‘Y’all Can Stay Canceling Us’: Social Media Users Call for Boycott Against Roscoe’s Chicken ‘N Waffles After Video of Blow-up Trump Doll In Front of the Iconic Eatery, But Management Says It’s Not What It Seems

To some, it’s a battle for the soul of Los Angeles. Roscoe’s House of Chicken ‘N Waffles, as iconic to Black Angelenos as the Hollywood sign, is facing a revolt from its loyal customer base amid controversy over an inflatable Donald Trump doll positioned outside the soul food restaurant’s Long Beach location. In November, Epicurious Expeditions posted a video on Instagram showing the blow-up doll. The reaction was overwhelmingly negative. “oh HELLLLLLZ NO RIP ROSCOES,” pronounced one Instagram user. “You gotta be kidding me!!! What happened to Roscoes??” asked another. Roscoe’s connection to L.A.’s Black community is a strong one. It’s a staple with celebrities, rappers and politicians alike. HBO’s “Insecure” filmed several scenes there. For a while, former President Barack Obama had a dish on the menu named in his honor. Curiously, the Obama Special, three wings and a waffle is no longer available. On Dec. 3, Epicurious Expeditions struck another blow to the venerable Southern California chain, uploading a 2022 report from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health revealing multiple health code violations. The Instagram account proclaimed Roscoe’s had been “canceled by the internet.” “Roscoe’s has been synonymous with Black LA culture,” the woman behind Epicurious...