Larry “Lo-Lo” White was destined to work in the family business at a young age because of his grandmother, Elizabeth White who owned “Mrs. White’s Golden Rule Café” in Central Phoenix.
“I started bussing tables as soon as I could walk and talk,” said Lolo’s Chicken & Waffles owner, Larry White.
As an adult, White would cook chicken and waffles for his friends after a music studio session and once the word was out, the community wanted a piece of his soul food.
“My grandmother and father gave me the opportunity to showcase Lolo’s Chicken and Waffles, out of their establishment and I started doing that in October 1997”, said White.
White worked on weekends for five years until he opened his first store in 2002.
The 800 square feet house only held 20 seats for customers, but wait times lasted more than 3 hours.
The White family laid down the blueprint for success in the restaurant industry.
“Something that my family passed down to me is drive, rain, sleet or snow it has to get done,” said White.
Customers came for the chicken and waffles, but White decided to spice up the menu.
“So our home fries is our hood classics, southern fried chicken is hood classic, our kool-aid is hood classic, everything on our menu is hood baby. Coming to Lolo’s is like taking your kids to the club”, said White.
Even better, there’s no dress code for walking into the historic restaurant.
Even local celebrities have taken notice of one of the best soul food joints in Phoenix.
“One of my favorites is the great Larry Fitzgerald”, said White.
Lolo’s is known for chicken and waffles but they also have a comedy night, paint and sip, and live music.
