. The chicken was perfect and the waffle flavors are ridic. I had a sweet potato waffle with maple-pecan smear (a quilted buttercup on the menu) and it was pretty life-changing. The mac and cheese was good, but nothing to write home about. All in all, all 4 of us loved it. This is a great place to bring out-of-towners for weekday breakfasts/brunch. Dame's is pretty small, so if you go on a weekend...good luck. We didn't have to wait since we went mid-day on a Thursday. The experience: Our waiter was very friendly, but seemed a little uncomfortable. Maybe he was new. He was attentive (especially to the 2 other women in my party), but sort of constantly around, so that was a little odd, but no big. When it came time to get our checks, we asked him to separate them and he didn't bring me one. I asked why, and he told me it was gone from the system. Naively, I was all, "Oh I had..." and then he told me that it was "taken care of." So I was mystified, but not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, I went to get money out for a tip, at which point some other guy (seemed like the manager) came over and said, "What, you think I didn't tip him? I got you." So, at this point, I know who paid for the food, and I'm thinking this guy is about to hit on me (and he was pretty cute!)...but no, he just walks away. Our waiter comes back and hands me a bill with $2 in change, and at this point I am thoroughly confused. I didn't have to pay and now I have been handed money. Then our waiter says, "You know, you aren't the only famous person in here today. Ron White is sitting in the front." So I say, "Oh yeah? I'm famous? What am I in?" And he says, "I don't know, I just know you're famous! I saw you signing autographs outside." After a brief conversation, I realize that I am never going to understand what has just occurred. As we leave the restaurant, we see that Ron White really is there, and it dawns on me that someone in this restaurant must really think I am famous. That, or someone really needs to work on their game. If this place allowed you to get take-out (which they only sort-of do, you can get take-out if there is no wait and you order it there and wait for it), I would go everyday. But I'm too famous to eat in.
(5)Lindsay H.
Literally the best fried chicken I've ever had. Ever. And I've eaten an embarrassing amount of fried chicken in my time. It's absolutely worth the wait. I just wish they had a full bar.
(4)Rebecca L.
This really was the best chicken and waffles I have ever tasted. My friend and I shared the Quilted Buttercup. It was plenty of food between the both of us, with delicious macaroni and cheese as part of the meal. The maple schmear was the perfect spread for the soft and savory waffle.
(5)Mark W.
Ah, chicken and waffles. I'm surprised by how few restaurants in the area serve this dish. I've been to Dame's four or five times so far, and it's quickly becoming one of my favorite restaurants in Durham. The basic setup consists of chicken, a waffle, a side, and flavored butter called a "schmear". Each item varies based on what you order, but I've always been able to change out the type of the waffle or schmear. I generally try to order things that I can't make at home, so I always go for one of the special waffles. So far, my favorite dish is The Frizzled Fowl with the sweet potato waffle substituted in for the classic waffle. This dish has the chicken coated in Panko bread crumbs, with plum sauce and almonds sprinkled over the plate and a blueberry schmear on the side. Absolutely delicious! I had heard that Dame's did vegan chicken replacements at some point (maybe for the Vegan challenge in Durham a while back?) and wish they would bring it back. It would be much easier to bring vegetarians here with a chicken substitute available, and I think Durham would have enough vegetarians to meet the supply once word got out that they could eat here. Other than that, my only two complaints would be the paper drinking cups and no options for real maple syrup. I understand that real maple syrup is too expensive to offer standard, but the option to add it for a small surcharge would be ideal. I'm often tempted to bring my own maple syrup, but generally don't have enough warning to pick it up. All of my servers have been friendly, and the service has usually been pretty quick. There can be a long wait time on busy nights, but they do have benches outside and there are plenty of shops nearby to browse in while you wait. Overall, a great restaurant, and highly recommended.
(5)Erica S.
Absolutely the worst customer service!!!!! My friend and I went there after church for brunch and we were turned away. We checked their hours of operation before driving over and they did not close until 3 pm. The man at the door said today was a different and they were closed at 245pm. I try to support local business, but this business will be a very last resort when seeking a place for food.
(1)Samantha K.
Dame's Chicken & Waffles is one of my favorite spots to go to in Durham. Before Dame's, I never indulged in the combo of chicken and waffles together, and I am so glad I am tried it out! The combination of flavors (or shmears as they call it) with the cuts of chicken are so divine. Even if you do not like chicken or don't eat meat, you can make a meal off with one of their waffles with a shmear of your choice. The mac n cheese is so grand, it's one of the best mac n cheese dishes around. The service is always very attentive and they make the experience that much better. I also recommend taking a nap (or getting a to go box) because the portion sizes are huge and oh so delicious. I will certainly be back!
(5)Spencer H.
Wow. Their waffles are so fluffy and their chicken is do good! Really each item can hold its own by itself, but when you put them together something magical happens. To a lot of people it may seem like an odd combination, but it works, trust me! They have several spreads (smears) to chose from as well as waffle types and chicken cuts. The possibilities are endless. A word to the wise, plan your trip wisely and keep your party small, the dining room is small and fills up quick! But worth the wait!
(5)Joanne L.
Definitely worth the 100 miles that I need to run afterwards. We got there at around 1pm on sunday, and the wait was an hour! The place is quite small, so call ahead and make reservation to avoid the painful wait. We went down to the cafe next door and had dessert and coffee first to kill time. I got the buff brahma and my friend got the leghorn plate ( i think). Both were delicious. I was worried that the chicken would be dry from reading some of the past reviews, but ours were cripsy on the outside and juicy on the inside. I really like the whiskey creme sauce on my chicken. The smears and syrup on waffle pair with the hot sauce and whiskey sauce on my chicken - I was definitely in food haven. I tried my friend's wings, and I love how crispy they fried the chicken. The chicken was well seasoned as well! We also got greens and grits for sides. I am not a fan of grits to begin with, and these did not convert me into a grits loving person, but I am no judge of grits. The greens were good however. I enjoyed the hit of spiciness. The food came out pretty fast. We barely had time to color before the food came out and we started stuffing our face like pigs. We left the place happy and heavy WITH plenty of leftovers. If you have not tried the chicken and waffle combination, you are missing out. Go to Dame's, give it a try, and you won't be disappointed. One thing though, my credit card was charged twice. I had to call my credit card company and report it, which was annoying.
(4)Myke O.
Amazing. I went for the "Classy Hen" which had white meat on a waffle with a vanilla bean drawn butter (which they call a "schmere"). Absolutely delicious and great atmosphere.
(5)Yu H.
I would say the biggest surprise about this place is the atmosphere. Heading towards a chicken and waffles joint I definite did not expect the place to look the way it did. This restaurant has a clean modern design. Its beautiful on the inside and the jazz in the background only adds to the ambiance. Having seen all that I didn't know what to expect from this place. We had the: Chicken and waffles: I forgot which one but its the one with 3 wings and a blueberry waffle. Its delicious, the chicken is battered in some sort of proprietary mix with spices in it and it matches perfectly with the soft blueberry waffle. Add their home made spreads and this dish will make your day. Shrimp and Grits: Was recommended by the server and definitely worth a shot. Its also very very tasty. Basically its shrimp, onions, and sausage in a rich buttery sauce over grits. Damn good. In the end this is a solid chicken and waffles place with beautiful decor. If you want a good meal you cant go wrong here.
(4)G. P.
I lie to you not.....the waffles melt as soon as they hit your tongue, the roof peels off, the clouds open and a host of angels sing songs about how blessed you are to be eating at Dame's Chicken & Waffles.
(5)Carmen G.
This place is AWESOME!!!! This is my first time having chicken and waffles and I am so glad it was here. Wow! It was so good, we all loved it! My daughter opted for the salmon which see claimed was fabulous. I ordered the side of mac and cheese. I had no idea how incredible mac and cheese in southern style could be. I bought a t-shirt so I could remember this place. Much love from a Vermonter.
(5)Mariko M.
Thank you Dame for opening this place, whoever you may be ... We dropped by on a Saturday afternoon. It was packed ! However, I heard a lot of good things from Yelp'er Susan Z. so I didn't mind the wait. I was able to check out another Durham joint so it was a win-win. Service was a solid five star. Our server was so attentive and came to our table often whether it would be to pour more water into our cups or ask if there was anything else we needed. I have never been called "Ma'am" so many times in such a short period though ... maybe I look older, who knows. The food was delish! Chicken was juicy with just enough breading. It wasn't too greasy, which was nice. I ordered the The Frizzled Fowl (A panko crusted Chicken cutlets nests atop a classic Waffle shmeared w/ Baby Blueberry. All drizzled w/ plum sauce and sliced Almonds$10.75) The folks at Dame's are totally cool with you changing up your order (except the chicken prep style) so I would recommend that you change ... - The Classic Waffle for the Sweet Potato Waffle - Baby Blueberry schmear to the Pecan schmear A SOLID 4 star.
(4)Rose D.
The best chicken I have ever had, and the waffled are cooked to perfection. Great food and a great diverse atmosphere! Love it, definitely coming back!
(5)Lisa V.
OMG! We hadn't had chicken and waffles in forever and living up in the northeast, means we don't really get to satisfy this craving. Hands down the best fried chicken and waffles and grits and shmears! Don't miss out out on the spicy greens!!! Super friendly wait staff.
(5)Thea N.
Best chicken and waffles you will ever have -- I promise you. "What a Classy Hen" is my personal favorite. The mac and cheese is insanely good, and even though it's pretty certain you're ingesting six days of calories, it's worth the killer workout you'll need afterward. Service is good, and you get to color on tables. Seriously, what's better? On Sundays, make sure to get there before church gets out!
(5)Tara B.
We have eaten here many times. The food is amazing, every time. I've never had an item that wasn't delicious. The long wait and less than stellar service would have earned a three star rating from me, but the food is just so good, I continue to go back!
(4)Ed C.
