Best Wings in Buffalo

[BillsMafi$]

Anchor bar is terrible. Cmon now 

[Virgil]

2 minutes ago, BillsMafi$ said:

Anchor bar is terrible. Cmon now 

 

Then what is top choice?  Rule #1, don't cast stones without offering a solution

45 minutes ago, Gugny said:

 

Bar Bill.

 

And it ain't close.

 

You appear to no be alone in this thought.  I will have to add it to my Saturday menu before the season opener.  I'll make sure to get some extra sauce to bring to the tailgate.  I'm sure we can find a nice place to....play with it

[Gugny]

3 minutes ago, Virgil said:

 

Then what is top choice?  Rule #1, don't cast stones without offering a solution

 

You appear to no be alone in this thought.  I will have to add it to my Saturday menu before the season opener.  I'll make sure to get some extra sauce to bring to the tailgate.  I'm sure we can find a nice place to....play with it

 

I've been going to the Bar Bill the night before the game for years and don't plan on stopping.  We'll exchange cell #'s before the opener and hope to connect at Bar Bill on Sat. evening.

[Virgil]

3 minutes ago, Gugny said:

 

I've been going to the Bar Bill the night before the game for years and don't plan on stopping.  We'll exchange cell #'s before the opener and hope to connect at Bar Bill on Sat. evening.

 

Abso-*****-lutely

 

@GugnyWhen I google it, I'm seeing more than one.  Which one is better, or do you typically go to?

Edited July 26, 2021 by Virgil

[fergie's ire]

1 hour ago, First Round Bust said:

been-done both and what really is the difference other than a bad batch or sauce selection ?  Is a wing a wing, or am I missing the secret sauce here ?

Watch this and get back to me:  Great Chicken Wing Hunt

[Big Turk]

Nobody in Buffalo seriously can think Anchor Bar has the best wings can they? The first wings, yes.  he best? Not by a longshot.  

 

Duff's are kind of hit or miss and location dependent....sometimes they are really good, other times ehh...

 

Bar Bill or Gabe's Gate are where it's at IMHO

15 minutes ago, BillsMafi$ said:

Anchor bar is terrible. Cmon now 

 

Exactly my thought...maybe it's people that haven't been there in like 10 years or something

Edited July 26, 2021 by Big Turk

[Virgil]

1 minute ago, Big Turk said:

Nobody in Buffalo seriously can think Anchor Bar has the best wings can they? The first wings, yes.  he best? Not by a longshot.  

 

Duff's are kind of hit or miss and location dependent....sometimes they are really good, other times ehh...

 

Bar Bill or Gabe's Gate are where it's at IMHO

 

Anchor and Duff's were the first on the poll, so it skewed the results a bit.  However, I believe there is still some debate as to who was first; Anchor or Duffs

[Irv]

19 minutes ago, The Dean said:

 

Do you remember Rootie's Tap Room? That was near the Amherst campus. Great deals and terrific wings.. I miss that place.

 

 

Outstanding post.

 

 

What I tend to do these days here  in Florida is take out naked crispy wings and sauce them myself at home. I used to bring in my own sauce to some places and ask them to use my sauce for the wings. Strangely I rarely had an issue with the staff. I also brought in extra sauce so they could have some, too. 

 

And unlike Gungy I like my wings served wet. Another plus for Duffs in my book. Under-sauced wings don't do it for me. I can deal with a little puddle if need be,

 

I remember that one vaguely.  We used to go to PJ's, Third Base ($5 all you can drink on Thursdays), Sutters Mill (had really good wings too), Molly's, The Steer (not that often becuase that was a Frat Boy bar), Mickey Rats, The Library (can't remember the name of the bar upstairs), Cassidy's (Freddie's Special!!!) until that burned my junior year.  We would also sometimes go down to Rude Boys.    

[Big Turk]

1 minute ago, Virgil said:

 

Anchor and Duff's were the first on the poll, so it skewed the results a bit.  However, I believe there is still some debate as to who was first; Anchor or Duffs

 

Perhaps there is a 3rd??

 

PAVILLION WINGS

More recently, we received a tip of yet another origin story: Pavillion Wings. Pavillion wings come from Pavillion, NY, a small town about an hour east of Buffalo and date to the 1950s.

