Best Wings in Buffalo

[Draconator]

2 minutes ago, SoCal Deek said:

Just my two cents, but if people are making their first visit to Buffalo, they should visit one of the more famous locations (Duff's or the Anchor Bar).  Let's face it, this is simple bar food.  The real point in them visiting is to say they went to a nationally known location....not simply to eat a chicken wing.  The selfie they show off to their friends and family will last a lot longer than the taste of the wings. 

I had a friend visit from Columbus, OH. The only thing she was interested in was to visit Anchor Bar. 

 

You make a very good point.

[The Dean]

10 minutes ago, BLO_RIO said:

My vote is Wing Stop. But Im in Albuquerque NM... You Guys are lucky in Buffalo

 

Is Wing Stop an actual physical location, or just a delivery service?  I think there's one company that isn't associated with any particular restaurant. They get the wings where they get the wings.

 

 

1 minute ago, SoCal Deek said:

Just my two cents, but if people are making their first visit to Buffalo, they should visit one of the more famous locations (Duff's or the Anchor Bar).  Let's face it, this is simple bar food.  The real point in them visiting is to say they went to a nationally known location....not simply to eat a chicken wing.  The selfie they show off to their friends and family will last a lot longer than the taste of the wings. 

 

 

This is what it's become?  Yes, some will want to go to the "famous" place and show off online.  I prefer to go to the best place, especially if it's only well known by locals. I despise most bar/restaurants that are glorified souvenir shops (Hard Rock Cafe, for example). But I get it. When people would come to SF (for example) and want to go to the Hard Rock, I'd tell them to go get their souvenir and then meet them at place that  is actually good.

 

With that said, I always had fun at the Anchor bar. OK wings and pizza and other food. They used to have jazz on the weekend. Just a fun place. I can understand people wanting to go there. But I'd never wait in line to get in.

[Virgil]

4 minutes ago, The Dean said:

 

Is Wing Stop an actual physical location, or just a delivery service?  I think there's one company that isn't associated with any particular restaurant. They get the wings where they get the wings.

 

 

It's a chain that are blowing up everywhere.  They are decent for wings, but I wouldn't consider them a contender for top wing place.

[The Dean]

13 minutes ago, Virgil said:

 

It's a chain that are blowing up everywhere.  They are decent for wings, but I wouldn't consider them a contender for top wing place.

 

 

Eat in?  On the order of Buffalo Wild Wings?

[Rico]

16 minutes ago, The Dean said:

 

 

Eat in?  On the order of Buffalo Wild Wings?

Almost fast food, like America’s Best Wings. Eat-in and carry-out, no bar.

Edited July 26, 2021 by Rico

[machine gun kelly]

But what is the best pizza?  Wings is easy as almost everyone on the list are awesome.

[BADOLBILZ]

46 minutes ago, Virgil said:

 

It's a chain that are blowing up everywhere.  They are decent for wings, but I wouldn't consider them a contender for top wing place.

 

I hear they really push the boneless wings but proper attire is required

 

[4_kidd_4]

I’ve never had outstanding wings at Duffs. Always “meh” to “decent”.

 

Same for Anchor Bar.

 

Gabriel’s Gate is where it’s at.

 

Judi’s Lounge in NF too. Those are my top two in WNY.

[The Dean]

1 minute ago, 4_kidd_4 said:

I’ve never had outstanding wings at Duffs. Always “meh” to “decent”.

 

Same for Anchor Bar.

 

Gabriel’s Gate is where it’s at.

 

Judi’s Lounge in NF too. Those are my top two in WNY.

 

 

Good call on Judi's. An overlooked gem of a bar. Great prices, too. But not necessarily the place to go if you like your wings HOT!!!!  Still, I almost always stop there when I'm in town. 

19 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

I hear they really push the boneless wings but proper attire is required

 

 

 

😄

[The Dean]

53 minutes ago, Rico said:

Almost fast food, like America’s Best Wings. Eat-in and carry-out, no bar.

 

 

Wow, even the pictures of wings on their site are terrible.

[Rico]

2 minutes ago, The Dean said:

 

 

Wow, even the pictures of wings on their site are terrible.

Yeah, the only one I know of in my area is in a strip mall right next to Little Caesar’s… it’s a good fit.

