Best Wings in Buffalo

[NewEra]

My last trip I ate at Duffs and Gabriel’s Gate.  
 

It was my first time at either spot.  I thought the wings and sauce at duffs were superior.   I got one level hotter than hot and Duffs and they were just right.  Not super crispy, but crispy enough.  The sauce and quality of the wings carried the texture.  Their blue cheese was amazing too.  
 

Gabriels Gate, the hottest sauce wasn’t super hot and I thought the flavor was lacking in “Buffalo”.  The wings were huge and good quality, but I stopped after 5 and went back to my French onion soup. That’s the real star of Gabriel’s Gate menu.  
 

We stopped by Bar Bill twice, but the wait was too long and we were in a time crunch.
 

Of ever in Dunkirk, Mary’s Pizza has solid wings.  I thought they were better than Gabriel’s Gate 

[yall]

Prior to it closing a few years back, The Pub on Broadway in Depew easily had the best wings in WNY. It wasn't even a contest. Total dive joint, but man they knew their way around a traditional hot wing like no one else. Best garlic parms too.

 

These days it's hard to say. I could go with Duffs, 911, or Barbill as my tops. Elmo's definitely a close one, but see second tier compared to three.

[Not at the table Karlos]

18 hours ago, Virgil said:

I'm going to try to head back to Bar Bill on Monday when they open.  Hopefully it's not too bad of a wait

Went last night. There was about an hour wait. We ended up sitting at the bar. We were getting ready to leave when I got the text that our table was ready. 

[Not at the table Karlos]

14 hours ago, Captain Caveman said:

Can I ask a related question?  I'm taking my Uncle out to dinner Sunday night, looking for maybe a Sportsbar, near Williamsville or Amherst, good wings are a plus but more important is a decent menu overall and hopefully not a long wait on a Sunday evening (otherwise I probably would have done Bar Bill north.)

 

 

I haven't been to the north location in a couple months but everytime I've been I had a reservation. Not sure if they're still taking them but worth a look 

[BarleyNY]

19 hours ago, Gugny said:

 

Yeah, I get it.  Last year, @Virgilcame by while my girlfriend and I were waiting and he had too many people/kids, too and couldn't wait that long.  A few years back, a bunch of us  @CountryCletus, @Beerball, @BringBackFergy had a party of ten.  We got in after about 90 minutes.  My first time there was probably 2013 and we walked in and got a seat with no wait at all.  Crazy what being good does!!

 

At the Bar Bill in East Auora you can get food from their takeout place in the back of the plaza and take it into Aurora Beer Works to eat it if you buy drinks there. My opinion is that this is good in a pinch, but the wings aren’t as good as what you get in the actual restaurant. Like Bar Bill North level good. Also Auora Beer Works is a cool place and has a great beer selection. They even let us eat downstairs when they got crowded. 

14 hours ago, SDS said:

Does the Bar Bill North location have a long wait too?

Often it does, but usually not as long as the wait in EA 

Edited September 17, 2022 by BarleyNY

[Ralonzo]

2 hours ago, Not at the table Karlos said:

Went last night. There was about an hour wait. We ended up sitting at the bar. We were getting ready to leave when I got the text that our table was ready. 

 

[newcam2012]

23 hours ago, MaltaBillsFan said:

Duff's on Millersport, don't be fooled by imposters.  and honey cajun bbq are not buffalo style wings

Years ago I went to Duffs and the wings were just too salt to enjoy. I got the wings hot. Not sure what happened but haven't been back since. When I'm back in town I'll have to try Bar Bil

[Draconator]

A place where you wouldn't think would have better than decent wings is the Hamburg Casino on the Erie County Fair grounds. My band played there last night, had the hot wings, not bad at all. I didn't find hot too hot, but I have a super high spicy heat tolerance. They were pretty darn good. 

[newcam2012]

My go to spot when I visited family was La Nova BBQ grilled wings. They were expensive but very good. 

[Marvin]

I miss Rooties.  It won the Best Wings prize in the initial Wing Fest.

[boater]

I'm surprised to see Duff's in the lead. Their wings are too wet for my taste, even when I order them crispy. Though, they do offer the best size wings of all.. they are the largest. It's a task to eat 10 of them.