Thomas Snyder recalls:

 

"The true origin of the chicken wing as a food item is that it began in the early 1950's in Pavilion NY by my grandfather, Robert Reinhart. His recipe for chicken wings covered with a sauce made of hot sauce and butter was given to the Anchor Bar by a friend he had in common with the owners of the Anchor Bar. Chicken wings were not invented by the Anchor Bar though it has been believed by the entire world to be so, except for those decedents of my grandfather and some residents of Pavilion who know the truth. I asked my mother and a couple of her siblings and they all told me it is absolutely true that he started making them in the 50's and the recipe was passed on to the Anchor."

 

Snyder went on to verify the recipe: chicken wings, Frank’s hot sauce, and lard. He says they sold them from a roadside stand, located in front of his grandfather’s shop, the Red & White.

 

https://www.buffalobiketours.com/blog/bestwings#thetruth

[Gugny]

13 minutes ago, Virgil said:

 

Abso-*****-lutely

 

@GugnyWhen I google it, I'm seeing more than one.  Which one is better, or do you typically go to?

 

East Aurora.

[1ManRaid]

I love Duff's, but not going to vote for them since that's the only place I've been to and don't want to vote by default.  I've been to a friend of a friend's restaurant that I vaguely recall had good wings once or twice on the way home from a game but don't remember the name of the place.

[dorquemada]

1 minute ago, BUFFALOBART said:

When I lived in Buffalo, I made exactly one trip to the Anchor Bar.

The wings were soggy. Awful. Just awful wings.

Bar Bill, and Duff's, are top shelf.

I cook my own wings at every tailgate, in peanut oil. I use a 20" Wok, for the deep fryer.

- Good as anything out there! 🙂

 

as long as we're sharing homebrew approaches, i've settled on grilling wings.  I start from frozen, put them on a hot grill, sprinkle Goya seasoning (the red kind in the foil packets) on them, and turn them over, a lot, at least every 5 minutes.  They take usually around 40 minutes until the skin is crispy but the meat is still moist.  Take them off, toss them is Franks Red Hot with a touch of sweet BBQ and some home made smoke powder (jalapenos & habaneros smoked for a couple hours, dried in the dehydrator, then ground fine) and serve with Rudy's BC, which they've started selling at Wal Marts in the Capital Region

3 minutes ago, Irv said:

 

I remember that one vaguely.  We used to go to PJ's, Third Base ($5 all you can drink on Thursdays), Sutters Mill (had really good wings too), Molly's, The Steer (not that often becuase that was a Frat Boy bar), Mickey Rats, The Library (can't remember the name of the bar upstairs), Cassidy's (Freddie's Special!!!) until that burned my junior year.  We would also sometimes go down to Rude Boys.    

 

Good call on Sutters!  Cheap beer, good wings, darts, and Danny the bartender was a great guy

[Freddie's Dead]

1 hour ago, Rico said:

Stay away from Rochester, they serve puke on a plate there.

 

You're right, Duffs Henrietta closed.

[1ManRaid]

2 minutes ago, dorquemada said:

 

as long as we're sharing homebrew approaches, i've settled on grilling wings.  I start from frozen, put them on a hot grill, sprinkle Goya seasoning (the red kind in the foil packets) on them, and turn them over, a lot, at least every 5 minutes.  They take usually around 40 minutes until the skin is crispy but the meat is still moist.  Take them off, toss them is Franks Red Hot with a touch of sweet BBQ and some home made smoke powder (jalapenos & habaneros smoked for a couple hours, dried in the dehydrator, then ground fine) and serve with Rudy's BC, which they've started selling at Wal Marts in the Capital Region

 

Now that I'm fully vaccinated, I trust that as soon as the borders open you'll be having me over for dinner?  I'll bring beer.

[Irv]

5 minutes ago, dorquemada said:

 

as long as we're sharing homebrew approaches, i've settled on grilling wings.  I start from frozen, put them on a hot grill, sprinkle Goya seasoning (the red kind in the foil packets) on them, and turn them over, a lot, at least every 5 minutes.  They take usually around 40 minutes until the skin is crispy but the meat is still moist.  Take them off, toss them is Franks Red Hot with a touch of sweet BBQ and some home made smoke powder (jalapenos & habaneros smoked for a couple hours, dried in the dehydrator, then ground fine) and serve with Rudy's BC, which they've started selling at Wal Marts in the Capital Region

 

Good call on Sutters!  Cheap beer, good wings, darts, and Danny the bartender was a great guy

 

I actually went to Third Base a couple of years ago but I think it closed last time I swung by.  Are both PJ's and Third Base still closed?