Wow. What a let down. Friends have raved, and the reviews here have as well, so I decided to have a carb day and give Dame's Chicken & Waffles a try. I was greeted by a friendly gentleman as I entered, and my server arrived shortly after I was seated. Within moments, I had my beverage--though I have to say that its arrival in a paper cup soiled the ambiance a bit. I loved the decor. Grand, Greek, and Southern, all at the same time. I sat by the front window and enjoyed the view of Main Street. I also noticed their wireless network was visible but locked. When I inquired about WiFi, I was told they do not share their password. After some internal debate and input from my server, I opted for the Barnyard Honcho, described as a "...southern fried chicken cutlet accompanied by a classic waffle, a pair of cooked to order eggs and creamy buttered grits." Several minutes later, my server arrived with the eggs and grits portion of my order. I was a little surprised because I had imagined the eggs as part of the plate with the chicken and waffle; and I wasn't sure how much longer it would be before the rest of my meal arrived, having read many of the reviews mentioning the lack of urgency. Not wanting cold eggs and grits, I went ahead and started, despite the lack of visible butter. The eggs were cooked nicely. I like mine over medium, and these were darn close to perfect. The grits, however, were thin and had the tiniest amount of butter, if any at all--and they call them buttered grits! I was about a third of the way through my eggs and grits when my chicken and waffle arrived. I ordered mine with the peach/apricot shmear, and I ordered a side of the Whiskey Crème Sauce. I also asked for some unflavored butter. My first exposure to Chicken & Waffles was in the 1998 John Cusack and Tim Robbins movie _Tapeheads_, where we learn that "...a waffle's just a pancake with little squares on it..." And in my opinion, a waffle, or a pancake for that matter, is simply a conduit for butter. And call me crazy, but I like salted butter. After the reviews I read, I expected my waffle to be absolutely drenched in butter, and I was absolutely fine with that. Color me disappointed that it arrived with that tiny shmear of unsalted butter with a little peach/apricot flavor. Other than that, the waffle was ok. The chicken, on the other hand was deeply encrusted in a heavy, hard, helmet that had an extra herb to it that didn't draw me in. Underneath the concrete breading, I found a tasty piece of chicken, but it took a jack hammer to get at it... and piece of breading flew all over the table. Good thing they have those brown paper "table cloths." I didn't hate it, but I was certainly not impressed. I don't even think the syrup was real maple syrup. Maybe it was, but it seemed like Mrs. Butterworth's or Aunt Jemima's to me. If I were to serve chicken & waffles, here's what I'd do. I'd get some toaster waffles; remember, they're like a canvas, a conduit for butter. I'd butter the waffles really well with salted butter--Land O'Lakes works well, and so does that heavenly butter at Firebird's. Then I'd put a chicken breast from Sunrise Biscuits in the middle. I'd drizzle it all with genuine New Brunswick maple syrup and have the hot sauce and more butter on hand. Dame's had shrimp and grits as a special today. Man do I wish I'd ordered that instead.
(2)Larry B.
Authentic... Down Home... Unpretentious... Simply Chicken and Waffles - fried chicken, rustic iron country styled waffles (available in gingerbread, sweet potato, plain, and blueberry) with whipped butters in a variety of flavored to add a little something extra. Syrup wasn't bad, although I couldn't tell if it was the real deal. Original House of Pancakes is a really good chain experience, typically, for breakfasts. Cracker Barrel is alright. Dame's is a one-of-a-kind place. Definitely a favorite of the locals and expect a wait if you go at normal breakfast times. The crowd dies out for awhile though around 2:30, so you can sneak in if you have the flexibility in your schedule to do so.
(4)Matt J.
Slow service, and the waiter often forgets to bring water. Those minor gripes aside, the food is amazing and well worth the wait.
(5)Caitlin F.
We went on a Monday around noon and there was a 45 minute wait. This place is POPULAR! They were massively understaffed but the food was FANTASTIC. Also, the "schmears" were delectable. Sweet cream butter blended with toppings (i.e. choc. hazelnut, peach/apricot, blueberry, orange/honey.....ALL were so yummy!) And they give you TONS of food...so...more delicious chicken/waffles for later! YAY!
(4)oluseyi o.
While in Durham on an overnight biz trip this spot was recommended. Great recommendation!!! The ambience was great, good lighting and jazz inspired decor. I ordered the classic waffle with two wings and one cutlet. It came with a shmear (flavored whipped butter) and an insanely good whiskey caramel sauce. The dish also came with one side...I had the Mac n chz. It was okay...oddly lots of parsley. All in all for $14 I'd definitely go back. Everything was cooked to order and came out hot! If you're in the area give it a try.
(4)Haley M.
Service was slow and the Mac and cheese was good but over-seasoned. I love Mac and cheese usually any way it comes but this Mac and cheese was missing something in addition to the very assertive seasoning.
(2)Tania M.
This is one of those places that you would want to take people who come to visit to show off some amazing southern food. Everything we had was delicious! I even loved the spicy greens - which normally I wouldn't even bother trying greens. The mac-n-cheese is a must!
(5)James H.
It was good, don't get me wrong, but it wasn't an hour and a half long wait good. The waitress was nice enough, but seemed pretty discombobulated and our food came out without the sides, which, she said, came out when they came out. Chicken was fall off the bone, but a little greasy. Waffle was good, but not blow your mind good and the mac and cheese was sort of an afterthought. I'd definitely go back if there wasn't an hour long wait.
(3)Daphney P.
Undoubtedly, the waffles and mac and cheese are awesome. The chicken can be hit or miss - I took my sister and my son just a few days ago and the chicken was overly salty and spiced to death. I've had it other times where the chicken was perfect. I've been to this restaurant countless times and the food is always good. However, unfortunately, I'm one of those people who actually cares about customer service, so, my issue with them is their terrible service and inconsistent rules. We went at 11:30 a.m. on a Monday to beat the lunch crowd - but the place was already packed. So, I asked if we could just order our food to go at the bar. The hostess said yes, and told us to go wait at the bar. While waiting, a waiter with dreads told us that they don't do 'to go' orders when there is a wait outside. The hostess told us to wait (again - another 5 minutes - at this point we had been waiting a total of 15 minutes). So, we waited for her and she finally spoke to him and told him what she told us. He made a point of speaking loudly and reiterating what he told us. In the end, she cleared a table for us and we ate at the restaurant. I could ignore this one incident IF the last time I interacted with them wasn't also terrible. I called ahead to make a reservation and they told me they were no longer accepting reservations - when I asked to just place an order over the phone - they told me no, that I have to come to the restaurant to place my to go order. When I came in and asked why, they said they want to avoid people ordering and failing to pick up the order. So, apparently, you can't order over the phone AND you can't order when the restaurant is busy. I'm sure I'll go back but it won't be any time soon and I won't be giving them any rave reviews any time soon either.
(2)Lindsay S.
Great service and even better food. Creative menu. Reservations are always a good idea since it is so busy. I only wish I didn't have to pay extra for real maple syrup. The flavor variety of the waffles and schmears make for endless possibilities and I can't wait to go again and try something new. This place blows Beasley's Chicken and Honey out of the water and thankfully is way less hipster too ;)
(5)Jareth R.
Place was good chicken was very good and waffles where delicious i will give it 5 star because i had problem with food and manager took care of it and just did not ignore my issue. Food took to long one thing they don't accept AMERICAN EXPRESS so have back form of payment.
(5)Chase A.
I think Dave S. basically said everything that needs to be said: "Ok. Drop whatever else you are doing and go here. It is amazing. I think my body would shut down if I ate here too often, but oh my God it is good." Yes. That. Best mac n cheese I've ever had. It has thyme in it. It's incredible. Perfectly greasy (i.e., not too bad, but greasy nonetheless). I try to get fruit sometimes to make me feel better about the other crap I'm eating, but really I just want this particular pile of cheese with my entree of fried fat. They let you take any of their items and mix em up -- I say try the sweet potato waffle and whatever schmear suits your fancy. I've specifically avoided going at noon based on claims that service is incredibly slow. I have a low level of patience when I'm starving, and I've never had a problem here. Servers have been friendly and fast most times, though it's true that walking in can be kind of a "hellllooooooo?" experience. They'll see you eventually.
(5)Zha L.
My goodness... Never had one of these til over last weekend! And I must say it was quite special for a Saturday dinner. A nice little restaurant in downtown Durham with excellent service and soul food. The interior decor was very simple but clean. Even though the restaurant was full, we didn't mind sitting at the bar since the NCAA game was on. Our waiter was very attentive and friendly, and he was happy to go over the menu with us since it was our first time. In the menu everything is reasonably priced and you're allowed to order any kind of waffle and any kind of shmear with your chicken. I went with the Orange Speckled Chabo with fruits on the side, but unfortunately they were out of sweet potato waffle. It was such a bummer!! I got all excited since the waiter was just raving about it. So it was unfortunately substituted with regular waffle... The fried chicken with honey dijon sauce was tasty and tender. It was well seasoned and marinated, and of course... It complimented the waffle with orange honeycomb shmear... BUT not as good when I tried my friend's waffle with CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT shmear!! Mmm... Also, I stole few bites of his grits with cheese and that was dece. But over all the dishes were "truly smack yo' mama good!" It did take some time to get our food, but our waiter kept us updated and kept refilling our super sweet ice tea. Despite the fact that I didn't get what I wanted in the first place, I still find Dame's Chicken & Waffle awesome! And I do hope to come back on my next visit!
(5)Bruce G.
Flash back a few years ago, I am in downtown ATL and I see a line out the door to this restaurant called Gladys Knight's Chicken and Waffles. That Gladys must be a great cook, I remember thinking. Because of the crowd, I didn't try to eat there, but was hoping I would get the chance one day to taste the C&W combo. Flash forward to a windy early Spring Saturday in DUR and I am bringing a friend to check out Dame's Chicken and Waffles. There is almost a line out the door, but I am determined to eat here after reading the excellent Yelp reviews. The hostess was wearing a 'what the cluck' tee-shirt which I thought was cute and took our name and said we could wait outside or in the back and the wait would probably be about 25 minutes. It was chilly and windy outside so we decided to wait in the back. This was a bit awkward because there really wasn't enough waiting area to accommodate everyone and you had to adjust to the people walking by to use the bathroom. One guy with his child was even confused and thought people were waiting in line FOR the bathroom. After about 40 minutes or so we were finally able to get seated. I ordered the waffle with strawberry smear and fried chicken drumsticks (forget their name for it). Side order was Mac and Cheese. The chicken was good, but maybe a tad overcooked. The mac and cheese had a lot more herbs and spices than what I make at home out of the box, but after a few unsure bites, it quickly began to grow on me. The waffles were probably the best part of the meal, light and fluffy. I really liked the strawberry smear to top them off also. Overall I enjoyed my Dame's experience and I'm glad I went. In some ways I think they are a victim of their own success and might want to eventually think about expanding and creating a larger waiting area to accommodate all of their customers. I was on the 3 or 4 line for my review, but will go with a 3 for this visit.
(3)James F.