[Virgil]

11 minutes ago, The Dean said:

 

 

Wow, even the pictures of wings on their site are terrible.

 

They aren't bad.  But they are definitely commercial

[thewza]

Thanks for adding in Niagara Falls recs like Judi's!  I will be in NF in a few weeks.  Any other good wing recommendations there?  I saw there's a Duff's in NF.  I also heard that Buzzy's is good?  Thanks for the recs.

[ChevyVanMiller]

I love Gabriel’s Gate and Bar Bill, but I’ve got to tell you that the wings at Wagner’s in Lockport can go nub-to-nub with both of them. And their Beef-on-Weck is delicious as well.

 

If you find yourself in the Northtowns, do yourself a favor and check them out. I recommend Johnnie’s Special - a Beef-on-Weck and 5 wings.

 

You can thank me later. 

 

https://www.wagnersrestaurant.com/menu

[The Dean]

5 minutes ago, ChevyVanMiller said:

I love Gabriel’s Gate and Bar Bill, but I’ve got to tell you that the wings at Wagner’s in Lockport can go nub-to-nub with both of them. And their Beef-on-Weck is delicious as well.

 

If you find yourself in the Northtowns, do yourself a favor and check them out. I recommend Johnnie’s Special - a Beef-on-Weck and 5 wings.

 

You can thank me later. 

 

https://www.wagnersrestaurant.com/menu

 

 

Love the "Buffalo Special". Mister Dees used to have a similar offering. That's what I would get most of the time.

[Talley56]

Question, as I am not a native to WNY, which place would be best if you like a lot of sauce?  I've tried Duff's and Anchor Bar which were good but, I gotta be honest, I tried Mammosers one time, and I thought their wings were not very good at all.  Not much sauce and just kind of bland overall.

[Mr. WEO]

7 hours ago, Rico said:

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

 

The plate is king.

 

As for wings,  I would take Jeremiah's on Monroe over any of those joints in Buffalo.

[4BillsintheBurgh]

3 hours ago, Jauronimo said:

My tentative plans for the home opener:

 

First stop Bar Bill after the plane lands.

Maybe Gene McCarthy's for a fish fry and more wings Friday night.

Saturday, a trip out to Hamburg for 9-11 or Mammosers and Gabriel's Gate for a midnight snack.

Sounds like a +10# weekend

[dhg]

When I was younger you couldn't beat Jimmy J's on Bailey Avenue.  10 cent wings and $3 pitchers of beer on Monday nights. 

[The Dean]

4 minutes ago, dhg said:

When I was younger you couldn't beat Jimmy J's on Bailey Avenue.  10 cent wings and $3 pitchers of beer on Monday nights. 

 

Speaking of Bailey Ave, how about Annacones?  Great Beef on Weck and terrific bar prices. Good jukebox, too!  But I was never a fan of Bailo's beef. Overcooked covered with gravy. That's not my idea of a BOW. But their fries and gravy were good.

[dhg]

2 minutes ago, The Dean said:

 

Speaking of Bailey Ave, how about Annacones?  Great Beef on Weck and terrific bar prices. Good jukebox, too!  But I was never a fan of Bailo's beef. Overcooked covered with gravy. That's not my idea of a BOW. But their fries and gravy were good.

Strohs dark on tap at Annacones. Good pool table

[Buffalo ill]

I've never been to Buffalo.  If I was served wings with Frank's red hot sauce on them, I'd be majorly disappointed. 

[The Dean]

1 minute ago, Buffalo ill said:

I've never been to Buffalo.  If I was served wings with Frank's red hot sauce on them, I'd be majorly disappointed. 

 

 

I'm confused. Have you had "Buffalo wings" before?  Did you like them? Because if they were traditional Buffalo wings, they were most likely Frank's based, or perhaps with some other (lamer) hot sauce. What do you think is used in that sauce?

 

 

Frank's has an interesting history. Remember when it was Durkee's Frank's?

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank's_RedHot

[Buffalo ill]

2 minutes ago, The Dean said:

 

 

I'm confused. Have you had "Buffalo wings" before?  Did you like them? Because if they were traditional Buffalo wings, they were most likely Frank's based, or perhaps with some other (lamer) hot sauce. What do you think is used in that sauce?

 

 

That's like finding out Santa Claus isn't real.  Not knowing any better I assumed "real" wings used some sort of homemade sauce.  Not some off the shelf worse version of Tabasco.  Do you guys put ketchup on steak too?

