Best Black-Owned Business: Kiki's Chicken and Waffles

Established in 2012, Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles is a soul food staple in Columbia. Well known for its signature chicken and waffle dish, Kiki’s also offers home-cooked soul food and dessert. Visited by celebrities such as Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton and Dawn Staley, Kiki’s is a must-try in Columbia.  

Founder Kitwanda “Kiki” Cyrus said she had always wanted to own her own restaurant and has a passion for cooking. 

“I used to cook when I was younger with my grandmother and my mom,” Cyrus said, reflecting on her experiences in the kitchen as a child.

After meeting her husband and co-founder Tyrone Cyrus, the pair visited a soul food restaurant in Atlanta. As people waited two hours to try the well-known dishes, Kiki and Tyrone realized this was something that Columbia needed.

“We stood in line for two hours. I was like, ‘You know what? This would be a good thing to bring to Columbia.’ So that’s when we came back and started brainstorming, started coming up with a name and whatnot for the restaurant,” Cyrus said. 

The menu currently consists of breakfast items, appetizers, soul food meals, seafood, sides and desserts. With over 50 items to choose from, there’s something for everybody. 

The most popular item on the menu is Kiki’s Chicken & Waffle, which comes with one Belgian waffle served with four fried wings or two chicken breasts. Customers can also try the famous red velvet waffle with cream cheese frosting. 

Kiki’s Soul Food Plate is another popular crowd-pleaser, which includes four wings, two sides and a corn muffin. 

“It might be up there with the chicken and waffles because a lot of people love it,” Cyrus said. “It’s a very filling plate and people enjoy it.” 

General Manager Nicolas Frank’s favorite menu item is Ty Ty’s Fried Fish Soul Food Plate. Great for those who enjoy seafood, this item includes two fried whiting served with two sides and a corn muffin.  

Kiki’s menu wasn’t always this extensive. As the business grew, Kiki and Tyrone listened to customer feedback and added more items, such as mac and cheese and collard greens. 

“We listen to them and answer their requests by adding those items on the menu,” Cyrus said. 

Kiki’s has a strong focus on community and takes pride in treating its customers like family. The restaurant also hosts family-friendly events like open mic nights, live jazz and other entertainment. 

“What makes Kiki’s so special is the friendly and family atmosphere that the staff extends to the guests daily,” Frank said. 

“We just love what we do and love to provide good food to our community,” Cyrus said.  

Experience Kiki’s for yourself at their Northeast Columbia and Harbison Area locations and see why it’s this year’s Best Black Owned Business winner.