Did I go on a bad night? My dad was in town and I was took him downtown to show off Durham's culinary offerings. It was a Tuesday so we found parking in the triangle, near Pleiades art gallery, and I noticed the lack of a line at Dames. I had never been, because of the typical wait, and convinced him that we were in luck to get in there with only a 10 min wait. Oh boy oh boy was I ever excited. However was I ever disappointed. My chicken was possibly the worst fried chicken I had ever had. It actually looked burnt and completely lacked a crispy outside or the wonderful taste proclaimed on Yelp. The waffles were waffles not bad but just waffles. The flavored butter helped but come on people what is all the hype about? Have you guys never had good fried chicken? My dad said that he ranked it high on his list for a way to waste $40. Yes it was $40 for two entrées and two beers. Blah! I hope that it was a bad chef night but I am never returning to find out nor am I recommending this place. I have also spoke with other locals who feel the same way. Is it because we are from the South and have a different perspective of fried chicken? I am completely perplexed. Where are all these rave reviews coming from. Don't believe the hype!
(1)Angela L.
Well......my boyfriend and I had looked at eating here a few times, but we just had never gotten around to it. I was leaving the gym today and was feeling very hungry; so I decided to give Dame's a try. I was just so tired of the same thing everyday. I got there a little after opening and there was about 4 tables already sat. I told the hostess that I wanted a to go order. She took me to the bar and gave me a menu. I was looking it over when the waitress came over and asked if it was my first time. I told her it was and she explained the menu and different items that they have. I finally decided on two items for my boyfriend and I to try that would give us a good mix of everything. There was not to long of a wait and the order was ready to go with all the utensils. When I got home and took everything out of the bags, it was like heaven. We had a regular waffle and a sweet potato one; both GREAT! Maple-pecan and peach-apricot shmear...again GREAT! Mac and cheese and spicy greens.....GREAT GREAT GREAT! So good that I had to call the manager when I got done eating. You will also get your moneys worth of food too.
(5)Diana T.
Went with my husband before a concert at the Carolina Theatre (right around the corner). The food and service were both amazing! I got the red crested rose with collard greens and my husband got the buttercup with the Mac and cheese. We were both a little skeptical of the schmears but they really made the meal that much better. Warning though: the spicy collard greens pack a kick but are delicious.
(5)Jaimey H.
I AM OBSESSED WITH THIS PLACE!!!! The food, the atmosphere, and did I mention the food is soooo good here. I have never been a fan of the chicken and waffle combo, but Dame's changed all that. The staff could be a bit less laid back, but once the food hits the table I'm glad they only come around to refill my drink. Dame's is a great place downtown. The only drawback is the weird operating hours. Be sure to check that before you go or you will be real disappointed.
(5)Crystal K.
Dame's in Durham is my favorite place to eat in the entire world!!!! Best food I've EVER had EVERY single time I go. My favorite thing on the menu is "The Buff Brahmas", I get mine with two chicken cutlets, a sweet potato waffle and an extra orange honeycomb shmear (instead of the whiskey creme sauce which is very sweet) It is Absolute PERFECTION!!! I could eat there everyday and never ever get tired of it. It's extremely addictive!!! This place is super busy and yes, you should expect at least an hour wait if you show up near supper time with no reservation. Don't be surprised if there's a line of people waiting either.Let that be a indication to you of just how awesome their food is!! It's soooo worth the wait!! I have been there at least half a dozen times in the past 8 months and it's an hour drive for me, one way!!! But each time I have been the hostess was very nice and the wait staff stayed on top of everything really well, even considering how crazy busy it was. This is the ONLY place I've ever taken my Dad to eat where he did NOT have a single complaint!!! If you only knew how that in itself speaks volumes!!! The BEST fried chicken I've ever tasted and living my entire life in NC, I've tasted A LOT of fried chicken. It's golden brown, crispy, juicy, and the seasoning is perfect! A flavor explosion! There's nothing bland or greasy about this yard bird!! Forget smacking your Granny, this place will make you smack yourself. If anyone in your party is handicapped or has any type of mobility problems, take note that this restaurant is fairly small and spacing between the tables inside is pretty tight. Also, parking is on a busy downtown street, so its very limited, but there are parking decks nearby. If you have to wait on a table, there's no place inside to wait, so you'll be standing outside on sidewalk (there are a couple of nearby benches on sidewalk) or in your car (they will call your cell phone when your table is ready if you ask them to). Reservations are the BEST way to go and only are accepted 24 hours in advance by phone or via Dame's website. I arrived once around 6pm on a Friday without a reservation and waited 1 & 1/2 hours, but I swear, it was still worth the wait!!!
(5)Jacob C.
This was a spontaneous meal. I had just left the Carolina Theater of Durham with my best friend, we used my Yelp! app to see what was near by to eat. I jokingly mentioned Chicken and Waffles, but the joke was taken seriously. I got the fried chicken breast on a sweet potato waffle, my side was herb macaroni and cheese. The chicken was very good but the waffle was nothing out of the ordinary. I was expecting it to taste like sweet potatoes. What is sad that the side out-shined the meal because the mac was a explosion of flavor in my mouth.
(3)Alejandro B.
Dame's Chicken and Waffles is more about the experience than the food. It may just be I had heard so much about the place I had higher expectations. Don't get me wrong, the chicken is crispy and flavorful but it's not spectacularly memorable. I would much prefer if they had chicken breast instead of chicken filet being the only white meat available. The sides are good, I enjoyed the mac n cheese but it's not the best I've ever had. Dame's is not worth the long wait, but it's still enjoyable. Order the fried chicken over sweet potato waffles with honey mustard sauce. Go hungry (and patient).
(3)Dan D.
Amazing find near the Durham Performing Arts Center. Their slogan "Almost" World Famous is 100% accurate. This is a true find. The waffles are the best I've ever had. The Vanilla and Almond Smear really sends it over the top. We went early on a Wed Night and it wasn't too crowded. The "Kiss My Grits" sign over the kitchen and Frank Sinatra-Marilyn Monroe art set the tone for the experience. I had the Frizzled Fowl - a panko crusted Chicken cutlet, classic Waffle, Blueberry Shmear, drizzled w/ plum sauce and Almonds. It was wonderful. The waffle was light, tender, and delicious - not at all soggy or overcooked. The chicken breast was thick with a perfect deep fried coating. For a side I had the summer squash and onions and it was fantastic. Highly recommend it for a side. Flavorful and fresh. My daughter had the shrimp & grits. It was served in a bowl. She loved the shrimp, not so much the sausage (which I ate and found terrific). My Mom had the Classy Hen and found it to be so filling she barely touched the 2nd waffle. The service was friendly and prompt, until the cash registers crashed and they needed to reboot the entire system. That kept us waiting about 15 minutes - until we paid with cash. By the time we were done there was a 20 minute wait, and the place was packed. A true Durham find, destined to become World Famous. They got it right! TV over the bar was playing the Food Network, which I thought was an original alternative to sports or CNN. We all agreed these were the best waffle's we'd ever had and will definitely be going back!
(5)Robert P.
Waited in line for a spot and we were greeted kindly and seated quickly to a table, by the window. The Vegan waffle was delicious; however, for those of you who are Pescan or Vegan, that is the only option they have for you. The waffle was good, better than most other places I have eaten. The coffee...it was horrible! I've had better coffee at Denny's so you're best to just save your money and go buy coffee somewhere else, after you eat a nice meal there. You'll find the food is great and my only advice is to get a reservation so you don't have to wait as long and don't buy the coffee. Otherwise, you'll like the food and find it is on par with most other places.
(3)Surabhi G.
Absolutely amazing !! We went here the first time for a brunch on Saturday during the holidays. The wait time was 1 hour and we almost gave up. Still we didnot give up the resolve - and am glad ! The food here is awesome:) waffles are the best I have had - sweet potato waffles are not to be missed . All their shmears are great- but don't miss the peach apricot or maple pecan. A must for all the southern food lovers out there :) just remember to make reservations in advance.
(5)Gene B.
The crayons were a bit bitter and left my mouth purple and green but the waffles and chicken were more heavenly than an angel's singing on top of Mount WaffleGod. Also, the wait time was brief, the service superb, and the weather outside freezing cold. My sole concern in the experience is the repetitive use of "sir" at the restaurant. I'm a tiny leprechaun, what have I done to deserve being called sir? I guess a more casual atmosphere would've been more fitting.
(5)Sandy T.
On our road trip to MD we stopped by here in NC. The town was dead but this place was packed! It was at least a 30min wait on a Saturday afternoon. I ordered the dueling roosters because I love wings and spicy! You get your choice of two smears (which is like a spread with different choices of flavors). Le beau ordered the orange chabon? Which is chicken cutlets. My food was okay the sauce that was suppose to be spicy wasn't really at all. Le beau even called it like a bbq sauce. The smears were good I got chocolate hazelnut and vanilla. The sides we got were mac and cheese and hot n spicy greens. Mac and cheese were ok seasoned the same as the chicken. Not really cheesy at all. The greens were ok though very oily (not my favorite thing to eat) but it was spicy. Overall the chicken was cooked and seasoned the same nothing special. I rather not have all that seasoning on the chicken batter. The waffles were ok as well. Kinda soggy but good flavor. Overall this place did not blow my mind. Maybe because im not southern but I know good food.
(3)Stephanie A.
Probably one of the most-impressed I've been at a restaurant. First, the ambiance was incredible. Southern hipster style with Claire de Lune playing elegantly in the background. I got the gingerbread waffle and while it had amazing flavor, it could have been a bit more crispy. Sauce and shmear were excellent, chicken also super tender and flavorful! Now the oregano mac and cheese was probably the best I've ever had. And I've had a lot. Excellent work!!! Wish I lived closer
(5)Mario J.
We didn't get to try the food. At 3:45 on Saturday was said to be "45 min wait, but probably sooner". After 3 more misrepresentations and 2 HOURS of waiting, we left. Some people had been sitting at tables the whole time. Other tables sat empty for long periods while scores of people waited outside to eat. Can their fried chicken and waffles be THAT good that you'd allow yourself to be treated that way? My answer is a firm no. We'll continue to do what we did after our 2 hour wait...head to Beasley's Chicken and Honey in downtown Raleigh. Fantastic food, hip place and excellent service. Dame's will not get our business.
(1)Diana X.