 

However, I fully support the bleu cheese thing.

[The Dean]

1 minute ago, Buffalo ill said:

That's like finding out Santa Claus isn't real.  Not knowing any better I assumed "real" wings used some sort of homemade sauce.  Not some off the shelf worse version of Tabasco.  Do you guys put ketchup on steak too?

 

However, I fully support the bleu cheese thing.

 

 

Their BASE is Franks. There are other ingredients, too. But the biggest mistake a place can make, IMO, is getting too "creative" with the sauce.

[Orlando Tim]

I have only had a few of these but really usually stick with Duffs because they have always been consistent and I like a split of hot wings and the Char BQ, which are grilled. They also do a good job of making it easy for a party of 20+ people.

14 minutes ago, Buffalo ill said:

That's like finding out Santa Claus isn't real.  Not knowing any better I assumed "real" wings used some sort of homemade sauce.  Not some off the shelf worse version of Tabasco.  Do you guys put ketchup on steak too?

 

However, I fully support the bleu cheese thing.

It does not have to be franks but it must be a cayenne based sauce to be Buffalo, at least IMHO. Any other pepper base can be good but it should not be called Buffalo.

[KingBoots8]

Mamosers was my favorite spot when I visited years back for games. Bar Bill has been a place on my list to try out next time I’m in town for sure. I’m adding Gabe’s to that list as of this post.

 

Living in the Southern Tier, and relatively close to Binghamton has so many places for wings, but few stand outs. The Old Union has gone to Buffalo and won awards for their Hot and Carolina Gold sauces, and are probably the best place down here to get true Buffalo style wings. A few little dive bars called The Belmar and House of Reardons can also do a pretty decent job- especially because they (like The Old Union) can get that crispiness factored in. 
 

if you ever find yourself on Seneca Lake and want amazing beer and like your Beef on Weck, check out Two Goats brewery- they literally only serve popcorn to snack on and BoW. They don’t offer much for food, but they get it right for sure.

Edited July 27, 2021 by KingBoots8

[Jauronimo]

1 hour ago, 4BillsintheBurgh said:

Sounds like a +10# weekend

I might gain a pound.  I am not nearly as worried about weight gain as I am about shitting my pants at the game.  

[BillsShredder83]

This thread has me moist. Only thing I miss back home. Can find decent wings in NC but the trash they call blue cheese is vomit inducing. It's like straight mayonnaise 

[Simon]

7 minutes ago, BillsShredder83 said:

This thread has me moist. Only thing I miss back home. Can find decent wings in NC but the trash they call blue cheese is vomit inducing. It's like straight mayonnaise 

 

I've reached the point where I'll buy a tub of crumbled blue cheese, pour a bunch in a bowl and then mix it up with something like Ken's Chunky Blue Cheese dressing.

[akcash]

Tell you what had some wings at Colter Bay last night and they were 🔥

[The Dean]

15 minutes ago, BillsShredder83 said:

This thread has me moist. Only thing I miss back home. Can find decent wings in NC but the trash they call blue cheese is vomit inducing. It's like straight mayonnaise 

 

 

Yeech!

 

Funny thing, the place that makes decent wings down here (but serves them whole, so you have to separate them yourself, which sucks) was supposed to have the absolute best blue cheese. When I finally went, I found their blue cheese to be sub ordinary. So I asked about it.  The owner/manager/whatever told me it cost a lot to make an very few people gave a damn. So they just went cheap.

 

On several occasions I questioned whether a restaurant actually gave me ranch, because there was no blue cheese taste, or chunks, to the dressing. "No, that's the blue cheese" they'd respond. Yeech!

 

 

6 minutes ago, Simon said:

 

I've reached the point where I'll buy a tub of crumbled blue cheese, pour a bunch in a bowl and then mix it up with something like Ken's Chunky Blue Cheese dressing.

 

 

Exactly what I do, Simon.  I may get a slightly better bottle from the dairy (Marzetti's for example) but definately add the crumbled blue cheese. But will use Kens or Kraft in a pinch. I actually like the big restaurant jugs of Kraft (can't remember which label).

 

One of the reasons I never really liked Marie's is because it tasted like mayo with chunks of blue cheese.  I like the dressing surrounding the blue cheese chunks to taste like blue cheese as well. 