[Royale with Cheese]

Whoever has the best ranch.....

 

[Buftex]

I just don't get the love for Duff's.  I think they are terrible.  Though, I will confess I didn't grow up on Duffs.  I've had them a number of times on trips home, over the last 30 years, and I have never once been impressed.

 

I know many seem to loath Anchor Bar, but I think they are at least pretty good sometimes, though erratic.  I prefer Gabriels Gate or Bar Bill. 

Edited July 26, 2021 by Buftex

[Big Turk]

Honestly, how is One Eyed Jack's not on here for their grilled Raspberry BBQ Wings?  They are un-f**king-believable. Anyone who hasn't been there and tried them needs to go ASAP...South Lockport right north of the intersection of Transit and Robinson Rd after the Sunoco on the right. Not Buffalo style wings but they are fantastic nonetheless.

Edited July 26, 2021 by Big Turk

[US Egg]

With many pizzerias printing new menus every few months because of soaring prices, wonder how long before prices for pizza and wings will be listed as "call for market prices"?

 

😒

[P Riv]

The best wings in Buffalo is the worst reason to miss Beef on Weck.  You can get wings anywhere in the country and beyond, but true blue Buffalo Beef on Weck??? 

Tell out of town people before they get average wings somewhere and miss the good stuff.  Jus sayin.

[Virgil]

2 minutes ago, P Riv said:

The best wings in Buffalo is the worst reason to miss Beef on Weck.  You can get wings anywhere in the country and beyond, but true blue Buffalo Beef on Weck??? 

Tell out of town people before they get average wings somewhere and miss the good stuff.  Jus sayin.

 

What's the best place for that?

[dorquemada]

3 minutes ago, P Riv said:

The best wings in Buffalo is the worst reason to miss Beef on Weck.  You can get wings anywhere in the country and beyond, but true blue Buffalo Beef on Weck??? 

Tell out of town people before they get average wings somewhere and miss the good stuff.  Jus sayin.

 

I see what you did there

[P Riv]

1 minute ago, Virgil said:

 

What's the best place for that?

 

Charlie the Butcher!

 

[RiotAct]

8 minutes ago, I am the egg man said:

With many pizzerias printing new menus every few months because of soaring prices, wonder how long before prices for pizza and wings will be listed as "call for market prices"?

 

😒

A sheet 1-topping pizza and 50 wings is $88+tax at Bocce’s now 😳

[Gugny]

5 minutes ago, Virgil said:

 

What's the best place for that?

 

Bar Bill.  It's a great one-stop shop.  Cheap beer, too.  This place is the cat's ass.

[The Dean]

32 minutes ago, Virgil said:

 

Anchor and Duff's were the first on the poll, so it skewed the results a bit.  However, I believe there is still some debate as to who was first; Anchor or Duffs

 

I believe Anchor was well before Duff's. There was a black owned restaurant making wings well before either (can't recall the name at the moment). But those were more BBQ flavored. Pretty good, though not real Buffalo-style wings, IMO.

 

11 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

Honestly, how is One Eyed Jack's not on here for their grilled Raspberry BBQ Wings?  They are un-f**king-believable. Anyone who hasn't been there and tried them needs to go ASAP...South Lockport right north of the intersection of Transit and Robinson Rd after the Sunoco on the right. Not Buffalo style wings but they are fantastic nonetheless.

 

I assuming this is about BUFFALO Style wings. Grilled wings have NOTHING to do with Buffalo style wings, nor does a raspberry sauce.  They may be delicious, but it's a completely different dish.

 

3 minutes ago, Virgil said:

 

What's the best place for that?

 

Charlie's is very good. I'm a big fan of Glen Park Tavern on Main St in Williamsville.  My tip is to go to a place that has excellent wings and beef on weck. Mr Dee's (and Mr B's) used to be very good options for both. I believe Bar Bill has a beef, but have never tried it.  I'm sure those who are now local can give you some advice for places who do both well. Perhaps Gabriel's Gate?

[Big Turk]

2 minutes ago, The Dean said:

 

I believe Anchor was well before Duff's. There was a black owned restaurant making wings well before either (can't recall the name at the moment). But those were more BBQ flavored. Pretty good, though not real Buffalo-style wings, IMO.

