Founder Larry White Takes Over, Reboots Lo-Lo's Chicken & Waffles

Lo-Lo's Chicken & Waffles was an immediate hit when it debuted at the Best in the West retail center early last year, but in the words of founder Larry "Lolo" White, the restaurant operators "didn’t live up to the Lolo’s standard of itis-inducing, fierce fried chicken."

That is all about to change. White and his wife Rasheeda have taken over the reins of the westside "underground soul food" concept and "whipped things into shape."

Currently working on site everyday, taking time away from his famed locations in Arizona and expansions into Nebraska and Texas, White will relaunch the restaurant on May 12 with a major giveaway.

Lo-Lo’s will be handing out 2,000 "DD Fried Chicken Meals" until they run out on the day and the first 100 in line when the doors open at 9 a.m will win an additional "DD Fried Chicken Meal" per month for an entire year.

Anticipating a large turnout, fans can opt to camp out overnight in the parking lot, where White will host a midnight party featuring "a soul food feast, drinks and music." An event page has been created for Lo-Lo’s hardcore fans.

White debuted his first Phoenix location in 2002, serving versions of "hood classics," offering sweet tea and Kool-Aid on tap and welcoming a steady stream of celebrity guests, including Chris Rock, Shaquille O'Neal and Muhammad Ali.

• All Coverage of Lo-Lo's Chicken & Waffles [ELV]