Uncle C's Chicken & Waffles

Let me tell you about Uncle C's, because this is one of those stories that makes me love what's happening in the DMV right now.

Two childhood friends, Sayed Qayum and Sam Bahary — both Afghan-American, both Muslim — wanted a Southern soul-food spot they could actually eat at. You know the feeling. You're driving by the chicken-and-waffles joint with the amazing reviews, your friends are raving, and you can't go in because nothing is halal. So in March 2021, they opened their own version, on Richmond Highway in Alexandria, and made the whole menu zabiha. "Uncle C" is a nickname for Qayum based on the Pashto pronunciation of his name, which — come on — that's beautiful.

Every single thing at Uncle C's is halal-certified. The fried chicken. The chicken and waffles. The scrambled eggs. The breakfast sandwiches. The banana pudding. Even the beer-battered seafood — made with non-alcoholic beer so the batter gives you that classic crunch without the haram. That attention to detail is what I keep coming back to. It would have been so easy to say "most of it is halal." They didn't. They went all the way.

Locals rave about a few things in particular. The chicken is what everyone posts first — crispy, properly seasoned, not the dry hockey pucks you sometimes get at halal fried-chicken spots that are treating it like a side hustle. The waffles are actual Southern-style waffles (thick, crisp edges, soft middle), not the frozen kind. The hash browns get their own fan club on Yelp. And the banana pudding has a reputation of its own — people talk about it like a dessert destination.

The vibe is casual neighborhood spot. Brunch energy. You're not dressing up. Bring the kids, bring your hungover friends (halal hangover cure is real), bring your non-Muslim coworkers who will not believe this is halal. It's been packed on weekends for years now, which tells you everything you need to know.

A few practical notes: parking is fine along Richmond Highway. Portions are generous — expect to take some home. And if you're going with a group, order the seafood plate so everyone can experience the non-alcoholic beer batter, because that detail is what separates a halal restaurant that cares from a halal restaurant that's just selling you chicken.

What stays with me is how Uncle C's fits into a bigger story. Afghan-American Muslim entrepreneurs. Southern comfort food. Zabiha meat. An Alexandria neighborhood that now has a legitimate brunch spot for Muslim families. None of that happens in most American cities. In the DMV, it does. That's worth showing up for.

The Amara take: This is the halal brunch the DMV didn't know it needed. Go hungry. Tip well. Leave with banana pudding.