 

 

I assuming this is about BUFFALO Style wings. Grilled wings have NOTHING to do with Buffalo style wings, nor does a raspberry sauce.  They may be delicious, but it's a completely different dish.

 

 

Charlie's is very good. I'm a big fan of Glen Park Tavern on Main St in Williamsville.  My tip is to go to a place that has excellent wings and beef on weck. Mr Dee's (and Mr B's) used to be very good options for both. I believe Bar Bill has a beef, but have never tried it.  I'm sure those who are now local can give you some advice for places who do both well. Perhaps Gabriel's Gate?

 

It just said best wings in Buffalo as the title.  They are easily top 5. I might even put them 2nd.

[Fan in Chicago]

1 hour ago, Irv said:

I prefer Duff's, but I really like the inside of the Anchor Bar.  When I went to UB a hundred years ago and was broke, PJ Bottoms had 5 cent wings and they were damn good.  

PJ Bottoms does ring a bell. When were you in UB? I was there 1989-91. Found a job 2 hours away from BUffalo and used to visit almost every other weekend till 1995.

Other (cheap) memories: Movie theater near Amherst campus for $1 movies, bar next to it had cheap (cant remember prices) pitchers of beer and fish Fry on Fridays. A bar at the corner of Minnesota & Main which had $4 all-you-can drink between 7 and 10 pm. 

Oh those days!

 

Back to the original topic, I have a soft spot for Duffs as I was introduced to wings there, back in 1989. Still enjoy their wings.

Near the Chicago-land, the closest wings are in Mundelein (Franks for the memories)

[Kwai San]

1 hour ago, dorquemada said:

I'll also let you rookies in on a secret...order them extra crispy.  Very few places (especially outside of Buffalo!) make properly crispy wings.  I've finally broken the takeout places near where I live and they make the wings correctly.  No, they insist, soggy slimy wings are what people want!

 

My wife will NOT get them any other way.  She ABUSES the wait staff until they either give in and leave them in the fryer longer or she orders something else.  I myself am not a extra crispy fan.  Having had wings from many on the list and MANY others in any other places I find it interesting to hear what people consider a great wing versus a good wing.

 

My top categories for ranking a wing are as follows and I am VERY interested to hear what yours are:

 

Meaty - none of the Buffalo Wild Wing tiny little wing that has been fried to death crap.  Meat on bone.

Saucy - I like em dripping in sauce.

HOT - personal preference of course but I like em HOT.  Not volcanic brain blowing HOT, just HOT wings.

Equal mix betwixt Drumettes and Wingettes - NO TIPS ever, tips are for servers.

Blue Cheese with Carrots - eff the celery, not a green fan - I like the carrots.  Those are rare now.....sigh. 

 

How do YOU like em????

[The Dean]

6 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

 

It just said best wings in Buffalo as the title.  They are easily top 5. I might even put them 2nd.

 

 

I'm sure a Chinese restaurant in WNY makes delicious wings. But that has nothing to do with Buffalo style wings. I'd put grilled strawberry wings in that very category. Flavorful chicken (any part) can be had all over the world. But when someone is discussing the best wings in Buffalo (and if you read further, you'd know he is looking for info for when he visits), you can be fairly certain they are talking about "Buffalo Wings". Dontcha think?

[Chicharito]

Anyone reading this don’t go to duffs! Nothing special.

[dorquemada]

11 minutes ago, The Dean said:

 

 

I assuming this is about BUFFALO Style wings. Grilled wings have NOTHING to do with Buffalo style wings, nor does a raspberry sauce.  They may be delicious, but it's a completely different dish.

 

 

 

Grilled wings are not a completely separate dish than fried wings.  Yes, they take more work, but every single person who has had my grilled wings says they're better than any they've had locally.  Granted this is the Capital Region where wings are pretty much garbage, but you're selling yourself short if you don't try them that way

[Virgil]

2 minutes ago, Chicharito said:

Anyone reading this don’t go to duffs! Nothing special.

 

Again, then what is special.  Offer a solution

[The Dean]

1 minute ago, Kwai San said:

 

My wife will NOT get them any other way.  She ABUSES the wait staff until they either give in and leave them in the fryer longer or she orders something else.  I myself am not a extra crispy fan.  Having had wings from many on the list and MANY others in any other places I find it interesting to hear what people consider a great wing versus a good wing.

