Wafflin’ Around

Let’s talk about waffles.

And why not, right? We’ve discussed waffles in The MUSE before, and for some reason this particular morning delicacy is much more closely associated with music &-&-specifically funk &-&- than perhaps any other. And since today marks the annual celebration of International Waffle Day, it seems as good a time as any.

Waffles have a proud history in the United States, dating back to the day that the infamous Cornelius Swarthout, the noted connoisseur of Belgian breakfast culture from Troy, N.Y., patented the first waffle iron on August 24, 1869. While that day marks the American celebration of National Waffle Day, the true spirit of the waffle extends beyond arbitrary political borders and permeates cultures across the globe. International Waffle Day actually originated in Sweden, after all, when the food was invented in Greece and made famous by the Belgians.

To celebrate, The MUSE trekked down to Roxbury to check out The Hen House (1033 Massachusetts Avenue), the “wings and waffles” restaurant that lies a few blocks south of the Boston University Medical Campus. Nestled amongst the broken glass and mesmerizing parking lots of the area, The Hen House combines two of the most classic soul foods &- fluffy waffles and fried chicken.

Served together on the same plate, the two comfort foods go surprisingly well together, and the restaurant provides plenty of opportunity for exploration. To get started, patrons are given four choices &-&- type of waffle (banana for the adventurer), butter (Cajun if you’re feeling spicy), syrup (clove honey, anyone?) and chicken (wings, tenders or pieces). After that, an array of sauces are available for the sampling, with staples such as BBQ sauce and ketchup mixed in with homemade Teradactyl and fiery hot sauce offerings. Taking its place alongside the soul food kitchens of the South and New York City, the chicken and waffles at The Hen House are almost impossible to finish.

Unfortunately, the restaurant’s ambience has taken a hit recently. Initially, customers were hit with infectious funk the second they walked in, with Bootsy Collins and Rick James flooding the airwaves during a recent visit in the summer; these days you’re more likely to hear ambient noise-rock than the sounds of P-Funk. The homemade sauce selection also used to reach double digits, with hand-pump dispensers displaying clever names and revealing eclectic flavors. That, along with soda selections that included Watermelon and Blueberry, fell by the wayside six months ago in favor of brand names like Coca-Cola and Frank’s Red Hot.

But despite the changes, The Hen House remains the place to be when trying to get your fix on the best combination of calories around. And in the midst of a day of celebration, the restaurant is a great local place to fulfill all your fluffy and flaky breakfast cravings. Whether celebrating with the rest of the world or waiting for the American waffle party August 24, it’s never the wrong time to head out on an adventure down Massachusetts Avenue.