DaBaby Tells Critics To Go To Waffle House If They Don’t Like His Restaurant’s Prices
Originally published by AllHipHop Read the original
DaBaby opened his Charlotte restaurant to a firestorm of social media criticism over menu prices that had people questioning whether a waffle could possibly cost $45.
The rapper’s No Knife Chicken & Waffles debuted on September 6 at 700 Atando Avenue in North Charlotte, and within hours, photos of the menu went viral with customers and internet critics alike expressing shock at the pricing structure.
Plain waffles started at $15, flavored varieties hit $25, and the Soulfood Cornbread Waffle commanded that eye-watering $45 price tag, with six wings available as a $10 add-on.
Rather than stay silent, DaBaby addressed the backlash head-on during an interview with Positively Charlotte on Fox 46 Charlotte.
He broke down what goes into each dish, explaining that his cornbread is homemade from scratch, the collard greens come cooked with turkey, and fresh sweet potato gets folded directly into the waffle batter.
“This is really a $100 waffle,” he said, making clear that the pricing reflects the quality and labor involved.
For customers unwilling to pay for that level of preparation, he had a direct suggestion: “Waffle House has something for you, you know what I mean? But if you want an elevated dining experience, if you want a waffle, Waffle House, I’m sorry, don’t let this come off as shade to you, this isn’t just flour and water.”
The Waffle House comparison is instructive.
A classic waffle at the chain runs between $5.25 and $5.95, while their All-Star Special costs $12.35.
DaBaby’s pricing sits in an entirely different market segment, targeting customers seeking upscale dining rather than quick service.
The restaurant features a full bar, booth seating, and late-night service running past midnight, positioning itself as a destination spot rather than a grab-and-go breakfast place.
This move fits DaBaby’s larger business strategy perfectly.
He runs Billion Dollar Baby Entertainment, his own record label, and earlier this year launched the Be More Grateful music festival in Concord with 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, Waka Flocka Flame, and Boosie Badazz.
The restaurant marks another expansion of his mogul empire beyond music.
Despite the online complaints, the opening day told a different story.
Lines wrapped around the building with customers willing to wait hours for their food, proving that DaBaby’s targeting a completely different customer base than Waffle House serves.