To differentiate wing types I've heard people refer to them as "flats' and "rounds." "Round" makes more sense to me than "shirley."
To differentiate wing types I've heard people refer to them as "flats' and "rounds." "Round" makes more sense to me than "shirley."
Actually, I think just the tourists hit the anchor bar. I don't know any locals who go there for the wings. I give a vote to KGallagher's on Allen.
Sal's Lounge in Depew has the best wings in the area. Not too many people know about this place but it is defintely worth the trip for them. I would have to say 2nd place would be Charlie O'Brien's in South Buffalo...you have to try their wings!
Interesting that neither the article nor comments as yet have mentioned the 'A' word. No, not that 'A' word - I mean the Anchor Bar. When I first did a project for a Buffalo client several years ago, I natch took the opportunity to make a pilgrimage to the wing's ancestral homeland at Main and North. Although I don't regret that I went, I came away disappointed in both the service and the product, and was surprised in subsequent days how many Buffalonians told me they felt the same way. I felt like I had stumbled across an open secret - that despite the legendary role of the Anchor Bar in launching Buffalo to food superstardom, it doesn't seem to be the place most Buffalo folks prefer to go for wings. In fact, I have yet to find anyone in Buffalo who gives the Anchor as their favorite place for wings. Frequently folks mention Duff's, or Gabriel's Gate (already mentioned above). I haven't declared a fav yet, which is a perfect excuse to sample a new place every time I'm in town.
About Pearl Street: don't miss the opportunity to try the beer & cheese soup - order a bowl and ask for fresh bread with it - it's a great warm-up on a blustery day.
Has anyone tried KFC's boneless chicken wing? It's awesome, esp at the Elmwood & Bryant location. They make 'em extra special there.
Sterling in NoBo has great wings....
leave the credit card at home.... John and Judy only take the dead presidents
BarBill in East Aurora. They have the best Italian style wings, sprinkled with parm. So good...
Only an excellent writer could verbally/semantically dissect a chicken wing into such unappealing components (i.e. flaccid/flat/hormone/cheese chunks,etc.). I'm anxious to read your revised article on an empty stomach.
If I may suggest another rating - how about the best non-fowl wing. The tastiest faux-wing around; perhaps something along the line of the breaded eggplant "shirley" at Off-The-Wall.
Dip them in Hummus. Really. Not only is it surprisingly good, but your neighbors will be greeted the next morning with an incredible set of 'Bombay Bagpipes'.
Duff's. Calvin Trillin was right.
Pearl Street? They're all right, if you're already in the place drinking Lake Effect IPA and you get a craving. But honestly, Washington Square on Washington Street is better and even closer to HSBC before a Sabres game.
I've heard them referred to as "clubs" and "flats", but "Shirleys" is way more fun...
The "Day After Factor" deserves some recognition. The truly great wings are even better when eaten cold the next day, after an overnight stay in the fridge. Also, while not in the category of "Hot Wings" La Nova's Grilled BBQ wings are sensational. Gabriel's Gate has the best traditional Buffalo Wings.
Not sure where it started, but I've heard the drumsticks called "Shirleys" and the other part called "flats" as in, "I like flats and my wife likes the Shirleys". Mmmm, I could go for a nice bucket of flats right now.
Might I suggest: Hot Wings Cafe with three locations - Melrose (off La Brea) Glendale and Old Pasadena
Best wings west of the Mississippi!
As for TRULY HOT wings, it's pretty easy to do. Use TRULY HOT peppers for the sauce. Monk's in Philadelphia (best beer bar in the world) has the hottest wings I've ever had. They use habaneros. But heat is not what I'm after. Crispy yet tender with balanced flavors is the goal for me. As for type names. I've been calling them male (clubs) and female (flats). Works for me. I like them both but prefer female. Finally, as for the best I've had ever, my brother and I make 'em. Nothing else has been close (yet). Laila might find them "pretty creepy" cuz they're big and inauthentic cuz there's NO sauce. We dry rub, then BBQ slow and low for hours over hardwoods. Served with Marie's BC.
Male (1) and female (2) wings. Both are amazing. Pearl Street has great wings i agree. Its an all around great place to drink eat and hang out with friends.
Chris- Sounds good too, I'll check them out. Oh yeah, here's some HOT sauces, millions of Scoville units! Seriously be careful. http://www.chez-williams.com/Hot%20Sauce/hothome.htm
Gabriel's Gate on Allen St has one of my favorite wings
Laughlin's on the corner of Franklin and Tupper are also quite good.
Shannon's Pub on Niagara Falls Blvd. in Amherst is also quite enjoyable
Century Grill across front the Hyatt has the best wings around, and the most beautiful building to boot...
ablejack -- Sounds like some good wings you guys cook up. The ones at the Sadakonee are marinated and rubbed as well. Then a light sauce is put on them when served.
