Have you ever wondered which fast food chicken wing places have the best wings? We ordered and tried wings from 10 places and ranked them from worst to best. May the best sauce win!.
KRISTINA VÄNNI FOR TASTE OF HOME
We visited 10 chicken wing restaurants in search of the very best fast-food chicken wings out there. In our evaluation, we took into consideration the breaded coating, the seasoning or wing sauces offered and, of course, the tender and juicy nature of the chicken itself. We found a lot of fast-food chicken wing recipes that can hold their own against some of the best homemade chicken wing recipes out there. For the purposes of comparison, we selected the spicy option or buffalo-style offering at each restaurant.
With a big pile of napkins and a tall glass of milk, we dove into these always delectable, yet sometimes messy, and pleasantly spicy appetizers. There were some interesting standouts and a few surprises along the way.
There is a chain of restaurants called Pizza Hut that has teamed up with another chain called WingStreet. Often, you will see signs for both chains. This allows the restaurants to expand their menu offerings.
Here you can buy both traditional and boneless wings with dry rub options including lemon pepper and Cajun style, or sauce options including garlic Parmesan, honey barbecue, buffalo mild, spicy garlic, sweet chili, buffalo medium and buffalo burnin’ hot. For this taste test, I went with the middle of the road option and ordered the buffalo medium.
Unfortunately, these wings ranked the lowest on our list. The buffalo sauce had a distinct tomato flavor and almost came across like a spicy pizza sauce. The wings themselves were decently crispy, but without any sort of breading. The sauce wasn’t what we were looking for, and the wings were almost drowning in it, so it was a bit too much.
Bottom Line: It’s nice that customers can pick up pizza and wings in one convenient location, but next time we might just stick with our favorite pizza order instead.
Domino’s is another pizza restaurant that has expanded into the world of wings. It sells both boneless and bone-in wings with sauce flavors including honey barbecue, hot buffalo, sweet mango habanero and garlic Parmesan. Included are your choice of dipping cups with options like ranch, honey barbecue, blue cheese, hot buffalo, sweet mango habanero, marinara sauce and garlic.
We really enjoyed the speed and convenience of ordering at Domino’s, and it’s always nice to know there is a delivery option with a tracker to follow your meal every step of the way. However, the hot buffalo sauce here was quite pungent with a strong vinegar taste. Next time a pizza and wings craving hits, we might opt for a different sauce option.
Bottom Line: We loved the convenience and the fact that Domino’s offers boneless and bone-in options, but the hot buffalo sauce was too vinegary to be enjoyable. We’ll try a different sauce next time.
Next on our ranking came Wingstop, which is a chain restaurant dedicated entirely to chicken wings. Since wings are its focus, the sauce and rub options are seemingly endless. There are flavors and heat levels for just about any palate, and we appreciate the incredible variety available here. With everything from international flavor profiles to regional American options, you’re bound to find a sauce you like.
We really enjoyed their buffalo style wings and the sauce was nicely balanced. Their traditional bone-in chicken wings are not breaded, and for some that is a personal preference when it comes to the style of wings they tend to enjoy. We loved that the wings are always made fresh to order. However, our main complaint with Wingstop is that their chicken pieces tend to be on the smaller side. We wanted bigger pieces.
Bottom Line: The wings are super fresh, but we wanted more substantial, meatier bites and that felt lacking in the Wingstop wings.
KFC is interesting because it doesn’t always offer chicken wings on its menu. While you can always request chicken wing pieces as part of a fried chicken order, for some reason, the chain doesn’t consistently offer appetizer-style wings. KFC has experimented with adding them to the menu in the past, and rumor has it they were wonderful, but recent menu simplifications seem to have left this menu item in the rearview mirror.
For the sake of this taste test, we requested only chicken wings in our fried chicken box. While they didn’t arrive with the classic spicy sauce, they were incredibly enjoyable wings with perfectly tender and juicy chicken under a crisp skin.
Bottom Line: If you want the best chicken possible, KFC should be your go-to order for wings. We just wish they would bring back some sauces and the appetizer-style option.
Chicken wings are a staple food in Buffalo, NY. As the birthplace of the popular appetizer, Buffalonians take their wings very seriously. With bars and restaurants on practically every corner boasting “the best wings in town”, it can be hard for visitors and locals alike to know where to go for truly delicious wings
I put together this list of the best places to eat the city’s signature dish after doing a lot of research and testing them myself. Here are the best places in Buffalo to get wings, ranging from small, local spots to big, national chains.