Chicken and waffles seems like such an odd, unexpected, and uniquely Southern combination of the kind that only Southerners like, and after having my standards set by fast food chicken and buffet waffles, I honestly did not know what to expect. But even my friends from the North/West at Duke raved about the place, so I had to check it out. It was good as all get-out, and I quickly got over the strangeness of the combination. The humble appearance of this hole-in-the-wall joint would suggest otherwise. However, several keys of success of this restaurant immediately come to mind: Quality - the few things that Dames' does, it does well. Waffles were fluffy, light, buttery imperfect squares of wheaty goodness. Chicken fried to the perfect texture, not overwhelmingly greasy. Portion sizes just right. The delicious simplicity speaks for itself, and I barely touched the sauce (also fantastic) because the chicken and waffles were great on their own. Variety - 7 types of schmears (sweet butter creme spread), favorite was peach & apricot. Blueberry, sweet potato, classic waffles. Go w/ the classic first. Classic is classic for a reason. I got the Dueling Roosters - Rd. I (four chicken wings on classic waffle, choice of two spreads). Highly recommend: classic waffle + chicken wings + mac n' cheese side (garnished with herbs!)
(4)Eddie L.
Dame's is always delicious! But definitely get a reservation, because this place is super popular. Luckily, you can reserve online so its not too much of a hassle. Chicken is great, waffle is great, and the shmears are great. Even the water is great!
(5)Travis W.
The best Chicken and Waffles EVER!!! The chicken was moist and succulent. The flavored schmears were unique as tasty. It was utterly delicious.
(5)Amy D.
Wowza this place is amazing!! I did the grilled chicken, vegan waffle (I know -lame- but I was doing a no dairy thing) and the blueberry shmear. Whoa it was delicious!! All of the shmears sounds amazing! Yum!
(5)Sheena M.
Holy crap, this food was awesome. GREAT prices, great service, and the food was absolutely amazing. My waffle was fresh and warm, the chicken was moist and tender, and the tea was spot-on! I wish this place wasn't so small, because if there was more room it would feel a bit more welcoming. Nonetheless, if you are not counting calories and you want some serious down home food, you won't be disappointed. My entire plate was $9 when I visited Dame's and you can't get any better then that!
(5)Jason K.
Never liked Chicken and Waffles before. Granted, my first experience was at an IHOP. bad idea! Dame's has rekindled my interest with their amazing variety. It's worth the wait, and there WILL be a wait, but stick it out. You won't regret it.
(5)Marisol P.
Interesting flavor options. Fun place if you're looking for something off the beaten path. Nice place to eat with friends. Casual and fun atmosphere.
(4)Matt M.
A very determined bum chased us into this joint one night. When we found out where we were inside, a sketchy situation turned into a once in a lifetime Charlton Heston revelation, "Oh-my God". This was at a time in my life where I refused to do more than drive through Durham, but after it completely changed my outlook on life in the Triangle. At a place where you'd usually have to wait in a line turning a corner, we were seated around 10 minutes. We were seated and acknowledged by our waitress, but it took some time to get down to business. I'd admit it was due to the waitresses being outnumbered more than slack service. We had an ample assortment of crayons and the table as a canvas to pass the time. I ordered a beer to keep me occupied during an unbearable anticipation for our food. The Copper Line was everything a copper ale should be. Mild biscuit malts mingled with a refined hop aftertaste that's strategically bitter. I ordered the Little Brown Leghorns! Four perfectly fried drumsticks topping my choice of ginger waffle with caramel, cashews, a mind blowing chocolate hazelnut shmear AND house mac & cheese as the side. Generous portions provided lunch for the next day and I had to restrain myself before the situation turned into a one night stand. In the middle of my meal, I had this overwhelming sense that the day's events, up until that moment, came together perfectly. The food, atmosphere, and hype about this place will have me going back until the end of time. Little Brown Leghorns, game over.
(5)Jasmine L.
LOVE the food. It's just so well made and served. Staff is friendly. This place can get hectic since it is very popular, but they ALL do their best to make you feel your most comfortable to enjoy your Chicken and Waffles. YUM!!!!! Has to be "once-in-a-while" kind of place because I would definitely clog some vessels with this delicious and rich food.
(5)Lauren T.
Customer service is amazing! Food is phenomenal!
(5)Elizabeth S.
My boyfriend took me here for dinner on a Saturday night. We were told the wait would be 45 minutes and decided to hang around outside with the rest of the crowd. There were several large parties, one of which had waited 2 hours for their table. 45 minutes came and went, and no sign of us ever being seated. The staff seemed incompetent, as we could see empty tables inside. One woman even went inside and seated herself at the bar. We left after waiting almost an hour, and I'm not sure we'll be in a hurry to return.... unless we are there before 7pm or have made a reservation, or until they hire better staff.
(1)Bashante R.
The chicken and waffles were amazing. They had many different combinations but I kept it simple with classic waffle and chicken wings. Everyone at my table enjoyed their food. They would have gotten5 stars but I sampled the Mac and cheese and I did not like it. Everything else down to the grits was tasty but Mac and cheese mean a lot to me. I have had chicken and waffles at roscoes in la, Gladys in Atlanta, and hash house a gogo in Vegas. This is one of the best on that tip
(4)Christina G.
Chicken & Waffles. The combination isn't awful. I would eat them on a plane. I would eat them on a train. I would eat them in the rain! Get them fried or get the wings -- either way your tastebuds sing! Yes, Dame's makes me so happy I want to rhyme about it. Sorry you were subjected to that. I would have gone on, but couldn't think of good couplets for the smears. What are smears, you ask? Why, my friend, they are glorious scoops of whipped butter in nearly as many flavors as Baskin Robbins boasts: strawberry, blueberry, hazelnut-chocolate and more! True: I spent more time trying to decide what to order than I did eating the meal (which I inhaled in under ten minutes!). I dig the atmosphere -- though they are definitely still getting their set-up complete. The bar back had some papers and stuff shuffled on it and kitchen seemed to be slow considering their were only three total tables dining in when I was there. Nice touches with the white carved columns and 3-blade bamboo fans. The free standing tables can easily be pushed together to accommodate groups; and the little bar with the flatscreen was a great place for my solo lunch. I had the two fried drumsticks and waffle with strawberry smear, side of mac n' cheese (they also had collards, fruit and a few other items). I liked everything so much I nearly went back the same day for dinner! Like I said, there were about a million things on the menu that were calling out to me and I can't wait to cross them all off the list.
(4)Michelle K.
avoid the inevitable heart break that comes when you get turned away because you didn't make reservations. definitely make reservations and enjoy the ride
(5)L M.
Yay! I'm a fan is an accurate rating for how I feel about Dame's. While I hate when I have to wait, I enjoy the food. I've only had one terribly bad experience there where the waitress wasn't attentive and the food was much slower than usual. They corrected the problem though so in the end I was happy. The only thing I can say is, occasionally when they get crowd, your chicken may be overcooked, that kind of ruins the moment while you're patiently waiting for your meal. My favorite meal is the Buff Brahmas. While it may sound weird, I think I enjoy the place mostly because their wings are small. I do not like big wings (or big pieces of chicken for that matter). Last time I was there, they had big wings and they were overcooked, it is my hope that next time they'll have smaller wings and they'll cook them just right. The mac and cheese is their best side to me. Now that I think about it, I think I'll go for lunch tomorrow. Oh, btw this place is small so people are usually waiting outside. Even on slow nights they make people wait outside if they're waiting for their party. That's a bit of a turnoff. I'm not sure what's up with that, it makes sense when you're packed but when you only have 2 or 3 tables with people it doesn't make sense.
(4)Jennifer E.
We are visiting RDU for the weekend and wanted to eat somewhere local (vice a chain), so we picked Dame's based on previous reviews. They did not let us down. There was a longish line, which we expected since we came at peak brunch time on a Sunday. We were told the wait was over an hour for a party of 2, but we were seated at a lovely table by the window in about 30 mins. The service was great, attentive, but not pushy. We asked for a food recommendation and our server had a great one off the top of her head. She knew the menu very well. The manager on duty also stopped by twice during our meal to see how things were going. The food was awesome! Totally the highlight. The waffles were great, not too crunchy/dry, not too mushy. The chicken was also executed well, even the boneless skinless breast cutlets. Their 'almost famous' schmears (flavored butters) also bring interesting flavors to the plate. They're a nice touch. We had the Mac n' cheese as our side, which was better than average and very herb-y. I don't often leave a restaurant as happy as I was at the end of my meal here. Now I just need a nap.
(5)Jessica B.
I was dying to come eat here as i heard it was really good. We arrived and waited 2 hours to eat. So the service was good and the restaurant had such move love and southern flair to it. I ordered the sweet potato waffles with the maple pecan schmear which was to die for and it came with the 4 drumsticks which the batter was not that good and 1 side which was the herb mac and cheese was okay. i dont know how i ate all of it but i definitely felt sick after all that. I will go back solely for the waffles again and making reservations for sure.
(4)Kati W.
Went here for dinner after visiting an expo I was in town for. This place is delicious! I will go back every time I am in Durham. The wait was 45 minutes, but I can understand why. Worth every minute.
(5)Samira A.
Pro: Food, Service Con: long wait to sit, crowded I was a little skeptical at first on getting chicken and waffles, but I decided to go for it and I'm VERY GLAD I DID! The food was very delicious! I had the sweet potato waffle/chicken cutlet/maple-pecan smear with a side of grits. Very delicious, filling, and flavorful, no questions asked. A friend ordered Mac & cheese for her side...next time I'll be getting that! Only downfall was we had to wait about 45 min to be seated. However many locals said that's normal for a restaurant downtown on a Friday night. Will definitely go again and recommend to everyone!
(4)Ashley N.
The Best! went here for the 1st time & was not dissapointed. I will def. go back. We did have to wait a while but that gave us time to walk around & discover new little shops in durham. Worth the wait! Cons: wish the place was bigger so the wait wouldnt be as long. Pros: The food, The staff, They text you when your table is ready The grits were great, the chicken seasoned perfectly,waffle was good & the maple walnut smear also good. It is as good as everyone says!
(5)Suzann K.
