BUFFALO — So you missed the first day of the National Buffalo Wing Festival at Coca-Cola Field on Saturday? It’s okay. You can make up for it today.
And you should.
With more than six dozen flavors from two dozen different chicken wing vendors — from as near as here in Buffalo and as far as Brisbane, Australia, there’s bound to be the perfect wing for you. Whether you like them mild, extra hot, barbecue, or fruit flavored. Wait. Fruit flavored?
One of the more-unique wings I tried on Saturday was a blueberry wing from Windjammer’s Bar and Grill in Rochester. They also had apple, cherry, orange, peach and pineapple wings … and a more traditional “Smokey Mountain” wing. Truth be told, I much preferred the Smokey Mountain to the blueberry, but I personally believe that the purpose of food festivals is to get things you haven’t had before.
It’s expected that 70,000 or so people will make it to the festival between Saturday and today. They’ll come from each of the 50 United States and nearly as many countries across the world. All to celebrate a true Buffalo original that people used to just throw out.
Let’s face it, the Buffalo area has the best wings. From the Anchor Bar original to the scores of bars and restaurants in Western New York, we’ve got it pretty good here in the chicken wing category. But some of these out-of-town restaurants did a pretty good job, too.
One of my favorites was a “loaded nacho” wing from Greene’s Ale House in Oswego. (On the left in the photo at right) It looked like a chicken wing covered in nacho cheese and crushed Fritos. I’m pretty sure it’s because it was a chicken wing covered in nacho cheese and crushed Fritos. It may sound odd, but it was brilliant. Their Louisiana Lightning and Bee Sting didn’t disappoint, either.
Greene’s was one of two places that had a Loganberry wing. Loganberry’s never been my thing, so I passed. But I did overhear the guy from Scallywags Grub & Spirits — the other vendor with a Loganberry variety — explaining to someone what Loganberry is. “You’re not from around here, are you,” he began. I failed to get the guy’s name, but he was quite pleasant with everyone in line.
My conversation with him went something like this: Me: “I’ll take a Typhoon, a Congo and a Carribean Curse.” Him: “The Carribean Curse is really hot.” Me: “Okay.”
Now, it’s not that he didn’t warn me. He clearly told me it was “really hot.” But I didn’t expect it to be quite so hot. The photo montage at the top of this post is of me “enjoying” the Carribean Curse wing. To be fair, it actually had excellent flavor. A lot of times hot wings are just hot with no flavor. This was not the case here. But it is not for the weak at heart. I’d also suggest that pregnant women, small children and pets steer clear of the Carribean Curse. But maybe I’m over-reacting in my old age.
Another local favorite, La Nova, had another something I’d never tried before: Peanut Butter & Jelly wings. (At left) I used to enjoy East of Chicago’s PB&J pizza. So I kind of knew what I was in for. It was creamy and sweet. A perfect dessert wing. I should have had one to counteract the Carribean Curse.
I was honored to see that Curly’s Grille in Lackawanna named a wing after me! The Jerk Wing was delicious. Equally tasty was their Asian wings.
Brick House Tavern & Tap had a trio of delectable wings: Gosling’s Black Rum BBQ, Garlic Parmesan and Brick Sauce. My one and only encounter with BrickHouse previously was not what you’d call a good one. I’d be willing to give them a second shot, though, for more of their Parmesan wings. Rather than the typical sprinkles of Parmesan cheese you normally find, theirs was actually grated pieces of cheese. And the flavor was spot on.
Another I liked a great deal was the Carolina Gold from The Old Union in Binghamton. It was almost a honey-mustard. Or maybe it was actually a honey mustard. I’m not sure. But it was delicious.
Finally, I saved the best for last. Believe it or not, my favorite wings were from Australia. King of the Wings could actually do quite well here in Buffalo, I think. Their Bee Sting was sweet with just a bit of spice. Their Chillogy, however, was incredibly flavorful with just the right kick. At home in Australia, these guys are a food truck. Here, they were literally treated like kings. And they treated everyone else the same way. And they handed out mini Austrailian flags with every order.
If you’re looking for something to do today, do yourself a favor and go to the National Buffalo Wing Festival. It’s a great time. And at $1 a wing, it won’t break your bank.
RELATED: National Buffalo Wing Festival celebrates 15 years
+Scott Leffler is editor of All WNY News and lover of chicken wings. Follow him on Twitter @scottleffler.
