Know and love Buffalo Chicken Wings? Where did they come from? These tasty snacks can be found at almost every bar and grill in the United States. They’re a favorite among football fans, bargoers, casual diners, and everyone in between. Even though the recipe for hot wings isn’t as old as some other American staple foods, thousands of restaurants around the world serve them. But where did Buffalo Wings come from? What does a small bar in upstate New York have to do with making them? Let’s look into the history of buffalo chicken wings and find out how they became so popular.
Buffalo chicken wings are a beloved appetizer and game day snack across America. These spicy, saucy chicken wings are practically synonymous with Super Bowl Sunday – over 1.4 billion wings are consumed during the big game alone! But if you’ve ever ordered buffalo wings at a restaurant or made them at home, you may have wondered – why are they called buffalo wings when they’re made with chicken? And what’s the connection to the city of Buffalo, New York? There’s a fascinating history behind how buffalo wings got their name, so let’s dive in.
The Contested Origins of Buffalo Wings
While Buffalo wings are now ubiquitous bar food, their creation is shrouded in mystery Most food historians trace buffalo wings back to the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York in 1964 According to the owner Teressa Bellissimo, she spontaneously invented the dish one Friday night when her son Dominic showed up with friends late at night looking for a snack. She deep fried some chicken wings, tossed them in a spicy cayenne pepper sauce, and served them with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks. They were an instant hit.
However there are many competing origin stories that challenge the Anchor Bar’s claim. Other Buffalo restaurants like Duff’s argue they were selling breaded and fried chicken wings before the Anchor Bar. There’s also evidence a Black chef named John Young was serving chicken wings coated in tangy “mumbo” sauce in Buffalo as early as the 1950s. He may have inspired Teressa Bellissimo’s idea.
The Anchor Bar’s unique way of making “Buffalo wings”—deep-frying plain wings, tossing them in hot sauce and butter, and serving them with blue cheese—is what made this style famous. But the true inventor may forever remain ambiguous. Buffalo wings are thought to have come about from a mix of ideas that were going around the city at the time.
Why the Name “Buffalo”?
So if Buffalo wings were invented in Buffalo, New York, why are they named after the animal? Simply because of their connection to the city of Buffalo. Yes, it’s confusing that the dish contains chicken instead of buffalo meat!
The name “Buffalo wing” came about because the wings were linked to Anchor Bar and Buffalo. But Buffalo, New York is named for the nearby Buffalo River, not the animal. In the early 1800s, the name of the city came from the river, which settlers thought reminded them of the buffalo herds that used to live in the area.
So while neither buffalo nor Buffalo wings contain any actual buffalo, the name pays homage to the city where these addictively spicy, buttery fried wings were born. It also differentiates buffalo chicken wings from other seasoned chicken wing recipes.
When Buffalo Wings Went National
For the first decade or so, Buffalo wings remained a local niche dish in western New York. They started gaining national attention in the 1970s after Anchor Bar began promoting the story of their invention. The concept of boneless chicken wings coated in Buffalo sauce emerged as an easier, less messy alternative.
But Buffalo wings didn’t really take off across the US until the 1980s. Franchises like Buffalo Wild Wings brought buffalo wings to the masses. The dish fit the growing trend of bold flavored finger foods and shareable appetizers. And Buffalo’s coincidence of being the birthplace of the spicy wings and the home of the Buffalo Bills football team certainly helped them surge in popularity.
By the 1990s, Buffalo wings became a full-on sensation. Chains like Domino’s, Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, and Hooters started putting them on menus. Suddenly, buffalo sauce was not just for wings – it was drizzled on everything from wraps to popcorn chicken. The Super Bowl became one of the biggest days for Buffalo wing consumption. An order of wings tossed in Buffalo sauce even became a game day tradition up there with chips and guacamole.