A few years ago I ate at Gladys Knight's Chicken & Waffles down in Atlanta - 1 hour and 45 minutes to be seated under a pair of her shoes in a display box and eat something that was neutrally unmemorable. So the concept of chicken & waffles has always left me sort of "meh". I get it now. Oh boy, do I get it! Wandering around on a Sunday morning in Durham looking for food before hitting the road, we saw a small group of people beginning to congregate outside of Dame's. We shrugged and took a chance, as the restaurant was scheduled to open in about 20 minutes. A few minuted later, a gentleman announced he would start taking names for the list, and seat people in small waves, so as not to overwhelm the kitchen (I have no problem with this logic - having worked restaurants in the past, this is smart time management). The line and the list continued to grow, and I realized how lucky we were to have come early. We were called about 10 minutes after they opened, and the joint was definitely jumping, so I can allow for a slight lag in service after we were seated (but there were crayons and butcher paper at the table, so we kept busy LOL). But throughout the meal, the hostess checked on our drinks, and when I made a trip to the restroom, the gentleman who took the initial list at the door asked how I was enjoying the food, and remembered my name as well. That struck me as a personal touch that went above and beyond, and helped reinforce my overall positive impression. The food was excellent. I understand the concept of chicken and waffles now! The schmears are bright and flavorful, and the waffles were nice and fluffy. I was worried my sweet potato waffle would end up reminding me of sweet potato fries or tots, but they were much closer to a moist pumpkin pancake. The chicken was cooked beautifully, and the grits were tasty (though I'm not a huge fan of grits in general - I do keep trying though!). If we lived in Durham, I'm sure this would be a regular brunch location for us, if only to keep working our way through the menu. I would recommend that weekend brunchers make the extra effort to get there early, as it seems to have quite a following, Note that parties of more than 4 people will be split to different tables, so it may not be a workable solution for those who like to have a big family/group meal. They also will not seat you until your party is all there, not an unusual practice, but again, worth noting if you're planning to meat up with friends.
(5)Cupcake's M.
CHICKEN AND WAFFLE HEAVEN!!!!!!!!! This is THE place for Chicken and Waffle efficianados! It was so damn good, I blogged about it! sweetlysavory.blogspot.c…
(5)Elaine L.
This is the BEST Chicken & Waffles place I've had in the Triangle area! I personally would just eat the waffles because they're super fresh and fluffy. And their homemade schmear is to die for! When we asked our waiter what he liked best, he answered "All of them." :) I would recommend this place as a Bucket List item to do in Durham.
(5)Deshira W.
The wait can be a bit long, if you don't have reservations, but it is well worth it. The classic Red Crested Rose Comb is amazing!
(5)T L.
THIS PLACE IS SO GOOD!!!! My first time in Durham and my best friend swore that I had to try this place (I love chicken and it's fried on top of that?? Perfect!!!). We came on a Tuesday so surprisingly it wasn't busy at all. We tried coming on a Friday though during lunch time and the wait was 2 hours long! Anyway, I ordered the Buff Brahmas with two chicken cutlets. First, the chicken was so crisp and not too heavy on the breaded part, it was seasoned and flavored SO perfectly and on top of all of that it was moist! Not many people can perfect that. Thinking about it just makes my mouth water. The waffles were fluffy and delicious. The secret to being able to finish everything is not to put syrup on the waffles... especially because they don't need them. They have these things called "butter shmears" which is basically flavored butter. I couldn't decide which one I wanted so I just went with whatever came with what I ordered. These little butter things are so unique and special that it makes the waffles extra yummy. The service was prompt and friendly and very attentive. The portions are big and the price is reasonable. I will definitely be coming here every time I'm in Durham!
(5)Melissa P.
LOVE it. My dad had the Vegan Waffle and I was kind of jealous because it was sooooo good, whereas mine was just soo good :) Everything was wonderful. Mac and cheese for days and collard greens. yes, please.
(5)Tim X.
Dames is the epitome of Southern comfort food--classic fried chicken and waffles with homestyle sides of corn, greens, mac and cheese, etc. The interior is thoroughly decorated--with stark black and white photography, pop art, and a pervasive New Orleans, jazzy vibe--albeit small. The tables are covered with white butcher/poster paper with crayons available, so we always end up playing hangman or drawing. Makes you feel like a kid again :) On weekend nights, there is almost always a line. I recommend calling ahead for a reservation just in case. The chicken legs, wings, and breast pieces are all incredibly juicy and fried to perfection. Though I've never had the cutlet myself, I've heard mixed responses to it. As for the waffles, they come with powdered sugar and your choice of "shmear", or flavored butter. You really can't go wrong with any flavor of waffle or shmear, mix and match for fun! The only downside is the wait time, both to get a table and for the food. But given the quality, I'll deal with the waiting any day!
(4)Jessica Z.
Pretty unimpressed with this place and I have no idea what all the hype is about. I had high expectations. The reviews made it seem like it would be an amazing culinary experience and I was let down. The service was so-so, the host was a bit surly and the restaurant was hot and uncomfortable. My waffle was fine but kind of floppy and nothing to get overly excited about. The mac and cheese was okay but I've had better. Fortunately, I made reservations so I didn't have to wait; I have no idea why people would be willing to wait an hour or more to get in here.
(2)Brent L.
Showed up around 7:00pm on a Saturday night and told there was an hour wait for party of 4. Willing to wait, we put our name on the list and they took my phone number and said they'd give me a call when a table was ready. Slightly skeptical, we left and went to Bull McCabes down the street for a beer while we waiting, and sure enough in about 30 minutes they called saying we'd have a table ready in 5 minutes. We left and by the time we got back to Dame's we walked right to our table. This is the best system I have ever seen for taking names down, especially when you're in the area of several bars. I wish all places would do this. Now onto the food. It was exceptional. We all ordered different things and they were all amazing. I was seriously blown away by how tasty everything was, from the crispy fried chicken, to the perfectly done waffle, delicious shmear and the rich, creamy mac and cheese. All excellent. Our service was amazing as well. The food was brought our promptly and our server was very nice and made some good recommendations even. Looking for something fun and delicious, then you must try Dame's!
(5)Sheri B.
The food is PHENOMENAL. I have way too many favorites to name but you HAVE to try the mac and cheese as a side! I wish the space were bigger so it could hold large parties. But the food, more than, makes up for it :).
(5)Dawei L.
Dame's is really really good. To be honest, I rated it a 4.5 in my book and wouldn't have bumped it down to a 4 had it not been for the long waiting lines you'll need to experience to dine here. It's possibly the most popular restaurant in Durham and I have never been at a place in Durham that required you to wait at least 20-30 minutes every time. Needless to say, the food is worth it. The chicken is good. Fried Chicken done right hits the spot. The last time I was here, I came with a friend and we each ordered something different. She got the mac n cheese as well as a panko crusted chicken cutlet, I had the collard greens with the drumsticks. Good fried chicken and great fried chicken are hard to differentiate, when the chicken gets to a certain point, nobody really cares. The chicken is good, but not great. The mac n cheese however, is precipitously close to great. It's quite awesome and it's my recommended side if you don't mind the carby, cheesy goodness. The collard greens, although spicy, were a letdown, as they lacked serious flavorful and got progressively worse as the meal went on. ONTO THE BEST PART- the waffles are simply great. With custom spreads and toppings, I found the waffle excellent. It truly defined the meal and made everything better. As a Californian, I have had roscoe's(a famous SoCal chicken n waffles joint) quite a few times. Dame's blows it out of the water. The prices here are reasonable for the amount they offer and the service and ambiance is nice. However, the one warning I have for people trying chicken n waffles for the first time is the fact that chicken n waffles are NOT like pizza. The combination of such different elements do not make it into an amazingly unique dish. Rather, each individual flavor lends itself quite nicely to each other, and ultimately results in some great indulgence.
(4)Latesha H.
Finally I get in this place! I had the wings and waffle with vanilla almond smear, side of mac n' cheese. I didn't know which smear to choose and just blurted out the first thing that sounded kinda unique. The place is small and it seems to be crowed all the time, but so worth the wait!
(4)Unc M.
The first time I visited Dame's, I wasn't impressed with the service, but the food was great. I went back a few months ago and our waffles were soggy, as if they had been rushed. I tried going yesterday and we were told there was a 45 minute wait. We signed in and they sent us a confirmation text message. After waiting an hour at a shop a few doors down, we decided to head back and check to see what was going on. They told us it would be a 45 minute wait. We informed them that we had waited an hour already and that we see other guest names who arrived after us marked off their list. The host said he couldn't explain it. We left, but called to informed the manager of what had happened and his only explanation was that originally they should have told us 2 hours instead of 45 minutes. In my opinion, Dame's is not and will never be worth a 2 hour wait. We joked that we could have driven to the Greensboro Dame's, eaten and been back in Durham within that time. They just don't seem to have it together. And my money doesn't go where I'm not treated well. Sorry Dame's, I've given you too many chances. I won't be going back.
(1)Alicia K.
I've been living in Durham for almost two years now and have no clue how I passed up Dames!?! My friend was visiting so we needed some fried chicken and thought It would be a fun experience to get waffles too! She ordered the Carolina cockerel and I got the speckled Orange speckled chabo. Hers came with a blue every waffle that had fresh pieces of blueberries and her chicken which was 3 wings were perfectly cooked- crispy and juicy! Mine came with a sweet potato waffle which was not too sweet and very flavorable. I got te chicken cutlet with panko crust. The chicken inside was tender- but the panko crust was a little overdone. I'll probably order It regular next time. The service was great and I loved having some crayons to draw with. One suggestion is if you want to avoid a long line come right when they open and on a weekday!
(5)Matt N.
This place is the real deal. Went on a Wednesday evening, with a reservation, and everything was delicious. The chicken, the waffles, the side of mixed fruit, etc. It was busy but not crazy busy, probably had a lot to do with it being a Wednesday.
(5)John S.
Truly one of the best plates of food I've ever had and bordering on a religious experience. Absolutely the best fried chicken I've ever eaten, anywhere. Perfectly and uniquely seasoned. The greens were just spicey enough and were the perfect side. The service was super friendly and made us feel welcome. Can't say enough good things about this special place. Dream soul food!
(5)Amy H.
Made a reservation at noon, but showed up at 11:30 to ensure we got out seat and my friends were already salivating based on my rave reviews. We were seated right away. I got the quilted chicken, subbing gingerbread for sweet potato, with spicy collard greens. My goodness, the spice was definitely spicy! But that's exactly how I like it. The chicken was as delicious as ever (perfectly seasoned, breaded, and cooked) and maybe even liked the gingerbread waffle better than the sweet potato (but only barely so). The maple-pecan schmear was divine.
(4)PJ S.
Look no further for THE best Chicken and Waffles in North Carolina. I have been to Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles in Los Angeles, and I have been to Gladys Knight & Ron's in Atlanta, and Dame's Chicken & Waffles still reigns supreme in my heart. The seasoning on their chicken is underrated, and their "Shmears" (flavored butter-spreads) throw their dishes over the top. You really can't go wrong with anything you pick here, but I highly suggest the "Light Brown Leghorns," "Red Crested Rose Comb," or the "Buff Brahmas." They're also very flexible with your order! You can change your waffle flavor and shmear if you don't prefer the preset order. ATTENTION: Order the Mac n' Cheese! You'll just have to try it yourself. There are very few negatives about this place, but I do have to comment about the wait time. I highly suggest making a reservation in advance, because this place has become insanely popular on the weekends, and weeknight dinners. If you're looking to walk in, your best bet is to go during lunch on the weekdays or Saturday morning. Also, it might be tough to go here with a large crowd because they maybe have only 20 tables, and finding seating will be difficult for a walk-in group.
