Ali's Chicken & Waffles – American
The air at Ali’s Chicken & Waffles hangs heavy with the comforting aroma of golden-fried poultry and sweet, griddled batter. Diners dive into towering sandwiches where spice-rubbed, crispy fillets are nestled between fluffy waffles or toasted buns, offering a decadent harmony of savory crunch and syrupy warmth. This lively spot transforms the classic soul food pairing into a modern, handheld feast that satisfies the deepest cravings for hearty, home-style indulgence.
Ali's Chicken & Waffles, University Avenue, Teralta West, City Heights, San Diego, San Diego County, California, 92105, United States https://www.alischickenandwaffles.com/0Cuisine: American
Price range: $
Dietary options: dairy-free, gluten-free, halal, high-protein, keto, low-carb, nut-free, vegan, vegetarian, heart-healthy, low-fat, low-sodium, mediterranean, paleo, pescatarian, plant-based, whole30, anti-inflammatory, atkins, dash-sodium-reduced, gerd, high-fiber, low-cholesterol, south-beach, aip, alkaline, carnivore, low-fodmap, renal, tlc, volumetrics, zone, lectin-free, macrobiotic, slow-carb, sesame-free, soy-free
Diet fit at Ali's Chicken & Waffles
Dairy-Free at Ali's Chicken & Waffles
Ali's Chicken & Waffles has 11 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Eggs, Value Meal and Halal Beef Bacon. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Gluten-Free at Ali's Chicken & Waffles
Ali's Chicken & Waffles has 6 gluten-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Eggs, Halal Beef Bacon and Hashbrowns. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Halal at Ali's Chicken & Waffles
Ali's Chicken & Waffles has 25 halal-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Eggs, Value Meal and Side of Shrimp. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
High-Protein at Ali's Chicken & Waffles
Ali's Chicken & Waffles has 6 high-protein-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Combo #2, Spicy Chicken Sandwich and Combo #3. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Keto at Ali's Chicken & Waffles
Ali's Chicken & Waffles has 2 keto-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Eggs and Chipotle Mayo. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Low-Carb at Ali's Chicken & Waffles
Ali's Chicken & Waffles has 6 low-carb-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Eggs, Jarritos (Mandarin) and Chipotle Mayo. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Nut-Free at Ali's Chicken & Waffles
Ali's Chicken & Waffles has 2 nut-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Eggs and Collard Greens (NO BACON). Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegan at Ali's Chicken & Waffles
Ali's Chicken & Waffles has 13 vegan-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Value Meal, Fries and Hashbrowns. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
How tags work: Dish-level menu analysis by Chefi's rule-based diet engine with AI assistance; nutrition values are estimated from ingredients unless marked verified. Allergen and certification claims are never inferred.
What to order at Ali's Chicken & Waffles
| Dish | Net carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Combo #2 | 0 g | 59.1 g |
| Combo #3 | 0 g | 59.1 g |
| Cluckfast Burrito (NO BACON) | 63.4 g | 56.3 g |
| Combo #1 | 83.4 g | 47.8 g |
| Single Chicken Tender | 47 g | 42.7 g |
| Grilled Chicken Sandwich | 108.1 g | 41.2 g |
| Shrimp & Grits | 22.1 g | 32.9 g |
| Combo #4 | 26.6 g | 30.1 g |
| Value Meal | 9.7 g | 22.2 g |
| Original Chicken Sandwich | 0.2 g | 20.4 g |
| Surf n' Bird Burrito | 27.3 g | 18.4 g |
| Mac n' Cheese | 50.5 g | 18 g |
Nutrition values are estimated from ingredients.
