Ask around Columbia for a plate of fried chicken stacked on a waffle, and one name keeps coming up. Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles on Parklane Road has collected more than 3,300 Google reviews, and many guests say a friend told them to go.
Some drive in from other states just to eat there. Here is what the buzz is about, the good parts and the honest bumps, so you know what to expect before you sit down.
A Soul Food Stop on Parklane Road
Out in the Dentsville area, at 7001 Parklane Rd, sits a restaurant that people talk about long after they leave. Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles is a chicken restaurant at heart, but it calls itself a soul-food specialist with a sizable menu.
The name tells you the headliner. Still, the kitchen turns out a lot more than its famous pairing, from fried wings and pork chops to collard greens, mac and cheese, and shrimp and grits.
On Google, the restaurant holds a 4.2-star rating from 3,301 reviews. That is a big pile of opinions for one spot, and it shows how many locals and visitors have given it a try.
One detail pops up again and again in those reviews. People keep saying they came because someone recommended it, whether a few friends, a local at a conference, or simply the steady chatter around town.
One guest even mentioned seeing it highlighted online and in magazines before stopping in during a road trip.
Parking is easy, according to visitors, which makes a quick lunch or a lazy weekend brunch simple to plan.
Brick Walls and a Big Dining Room
Picture exposed brick, plenty of tables, and the hum of families catching up over heaping plates. Kiki’s is described as a casual brick-walled space, and that relaxed feel sets the tone the moment you walk in.
Size is part of the appeal. One regular called it a big place with plenty of seating, while another described it as a packed place, which tells you how popular it gets.
Large groups seem to fit in fine here. A guest in town for a leadership conference sat with a big party and said everyone was well accommodated.
Music also gets a nod. A diner who enjoyed the chicken and waffles mentioned that the tunes playing were great, adding to a fun evening out.
Not every review paints a cozy picture, though. Some guests mentioned sticky tables and floors, a smell near the restrooms, and temperatures that swung from too warm to refrigerator cold.
If comfort matters to you, it may help to pick your seat with care or bring a light layer.
The Famous Chicken and Waffles Pairing
Crispy, salty, sweet, and syrupy all in one bite. That combo is why chicken and waffles is the most talked-about dish at Kiki’s, tied with soul food at 95 mentions in reviews.
Fans keep praising the chicken itself. One guest gave the chicken a playful 10 stars, while another called it juicy and crispy with good seasoning.
Wings are a favorite choice for the chicken half of the plate. A couple who both ordered chicken and waffles said they loved the wings, and another diner who got the Kiki’s plate with four wings found them fresh, moist, and nicely flavored.
That said, results vary. A few visitors found their wings too salty, the plain Belgian waffle a bit bland, or the chicken tough, especially near closing time.
The takeaway? Most people leave happy with the chicken, and the wings seem like a safe bet.
If you want the best version, going earlier in the day may help, since a couple of the rougher reports came from late orders.
Waffles in Red Velvet and Sweet Potato
Plain waffles are fine, but the flavored ones get people excited. The red velvet waffle earns 49 mentions in reviews, making it one of the standout menu items.
One longtime fan said they always order the red velvet waffle with wings. They described it as moist and not overpowering, so tasty that it barely needs syrup.
The sweet potato waffle, with 27 mentions, is a bit of a puzzle. Several diners said it tastes more like a spice waffle than sweet potato.
One guest even asked the staff about it and was told that is simply how it tastes. Another diner said it was different from the regular waffle but still enjoyable, with a sweet, creamy flavor and just a little crunch.
So go in expecting a warm, spiced treat rather than a pie-like sweet potato flavor. If you love bold cake-style flavors, the red velvet option seems to be the crowd-pleaser.
Greens, Grits, and the Rest of the Soul Food Lineup
Come hungry. That was the advice from one solo diner who ordered collard greens, cornbread, fried okra, wings, and mac and cheese, then laughed that they may have gotten carried away.
Shrimp and grits is a heavy hitter, with 62 mentions. One heads-up: a visitor noted it comes with brown gravy, which they had not tried before and did not love, so know your taste going in.
Others loved the grits, and a guest who ordered fish and grits with cheese said everything was seasoned perfectly.
Collard greens show up in 51 mentions, with some finding them a little spicy. Mac and cheese has 42 mentions, and the mac and cheese bites appetizer drew real praise.
Sweet corn muffins also have fans. One reviewer liked that they were sweet, though another found theirs burnt.
Portions are large, too. A returning guest said their companion had enough leftovers to need a carryout box.
Servers Worth Remembering
Names stick when service is good, and Kiki’s guests keep naming their servers. Diners have praised waitstaff as kind, attentive, pleasant, and even phenomenal.
One story stands out. A guest who did not enjoy their shrimp and grits never complained, yet the server noticed, spoke with the chef, and the chef came out to apologize, offered a different dish, and took the original off the bill.
A bartender was also praised for juggling phone calls, helping coworkers, and recommending sides, all with grace.
Service is not always smooth, though. Some visitors reported slow service, plates arriving minutes apart, mixed-up drink orders, or a lone server stretched thin in a busy room.
A to-go customer near closing time also felt ignored and unhappy with how their complaint was handled. Overall, dine-in guests during busy hours seem to have the warmest experiences with the staff.
Hours, Prices, and Weekend Waits
Planning helps here, especially on Sundays. Kiki’s opens at 9:30 AM on Saturday and Sunday, closing at 11 PM Saturday and 7 PM Sunday.
Weekday hours start at 11 AM. Monday closes at 8 PM, Tuesday through Thursday at 10 PM, and Friday at 11 PM.
Prices land in the $10 to $20 range per person. One reviewer listed plates from about $12.99 to $18.99, comparable to an average sit-down restaurant, while a couple said they spent about $50.
Sunday crowds are real. One guest waited about 40 minutes but was kept updated on their place in line, and food arrived within 15 minutes of ordering.
Mimosas get 14 mentions, a fun bonus for weekend brunch. To reach the restaurant, call +1 803-699-5422 or visit kikischickenandwaffles.com to check the menu before you go.
Is the Buzz Worth the Trip?
Honestly, it depends on what you want from a meal. For big portions, crispy chicken, and a laid-back soul food setting, Kiki’s has plenty of fans.
Some are truly devoted. One regular drives from Augusta, Georgia, at least twice a month, and a church member raved after Kiki’s served about 1,000 people hot shrimp and grits and chicken and waffles at one event.
Still, the reviews show some ups and downs. Cleanliness, temperature, and late-night takeout quality drew complaints, and a few found certain dishes bland.
The smartest plan seems simple. Go during regular hours, stick with crowd favorites like wings, the red velvet waffle, and the mac and cheese bites, and arrive early on Sundays.
Do that, and you will likely see why so many people keep telling their friends to make the trip to Parklane Road.
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