(5)Michael M.
I recently moved to Durham and one of my friends recommended Dame's to try. I tried the Triple Leghorn and blueberry waffle. And, it was delicious!! The smear, which I forgot, complimented the waffle very well. I'll definitely recommend this to my friends who visit Durham, but I won't be quite the regular of this place because I don't want my cholesterol creeping up on me.
(4)Debbie C.
I had my doubts about waffles on the same plate as fried chicken. No more. I've been back many times since that first viait. I like the chicken cutlet and the regular waffles with a honey butter smear. The sides are amazing, collards that are perfectly seasoned with meat and a bit of spice. The cheese grits and macaroni are amazing. Lunch tip: this place fills up fast, so get there early. Also, got to give a shout out to the staff, to a person they are fast and friendly.
(5)Jiten S.
Excellent excellent service, quality, and atmosphere. Waiter joked around with us, made great recommendations and made us feel at home. Really enjoyed the "buff brahma"- waffle with 2 chicken cutlets with a side of macaroni. Would definitely recommend trying the Zen Malbec to complement your chicken waffle. Will be back soon...the only thing that could enhance this experience would be free WiFi.
(5)Femi L.
Flavorful fluffy sweet potato waffle, perfectly seasoned crisp fried chicken, and spicy mixed greens...what more could a man ask for. This place is heaven on Earth. I went with the maple-pecan smear which was the perfect compliment to the waffle goodness. I went around 2pm on a Tuesday and was able to park directly in front of the restaurant. There was not a huge crowd and the service was excellent. I sat at the bar and indulged. The food was so tasty that I had to place a to go order for dinner. If you happen to be in Durham (or anywhere near one of there other locations), do yourself a favor and drop in for some good eats!!!
(5)Bianka M.
The only reason I can't give 5 Stars is because they don't have a fish option nor do they offer egg whites. During my Durham travels for business I have been told by numerous locals about this place & I never made time to visit until this past weekend when I decided to stay in town over the weekend & have my husband fly out to attend the Art of Cool Fest. The wait is the most annoying thing besides the lack of seafood & egg whites. We entered the restaurant on Saturday at 2:00pm & was given a 90 minute wait time that was a complete shock for us as we were starving however we decided to accept the wait to see what the hype was all about. Let me tell you, the wait was WELL worth it & again the ONLY thing that could've made it better would've been a piece of fried fish atop my sweet potato waffle with a side of egg whites with some crushed black pepper. My husband had the sweet potato waffle with 4 wings that he described to be perfectly seasoned & battered with extreme flavor & hints of sage. His spreads of choice were Maple & Vanilla Almond, my spread of choice was strawberry. The spreads are unique & removes the need for butter or syrup as they provide all you need for flavor. We also ordered the Spicy Collards (THANK GOD they were not made with PORK) which were smack yo momma GOOD & the Mac n Cheese was good. My only suggestion is that they think about Pescaterians & I guarantee you that the wait would be even longer. Add FISH & Add Egg white option. We will be back when visiting Durham again..
(4)Roy C.
It shouldn't be so difficult to make a catering order. We followed the directions of making a request through email. We had further questions on the selection we could get. They then went dark. Only 1 person can take the orders, and he is amazingly never at work, and doesn't respond to messages. They will not receive a penny of business from me again. Beasley's in Raleigh was better anyways.
(1)Karisa D.
It's all about the chicken and waffles! Dame's Chicken and Waffles is a really interesting place. I was introduced to this place by my sister, who lives in Chapel Hill. Dame's is a small restaurant, with a focus, on you guessed it Chicken and Waffles. They do have other things too, but when I went with my family, we were focused on the Chicken and Waffles. It works like this: they have different combo options, but most of them can be customized. I had the chicken breast with the classic waffle, mac and cheese, and a vanilla spread (I can't remember the exact kind of spread). Regardless, the food here is really, really good. The chicken was moist, delicious, and flavorful, the waffle was perfectly cooked, and the mac and cheese was delicious! Unlike any other mac and cheese that I've had and I don't know how they made it, but it was good. One thing about Dame's, is time. They definitely embrace the slow cooking movement. Everything is made to order and they do not seem to rush their food or their guests. Waiting was a big part of the experience. We didn't have reservations and waited over an hour for a table. It's a small restaurant too. I know this would probably deter a lot of people (myself included), but we figured we weren't often in Durham, NC and figured we should just wait it out. It was worth the wait, but I think for the future, we will definitely try to make reservations.
(4)Philip W.
It's an amazing combo, and they do it well.
(5)Cassandra C.
We go to Dame's about once or twice a year for something different, and we're always taking guests from our home country when they visit. It's always delicious and everyone enjoys it. I always order the Classy Hen - one waffle with fried chicken cutlet plus a side (I always get the mac and cheese - it's yummy!). The waffles are hot and sweet, the fried chicken is nicely seasoned, moist inside and crunchy on the outside. Topped with syrup, it's a perfect (occasional) treat. Our members of my family have tried different waffle and chicken combinations, all of which were enjoyed, and the other sides are good too - my husband loves their collard greens. My non-adventurous dad really loved their shrimp and grits. They do have a children's option for younger eaters, but every time we've ordered it when our daughter was young enough, it always came out a lot after the adult meals which is not ideal. There's not a huge amount of seating and in a rush, they will sometimes ask you to share a table. We never go on weekends anymore as it's too busy; they don't take reservations but will take your phone number and text you when your table opens up. There is a bit of seating outside where you can wait, but on a busy day expect a long wait and nowhere to sit until your table is ready. It's worth it, though. Weekday evenings for dinner are usually the best if you want to be seated promptly. Service is always friendly and quick, drinks are refilled without asking, and you'll be brought your cheque as soon as you've asked for it. It's downtown, and parking in downtown Durham is not always easy. Some metered parking is available along Main but you're better off parking in one of the city garages (usually free in the evenings/weekends) or on a side street above Main.
(5)Nadia S.
4 stars solely for the food!!!!! Holy hell i could bathe in one of those shmears... and the chicken.. .wow.. the chicken is seasoned sooo well and tastes amazing. I was so impressed by the food here. Also tried the shrimp and grits with chicken sausage and WOW. Blown away. Now, if you are a stickler for service.... you gonna have to chill before you come here. Service is extremely slow, and pretty much sucks... Never got our waters we asked for.... My order that was supposed to come with sweet potato waffles came with regular waffles... The server seemed like he couldnt understand or hear what I was saying lol... .but you know what... the food makes it all worth it. So will I be back? Um hell yes. Waiting in the long line is DEFINITELY worth it... so is getting a parking ticket :/
(4)Binh W.
The best in the triangle. You place you MUST visit if you are ever in the area. My recommendation is to get the spicy chicken and waffles. Tip: make reservations ahead of time to avoid the crazy line.
(5)Floyd A.
I didn't know chicken & waffles was a thing. It's not a combination that I love, but Dame's is very good. I had the Classy Hen with the Mean Greens - the waffle and shmear was good, the chicken was great, and the greens were excellent. I wasn't impressed with the Left Coast Hop Juice Double IPA, but it was decent enough. There was a bit of a wait, but the place was packed and the host took my mobile #.... I killed time at the shops in the immediate vicinity and 15 minutes later I received a text that my table was ready. Service was very good.
(4)Dhruv J.
To say that Dames Chicken and Waffles changed my life could be a understatement. In fact, it is. I strolled into this heavenly joint on Saturday morning after getting lost in Durham for a volunteer event with my friend. We had never had chicken waffles, and, in retrospect, I'm so glad I lost my virginity at Dames. As we pulled up stools to the bar, we unknowingly began an adventure that would catapult us through inner workings of chewy buttery waffles into the suckling hot crunchy fried chicken and back again all smothered in honey, maple syrup, cashews, and, of course, a perfectly concocted hazelnut nutella schmear. Alas, I thought that I reached the precipice of life itself. Here, my plate sat glowing, when an ethereal moment transgressed as I took a spoon of the mac and cheese and endulged. The creamy macaroni, the cheddar melting, gushing down my throat. This was it. This was what they told you about. That feeling of pure bliss. In that moment, nothingness. Just pure bliss and happiness. Since that metaphysical experience, Dames has been a go to spot whenever I'm back in North Carolina. In fact, the light brown leghorns (the dish so mouthwatering described above) are my current profile picture. yes. that is how much Dames means to me. So, thinking of a Chicken and Waffles place? While this review grossly understates the experience you will have, I say check it out. And no, I was NOT high. -In Dames we trust.
(5)Joey E.
SHMEARS! That's what makes this place. I got drumsticks with peach apricot shmear and blueberry waffle. Chicken and waffles with syrup are great. But it's the extras at Dame's that make it oh so good. The shmear, and they even gave me syrup with cashew halves in it, which was nice because I love a bit of a crunch with everything, got me to inhale my food. Honestly, just amazing when you get a bite with some chicken, waffle, shmear, special syrup, and normal maple syrup. It's the good stuff! The reason I gave 4 stars was because on its own everything was...meh. The fried chicken and waffles individually were fine. The mac and cheese was fine. Nothing blew me away. I like my mac and cheese a bit creamier, I suppose. I'd come back often for that flavor combo, phew!
(4)Jinnelle B.
All I can say is wow!!! Normally would not wait 40 mins to eat, none the less chicken and waffles, but a coworker told me about this place and said its worth the wait. I agree! I was a skeptic thinking chicken and waffles did not go together but man was I wrong. I had a reg waffle with peach spread, Carmel cashew drizzle and chicken breast. AMAZING! Bf had a blueberry waffle, blueberry spread, sweet whisky sauce, and legs. He said the breast is actually better so you can eat it all together easier! Mac and cheese is also very good!! We had an amazing waiter who was funny and explained it all to us! This is a must go... Just go like an hr before you are hungry!!!
(5)Kristin T.
Best Salmon in town! Chicken and waffles are outstanding, but he has the best salmon with plum sauce I have had in a while. Grab a t shirt too- they are hilarious!
(5)Ellen C.
GAH. So good. Didn't think for a second this would be such a game changer but it's a definite must visit! Serious food coma after but if you're in Durham, this is a definite stop.
(5)Alisha C.