Edited July 27, 2021 by The Dean

[Big Turk]

3 hours ago, ChevyVanMiller said:

I love Gabriel’s Gate and Bar Bill, but I’ve got to tell you that the wings at Wagner’s in Lockport can go nub-to-nub with both of them. And their Beef-on-Weck is delicious as well.

 

If you find yourself in the Northtowns, do yourself a favor and check them out. I recommend Johnnie’s Special - a Beef-on-Weck and 5 wings.

 

You can thank me later. 

 

https://www.wagnersrestaurant.com/menu

 

I'm in S. Lockport and had no idea this place existed.

[Draconator]

3 hours ago, Talley56 said:

Question, as I am not a native to WNY, which place would be best if you like a lot of sauce?  I've tried Duff's and Anchor Bar which were good but, I gotta be honest, I tried Mammosers one time, and I thought their wings were not very good at all.  Not much sauce and just kind of bland overall.

 

Bar Bills, no question. 

[Augie]

10 hours ago, The Dean said:

I agree too many places serve great wings for a two restaurant poll. This has already been done to death---typically by clueless outsiders (Food Channel, for instance), It's easy and mindless, IMO.

 

With that said, I much prefer Duffs, whose style is most like the flavor of most of the area's great wings, IMO. Anchor is "different". I suppose if you prefer that difference, you'd take Anchor.  Another reason is I like my wings SCREAMING hot (but still with the traditional Buffalo wing flavor). On that Duffs delivers while Anchor falls flat.

 

Outside of WNY (and to an extent in WNY too) the size of the wing really isn't a huge issue to me. I'll take a scrawny wing, properly cooked and sauced over a big flabby undercooked mild or off tasting wing any day.

 

Here’s a telling fact: On my recent trips to WNY for games I usually try to go to Duff’s, can’t get in and then eat at Anchor Bar. I still have a great meal, and no serious regrets. I’m just glad to be back “home” even though I never went to Anchor Bar growing up. Duff’s was just up the road and the beer was available to this 16-17 year old kid with older friends. Oh, and sometimes we had some great wings! 

 

I did take my boys to WNY for Bills games when they turned 16. A rite of passage, if you will. I took both of them to the Anchor Bar to eat. Beef on weck and wings! My oldest was there with me on the day of the USC/Notre Dame Reggie Bush Push game. A Classic!

 

We are heading with my wife, younger son and DIL to the opener. Don’t get in until Saturday due to a Friday wedding in Chicago. Very limited time so we have Niagara Falls on the list and we are trying to figure out what else to do. The DIL wants to go to the Anchor Bar because they were first and part of history….and she is a VEGETARIAN! (She can get a salad or something.) I have to respect that, and it keeps me out of some tofu joint! WIN/WIN!!! 

 

EDIT! I went with Duffs over Anchor Bar and Big Tree, the only other wings I’ve had on the list. A lot of my wings growing up were from small independent joints, surely long gone. Some place named Rosie’s (?) on the east side of Transit Rd in an old house out in East Amherst was my all-time favorite. 

 

 

.

 

.

Edited July 27, 2021 by Augie

[Doc Brown]

The charred BBQ wings from La Nova are hard to beat. 

[just1hugheser]

10 hours ago, Rico said:

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

 

This is only case if you don't know where to go.

 

See- Wind Jammers by the lake, O'Cals on Monroe, Kithnos @ridge n clinton, some might say the Jeremiahs/MacGregors but they're hit or miss, Murphs in I-Town are up there and Sal's/ Country Sweet have their fans, Bobo's/ChurchBoyz/R's are some would say in the ghetto locations but are good if they know you're from the neighborhood.   There's a few other places depending on what Burb your in or what section of the city and depending on how down home or fancy you're trying to get.

[Solomon Grundy]

I have two questions:

1) Why no choice of “other” on the poll?

2) Anyone know if there will be a wingfest this year?

[Weatherman]

10 hours ago, The Tomcat said:

Love me some Duffs.

Are all Duffs made equal?  

[Buffalo716]

7 minutes ago, Solomon Grundy said:

I have two questions:

1) Why no choice of “other” on the poll?

2) Anyone know if there will be a wingfest this year?

Yes 

 

September 4th and 5th 

 

You need to buy tickets