 

To change things up, I like to order their Cajun (Dry Rub)... which is curiously not available at all locations.

[DallasMac]

Was in town recently and was able to hit up Bar Bill and Elmos.  Bar Bill was good but I didn't think they were anything special.  Elmos was awesome with their double dip wings.

[NC-billsfan!]

1 hour ago, boater said:

I'm surprised to see Duff's in the lead. Their wings are too wet for my taste, even when I order them crispy. Though, they do offer the best size wings of all.. they are the largest. It's a task to eat 10 of them.

 

To change things up, I like to order their Cajun (Dry Rub)... which is curiously not available at all locations.

What place has the best crispy wings. I live in NC now and I’m a bit out of touch with restaurants in Buffalo. Going up for the Minny game and would love some crispy Cajun wing's

Edited September 17, 2022 by NC-billsfan!

[Alphadawg7]

2 hours ago, DallasMac said:

Was in town recently and was able to hit up Bar Bill and Elmos.  Bar Bill was good but I didn't think they were anything special.  Elmos was awesome with their double dip wings.

 

Elmos was our favorite too when we were there last year for the home opener

[boater]

1 hour ago, NC-billsfan! said:

What place has the best crispy wings. I live in NC now and I’m a bit out of touch with restaurants in Buffalo. Going up for the Minny game and would love some crispy Cajun wing's

Guessing you get an airport hotel: for crispy dry-rub wings you want Duffs on Transit Road or Dick Road (Google them). There is also a Duffs in Orchard Park.

 

Speaking of NC... I really miss a good Chicken and Waffles. It just doesn't exist up here.

[NC-billsfan!]

1 minute ago, boater said:

Guessing you get an airport hotel: for crispy dry-rub wings you want Duffs on Transit Road or Dick Road (Google them). There is also a Duffs in Orchard Park.

 

Speaking of NC... I really miss a good Chicken and Waffles. It just doesn't exist up here.

Thanks for the input. Growing up in Buffalo I never heard of chicken and waffles. When I saw them here I thought it an odd combination. Nope they are great!

[Augie]

26 minutes ago, Alphadawg7 said:

 

Elmos was our favorite too when we were there last year for the home opener

 

Are you making the home opener this year? Due to an unfortunate surprise (my 94 yo mom landing in the hospital) I’m going to miss it, and it’s killing me on several levels. Next trip up I need to hit Elmo’s and Bar Bills. I’ve never even had La Nova’s pizza! 

 

.

6 minutes ago, boater said:

Guessing you get an airport hotel: for crispy dry-rub wings you want Duffs on Transit Road or Dick Road (Google them). There is also a Duffs in Orchard Park.

 

Speaking of NC... I really miss a good Chicken and Waffles. It just doesn't exist up here.

 

It’s funny to see Duffs mentioned, but not the Sheridan location. That was the original place when I was a teen, not so much for the wings (everyone had them), but because it’s where a 16 year old could go for pitchers of beer with his slightly older friends. I’ve tried to go to the Sheridan locations the last few times up, but the wait is just too long. I guess they are doing OK.  🤷‍♂️

[T&C]

16 minutes ago, boater said:

Guessing you get an airport hotel: for crispy dry-rub wings you want Duffs on Transit Road or Dick Road (Google them). There is also a Duffs in Orchard Park.

 

Speaking of NC... I really miss a good Chicken and Waffles. It just doesn't exist up here.

Duffs on Dick Road is pretty reliable... nice a spacious with a lot of tv's. Wings are great there. Can't speak for the other locations though.

[SF Bills Fan]

I like Gabriel’s Gate as the tops. Duffs is second for me. 

[boater]

13 minutes ago, Augie said:

It’s funny to see Duffs mentioned, but not the Sheridan location. That was the original place when I was a teen, not so much for the wings (everyone had them), but because it’s where a 16 year old could go for pitchers of beer with his slightly older friends. I’ve tried to go to the Sheridan locations the last few times up, but the wait is just too long. I guess they are doing OK.  🤷‍♂️

Ya. Weird. Check out their website. Inexplicably to me, the Sheridan location has a very limited menu compared to their other locations. I wish Sheridan had the broader menu since it's my closest. Oh well. It's also 1000 decibels in the Sheridan dining room.