I'm still fairly new to Durham, but I will say this is probably the best place I've been since moving here, which is saying a lot! I've had the gingerbread, sweet potato, and vegan waffles all of which are tasty by themselves. The smears are so good you don't need syrup. The chicken is so good, I'm trying to figure out what spices they use so I could replicate it at home! It's not greasy either, which makes it even better. One downside is that there is ALWAYS a wait. On my first attempt to go to Dame's, I tried to go with 1 friend for breakfast. There was a 2 hour wait. There always seems to be a 2 hour wait for walk-ins on a Saturday unless you get lucky. So, if you want to go to Dame's I recommend you plan ahead and make a reservation which is totally easy to do on their website. The only other downside is that it's on Main St in downtown Durham so you have to hunt for parking. Luckily there is a small parking lot down the street (holds maybe 10-15 cars) that usually has a spot or two and is free on weekends. Otherwise, you're stuck with street parking or walking around the block to the parking structure.
(4)David W.
Don't walk here. Run. Faster. Chicken and waffles. Do you really have to say anything more? Sweet potato waffle with the lemon schmear? I think I had a moment. A religious moment. Chicken breast was fantastic. Legs and wings looked really good too. Sides were amazing. Some of the best Mac and cheese I've ever had. Greens had a great kick. We were here at 3:00 pm on a Friday and it was packed! Now I know why. Go here. Don't argue with me. Just go.
(5)Jerry L.
I did want to like this place. Chicken? Waffles? What's not too like. Well, several things. The host and wait staff were quite standoffish. Not a smile among them. The chicken was quite tough. The waffles were flabby. The coffee mediocre.
(2)James G.
***********READ ME************* I am going to give you the cliff notes to the several hundred reviews below me to save you time from reading. Everyone complains about the staff and the wait times. Not really one complaint on food. I absolutely love this place! I eat chicken and waffles before everyone of my competitions and it has never failed me. The Schmears (butter) they have make it worth the ride! All they make is chicken so you have to safely assume they know how to cook it perfect and they do. As far as the wait times, maybe I'm old but I thought good things come to those that wait!? . You will wait even if you have a reservation. The place is small and they are doing the best they can by appearance. So if you are impatient I would steer clear. But food for thought. Generally when you see a ton of people complaining about wait times i would say there food is in high demand. If you see people complaining about the food I would say there will be no wait, complaints. Lastly the service to me has never been bad. Maybe I treat them like people and don't yell at them for a 20-30 min wait. Soooooo I LOVE THIS PLACE. I hope this helped!!? Enjoy your Chicken and Waffles!!
(4)Josh H.
Short review: Excellent food. Okay service. Long Review: We stopped by on a Tuesday for lunch with a baby and stroller. The staff were very quick to help us with the stroller (they tucked it in the back) and we were seated promptly. The host took his time attending to us, but we were served and ordered two different chicken and waffle combos. Although it was a bit of a wait for food, I think it was worth the time. The chicken was juicy and had a nicely seasoned, crispy coating. Likewise, the waffles were excellent. I enjoyed the smear (the flavored butter), but I think the dish would have been just fine without it. The mac and cheese was great. My fruit cup was a bit lacking on fruit in quantity and variety. I would have ranked this restaurant as a 4/5 if not for the fact that the host essentially ignored us after we had ordered. Although it was admittedly busy, we were given little attention for the majority of the meal. A staff member did stop by once to refill our drinks while we ate, but the host never returned. After we had finished our meal no one stopped by asking if we would like a check, dessert, etc. We ended up asking for the check and for a small take-home box. Others might describe this service as rude but I would characterize it as "too many guests, not enough workers."
(3)Joanna S.
Very good food. Be sure to make reservations, as the wait can be very long. Our service was a bit slow, but our server was very friendly and the food really is great. Perfect blend of salty and sweet!
(4)Mark S.
Let me begin by saying, I've been several times and LOVE the food. It's the service and wait times that force me to give it 2 stars. The food here us great. Schmear may be the best thing I've had in a long time and they do the fried chicken well too. I'd say the only thing I didn't like was the mac and cheese because they used the breading from the fried chicken, so it stands out. Other than thay, I'd say the sweet potato waffles are the best. Now, on to the bad. Waits seem to be on average, an hour or more! In my opinion, it's the management and the kitchen staff's fault. There needs to be better training in place to turn tables faster. There's no reason things need to take as long as they do. Most times I think about going and see that line outside, I just change my mind. It happens often. Reservations seem to be a joke. We've made them in the past and still had to wait more than 40 min for our table. What's the point? Don't offer reservations if you can't accommodate us. I've also seem people that work there sitting at tables, while there's a wait. That just doesn't make any sense. The last straw that prompted this review is their policy on take out. I really wanted some chicken and waffles on Saturday and I was told they don't do take out when there's a wait. Wow. That means take out is probably only available 25% of the time they are open because it seems there's always a wait. Doesn't make any sense and they are the only restaurant in my experience to have a policy like that. Needless to say, I was not happy. The competitor that got my business was, I'm sure. All in all, It's hard to take a stance on this place because the food really is good. It's just not good enough to deal with the wait, all the time. There are too many options and they really need to fix this. Maybe they don't have enough tables or they need to re-train staff...I don't know the source of the problem, so I can't propose a solution. All I can say is that as long as they remain slow, it will take a lot for me to visit them again.
(2)J B.
The establishment was smaller than what I expected and very crowed, considering it was a Thursday night. We cut our wait time down by opting to sit at the bar. The service was mediocre at best; however, the food was quite delicious. As many have mentioned, the shmear was tasty and a great accompany to crispy chicken and fluffy waffles.
(4)Michele P.
Oh Yes Please! You can't go wrong unless you don't go hungry! Loved the schmears maple pecan, vanilla almond, peach apricot and strawberry cream! Go for a bowl of the triple cheese and macaroni too! Best tip- plan ahead by a week and make a reservation at least to get in on the weekend without a wait!
(5)Dookie B.
I would slap my momma to get some Dame's. This place is amazing. Every piece of chicken juicy. Every waffle is fluffy and the shmear is flavorful. Check it out!
(5)Iz X.
true guilty pleasure!
(4)Brenda C.
I've been back here a few times since my last review and it was time for an update. Since the mac and cheese is so popular here, I thought I'd give it another try in case I got a "bad batch" the first. This time it just confirmed that I really hate their mac and cheese. I did discover their Mean Greens, which are their collards with a mean kick and they're delicious. Classy Hen is still my favorite. We tried the shrimp and grits one time and that was a bad idea, nothing special about them, so I recommend to stick with their specialty. The service seems to get slower everytime, but the crayons at the table keep me entertained. The chicken and waffles are so good that they outweigh the negatives for me. I've had chicken and waffles in other places, but they just don't come close to Dame's.
(4)Yvonne C.
30 minute drive to eat at this little establishment + 20 minute wait was 100% worth it!!! Dames is an elegant Southern restaurant that is small in size but packs a huge punch in flavor and quality. Cool fact: they text you when your table is ready. Their menu is largely (you guessed it!) chicken and waffles. As a first timer I got a daily deal where I ventured for a fresh blueberry waffle with chicken legs and vanilla almond schmear. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it! The waffle is so perfectly fluffy and crispy. Chicken is well seasoned, just the right crispy ness and not too greasy. Spread that schmear around and you can't go wrong. Also the blueberry in the waffle was so deliciously warm and soft. A friend got the classic waffle with the peach schmear and it was equally delicious. Seems like everything there is a winner.
(5)Emily Y.
Dames is famous in the Durham area. This can be seen in the lines waiting for the table as well as the quality of the food, and I am giving it 4.5 stars for one of the most memorable dinner experiences I have had. Reservations are made on their website and must be booked at least one day in advance. My friend and I took the Bull City Connector into the city center district and arrived on the early side for our reservation; we were told to wait for about 10-20 minutes so we wandered around some of the nearby stores. We were seated when we came back, but there were quite a number of people without reservations who were forced to wait by the door. The standard table size was for 4 people. The "tablecloth" was white butcher paper and crayons were provided on the condiments and maple syrup stand. Our waiter was prompt and friendly, service was decent overall (had to ask for the bill though). And now comes the part about the food. I ordered the Carolina Cockerel with hazelnut chocolate shmear, and gosh it was wonderful. The chicken wings were crisp, delicious and satisfying, bit of a mess to eat but that's a given. Blueberry waffle was light, sweet, and tasty warm or cold. I used lots of the shmear, which my friend compared to nutella frosting, which is accurate but still very good. The trick is to eat all three things together to achieve maximum satisfaction. The greasy fat of the chicken combined with the sweetness of the waffle is the payoff that our cavemen hardwiring has triggered us to crave. In short, it was unforgettable. What was forgettable were the drinks and the sides. Mac and cheese was mediocre; too much rosemary and the texture of the noodles was weird. The side of fruit only had 2 pineapples and 3 strawberries which wasn't much.
(4)Raymond R.
best chicken I have had since my grandmothers... and the whiskey Cream sauce is a must it's pretty much to die for. all the waffles are light and full of flavor but I like the sweat potato waffle the best. if you are in to this is a must eat at place. my wife and I have found that Friday around 5pm is the best time to go if you don't have a reservation
(5)Rashad W.
Food was outstanding!! We had to wait 45 min to get a table. Get there early or call ahead!!!
(4)Colleen L.
Arrived here with three friends for lunch on a weekend. There was a 45 minute wait, but we were up for it. And it was totally worth the wait. The staff was friendly and offered some great suggestions to our guests who were in need of guidance. None of us had had chicken and waffles before, and our minds were blown. My fiancee preferred the boneless meat to the bone-in meat, but otherwise RAVED about his meal. My blueberry waffles with tangerine schmear were to die for. We're definitely going back!
(4)Andrew H.
I haven't been to Dame's in a while, mostly because the last few times I went required our group to wait for a long time. Maybe it's better now, but that's the lingering impression. Also, for the length of wait, the food was good, not mind-blowing. And the chicken/waffles are good! But, for the price, they're just OK. Along with the other waiting issues above, our mains and sides came out at different times, and one person had to wait extra long for their dishes. They have the recipe for success, but delivering on that brings them down a bit.
(2)Marina Y.
This place was fine - I liked the chicken and waffles separately but see no compelling reason to combine them. The strawberry lemonade is insanely sweet. Overall interesting and good to try while I'm down South, but no reason for the line out the door.
(3)Daniel L.
Delicious, great texture and flavor on the waffle, chicken was old school flour drenched, tasted home made. Great to rotate into Durham lunch places
(5)Alexandra W.