Simcoe, those arent wings at KFC on elmwood/bryant... the rats there have legs bigger than chicken wings... and the employees are so cleanly!
By far my favorite wings are from the Bar Bill in East Aurora, they are a perfect size, always cooked to perfection and they have a great variety of flavors. And whoever was looking for truly HOTHOTHOT wings, try their suicidal wings. My husband can eat super hot things and even that is a bit much for him. My favorite is the spicy BBQ. I wasn't sure if Sal's in Depew was still open, are their wings still breaded and covered in BBQ sauce? YUM!
I'd like to recommend Nine-Eleven location at 11 Bloomfield Ave. in South Buffalo (14220). They have incredible wings, possibly the best I've ever tasted, and they are presented beautifully. The kitchen stays open late. If you want good wings, go here. You will not be disappointed.
Real test is consistency. Go back a couple of times and see if Pearl Street wings taste the same or if you just had the right cook.
So far, only Duff's in Amherst consistently has decent size wings that are crispy but not overcooked. The cooks come and go over the years but the wings are excellent. Every time without fail. Don't ever have to worry about being disappointed. They are expensive and a tad too saucy, but they are the best IMO. Honorable mention to Gabriel's Gate (consistent, good size and sauce but not crispy enough). Recently, I had wings at Washington Square on Washington St. (downtown across from Ellicott Square Bldg). Excellent wings!!! Need to go back though to check consistency. Anchor Bar is very hit or miss.
Bar Bill eh? I don't know that area too well, where is it located? Sounds like it might be a good place to try! I haven't been to Sal's in a while but last time I was there you could get them breaded or non breaded. I usually ordered the breaded ones xtra hot. I will have to take a trip out that way to see if they are indeed still open.
Yeah, service totally sucks at anchor bar...and simcoe, i literally laughed out loud reading your post...nice!
Most of my favorite wing places have already been mentioned. Century Grill, Gabriel's Gate and Laughlins are great. Another great place for BBQ wings is "One Eyed Jack's" up in Lockport. They smoke their wings and the meat literally falls off the bone. Brennan's in Williamsville and Coles in Buffalo are also excellent. In response to someone's question of where to get hot hot wings, I think Buffalo Wild Wings gets pretty hot when you get into their "blazing" sauce. Might not melt the skin off your face, but they're hotter than any of the places I've already mentioned. For a chain, Buffalo Wild Wings is pretty good.
Colter Bay, Best Wings, End of Story. Always crisp, hot is actually hot, never a bad wing...
joshfromsb -- I have heard that Nine-Eleven has good wings as well. I have never been there surpisingly since I too live in South Buffalo. Another place I will have to try.
Duff's needs to get rid of that mild is hot medium is extra hot etc. crap. Their wings are not very hot at all. It's tough to find wings that make you actually need water or bread after you eat one.
Let's end this once and for all. GO TO DIMARCOS ON ENGLEWOOD AND KENMORE AVE. They have the best wings. And here hot is smokin give me a drink hot. Better try medium first.
I love the wings at Washington Square and Gabriel's Gate. At the Gate you have to order them "crispy" or the skin texture is too rubbery, IMHO. I'm not one for insanely hot wings; I don't really get off on the endorphin rush that your body goes through while it's in full panic from the assault imparted by the sauce. That level of heat trashes my palate anyway, so all of the fun is lost.
Such a delicious topic! North Buffalo has gone down hill as far as pizzerias go. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to go for good wings in North Buffalo?
They are indeed called 'Flats', or 'Clubs'.
Gabrielle's Gate are my favorite so far, but I've only tried them at about 5 different places.
I like when you can order just flats, or just clubs. I'm a flat man myself.
I was glad to see that Shannon’s on NFB was mentioned, I love the place. Gabriels Gate and Duff’s are right there in consistency and quality.
A bit off topic on this but if you have never had the cheeseburger special at Duff’s you have missed something as well, Costanzo roll and great fries w/ gravy.
Could not agree more on Anchor Bar being a tourist trap now, thanks for inventing them and putting Buffalo on the map but there should be some sort of disclaimer and map to other places for tourists to get some good wings.
Inferno -- If you want some truly HOT wings then you want to go to the Sadakonee Restaurant on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation next to Jan's Smokeshop --- (Sadakonee. 383 Bloomingdale Rd, Akron, New York) --- I like my wings VERY VERY VERY HOT and this place has the hottest wings I have ever had anywhere. So hot in fact I could only eat two wings. I couldn't make wings hotter if I tried to and I have some insanely hot sauces. Anyone else know of any other places with some TRULY HOT chicken wings?
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