By Antonio R. Harvey | OBSERVER STAFF WRITER

When most people think of chicken and waffles joints, there’s no doubt that African Americans have been respectfully associated with the popularity of the restaurants since the 1930s.

Oni Allen is proud to bring a satisfying tradition to Sacramento. Allen is the co-owner of Oni’s Chicken and Waffles, a restaurant that strictly serves chicken, waffles, and other soul food items. Photo (c) The Observer / Antonio R. Harvey

But in the case of Oni’s Chicken and Waffles, located right across the street from Kmart on 5015 Stockton Blvd., this restaurant serves a “melting-pot” of people that the owners appreciate.

“We have a lot of repeat Caucasians, Asians, and a lot of Hispanics customers,” said Oni Allen, who co-owns the restaurant with her husband, Jammar. “It’s very diverse.”

One of the reasons why the restaurant is attracting a garden-variety of customers is the fact that unlike Southern California and deep south states, Sacramento rarely has chicken and waffles establishments.

Formerly a Bay Area transplant from Houston and San Antonio, Allen and her husband saw a “need” for such a business in Sacramento, and then proceeded by setting up shop.

“There’s nothing like it out here,” Oni said. “We have them in the Bay Area, southern California and in the southern states. But here in (Sacramento), restaurants have chicken and waffles on the menu, but nothing that strictly sells chicken and waffles.”

Oni’s serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, Tuesday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and from, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Though it focuses on the popular food combination, the menu is also very elaborate with different combinations to satisfy anyone.

Oni’s meals are reasonably priced and taste downright good. Photo (c) The Observer / Antonio R. Harvey

Two to three pieces of chicken wings and waffles served with one or two sides are available. If that’s not what the customer desires, fish (catfish, red snapper and tilapia) and grits, red beans and rice, ox tail with rice and gravy, and a basket of chicken are optional.

The sides vary from breakfast to lunch, but customers can expect to order scramble eggs, hash browns, candied yams, collard greens (you must try collard greens when patronizing Oni’s), green beans, corn, and Oni’s specialty — macaroni and cheese. Pecan pie, peach cobbler and pound cake desserts are available, too.

Oni’s is efficient enough to get the food on the tables or out the door within 10 minutes. Most importantly, combo plates and specials range from $4.85 (two pieces of chicken wings and waffle) to $12.75 (four pieces of fish and grits with two sides). Oni’s is a classic chicken and waffle restaurant.

“My husband Jammar is the brains behind everything,” Oni said. “He’s very financially savvy and he’s always crunching the numbers. Together we sat down and developed the menu, but he is the one that went out to price how much it would make a waffle. He did a lot of researching menus before we opened in October. We are all about customer service, repeat customers, and affordable and complete portions.”

With one-week notice, a group can meet at the restaurant on Oni’s “Corporate and Club Meeting” plan. The restaurant is also available for special parties and catering.
For more information, call (916) 453-1224 or visit www.oniscw.com for a takeout menu.