 

My top categories for ranking a wing are as follows and I am VERY interested to hear what yours are:

 

Meaty - none of the Buffalo Wild Wing tiny little wing that has been fried to death crap.  Meat on bone.

Saucy - I like em dripping in sauce.

HOT - personal preference of course but I like em HOT.  Not volcanic brain blowing HOT, just HOT wings.

Equal mix betwixt Drumettes and Wingettes - NO TIPS ever, tips are for servers.

Blue Cheese with Carrots - eff the celery, not a green fan - I like the carrots.  Those are rare now.....sigh. 

 

How do YOU like em????

 

One of the few places that make wings that approach Buffalo quality has a big negative. They serve the entire wing (tip and all) whole. You have to separate them yourself, while they are hot and saucy.  Really makes them far less enjoyable to eat, IMO.

 

 

Just now, Chicharito said:

Anyone reading this don’t go to duffs! Nothing special.

 

 

You seem to be in the minority on this take. 

[Kwai San]

1 minute ago, dorquemada said:

 

Grilled wings are not a completely separate dish than fried wings.  Yes, they take more work, but every single person who has had my grilled wings says they're better than any they've had locally.  Granted this is the Capital Region where wings are pretty much garbage, but you're selling yourself short if you don't try them that way

 

And then there is smoking the Wings....a whole nuther dimension.

[dorquemada]

2 minutes ago, Kwai San said:

 

My wife will NOT get them any other way.  She ABUSES the wait staff until they either give in and leave them in the fryer longer or she orders something else.  I myself am not a extra crispy fan.  Having had wings from many on the list and MANY others in any other places I find it interesting to hear what people consider a great wing versus a good wing.

 

My top categories for ranking a wing are as follows and I am VERY interested to hear what yours are:

 

Meaty - none of the Buffalo Wild Wing tiny little wing that has been fried to death crap.  Meat on bone.

Saucy - I like em dripping in sauce.

HOT - personal preference of course but I like em HOT.  Not volcanic brain blowing HOT, just HOT wings.

Equal mix betwixt Drumettes and Wingettes - NO TIPS ever, tips are for servers.

Blue Cheese with Carrots - eff the celery, not a green fan - I like the carrots.  Those are rare now.....sigh. 

 

How do YOU like em????

 

pretty much the same, tbh, though i like a touch of bbq, and extra heat, to go along with the Frank's

 

blue cheese is critical because again, probably 90% of the blue cheese out there is just terrible.  If you're not in Buffalo, your best bet is Rudy's, which as i said earlier, is available at some Wal Marts.  I decently crispy wing with enough sauce to cover, with a dollop of Rudy's on it is my happy place, especially at 12:45 on Sunday game day

 

[The Dean]

1 minute ago, dorquemada said:

 

Grilled wings are not a completely separate dish than fried wings.  Yes, they take more work, but every single person who has had my grilled wings says they're better than any they've had locally.  Granted this is the Capital Region where wings are pretty much garbage, but you're selling yourself short if you don't try them that way

 

 

I've had grilled wings many times. They can be good. But, pretty much by definition, they aren't Buffalo Wings, IMO. They are grilled wings with Buffalo sauce, or whatever.  Same thing with baked or breaded wings.   Are Kentucky Fried chicken wings a valid option for this poll? I think not.

[TheBeaneBandit]

Bill Bar is East Aurora yes?

[dorquemada]

5 minutes ago, The Dean said:

 

 

I've had grilled wings many times. They can be good. But, pretty much by definition, they aren't Buffalo Wings, IMO. They are grilled wings with Buffalo sauce, or whatever.  Same thing with baked or breaded wings.   Are Kentucky Fried chicken wings a valid option for this poll? I think not.

 

So in your opinion, what makes them Buffalo Wings is the medium in which they're heated, not the end result?  The only things that can be called Buffalo Wings are deep fried in mel-fry, with sauce that is 4 parts Franks Red hot, 1 part butter?

 

seems rather limiting but if it's that important to you i guess

[Process]

Bar bill are the best. Cajun medium sauce is unbelievable. 

 

Followed by Gabriel's gate, duffs, Elmo's in no order. 

 

How the hell does anchor bar have that many votes? Might as well go to buffalo wild wings. 

Edited July 26, 2021 by Process