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Business & Tech

Meet the Owner: Tampa Luv Chicken and Waffles

It may sound odd to the uninitiated, but this classic soul food combo has a deep legacy that has taken root in Central Tampa.

That's right, chicken and waffles. Like, on the same plate. Even piled on top of each other, with syrup AND hot sauce. That's how Tampa Luv Chicken and Waffles owner Takem Willis likes his.

Don't tell us you haven't heard of this dish. As soul food dishes go, chicken and waffles has maintained a curiously sturdy hip quotient over an apparently long history. That's largely due to a couple of famous restaurants' virtual adoption the dish, Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles in Los Angeles, and the late Wells Supper Club in Harlem, according to this article from the Root.com.

The origins of chicken and waffles are widely debated. This Wikipedia article cites a report that dates it as far back as the 1790s and gives partial credit of its creation to Thomas Jefferson. Others say the dish emerged in the late 19th century.

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Willis traces the inspiration for his take on the delicacy to Roscoe's. And he doesn't believe in talking about chicken and waffles too much. “It's just something that you need to come in and try,” he said. “It brings out some awesome flavors and textures. It's the whole thing, it's the crust. It's something that you have to experience for yourself.”

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8426 N Florida Ave.

813-935-9900

Opened: Oct. 10, 2011

Not just any waffles: Though careful not to divulge specifics, Takem said his Belgian waffles have “different ingredients – kind of sweet and kind of salty. Once that combustion of flavor (between the waffles and chicken) mixes with each other, it's just a different kind of experience.”

Prefers peanut oil: “Peanut oil gives (the chicken) a harder crust,” said Willis. “It carmelizes a lot better, and it also gives it better flavor. It holds heat better. It gives you a better crust, not soggy. Plus you're probably going to get twice the oil life than your lards and clears (oils).”

Have it your way: “Some like it with hot sauce,” Willis said, “some like it with syrup, some wrap it all up together, some eat (the waffles and chicken) separately.”

Or have it his way: “I prefer to cut my chicken up and mix it up with the syrup and hot sauce together.”

Not fast food: Willis recommends calling ahead if you're in a hurry — the typical order at Tampa Luv takes seven to 14 minutes. “We do everything fresh to order. “This is not fast food, this is fresh food.”

Also on the menu: Chicken tenders, fries, waffle sandwich, sauteed shrimp with grits, cakes, and ice cream.

Family trained: Willis, 32, grew up working in his family's restaurants. “Mom and Pops used to have small cafes and diners,” he said. Tampa Luv is his first restaurant to call his own.

Hours: Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

On the Web: You can view Tampa Luv's Facebook page here.

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