[Augie]

15 minutes ago, boater said:

Ya. Weird. Check out their website. Inexplicably to me, the Sheridan location has a very limited menu compared to their other locations. I wish Sheridan had the broader menu since it's my closest. Oh well. It's also 1000 decibels in the Sheridan dining room.

 

Funny you say that! A few years back there was a long line to get in, but I thought I’d try to get lucky with a seat at the bar. Two things stand out: Is there even a bar? If there is, it’s not much of one. Oh, and secondly……IT WAS LOUD IN THERE!!!

[The Dean]

5 hours ago, Marvin said:

I miss Rooties.  It won the Best Wings prize in the initial Wing Fest.

 

 

They were great. And the 2-for-1 coupons were plentiful. Reallylimed Rooties.

 

Another great long lost wing joint was the Tally Ho in Niagara Falls (no relation to the strip club of the same name).

[Buffalo03]

The only one of all those I have had on that list is Duffs. Is that bad?

[Buffalo716]

3 minutes ago, Buffalo03 said:

The only one of all those I have had on that list is Duffs. Is that bad?

If you actually live in 716 it’s definitely surprising if you’ve only had 1 

[JohninMinn.]

Buffalo Wild (chewy) Wings. 🤣

[Buffalo03]

2 hours ago, Buffalo716 said:

If you actually live in 716 it’s definitely surprising if you’ve only had 1 

Yeah, I live in the 716 but I never have anyone to go out with anymore. I'm the only single one of all my friends and no one does anything anymore for me to go out and try places. I mean, I guess I can go and sit there myself but I would feel weird doing that lol

[Buffalo716]

1 minute ago, Buffalo03 said:

Yeah, I live in the 716 but I never have anyone to go out with anymore. I'm the only single one of all my friends and no one does anything anymore for me to go out and try places. I mean, I guess I can go and sit there myself but I would feel weird doing that lol

One of these days just suggest a quick drink with one of your buddies.. Tell him nothing crazy just a beer or 2

 

And go to Mr. Goodbar , Route 78 or 33 speakeasy ✌️✌️👍👍 

 

goodluck and go bills 

[Buffalo03]

4 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said:

One of these days just suggest a quick drink with one of your buddies.. Tell him nothing crazy just a beer or 2

 

And go to Mr. Goodbar , Route 78 or 33 speakeasy ✌️✌️👍👍 

 

goodluck and go bills 

Oh, I have. Believe me, I have. It's like pulling teeth. They all have kids and are married and sh*t. It's damn near impossible for them to get out. It's kinda funny because some of the reasons I get are "I can't I already made plans with the wife". I'm always like "dude, you see her every damn day" lol. They don't like bars anymore especially. They've grown allergic to them over the years. Usually if I do have drinks with them at all, it's usually something at one of our houses but even that is rare

[goober]

12 hours ago, boater said:

Ya. Weird. Check out their website. Inexplicably to me, the Sheridan location has a very limited menu compared to their other locations. I wish Sheridan had the broader menu since it's my closest. Oh well. It's also 1000 decibels in the Sheridan dining room.

I don’t think it’s inexplicable.  When in town I go to Duff’s for the wings specifically.  I go elsewhere in the area for pizza subs weck etc.  I remember 30 years ago a pitcher of beer, wings, and paper towels to wipe yourself down.   I always appreciated there was no attempt at obfuscation.  

Edited September 18, 2022 by goober

[machine gun kelly]

3 hours ago, goober said:

I don’t think it’s inexplicable.  When in town I go for the wings specifically.  I go elsewhere for pizza etc.  I remember 30 years ago a pitcher of beer, wings, and paper towels to wipe yourself down.   I always appreciated there was no attempt at obfuscation.  

 

18 hours ago, ToGoGo said:

Miller has this effortlessness when engaging O-linemen, almost like martial arts.

 

What he does reminds me of Tai Chi/Push Hands which is pure energy and effortlessness that can throw somebody bigger than you back 5 feet. There's a gracefulness with Von Miller and it feels like he always avoids the brunt of the contact. 

