Battle of the Chicken & Waffles!

Earlier this fall, Andrew and I went to The Common with our friends Jon and Katie. They told us that the must have dish was the chicken and waffles, and we obliged. During the meal, we talked about how the Sugar Bowl also serves something similar. Being satisfied with how chicken and waffles tasted together, we were open to trying the chicken and waffles from the Sugar Bowl. We made it a mission to compare the two in a battle of the chicken and waffles!

The Common
9910 109 St
Two crispy chicken strips were served with quartered pieces of waffle. The waffle batter had wild boar bacon mixed right in, which added another level of complexity to the taste of the waffle. Andrew proclaimed that these were the best waffles he has ever eaten. The chicken was nicely cooked and moist and the coating stayed crispy until the last bite. In addition, pickled watermelon was served on the side. I was a bit leery of the name, but it ended up being fabulous and the marinade was very subtle and didn't detract from the sweetness of the watermelon. The plate was topped with a drizzle of maple syrup and a mild chili paste.

Sugar Bowl
10922 88 Ave
When our plates were placed in front of us, we were greeted by a warm and buttery aroma. The thick and fluffy waffles were drizzled with maple butter, but an extra helping of the maple butter also accompanied the dish. The waffle batter itself was already sweet, but the maple butter also helped to moisten it. The chicken was succulent and savoury, and the flavor was enhanced with a dash of maple butter. The only drawback to this was that the chicken didn't stay crispy for long and the batter fell off the meat after a while. Alongside the chicken and waffles, a handful of spring mix was scattered on the plate.

So what did we think?
We were very pleased with The Common's version of chicken and waffles because of the addition of unique features like bacon in the waffle batter. We couldn't stop thinking about the next time we would return to have chicken and waffles. However, we weren't left feeling entirely satiated after the meal. The Sugar Bowl gave generous portions (a big, thick waffle and 2 large pieces of chicken) and I was stuffed before even finishing the plate.

The Common's version cost us $16.50 while we were only out $12 at the Sugar Bowl. Since our visit to The Common, the cost of the dish has increased to $17 and instead of watermelon, it is now served with goat cheese and blackberry on the side.

With only taste and quality in mind, the chicken and waffles from The Common clearly win as we were blown away by it. But when comparing other factors such as the price tag and serving size, the Sugar Bowl gains more points which now makes it difficult to choose between the two! Bottom line: if you want bacon in your waffle and crispy chicken in a hip and modern setting, go to The Common. If you want something more filling with a better value in a warm and cozy atmosphere, go to the Sugar Bowl!