Local Favorites
These beloved local joints are where Buffalonians go for their tried-and-true wing cravings. With secret family recipes and homemade sauces their wings keep customers coming back year after year.
Kelly’s Korner
This no-frills neighborhood bar has earned a stellar reputation for its juicy, well-seasoned wings. Their signature homemade hot sauce packs some nice heat. Be sure to order extra on the side for dipping. Their blue cheese dressing is also housemade and the perfect companion.
People love Kelly’s not only for their wings but also for their tasty beef on wheat sandwiches. Arrive early as seating is limited in this small spot.
Top wing picks: Homemade Hot, Medium
Bar-Bill Tavern
Originally a small pub in East Aurora, Bar-Bill opened a second location in Clarence to meet demand for its wildly popular wings. Their medium hot offering hits the ideal balance of flavorful with a touch of spice.
Bar-Bill is also known for its unique wing flavors like Sicilian, Lemon Pepper, and Cajun Honey Butter BBQ. Their hand-painted mild sauce is surprisingly tasty too. Don’t skip their signature fries or “pizza logs” either!
Top wing picks: Medium Hot, Honey Butter BBQ
Nine-Eleven Tavern
This no-frills south Buffalo staple sticks to the basics, dishing up exceptionally juicy and crispy wings in hot, medium and mild. Their straightforward hot sauce is the stuff of local legend, inspiring many to try replicating it at home.
You could say that Nine-Eleven is a dive bar, but don’t let that stop you. Their wings are some of the city’s finest. Just be aware their hours can be sporadic.
Top wing pick: Hot
Mammoser’s Tavern
Ask any southtown native where to find the best wings and Mammoser’s is sure to top their list. This low-key spot excels at big, meaty wings bathed in their trademark homemade hot sauce.
Watch out, because their hot sauce is really hot. The medium is a little less spicy for people who can’t handle the heat. A no-frills spot with boisterous regulars.
Top wing picks: Hot, Hot BBQ
Gabriel’s Gate
Situated in Buffalo’s Allentown neighborhood, Gabriel’s Gate is a favorite amongst locals thanks to their juicy wings fried up extra crispy. Their medium hot strikes a nice balance of spicy and tangy.
Gabriel’s has a hip, lively vibe and an extensive craft beer list to wash down wings. Don’t skip their thick-cut steak fries and unique creations like beef on weck soup and bison chili. Definitely one of the city’s most popular wing destinations.
Top wing picks: Medium Hot, Medium
National Chains
Buffalo’s local bars set the standard for great wings, but some national chains also hold their own:
Duff’s Famous Wings
No list of Buffalo’s best wings is complete without iconic Duff’s. Since 1946, locals and tourists have flocked to their original location for wings fried crisp and tossed in classic spicy buffalo sauce.
Duff’s now has locations across WNY but many say the original Sheridan Drive spot still serves up the crispiest, sauciest wings. The medium and medium hot are crowd pleasers. Don’t forget to order their house-cut fries!
Top wing picks: Medium, Medium Hot
Anchor Bar
This national chain has major name recognition as Buffalo’s OG wing creator. The original location downtown still draws big crowds. While some dismiss them as overhyped, their wings still hit the spot.
Anchor Bar wings are fried nice and crisp then doused in thick, buttery Frank’s Red Hot sauce. Enjoy them with crunchy celery and creamy blue cheese dressing for the quintessential Buffalo wing experience.
Top wing pick: Classic Hot
Wings Over
This rapidly expanding wing chain started in Buffalo in the early 90s. Wings Over dishes up plump, saucy wings in a slew of flavors like Cajun, lemon pepper, and “atomic.” Their classic Buffalo style pleases wing purists.
Wings Over separated themselves by allowing customers to order wings with different sauce flavors all in one order. This local export is worth a visit, especially for their unique signature sauces.
Top wing picks: Hot Buffalo, Atomic
Fast Food Chains
When a wing craving strikes, fast food chains are convenient options:
Buffalo Wild Wings
With Buffalo right in the name, it’s no surprise this national sports bar chain offers some solid wings. Their signature Buffalo sauce delivers on tangy spice. Or choose from other flavors like Thai Curry, Mango Habanero, and Nashville Hot.
While the quality varies by location, most Buffalo Wild Wings locations offer friendly service and lively sports bar vibes to please casual wing fans. Just steer clear of their unusually spicy “Blazin” sauce unless you have an asbestos tongue.
Top wing picks: Buffalo, Mango Habanero
Popeyes
This national fried chicken chain pride themselves on their signature spicy, crispy batter coating. Their wings deliver with nice crunch and zesty Cajun seasonings.