Currently open
Hours
- Monday - Sunday
- 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Menu
Chicken & Waffle Combos
- Combo #1 - $13: Two pieces of strips, a waffle or fries, with a sauce of your choice on the side. Dietary tags: Halal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Combo #2 - $15: Two pieces of fried chicken strips, a waffle and fries, with a sauce of your choice on the side Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Combo #3 - $18: Three pieces of fried chicken strips, a waffle and fries, with a sauce of your choice on the side Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Combo #4 - $15: Jumbo shrimps, a waffle and fries with a sauce of your choice on the side Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Value Meal - $10: One piece tender with a waffle or fries and a sauce of your choice on the side. Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
Sandwiches
- Original Chicken Sandwich - $8: Buttermilk fried chicken, pickles with Ali's Sauce spread. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Home Chicken Sandwich - $8: Buttermilk fried chicken smothered in East-African clarified butter, herbed mayo spread and tomato slices. Available at: dinner, lunch
- Spicy Chicken Sandwich - $8: Buttermilk fried chicken smothered in Thai chili oil, herbed mayo spread. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Grilled Chicken Sandwich - $8: Well seasoned grilled chicken with Ali sauce spread, pickles, and tomato slices. Dietary tags: High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chick-in-Waffle Sandwich - $8: Buttermilk Fried chicken smothered in Thai chili oil, Honey mustard stuffed in our buttery waffle. Available at: breakfast, brunch, dinner, lunch
Soulcal Specials
- Ali's Fries - $12: French Fries topped with corn pico, diced fried chicken or shrimp, drizzled with chipotle mayo and finished with cilantro. Available at: dinner, lunch
- Ali's Burrito - $13: French Fries topped with corn pico, diced fried chicken, drizzled with chipotle mayo, finished with cilantro and wrapped with flour tortilla. Available at: dinner, lunch
- Surf n' Bird Burrito - $14: French Fries topped with corn pico, diced fried chicken and shrimp, drizzled with chipotle mayo, finished with cilantro and wrapped with flour tortilla. Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chicken Quesadilla - $12: Flour tortilla, Diced fried chicken, cheese, and toasted sweet corn with a side of two dipping sauces of your choice. Dietary tags: Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Tacos - $3.5: Diced chicken or shrimp, corn pico with chipotle mayo drizzle. Dietary tags: Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
Breakfast
- Breakfast Burrito (NO BACON) - $12: Eggs, hashbrowns, halal bacon bits, cheese, and chipotle mayo. Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Cluckfast Burrito (NO BACON) - $13: Eggs, hashbrowns, Crispy fried chicken tender, halal bacon bits, cheese, and chipotle mayo. Dietary tags: High-Fiber Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Shrimp & Grits - $15: Creamy grits, jumbo shrimp, mild cheddar cheese, topped with toasted sweet corn. Dietary tags: High-Protein Available at: breakfast, brunch, dinner, lunch
- Waffles - $7: Two pieces of waffles. Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Anti-Inflammatory, High-Fiber, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics Available at: breakfast, brunch
- French Toast - $8: Two pieces of brioche french toast. Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Pancakes - $8: Two stack pancakes. Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, High-Fiber, GERD-Friendly Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Eggs - $6: Three large eggs scrambled. Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Low-Fodmap, Carnivore, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Renal, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free, Soy Free, Sesame Free Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Hashbrowns - $3: Two crispy hash brown patties. Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Alkaline, Soy Free Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Breakfast Sandwich (NO BACON) - $8: Eggs, hashbrown patty, halal beef bacon, with honey mustard spread in a brioche bun. Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Halal Beef Bacon - $3: Three strips of crispy halal beef bacon Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Anti-Inflammatory, AIP, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: breakfast, brunch
Sides
- Mac n' Cheese - $5.5 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Collard Greens (NO BACON) - $5.5 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, Low-Fodmap, Carnivore, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free, Soy Free, Sesame Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Grits - $5.5 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC, Renal, Macrobiotic Available at: breakfast, brunch, dinner
- Fries - $5.5 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, South-Beach, Slow-Carb Available at: dinner, lunch
- Sambusa - $5.5 Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, High-Fiber, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
A la carte
- Single Chicken Tender - $5.5 Dietary tags: Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Single Waffle - $4 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Side of Shrimp - $5.5: Three fried shrimp. Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Taco - $3.5: Single Taco. Diced chicken or shrimp, corn pico with chipotle mayo and cotija cheese. Available at: dinner, lunch
Beverages
- Thai Tea - $5: In house brewed Thai tea served with your choice of milk over ice.
- Sprite - $3: Classic, cool, crisp lemon-lime flavored taste
- Coca-Cola - $3: Original Taste Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Renal, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free
- Pibb Xtra - $3: Spicy cherry flavored soda Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, TLC, Renal
- Water Bottle - $3
- Fanta Orange, Bottle - $3.5: Fizzy and refreshing fruit-flavored soda Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, TLC
- Jarritos (Pineapple) - $3.5 Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, South-Beach, Alkaline, AIP, Renal, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free
- Jarritos (Lime) - $3.5 Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Renal, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free
- Jarritos (Mandarin) - $3.5 Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, South-Beach, Alkaline, AIP, Renal, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free
- Jarritos (Guava) - $3.5 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free
- Horchata - $3.5
- Jamaica - $3.5
Condiments
- Ali Sauce - $0.5 Dietary tags: Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Anti-Inflammatory, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free, Soy Free
- Chipotle Mayo - $0.5 Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Slow-Carb
- Ranch - $0.5 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory
- Herb Mayo - $0.5 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, Lectin-Free, Soy Free
- Coconut Syrup - $0.5 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Renal
Frequently Asked Questions about Ali's Chicken & Waffles
- Is Ali's Chicken & Waffles dairy-free-friendly?
- Yes. Ali's Chicken & Waffles has 11 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Eggs, Value Meal and Halal Beef Bacon.
- What can I eat at Ali's Chicken & Waffles on a dairy-free diet?
- Eggs, Value Meal and Halal Beef Bacon carry the dairy-free tag, out of 11 tagged dishes on the current menu. Every dish's diet tags are listed in the menu.
- Does Ali's Chicken & Waffles have vegan options?
- Yes. 13 dishes are tagged vegan on the current menu, including Value Meal and Fries.
- Is Ali's Chicken & Waffles gluten-free?
- 6 dishes are tagged gluten-free on the current menu. Chefi never infers allergen tags from a dish name alone, but a tag is not a certification — confirm preparation with the restaurant if you have celiac disease or a severe sensitivity.
- What is the highest-protein dish at Ali's Chicken & Waffles?
- Combo #2, at roughly 59.1g of protein (estimated from ingredients).
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