I was thinking recently it might be cool to post about my "Mt. Rushmore" of wings, meaning my four favorite wing places across the US. It might be tempting to try and make these four what you consider to be the top 4 wing places in US, but that is highly subjective (although, I'm sure many of our frequent flyers would top that kind of list such as Bar Bill, 9/11, etc.) Rather, I'd love to hear your favorite four wing places in the US, based strictly on your own personal criteria. I'm also hoping to crowd source more spots for my own enjoyment. Here's my four and the reasons why I picked them:
Crisp – My sister turned me onto this place on a visit to Chicago and it was one of the first places that made realize that I had a love for buffalo wings. This is a korean joint that does an amazing buffalo wing, and includes great bonchon on the side.
Wingos – This is my favorite wing spot in D.C (where I currently live). I've tried damn near every spot here and they are, in my opinion, the most consistent. I get the "lemon pepper hot" which is a mix between buffalo sauce and lemon pepper.
Bayou Hot Wings – my favorite spot in my hometown of New Orleans. Their buffalo sauce is made with Crystal hot sauce, my personal favorite hot sauce, and the wings have a light breading to them that is amazing.
Output: This place, in all honestly, is one of the best spots I've ever been to. Sister took me there on a recent visit and claimed to have found the next Crisp, and it truly delivered. Reminded me a lot of Wingnutz in Buffalo.
These places are amazing in their own right, but they also hold sentimental value. What's yours?
by landlocked_kook
36 Comments
God I love Bayou Hot wings and miss them so much. I was always too much of a wuss to try the heat challenge and now I regret it.
– Bar Bill, East Aurora, NY
– Side Biscuit, Ann Arbor, MI
– Adolf’s Old First Ward, Buffalo, NY
– Nine Eleven Tavern, Buffalo, NY
Mammoser’s- Hamburg, NY
Elmo’s- Buffalo, NY
Charlie’s- Somers Point, NJ
Yoli’s- Clairton, PA
My backyard smoker
My oven
My air fryer
My deep fryer
In DC, Danny’s used to be my go to until I moved to Wings & More Wings on Bening Road. In NoVA now, so I’ve found America’s Best Wings to be the most consistent chain experience. My current go to is a little place near Ft. Belvoir called Tops China where I can get four whole wings and french fries for less than $10. The nubbin being the best part of the wing is the hill I will die on.
Jug Handle Inn, Cinnaminson NJ
Pic-a-lilli Inn Shamong, NJ
Hillside Tavern
Dallas, Tx
Buffalos Reef Ft. Walton Fl (Great Wings & BEST BLUE CHEESE EVER !)
Oopa Korean Fried Wings New Orleans, La (super light and crispy with intriguing sauces)
Anchor Bar Buffalo, NY (good wings bonus points for originality)
And honestly my closest BWW is solid. Extra crispy wings Thai Curry/Nashville Hot/HotBBQ, I wish their blue cheese was better though.
Union Jack’s Pub – Glenside, PA
Wingo’s got that whiskey special. Iykyk
French Creek Tavern, Cylmer, NY
Wing king, charlotte nc
Cedar inn minneapolis mn
Havent traveled too far afield for wings but DJs Wings Hyannis MA, Wendells norton ma, rafters (rip) amherst ma, and a distant 4th wings over amherst ma.
I’ll do my list when I go back to Buffalo. Only been to Duff’s. Bar Bill is my first destination
Next time you’re in Chicago, try Reggie’s in South Loop. Crisp is solid, have not tried Output, but I’ve had most other popular wing spots in the city. Reggie’s has the best straight up buffalo style wings I’ve found and it’s not even close.
Vindicktive Wings in Seattle 4 times
Legend Larry’s, Green Bay WI
Side Biscuit, Ann Arbor, MI
Fire on the mountain, Portland, OR
Adolf’s, Buffalo NY
Wing king cafe charlotte Nc. Put them up against anyone.
Add San Tung in San Francisco
Big Sauce – Chicago, IL
Just moved closer downtown Chicago so I appreciate the recommendations lol
Kislings Baltimore Md
The best wings for me are usually Thai or Korean. Buffalo with bleu cheese is great but honestly can’t compare with quality Asian offerings
Four I can vouch for: Kisling’s Tavern, Baltimore MD, Looney’s Pub North, Bel Air MD, Hinchey’s Chicago Tavern, Hilton Head Island SC, and Wing-It!, Jacksonville FL. All are very good.
I really only had one Boneheads in Rhode island and they’re closed so rip
Duffs – Buffalo, NY
Dirty Birds – San Diego, CA
Center Street Grille – Enola, PA
Wing Shack – Cheyenne, WY
I also live in New Orleans J’s Creole Wings has a pretty decent fry up, I love the Sweet Heat sauce at We Dat’s, Chicken and Watermelon also have a decent wing, Man Chu has the undisputed best sauceless wing.
Rib Rack – Philadelphia, PA – get their house made BBQ sauce on the wings
Bar-Bill – East Aurora, NY
Pic-A-Lilli Inn – Shamong, NJ
4th is TBD
This is wild to see a Mt. Rushmore of Wings, and I have eaten at half of them.
OP, do you also live in Chicago?
Bar Bill in Buffalo
Knockback Nats in Cincinnati
Seconding Crisp and Output. We used to have a place called Landbirds here in Chicago that was slightly better than these two, unfortunately we lost it during the pandemic. Still think about those wings often.
Track One, El Paso
Quips Pub, Lancaster, PA
Buffalo Joe’s – Evanston, IL
Im visiting NYC soon, are there any decent spots near Hoboken? I would ask on that sub, but you guys are the pros! 😉 Thanks in advance.
Cluck-U Morristown NJ, Sal’s Birdland Rochester NY, Moni’s Place Crofton MD, The Bird Jackson WY