Lo-Lo’s brings award-winning, comfort soul food to North Omaha

The trend of combining chicken and waffles together as one has finally come to Omaha, in a restaurant located at 7051 Ames Avenue. Larry White founded Lo-Lo’s Chicken and Waffles, a restaurant that was originally opened in Phoenix and immediately began to gain traction in the surrounding community. Notable personalities such as Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Muhammad Ali made it their go-to destination for authentic soul food. Eventually, this small restaurant garnered enough popularity to open locations in downtown Phoenix, Scottsdale and the Phoenix airport.

Now, Greg Cutchall owner of Cutchall businesses, which includes: Rock Bottom Brewery, Sonic, Paradise Bakery and Café, Famous Daves, and First Watch, has brought this popular Arizona restaurant to Omaha, Neb. Cutchall felt this was a type of restaurant that Omaha needed. “It fills a niche not to be offered in most markets. Really good southern comfort food in a great atmosphere,” Cutchall said.

The concept of chicken and waffles among comfort southern food is fairly new in Omaha. “There is no direct competition and it is a new concept not in market today,” Cutchall said.

Besides the famed chicken and waffles, there is an entire menu’s worth of made from scratch soul food. Lo-Lo’s has family recipes for shrimp & grits, salmon croquettes, collard greens, fried green tomatoes and much more and are made completely onsite. Lo-Lo White, Larry White’s alias created his very own secret waffle mix recipe that is still used in the restaurant today and the secret chicken spices originate from his father Larry.

Lo-Lo’s has no shortage of awards celebrating their food. The restaurant was named one of the top 21 soul food eateries in the country by “Thrill List” magazine. Lo-Lo’s also won Arizona’s best sandwich in 2013 for their famous “Phat Azz Samich” and made the cover of Phoenix Magazine for their issue on Arizona’s 50 best restaurants in 2014.

As the name suggests, chicken and waffles are the staple of Lo-Lo’s; however, they also feature a variety of other homemade comfort food items. “Besides awesome chicken and waffles, the blackened catfish dish is amazing. They have made from scratch bakery food and unique breakfast options,” Cutchall said. Whatever one chooses to order from the menu, he or she is guaranteed a filling meal.

Lo-Lo’s home-style cooking and unique menu options are unlike any other eateries. Aside from their food, they also take pride in the atmosphere. “[Lo-Lo’s has] great food not found in most restaurants. A very cool, sports friendly, family friendly, fun atmosphere and a patio with a fireplace view of the lake,” Cutchall said.

All of these elements are part of the reason that Lo-Lo’s chicken and waffles has become a staple in the Phoenix area and will likely continue to gain popularity in Omaha.