Goobs, you can’t get Buffalo pizza anywhere.  It’s the exact opposite.  I live in Tampa and right down the street in the Westchase area, there is a joint called McDivotts.  They have awesome garlic hot wings, and they purchase the jumbo so good stuff.  In the same plaza is Mothers (one of two owners is from Buffalo) and they make make an incredible Beef on Weck.  They actually use prime rib, have kimi Kaiser rolls, have excellent horseradish and gravy.

 

When I can’t get here is Blasdell or Abbott Pizza.  Those guys use the bridgeford type pepperoni, the kind that curls up and crackles from the heat, and the sauce, umpph.  
 

Some may think it’s crappy, but there is nothing replaceable to Mighty Taco.  Those are the two things I have to get when in Buffalo.    Not all Buffalo pizza is perfect, but I crave those two things so much I Venmo my sisters $ to freeze the items and take down on the plane.  Pizza is kind of impossible so I get their pizza subs.  
 

Enjoy the day guys.  MGK.

[billsherd]

Is there a good wing spot on the way from Canadian border to the stadium? I usually go to the bar bill but that might be out of the way. 

[LabattBlue]

I’ve never been there, but a few friends swear by the wings at Doc Sullivan’s on Abbott Rd(near South Buffalo Mercy). 

[goober]

1 hour ago, machine gun kelly said:

 

Goobs, you can’t get Buffalo pizza anywhere.  It’s the exact opposite.  I live in Tampa and right down the street in the Westchase area, there is a joint called McDivotts.  They have awesome garlic hot wings, and they purchase the jumbo so good stuff.  In the same plaza is Mothers (one of two owners is from Buffalo) and they make make an incredible Beef on Weck.  They actually use prime rib, have kimi Kaiser rolls, have excellent horseradish and gravy.

 

When I can’t get here is Blasdell or Abbott Pizza.  Those guys use the bridgeford type pepperoni, the kind that curls up and crackles from the heat, and the sauce, umpph.  
 

Some may think it’s crappy, but there is nothing replaceable to Mighty Taco.  Those are the two things I have to get when in Buffalo.    Not all Buffalo pizza is perfect, but I crave those two things so much I Venmo my sisters $ to freeze the items and take down on the plane.  Pizza is kind of impossible so I get their pizza subs.  
 

Enjoy the day guys.  MGK.

I didn’t word that well.  I just meant I am fine going to Duffs on Sheridan for wings and don’t have expectations about anything else on their menu.   I agree with you about the pizza.  You are lucky to have good beef on weck that close to you.  And….I sincerely respect your adoration for Mighty Taco. 😉

[machine gun kelly]

2 hours ago, goober said:

I didn’t word that well.  I just meant I am fine going to Duffs on Sheridan for wings and don’t have expectations about anything else on their menu.   I agree with you about the pizza.  You are lucky to have good beef on weck that close to you.  And….I sincerely respect your adoration for Mighty Taco. 😉

Thats cool.  MT and whatever pizza you grew up on is the best and unique to Buffalo.  It’s not paper thin like the City (NYC), and not a doughy Chicago deep dish.  They use the best sauce and pepperoni in Buffalo.

[Orlando Tim]

Truly I miss Buffalo pizza more than the wings, there are a lot of places that can do a 8/10 on the wing scale, and I like variety in wings flavors, but the pizza from Buffalo is much harder to replicate. 

[Heitz]

Can not tell a lie, the Big Tree has some 🔥 wings - going back for round 2 (or is it 3?) this afternoon….  

[Alphadawg7]

21 hours ago, Augie said:

 

Are you making the home opener this year? Due to an unfortunate surprise (my 94 yo mom landing in the hospital) I’m going to miss it, and it’s killing me on several levels. Next trip up I need to hit Elmo’s and Bar Bills. I’ve never even had La Nova’s pizza! 
 

 

No we wanted to, but couldn’t make it happen, we had too much going on.  But looking at either going to another one there or possibly the Chiefs game in KC.  

