LOS ANGELES — The Star returned to California this week to cover the Arizona Wildcats' triple-overtime loss to No. 9 USC and got some much-needed "R and R."
No, not rest and recovery, especially after that "Pac-12 After Dark" special at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum.
Our version of R and R is eating at two renown and prominent L.A.-area food chains: "Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles" and "Randy's Donuts."
For the latest installment of "This Isn't Tucson," a series where we rate local food places in cities the Wildcats are traveling to this season, here's a review of Roscoe's and Randy's.
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) October 7, 2023
Restaurant: Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles
Food: Southern soul food
The rundown: Founded by Harlem, New York native Herb Hudson in 1975, Roscoe's became popular amongst celebrities and entertainers, including Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole, Snoop Dogg and Shaquille O'Neal. President Barack Obama visited Roscoe's in 2011 during his second-term campaign and ordered the No. 9 — also known as the "Country Boy," which comes with three wings, a waffle, potato salad and french fries.
The order: "Scoe's #2" (two pieces of fried chicken — drum and a thigh — smothered in gravy and onions) with a side of mac n' cheese.
The final verdict: This wasn't my first rodeo at the Roscoe's on Manchester Boulevard, but I had a Ron Burgundy, "milk was a bad choice" moment. Valuable lesson for everyone: clarify what type of gravy is on the chicken before ordering. I assumed white country gravy would come with my order — akin to country-fried steak or chicken. The brown gravy didn't complement the fried chicken and house-made hot sauce well. Let this be a lesson, kids: fried chicken is best served by itself with a little bit of hot sauce. 5.8/10 (but I've been to Roscoe's when my order was perfect).
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) October 7, 2023
Restaurant: Randy's Donuts
Food: Donuts, pastries, coffee
The rundown: The iconic drive-thru bakery in Inglewood, California that opened in the early 1950s has a can't-miss building, which has an enormous 32-foot donut on the roof, just off Interstate-405. Randy's has opened up locations in Las Vegas, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Philippines.
The order: Nutella raised donut, glazed crondy (a croissant-donut hybrid) and cinnamon roll.
The final verdict: Sadly, Randy's was fresh out of bear claws, but Nutella on a soft donut? Psh. I could've had two more. Elite combination. The crondy and cinnamon roll were pleasant sweet treats after a triple-overtime thriller at the L.A. Coliseum. 9/10. During my next visit in L.A., Randy's maple raised donut with a mini churro is calling my name.
More food reviews from this football season:
Week 2 (Mississippi State): This Isn't Tucson: Tasting 'Little Dooey,' Bully's Ice Cream in Starkville, Miss.
Week 4 (Stanford): This Isn't Tucson: Pizza and wings at the first-ever 'Round Table' in Menlo Park
The Arizona Wildcats fell to No. 9 USC 43-41 in triple-overtime Saturday night at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum. Video by Justin Spears / Arizona Daily Star
