Dub’s Chicken and Waffles Is Going Brick and Mortar

A restaurant with roots in Portland hip-hop and a fan following for its chicken and waffles, Dub’s St. Johns will fire up the fryers inside a legit brick and mortar at 8537 N Lombard on New Year’s Eve. Dub’s St. Johns has operated out of the Ranger Tavern dive bar since 2013, serving much more than fried chicken through an ordering window: barbecue ribs and brisket, fried catfish and collard greens, baskets of wings, burgers, and more.

Dub, aka William “Dub” Travis III, owns Dub’s St. Johns, and he originally operated Mac & Dub’s Chicken and Waffles — launched in February 2012 — with partner James McClendon. McClendon was a member of U-Krew, a Portland-based rap group that had significant but short-lived success in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. While Mac & Dub’s Chicken and Waffles was around, Dub and McClendon were part of a “marijuana-themed hip-hop duo” called Mack & Dub and the Smokin Section.

In a sad turn of events, Mac & Dub’s Chicken and Waffles was burned to the ground as a result of arson later in 2012. Due to some suspicious graffiti, the police launched an investigation as to whether it was a hate crime, echoing more recent events at Reo’s Ribs (the barbecue restaurant operated by Reo Varnado, who is an uncle to Snoop Dogg).

But Dub wouldn’t be beaten, and he reopened Dub’s inside Ranger Tavern the next year. With the forthcoming brick and mortar, he prepares to take his business to the next level. Eater has reached out to Dub’s St. Johns for complete details.

• Dub’s St. Johns [Official]
• Cheap Eats: Mack & Dub's Chicken and Waffles rises from ashes at Dub's St. Johns [Oregonian]
• Fire at NE Portland restaurant is considered suspicious, authorities said [Oregonian]