[Buffalo716]

10 hours ago, machine gun kelly said:

 

Goobs, you can’t get Buffalo pizza anywhere.  It’s the exact opposite.  I live in Tampa and right down the street in the Westchase area, there is a joint called McDivotts.  They have awesome garlic hot wings, and they purchase the jumbo so good stuff.  In the same plaza is Mothers (one of two owners is from Buffalo) and they make make an incredible Beef on Weck.  They actually use prime rib, have kimi Kaiser rolls, have excellent horseradish and gravy.

 

When I can’t get here is Blasdell or Abbott Pizza.  Those guys use the bridgeford type pepperoni, the kind that curls up and crackles from the heat, and the sauce, umpph.  
 

Some may think it’s crappy, but there is nothing replaceable to Mighty Taco.  Those are the two things I have to get when in Buffalo.    Not all Buffalo pizza is perfect, but I crave those two things so much I Venmo my sisters $ to freeze the items and take down on the plane.  Pizza is kind of impossible so I get their pizza subs.  
 

Enjoy the day guys.  MGK.

I think you misread what he meant 

 

He is saying when he comes to Buffalo he only goes to duffs for the chicken wings

 

He has other establishments he gets pizza at… He isn’t saying he goes to another city for pizza lol

 

And any pizzeria across the country can buy margarita pepperoni, they just chose not too

[Augie]

11 hours ago, machine gun kelly said:

 

Goobs, you can’t get Buffalo pizza anywhere.  It’s the exact opposite.  I live in Tampa and right down the street in the Westchase area, there is a joint called McDivotts.  They have awesome garlic hot wings, and they purchase the jumbo so good stuff.  In the same plaza is Mothers (one of two owners is from Buffalo) and they make make an incredible Beef on Weck.  They actually use prime rib, have kimi Kaiser rolls, have excellent horseradish and gravy.

 

When I can’t get here is Blasdell or Abbott Pizza.  Those guys use the bridgeford type pepperoni, the kind that curls up and crackles from the heat, and the sauce, umpph.  
 

Some may think it’s crappy, but there is nothing replaceable to Mighty Taco.  Those are the two things I have to get when in Buffalo.    Not all Buffalo pizza is perfect, but I crave those two things so much I Venmo my sisters $ to freeze the items and take down on the plane.  Pizza is kind of impossible so I get their pizza subs.  
 

Enjoy the day guys.  MGK.

 

Decent wings are easier to find than good pizza outside of WNY. I’ve had Bocci’s shipped to us half-baked, but it’s just not the same. The closest I found while living in Sarasota was a Pontillo’s location that I think has since closed. It was a Buffalo guy and his wife. I was not aware of them in WNY, but apparently there were a number of locations. 

 

I’m honestly not sure if I ever went to a Mighty Taco unless I was coming straight from a bar. Sad, but true. Everybody was wasted at 3am, and some of my friends had the habit of skipping the order line and just going straight to the pick up line to wait for an order that sounded good. Nobody ever noticed. I have been surrounded by bad influences all my life. You could say I didn’t stand a chance. You could also argue that……I know where the fun is.  

[Virgil]

13 hours ago, machine gun kelly said:

 

Goobs, you can’t get Buffalo pizza anywhere.  It’s the exact opposite.  I live in Tampa and right down the street in the Westchase area, there is a joint called McDivotts.  They have awesome garlic hot wings, and they purchase the jumbo so good stuff.  In the same plaza is Mothers (one of two owners is from Buffalo) and they make make an incredible Beef on Weck.  They actually use prime rib, have kimi Kaiser rolls, have excellent horseradish and gravy.

 

When I can’t get here is Blasdell or Abbott Pizza.  Those guys use the bridgeford type pepperoni, the kind that curls up and crackles from the heat, and the sauce, umpph.  
 

Some may think it’s crappy, but there is nothing replaceable to Mighty Taco.  Those are the two things I have to get when in Buffalo.    Not all Buffalo pizza is perfect, but I crave those two things so much I Venmo my sisters $ to freeze the items and take down on the plane.  Pizza is kind of impossible so I get their pizza subs.  
 

Enjoy the day guys.  MGK.

If I can only do one for pizza, and I’m a straight pepperoni guy, which do you recommend while I’m in town for the game?