For those who like extra kick, try Popeyes wild side with their nuclear-level Ghost Pepper Wings. The inferno-like heat is not for the faint of heart. Stick to their standard Buffalo offering for solid wings on a budget.
Top wing picks: Buffalo Sauce, Blackened Ranch
KFC
The Colonel’s original recipe of 11 herbs and spices makes for some finger lickin’ good wings too. KFC’s wings and drumettes have crispy breading and hearty flavor punched up with savory seasonings.
While not traditional Buffalo-style, KFC wins as a fast, convenient hot wing option. Douse them in the chain’s signature Nashville Hot, Honey BBQ, or Buffalo sauces for extra oomph.
Top wing picks: Nashville Hot, Buffalo
So there you have it – the inside scoop on where to find the best wings Buffalo has to offer, whether you’re craving local favorites or national chains. With an array of options from hole-in-the-wall taverns to sports bars, you’re sure to discover new wing haunts to satisfy all your Buffalo wing needs. Just come hungry!
Buffalo Wild Wings
Buffalo Wild Wings is another restaurant that puts its dedication to wings right there in the name. Here, not only can you order traditional and boneless wings, but they even have cauliflower wings for your vegetarian friends. With an endless list of dry rubs and sauces, there is something here for every palate. For your convenience, they even rank them on a scale from mildest to hottest, so there aren’t any surprises.
Compared to Wingstop (the other wing-focused restaurant on our list), we found that Buffalo Wild Wings offered chicken that was flavorful and juicy, and also had a hearty amount on each bone. The medium sauce was flavorful and coated the wings nicely. We found BDubs to be convenient for sit down dining as well as take out orders.
Bottom Line: At Buffalo Wild Wings, the wings are certainly enjoyable. There are just a few restaurants that happened to be even better! Keep reading to find out who.
The first standout about TGI Friday’s is that it offers their menu for dine-in, carry-out or curbside delivery. The buffalo wings arrived with a beautiful color and a nice amount of classic buffalo sauce without drowning the chicken. This was the only place that also included a few pieces of celery in the box as well—one of the must-have sides for fried chicken!.
Here, you aren’t stuck with just one flavor option. In fact, they also offer a Wings Roulette Platter where you can choose up to three sauces. With flavors such as Whiskey Glaze, Nashville Hot or Apple Butter Barbecue, we liked the idea of coming back to try more options next time.
Bottom Line: If you prefer your buffalo sauce on the milder side, this place is for you. We were able to enjoy the flavor without consistently reaching for a glass of milk. We also found TGI Friday’s had the best blue cheese option for dipping.
Popeyes is always a top competitor when it comes to fast-food chicken options. Its chicken sandwich is legendary, but its chicken wings are top-notch as well. As always, Popeyes’ chicken was juicy and up to par with what we’ve come to expect.
The wings were tossed in the Popeyes signature thick coating style. While it is always nice and crispy, this can be where personal preference comes into play with chicken wings. This style of wings is more heavily breaded at Popeyes, while wings at other restaurants are breaded less heavily before being deep-fried.
Bottom Line: While we love the super crunchy breading, some might find it distracting from the chicken itself. The sauce really stood out as it had a touch of sweetness at first followed by a kick of heat—talk about a perfect pairing.
In previous fast-food rankings (like the one we did on fast-food mozzarella sticks), Checkers didn’t tend to rank very high. We were really impressed and pleased when we opened our order of chicken wings at this drive-thru restaurant. The wings were really amazing.
The chicken itself was tender, and the sauce was flavorful, balanced and not too overpowering. We appreciated that the five pieces of wings were packaged nicely and didn’t flop all around the box in transport. With something as messy as chicken wings, neatness counts!
Bottom Line: Despite lower rankings in other fast-food taste tests, Checkers really stepped up its game when it comes to chicken wings. Juicy chicken and the right amount of flavorful sauce put these wings in the top three.
The Best Buffalo Wings You’ll Ever Make (Restaurant-Quality) | Epicurious 101
FAQ
What is the most popular chicken wing?
Buffalo remains the most popular chicken wing flavor nationwide, followed by barbecue and garlic parmesan. 18 states searched for wet, saucy wings the most in 2025. The most popular styles were Buffalo, honey BBQ, and mango habanero.
Are supermarket chicken wings healthy?
Chicken wings are rich in protein as well as natural B vitamins, including B1-B6 and B12, as well as essential fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, K, and E. Minerals like potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, iron, calcium, iodine, selenium, chromium, and copper are also found in large amounts.