Thelma’s Chicken and Waffles

Went here for Father’s Day while in town. Had the Big Daddy omelet with home fries and biscuit. Amazing! I don’t think you could go wrong here. Definitely recommend checking it out!

Absolutely DO NOT eat here for lunch, unless you have nothing to do the rest of the day. I came with a group of 7 coworkers who planned to eat at Table 50 (only to find it is now closed for lunch). We sat down and ordered around 12:15 and it took well over 45 minutes for even the salads to come out. We had to ask repeatedly for refills and condiments once we actually did get food. It took over 15 minutes and asking 4 separate times before I got butter for my (then very cold) waffle. Some of us waited well over an hour for our food, and the waitress completely forgot one person’s entrée. This was not a busy lunch, there were only two other small tables in the entire restaurant.
Although they didn’t charge two of us, it was a miserable experience for all. It doesn’t even matter if the food tastes good, it is simply not worth it. I would also steer clear of anything on a sub roll, it’s just a hot dog bun, and the philly doesn’t have peppers. Word to the wise: stay far away. There are many other great dining options in downtown Roanoke to try.

We ate here on a pit stop from a camping trip over Memorial Day weekend. The food was only ok. All of our breakfast entrees came out at different times. It had us wondering if they only had one waffle maker, which would be strange for a brunch place with waffle in the name, but why else would one plate come out every 4 minutes for a table of six? The fried chicken was great but the waffle was very dry and I only ate ¼ of it. Also they had fake creamer on the table when we ordered our coffee… the type that doesn’t need to be refrigerated. When we asked out server for real half and half she said they didn’t have any and then looked annoyed when I asked for milk.

Staff was very nice. Gigi was very friendly. We enjoyed speaking with her. The breakfast was very good. I ordered the biscuits and gravy. It was pretty tasty if I do say.

I walked by here after a day looking for somewhere to rent, and was just looking for a bite to eat and a place to relax. I was greeted immediately by the super helpful staff, who keyed Me into happy hour special.
I decided on the chicken and waffles and they were really great! The chicken was just sublime. Crispy on the outside and tender within. Everything was just perfect. I’ll be moving to Roanoke and will frequent this place a lot. It is filled with good people and good food!

My favorite bfast place in downtown Roanoke! Finger licking good chicken and waffles and the sides are good too. Love the service. Everyone is happy. Great weekend brunch place!

We were so excited to come to a real southern chicken and waffles restaurant on our road trip. While Thelma’s was promising, with a warm welcome and appetizing selection of chicken+waffle combos, the food and service was… bad. Let me clarify, the food would have been great of it had been at all warm. The fried chicken was well seasoned and probably delicious under different circumstances. The waffle was a lukewarm pancake dropped into a waffle iron. Again, taste was fine, temperature not so much. Oh, and the side of apples we ordered came out as potatoes.
I ordered a typical breakfast sandwich: egg with ham and cheese. The ham was deep-​fried and greasy (not mentioned anywhere on the menu) and there was no cheese. Even if there was it probably wouldn’t have been melted given that the toast was most likely made in a toaster.
The service… we walked in and we’re asked to sit at the bar — no problem. We then saw other folks get menus and drink orders we finally had to ask for ours, about 15 minutes in. Mind you, it was not full. There were maybe 4 couples in a place that could easily fit triple that. Our order was promptly taken and then came the 40 minute wait for our meal.
The staff and owner were very nice, but the sense of urgency in satisfying their customers was absent.

Never ever has Unilocal failed me so badly. We were only able to drink gross coffee before leaving after waiting almost two hours for our food. Several people came in after us and were served their food before us. So irritated. Will never come back and don’t recommend to anyone.

Friendly folks in the heart of
downtown Roanoke serving up really good breakfast food. I had fluffy scrambled eggs with sausage patties, biscuit and hash browns. All very good and it’s got to be the go too breakfast place in downtown.

Spare yourself. That’s all I have to say. Over priced and significantly below average. There are plenty of other places to eat so go there.

DUDE dude dude dude. Ok. I can’t even rave about this place enough. And I hate saying «I can’t even.»
I, along with my bandmates, haven’t been away from this place more than 3 hours and I am going to dream about this food.
Ordered the chicken and waffle platter with a side of grits. Because obviously, you don’t go to a chicken and waffle place without ordering chicken and waffles. Chicken was perfectly tender, packed with flavor and just the right amount of crispiness. Waffle was fluffy and light, soaked up all the syrup. Grits were perfectly cooked (and, as proper Southerners know… not everyone can cook grits. It’s an art form that takes a lot of practice).
Service was great. Waitress and hostess were incredibly accommodating for five rowdy musicians and their SO’s. The food took a little longer than usual to come out — but for a beautiful Sunday morning, that’s to be expected. And it was well worth the wait.
My mouth and my tummy thank you, Thelma’s. I almost don’t want to go back up North now.

Not sure I get the hype. Visited Roanoke and walked a long way on a cold day to get there with my parents and my daughter. The place was almost empty at lunch time — a red flag I should have heeded. Service was even slower than the typical «country» slow-​paced service. We ended up being there for just over two hours between waiting to place our order and waiting for our food.
The food was good but not crazy great, unfortunately.
The service was extremely friendly and helpful, just slow.

