Johnny's World Famous Chicken & Waffles — Restaurant in College Park

My two brothers and I were there Sat. 1/13/24 at 9:00 am. I guess the staff got there at the same time. One bro ordered coffee, I ask for decaf. Was told no decaf and about 20 mins to brew coffee. Two of us offered the Salmon & grits, I got the Louisiana sauce on the side due to the cheese, other bro shrimp & grits. We sipped water until the waiter comes with all 3 good size plates, bare hands, I thought that was strange, didn't say as severs usually do: "be careful HOT plate". Food looked delicious, since plate wasn't hot, I tested grits real quick and they were barely warm. Told him food not hot, could he microwave it a bit? Said they didn't have one and it was just off the warming station. I said ok, I'll eat a little take home and heat it. Ate half, it was presented well and very tasty, just not hot. A lady and two kids came in about 10 mins later and a Pilot about 20 mins later ordered coffee and to was told was brewing about 5 more minutes for it. We ask for to go plates, was packing food up. Pilot eating chicken and waffles, we were waiting to be checked out and my brother canceled his coffee and the Pilot's coffee finally arrived about 5 minutes before we finished checking out. We were told the tip was already included of about $6 bucks, I told him due to service, temperature of food and coffee having to be canceled, we hadn't plan to tip that much. The two salmon & grits totaled $36 + change each. I pretty much only eat Salmon. It was a 4, maybe 6 oz. I know salmon is pricy which wasn't the issue for me. My Bro asked who owned the place. He said Neo. I told him he must not know how his place is being managed. SO... to sum this review up: 1-The food was very tasty and presented well. 2-You may want to get it to go and heat once home to enjoy it. 3- Bring a thermos of coffee and 4-gratuity should NOT be for 3 guest. 5-And since they open at 9, get there about 10 so they will have time to brew coffee, get warming station heater to capacity. 6-Not even sure what the food not being hot is about!!! 7- I recommend the taste ONLY. 8- For a Neo spot the decor could be a little better. I would not eat there again, but will try the Milk and title place next door that was full of guess while there was only 7 in Johnny's Famous Chic & Waffles. Neo check your...

Overview: Chicken and Waffles are not their specialty....even though its their name

Jerry Wong Posting publicly across Google Food Service

Jerry Wong Posting publicly across Google Food

Jerry Wong Posting publicly across Google Food Service Atmosphere

Service Atmosphere

Meal/Time: Dinner/Wednesday night 540PM Seated: 542PM Ordered: 548PM First ordered item arrived:  556PM

Decor/Atmosphere: feels like a speakeasy with a diner attached to it. There was an attached bar with music playing. The bar area appears to be the focal point of establishment. Staff seemed to congregate there.  There is outside dining, but the AC is on inside.

Service/ Front of the House: we were greeted and seated promptly

Service/Serving Staff: Dashawn was friendly and helpful, but after dropping off the food he did not come back to check on us or to ask if we would like refills of the bottomless drinks

Food: Starters -LOADED FRIES (Bacon, green onions, cheese sauce, crispy fries, BBQ sauce + Ranch dressing on side) - $12.00  There was no ranch dressing on the side.  The waffle fries came out lukewarm.  It was served in a room temperature skillet. Could have used a few minutes under the salamander.  The fries were flavorful with sweet BBQ Sauce and crunchy bacon.  Since the dish was not really hot, the cheese sauce was very lumpy and thick on top of the fries, but the bottom fries were sitting in a cheese liquid.

FAMOUS CHICKEN & WAFFLES2 piece dark with buttermilk waffles and lemon pepper sauce $17.00.  The waffles were pretty good, a little bit on the thin but crispy side.  There was a hint of vanilla which made it interesting.  It was served with 2 containers of maple syrup and 1 of drawn butter.  I did not get any lemon pepper sauce.  The chicken was awesome... nice thin seasoned batter.  Crispy, juicy and fresh hot from the fryer.  Definitely a winner.

Bottomless soda, ice tea, lemonade, Arnold Palmer $4.00... but did not check back to see if I wanted a refill.

Value:  A little expense for 2 pieces of good chicken.

Restroom: 2 unisex restrooms.  Pretty spacious.  Floors were wet by the window and there was trash by the door.  The sink was large.  Soap and Paper Towels were full.

Will I come back?: I would probably not go back...NOTE: they add an 18% Gratuity to all bills regardless...

This restaurant is owned by singer Neo and actress Karly Red not sure if I spelled her name correctly because I had no clue who she was (Paige from saints and sinners) this restaurant is in a great location downtown college Park it stays open 24 hours the only problem that I see with that is there's going to be a lot of homeless people coming in and out. The restaurant is self is not big it's like a little cafe but it's decorated very nicely. The staff and Karly were extremely friendly. Now the food and service is a different story our waiter was not attentive at all he was constantly in his cell phone we constantly had to remind him to bring us things. We ordered the macaroni as a appetizer per his suggestion. We were told that it was exclusive and it had five different cheeses whatever herb and garlic they use the urban garlic itself was overpowering which left a bad aftertaste in your mouth so the macaroni was disgusting we still had a whole Skillet left from four people sharing it. I ordered the Johnny's favorite chicken and waffle combo so you got to choose what type of meat you wanted what type of waffle between the two plain and red velvet dipping sauce for your chicken and I think something else but I can't really remember. My chicken was unseasoned it was like they just took it out the bag of chicken and fried it, my waffle was delicious the only thing that I noticed is that it was flat it was not fluffy at all but the texture of it and the taste of it was delicious. That meal was $18 and the macaroni was $11 not bad for the price but what we didn't like was no matter what you paid 18% gratuity automaticallyand I get that we're supposed to tip our servers but when the servers are not attentive and not doing what they're supposed to do I feel like let us be able to tip them whatever they want to tip do not force me to give you money I don't care what the situation is that alone made me decide that I'm not going to go back. I was trying to give it the benefit of the doubt because we were at a soft run the grand opening isn't going to be until next week. I probably would recommend the place but it definitely would come...