Page 36 - South Mississippi Living - June, 2024

DINING ROCKIN CHICKEN AND
Classic Chicken and Waffle.
ADDRESS
4020 Popps Ferry Rd., Ste. F D’Iberville
CONTACT
228.207.7895
SOCIAL
Facebook @RockinChickenAndWaffles
HOURS
Tues-Thurs,
10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4:30-7 p.m. Fri & Sat,
10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4:30-8 p.m.
36 | June 2024
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
story and photos by Kimberly C. Rasmussen
Chicken and Waffles. Two very basic yet different food elements that are absolutely delicious on their own, but somehow create an electrifying spark when brought together. Maybe it’s the crunchiness of the fried chicken that gets me. Or the soft, cloud-like texture of a Belgian waffle. Or maybe it’s the warm stickiness of rich maple syrup. Let’s be honest, it’s all three.
This classic Southern dish by way of Pennsylvania (yes, PA!) is a staple option at many food kitchens, but what if it wasn’t just the staple option, it was basically the only option? All chicken and waffles, all the time. What could be more enticing? However, if you’re going to open a restaurant and serve one thing, well then you better serve it bigger and better
than anyone else. There’s no room for mediocracy and you can’t afford to be just okay at your own game. You have to shine like the sun leaving no room for anyone
else to be as good as you. You basically have to be good as my new favorite place, Rockin Chicken and Waffles.
Owners Ling Burch and David Melton opened Rockin Chicken and Waffles in May 2023, well, because they just both really liked chicken and waffles. They thought about opening a burger joint, but there’s no scarcity of good burgers on the Coast. Good chicken and waffles... that’s a different story. Burch loves to cook and wanted a simple restaurant where she could showcase her talents in the kitchen. Melton, a musician at heart, added the Rockin concept as an ode to all the things that brought joy to his family. It was a concept that they knew would work and they were absolutely correct.
Fresh, never frozen chicken tenderloins are cut, hand-battered in house and fried. Everything is made to order taking everything to the next level. Flavor is key