Local Legacies to Know: Larry “Lo-Lo” White Serves Downtown with Soul

For many people, Downtown Phoenix wouldn't feel the same without Larry "Lo-Lo" White.

As the restaurateur notorious for Lo-Lo's Chicken & Waffles and Monroe's Hot Chicken, Larry's legacy extends far beyond the plate. The culinary roots that define much of his story can be traced back to the early days and many hours spent working alongside his grandmother at Mrs. White’s Golden Rule Café, the soul food restaurant she established in 1964. Over sixty years later, this iconic local staple stays busy serving home-cooked meals out of the same kitchen where it all began.

It was there, on the corner of Jefferson and 8th streets, where some of Larry's fondest memories and culinary inspiration were born.

From as soon as he could walk, Larry set out traversing the city streets, department stores, chicken shops, and soda counters of Downtown Phoenix, often hitching a bus ride from Mrs. White’s to the business core. These trips reaffirmed his inherent love for food—the catalyst of his imminent claim to fame in the culinary world.

What started in 1997 as a weekend pop-up chicken-and-waffles spot out of Mrs. White's marked the beginning of Larry's entrepreneurial journey with the opening of Lo-Lo's Chicken & Waffles. This Southern-style eatery quickly gained a following for its famous fried chicken and 'downright delicious' waffles.

On the heels of Larry's namesake eatery, Monroe's Hot Chicken spiced up the Downtown Phoenix food scene nearly two decades later with its Nashville-style hot chicken. Located on the ground floor of the Luhrs building, Monroe's delivers signature spicy dishes, all the way from Music City to the heart of Downtown Phoenix.

We sat down with this local legacy to learn more about the inspiration and coveted recipes that launched his decades-long career and set the foundation for his "good food brings people together” philosophy and subsequent contributions to the Downtown Phoenix community.

Can you take us back to the beginning? What inspired you to open Lo-Lo’s Chicken & Waffles, and later, Monroe’s Hot Chicken?

I needed a future. It was my plan W, if you will. I tried many, many different things. Even as a kid, my grandmother and my father taught me how to be an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurship is something that I was raised in. As I got older, I wanted more. I was working for my grandmother and father at Mrs. White's Golden Rule Cafe. But to achieve the lifestyle I wanted, I needed to do more. I wanted to do more. Lo-Lo's Chicken & Waffles was that outlet.

What did Downtown Phoenix represent to you at that time?

I consider myself to be a city kid. I like the hustle and bustle of downtowns, and I just felt that grab-and-go restaurants like Lo-Lo's Chicken & Waffles and Monroe's Hot Chicken were perfect for the hustle and bustle. People going to and from court can come in and grab a great hearty meal and not be late—no matter what side of the law you're on. Our hope is for people to come in and grab sandwiches before they go to a Suns or a Diamondbacks game, a play, or a concert.

What are some of your favorite memories that stand out from your years of serving and being immersed in the Downtown Phoenix community?

I used to play in Downtown Phoenix as a kid, back when I used to catch the city bus called the Tico. I’d ride that right down the road from Mrs. White's Golden Rule Cafe to Washington Street, where there was a Woolworth department store and a fantastic chicken sandwich spot. I used to go to the counter as a little kid, order a root beer float or an ice cream sundae, and sit and eat it at the soda counter. Those memories will forever live in the back of my mind. Being able to continue that legacy of eating in Downtown Phoenix, whether you're walking, riding the bus, or now catching the light rail. I want to offer today's Downtown community the same experience I had as a kid, one that they'll remember years later.

When you think about your legacy in Downtown Phoenix, what do you hope people remember most about your journey, your businesses, and the role they’ve played in the city?

I want people to take away that we did things the right way. To understand what we do at Lolo's, Monroe's Hot Chicken, and all our concepts. We take pride in what we do—attention to detail, attention to quality. I'm serving the same kind of food I would serve my own family. Here at Monroe’s, we use 100%, no antibiotics whatsoever. Chicken is also halal, always fresh, never frozen. No microwaves, no shortcuts. You're just going to get a great freaking chicken sandwich. And even if you don't want it spicy, then you can get the regular basic southern, but it's still going to be the best chicken sandwich you've ever had in your life.

At the heart of everything Larry “Lo-Lo” White has built is a genuine love for people and place, and food (of course). As we celebrate Black History Month and the local legacies that continue to shape our city, Larry’s story stands as an inspiration for Downtown’s Black community and the aspiring entrepreneurs of future generations.