Why We Love Buffalo Wings
There are lots of theories on why Buffalo wings have an almost cult-like following today. Here are some of the top reasons these saucy, spicy chicken wings are so addictive:
The Portability
Unlike other chicken dishes, wings are perfectly handheld. You don’t need plates or silverware – just grab and dip them in sauce. This makes them ideal for snacking and sharing at parties or bars. Their portability also appeals to our fun-loving, caveman instincts.
The Messiness
Wings are deliciously messy. The feeling of licking sauce off your fingers makes it more fun and enjoyable. The mess also gives eating wings a rebellious, “devil may care” vibe.
The Flavor Profile
By combining the savory umami taste of chicken with the sweet heat of Buffalo sauce and the cool, creamy contrast of blue cheese dressing, wings deliver layers of flavor in each bite. The crunch of the coating and chicken skin also adds textural appeal.
The Spice Factor
The signature cayenne pepper hot sauce gives wings their addictive bite. The spiciness triggers endorphins which give us a natural high. It also adds an element of risk and thrill seeking to the eating experience.
The Customization
With all the different Buffalo wing recipes and the ability to choose your spice level, you can customize your wings however you like. This personalization makes eating wings feel special and individual.
The Indulgence
There is something naughty and indulgent about wings because they are mostly skin, fat, and sauce. So eating a bunch of wings fills your need for greasy, crispy comfort foods.
The Americana Nostalgia
For many Americans, wings are powerfully linked to game days, bars, and fun times with friends. Eating them brings a sense of tradition and nostalgia.
So the name “buffalo wings” may not totally make sense. But however they came to be called that, these chicken wings spiced up with cayenne pepper and dunked in blue cheese dressing have become an iconic All-American snack with an undeniably addictive flavor and appeal. The outsized role Buffalo wings play in our country’s food culture proves that this dish earned its somewhat odd name. Next time you’re munching on Buffalo wings, you’ll have this tasty backstory to chew on as well.
How Buffalo Wings Spread Beyond Buffalo
For the next few years, buffalo wings would largely remain a regional dish that could only be found in the state of New York. After all, what better way to spend the cold winter months than by feasting on some hot and spicy wings? However, like many delicious food items, the recipe for buffalo wings was taken abroad, and restaurants all along the East Coast began serving their own hot wings. By the 1990s, wing restaurants could be found all over the country, and several new wing flavors were developed to accommodate the different tastes of each region. People could still get the original Buffalo wings, but new flavors like BBQ, teriyaki, and garlic parmesan let them mix and match their favorites. Â.
Once Upon A Time in Buffalo, New Yorkâ¦
In 1964, the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York was faced with a problem. The establishment run by a family had too many chicken wings in their kitchen and didn’t know what to do with them. Bar owner Teresa Bellissimo had an idea: What if she deep-fried the wings, covered them with hot sauce, and served them with blue cheese dressing? This impromptu recipe would form the foundation of buffalo wings as we know them today, and they quickly exploded in popularity after their inception. Bellissimoâs recipe would soon be called âBuffalo Chicken Wingsâ after the city from which they originated: Buffalo, New York.
Who Really Created the Buffalo Chicken Wing?
FAQ
Why do they call chicken wings buffalo?
The wings were first made in Buffalo, New York, so they are named after that city, not the animal. The dish consists of deep-fried chicken wings that are typically coated in a spicy sauce made from hot sauce and butter.
Why do they call it Buffalo Wild Wings?
Buffalo Wild Wings was founded in 1982 by Jim Disbrow and Scott Lowery, who had recently moved to Ohio from Buffalo, New York. The two couldn’t find authentic Buffalo, New York-style chicken wings, so they decided to create a restaurant that served them in the Buckeye State.
Why is the flavor called buffalo?
The namesake of this sassy sauce isn’t up for debate: Food historians agree that the peppery condiment originated in the city of Buffalo, a thriving town in ….
What makes a chicken wing a buffalo wing?
Buffalo Wings are chicken drumettes and flats that retain their skin but are not breaded. Juicy chicken pieces are deep-fried and then covered in Buffalo Wing sauce, a hot sauce that tastes like butter. They are served with blue cheese dressing and celery.