A must visit. A very unique and different menu. Different flavors and a lot of options to satisfy anyone. Very happy and full once left. Nice staff. Highly suggested to make reservations before coming. Sunday at 11:45am had to wait an hour and a half for a table. Note: definitely worth the wait though :)
(5)Nikki H.
I took a bus from the airport just to check out this place while I was in town and I am SO glad that I did! I was there early enough to get the Daily Deal and just asked to get it like the Buff Brahmas. Oh. My. God. It was one of the most delicious things I've ever eaten, and I really love to eat. On their own, the fried chicken cutlets were some of the best fried chicken I've had, but then I'm not a southern gal, so perhaps that wasn't too difficult, but it was seasoned and cooked perfectly. The combination of the sweet and savory and fruity and salty was just an experience. I sat at the bar to eat and the service was great! I cannot wait to come back to RDU!
(5)Manuel G.
This 5-star review is dedicated to our kind server David. # of times eaten at Dame's: 2 Time quote for our wait: 1 hour Actual time waiting: 1 hour, 20 min Wait time: My out-of-town family (fans of Roscoes Chicken N Waffles in CA) and I came to Dame's on a Tuesday night around 6pm. We checked in and was quoted a time. We walked around and returned in an hour. We waited 20 more minutes until we got a text message from the restaurant stating our table was ready (very nice way to communicate to guests). I want to point out that it's hard to feel like you've waited so long when the people working there are SOOOOOO polite. Very polite. Waiting for a long time to eat is a CHOICE and the people there made my guests and I feel like it was appreciated. Food we ordered: Mimosa - delicious. Blueberry Waffle with Chocolate Hazel Nut shmear - Delicious. The hazel nut shmear is basically like nutella, though much richer, more creamy, and less chocolate-y. The flavor of blueberry is just a hint, so you may use more shmear to get more flavor. Shrimp and Grits - Delicious, though I tend to like this dish with a splash of lemon for added brightness. The first time I had shrimp and grits in my life it had lemon added, so I'm not sure if adding lemon is normal. Chicken Cutlet on Sweet Potato Waffle Orange-Honeycomb shmear - Fantastic. Delicious. This is the kind of dish where one closes their eyes with each bite...as to free one's self from unnecessary distractions. Good stuff. Mac N Cheese - D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S. Two Drumsticks on a Vegan Petite Waffle (split for the kids in our group) - The serving for this kid's plate was so huge that the kids were able to share it. The kids have quite a few allergies so a waffle made just for them is perfect. They ate it...all of it. Not a single crumb survived. The chicken cutlet at this restaurant is fantastic. It is well-seasoned, moist, and no bones. Bones? Ain't nobody got time for that! The waffles at Dames are much better than Roscoe's in CA. Dame's has different flavored batters, whereas Roscoes just has one. Though...there is nothing quite like having butter, gravy, and onions on top of a waffle at Roscoes. And the chicken at Dame's is better and boneless. Service: So service is where this restaurant shined, if the food wasn't already shiny enough. Our group never felt rushed at all. When we asked for more time browsing the menu twice, David was more than courteous. David also surprised the kids with a Dame's Chicken N Waffles sticker tattoo. He said the kid who eats all their food gets a tattoo. Oh man the kids went crazy for it. To sum up the service, David was attentive, not disruptive, and yet still was engaged in our eating experience. When I asked for a to-go box at the end, he said he was surprised someone had ordered Shrimp and Grits AND a waffle. That's just how I roll. ************ Summary: Mildred Pierce would have been proud of this place. The well-cooked food, the polite service, and the down-to-earth atmosphere is the kind of the place where slightly upscale, yet affordable comfort food can thrive. Service + Food + Affordable = awesome. This is the kind of place for locals to enjoy their favorites and later for them to bring their out-of-state guests to showcase what fantastic comfort food tastes like. My only tip for coming to this restaurant is to not come during the lunch or dinner peak hours. My group arrived at 6pm and waited 1 hour, 20 mins. A group that arrived later than us only had to wait 45 minutes. So arrive before they open and before they close basically LOL. And you'll probably have an easier time finding parking too. EDITED: for grammar.
(5)Nille P.
My friend who lives in NC has been here and likes it, so she suggested we go there when I visited on 10/17. There wasn't a long wait, which was good. I wasn't really a fan of giving up your phone number so they can send a text when a table was ready....because the guy came out the door and called our name. This makes me think they wanted the number for another reason. It's loud and small inside. The waiter was kneeling down and talking loudly and we still had a hard time hearing him. The waiter was terrible. I ordered a sprite w/ light ice and my friend ordered a coke with no ice. I received a lukewarm sprite with no ice and she received a coke with a cup full of ice. We waited about 10 minutes before we had to ask someone else for straws. Our waiter brought over straws and handed them to us while his back was turned. He never noticed we already had straws. We were seated at the same time as another table. They had 5 at their table and we had 3, plus a kid. Another table was seated next to us about 15 minutes later. The table to the right got their food way before us even though we ordered at the same time. We got our food around the time the table to our left got theirs (the 15 min later table). *Our waiter suggested we try the sautéed squash and brought us a sample. They would have been extremely good if they weren't so salty.* I ordered a Buff Brahmas with whiskey cream sauce and vanilla almond shmear. He told us that it came with 2 sides. I got macaroni and cheese and mean greens. The kid's menu is a joke. Two of the meals come with drumsticks and my kid only eats white meat. We were not able to substitute even though I asked for one wing instead of two drumsticks. The waiter suggested I get her a chicken breast meal that was about $11. I pointed out that my kid was not going to eat all that food and he stated that it was the same portion as a kid's meal. I found that hard to believe, but I can't dispute it because I hadn't seen either. So, I ended up ordering a side of wings (3 piece) that costed about $1 more than a kid's meal. I knew I would have to share my food with her. After we finally got our food. He brought 2 extra sides which would have been great had they actually been good. The macaroni and cheese is disgusting. I don't know how it's prepared, but it was very creamy and tasted like it had way too much sage (or whatever spice that was) in it. The mean greens are just super hot with no real taste. The fried chicken was bland and I've made better at home, but they were ok. But, OMG, the waffle with the whiskey creme sauce and the shmear was so freaking delicious. I added a little bit of syrup before I realized I didn't need that at all. That waffle was the only saving grace of our meal. We had finished eating about 15-20 minutes before our check and to-go boxes came. The food was extremely overpriced and I was very disappointed to see that we were charged for the second side that our waiter said came with the meal. So, instead of arguing that point, I just took it out of his tip, not that he even deserved one. He never checked on us because had he did, we would have informed him the sides were disgusting. If I was really craving a waffle, I would go there and order only that. I was not impressed enough to ever return for anything else.
(1)Shauna G.
DELICIOUS shrimp and grits! There are plenty of places to get them around here but I think Dame's are the best. It's not just the flavor but the texture was also great - the shrimp was cooked perfectly and the grits weren't too mushy or too watery!
(4)Donald H.
This restaurant wasn't a good experience at all. The building looks like it should be condemned makes me seriously question the cleanliness of the kitchen and cook surfaces. The bar looks like a piece of furniture that was delivered by the salvation army. Huge pieces of heavily seasoned chicken on top of an overcooked waffle leave a bit to be desired. The eggs and grits were good. I have been meaning to go back to try some more of the dinner style sides but haven't yet.
(2)Tracy L.
The best chicken and waffles hands down. Yes, better than roscoes, Sylvia's, and Gladys knight's. Flavored butter and waffles, delicious mimosas, perfectly seasoned chicken and really good sides. Menu favorites are the orange speckled chabo, frizzled fowl, the blackened salmon, grits and the cobbler mimosa! I'm never disappointed, great commitment to quality.
(5)Josh W.
Went for brunch with family. We got there early since we heard the waits can be kind of crazy on the weekend; ended up being table #5 on the wait list before they opened. Despite this, it took almost 30 minutes to get a table after they opened. They were doing some sort of odd staggered seating, the restaurant was over half empty but they wouldn't seat any additional tables. I suppose this was to keep the kitchen from getting flooded with orders but there's better ways to do that then make people stand in the heat and humidity while your restaurant isn't full. Once we did finally get seated, it took another 15-20 minutes before our waitress came over to take our drink orders. From there it took 10 minutes to receive our coffee. My father attempted to order the corn waffle with country gravy since he's not into sweet stuff in the mornings. We were told by the waitress that the savory waffles were all sold out but if we came back in an hour or two they'd have them. wtf?! Firstly, why would you be sold out of a major portion of your menu when you've just opened for business for the day? Secondly, why would you tell people already seated with their drinks to leave and come back later for breakfast?! It was truly bizarre. When we finally got the food, it was okay but not great. The chicken seemed really hit or miss. My pieces were nice and juicy but the cutlet my mom got was really dry. Overall I'd probably give this place a pass. The food wasn't good enough to put up with the long wait and the whole situation with the savory waffles was a big turn off. On the way home to Raleigh all I got to hear was my dad bitching about how we could have bought a bucket of chicken at Bojangles and made chicken and waffles at home in less time.
(2)Ricardo C.
Ever since learning about the origin of Chicken N Waffles on the Food Network I have been looking for a place near Raleigh to try them. Last night I attended an event at the Research Triangle Park catered by Dames. Because catering for 500 something like fried chicken and waffles is never easy I will reserve any criticism that I had until I have the chance to eat a meal at their restaurant. As for the things that that I can rave about - the Mac N Cheese and the Collard Greens were brilliant. Having said that, the food was good enough to make me want to make the 30 mile each way trek to my home to see if they are as good as I think they should be when the food is made to order.
(3)Meredith D.
Bf and I shared the waffle that comes with four legs & cashews, then ordered an extra (sweet potato) waffle. The side of fruit is legit (strawberries and pineapple that looks like someone actually cut up a real pineapple). Even so, we had leftovers! Thank goodness we arrived at 11 AM on the dot because it filled up in the next 10 minutes with only space at the bar. I like the older feel of the place, but bf felt it needed a little freshening up. The only downside I truly feel is the sad state of the coffee "bar." I would love some fresh half & half or even milk. A good cup of coffee in a ceramic cup would have made our brunch that much better for me.
(4)Ashley B.
Great location, and less than a 20 minute wait for the most delicious fried chicken I've ever had; definitely worth going back again for! They take reservations, which will definitely prevent from long wait times. The service was spectacular and funny, and the establishment itself was homey and warm. I recommend "the Dueling Roosters" with strawberry amd blueberry shmears! Oh, and you can't forget that side of cheesy grits ;)
(5)