Armed with family recipes and a love for South Carolina food traditions, Kiki Cyrus and husband, Tyrone, opened Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles in Columbia in 2012. It was a journey of discovery, one in which Cyrus’ soulful culinary expression earned her a solid following of diners.

Cyrus’ chicken and waffles are in high demand among those who crave the crunchy, savory-sweet combo constructed of a buttery Belgian waffle topped with four hefty, crusty chicken wings and served with a side of warm syrup. But her signature dish is just the foundation of a solid soul food lineup that honors her cultural roots. Smothered pork chops, shrimp and grits, salmon patties, and all the customary veggies that round out a proper plate of Southern goodness are yours for the asking.

Cyrus, a Charleston native, watched her grandmother and mother prepare meals in the kitchen growing up and developed an aspiration for wanting to be a chef herself.

Focused on incorporating and highlighting locally grown produce and products of South Carolina into her menu items, Cyrus believes it is important to buy local. “Buying local means more money stays within our community and local produce and seafood are fresher.”