Come here every time I come home! I always get chicken and waffles with chicken tenders and I substitute macaroni and cheese instead of the potatoes.
Definitely a great place to stop if you’re downtown!

I went to Thelma’s Chicken & Waffles for dinner on a Saturday night. The restaurant wasn’t busy since it was an hour before closing time. A waitress seated us immediately. I ordered Thelma’s chicken (wingettes) & waffles. Most chicken & 2 waffle meals come with house potatoes. The food took a while to come out but everything was piping hot. Thelma’s chicken was fried to a nice crisp. The waffles and house potatoes were good as well. Our server was very attentive and polite. The restaurant was well maintained. Parking was a hassle (street). Overall, I enjoyed my entire meal. If you’re in Roanoke, Thelma’s Chicken & Waffles is a good choice for chicken & waffles.

I so wanted to give this restaurant a better review. And I so wanted great chicken and waffles. However neither was the case. Upon entering the establishment I was disappointed. Drab and looked like it was under construction but wasn’t. So didn’t like the ‘jail pose photo’ that graced the entry threshold into the dining area. Come on, family. We are on Market Street, not Rikers Island.
Although our waitress was very nice she had a too small mens t-​shirt on while others had Thelma’s uniform shirts. The place looked like it hadn’t been swept or moped in weeks. Our food took at least 30 minutes to come out and when it came it was cold. My chicken tenders were very hard and not a bit tender. The salmon croquettes were tasty but too salty and I am positive the oil used to fry all our food was really old. Lastly, the décor was… ugly, dismal and dated.
A restaurant maker-​over is desperately needed. A great southern cuisine chef and a sweet southern hostess to greet and seat would bring this restaurant great potential. Just sayin’

If you’re a fan of Soul Food, or better yet, FANTASTIC Soul Food, EAT HERE NOW!
TuTu greeted me immediately and was warm, funny and attentive. She recommended the Chicken & Waffles and warned me of the increased time it took to cook the chicken bone-in…a suggestion she said was well worth the wait and I agree!
Bonus — full menu served all day everyday.

A legit chicken and waffles experience.
I can highly recommend the chicken and waffles, the Mac and cheese, the corn, the catfish, the corn bread and the sweet potato pie.
A «must do» if you’re in the 540!

A late lunch and the place was almost empty. The service was prompt and friendly.
We had the chicken thigh and leg on a waffle and the catfish. Both were awesome. They take something so simple and turn it into a delicacy!!! The fried chicken was perfectly fried and the skin crisp and crunchy. The waffle was spiced up and while fluffy seamed to belt in you mouth. The fried catfish had to be some of the best fried catfish I ever had, lightly battered and crispy. The catfish was tender and flakey.
Very reasonably priced. If you are downtown Roanoke it has to be on your list!

My brother told us we had to have dinner at Thelma’s during our stay in Roanoke. Thelma’s is located in downtown, surrounded by unique eats and cute boutiques, but it certainly holds its own.
I made a 7:00 pm reservation on a Friday night. The live band was playing in the bar area and we were seated at the restaurant side. The décor of the restaurant was very cool and had a jazz era feel. The lights were dim, but it all worked.
The wait-​staff were kind, patient, and helpful. As mentioned by other Unilocalers, the food took a very long time to come, about 30 minutes. It was basically inhaled as soon as it got to the table. Well, at least my plate was!
Oh, before we get to the main course I wanted to commend Thelma’s on their sweet tea. It was cold and refreshing. I drank four glasses worth ;) Hey, free refills!
We also ordered a small Fried Green Tomatoes. The tomatoes were tart and paired with the sauce, it was a party in your mouth.
The chicken was beyond compare. It makes me sad that I will never encounter this succulent meal again (unless I find myself in Roanoke again). It was crispy, tender, moist and just down-​right delicious. I wish the portion of meat was larger. I also really liked fact that Thelma’s offered the chicken and fish grilled as well as fried. My sister had a grilled chicken and although it was small, she enjoyed it. I know we both would have been happier with two pieces of chicken vs the one, but I did not realize they would be so small and did not have another 30 minutes to order another plate.
The waffles were excellent! Cooked to perfection, they had a nice crust but very soft on the insides. I haven’t stopped thinking about them since dinner that day.
My mom and sister enjoyed their side salad (it had shredded cheddar cheese on it!), but the Lima beans were too salty and I was disappointed with the Mac and cheese. It was bland, greasy and just okay.
My parents had the fish: Whiting for mom and Catfish for dad. I did not read that the Whiting had bones. My mom spent the majority of her meal picking the bones out. My dad really enjoyed the catfish and the gravy on his rice. Being that the gravy did not use any type of animal stock (beef, etc) he poured it over everything!
Oh, biscuits at $.75 are a must try. I also really enjoyed them.

Gigi!!! How can one person embody so much awesome? Anyway — we first sat down and was greeted by Gigi who was so funny and sweet. She stated «once you walk in those doors you’re family.»
The grilled chicken omelette was FANTASTIC!!! Had a little spice to it and sautéed peppers and onions with cheese. The boneless fried chicken and waffles was DELICIOUS. The waffle was sweet and soft. The chicken was mouth watering. You can tell the breading was made from scratch.
Overall great breakfast and good vibes.