The Best Chicken Wings Spots in the US

Located on the south end of Hilton Head Island, and a part of the Official South Carolina BBQ Trail, One Hot Mama’s is a family-friendly spot that’s just as known for its barbecue as for its wings. The Buffalo wings are big and crisp, and they’re available grilled or fried and doused with super-creative homemade sauces. Several of the variations have won the local Wingfest: grilled Maui Wowii (pineapple, ginger, and sweet chili glaze), Hot Asian, and fried Hawaii Five-O (ginger, soy, pineapple, and teriyaki). The Backyard BBQ wings, which are smoked, grilled, and tossed with housemade BBQ sauce, are also worth seeking out.

Located just southeast of Buffalo since 1977, The Bar-Bill Tavern serves spot-on versions of Buffalo classics including hand-carved beef on weck and big, crispy wings in a warm and inviting pub-style tavern. Founder Joe Giafaglione developed all of the bar’s signature sauces, which include Cajun Honey Butter BBQ, Honey Dijon, and Spicy Asian, but no visit is complete without trying their classic Buffalo wings, which range in heat from Mild to Suicidal.

This casual, recently expanded hangout has been run by husband-and-wife Digger and Ryan Schwartz since opening its doors in 2007. The wings here are big and never frozen, and all sauces and dry rubs are made in-house. Sauces include The Notorious BRG (Buffalo, ranch, and garlic), Spicy Teriyaki, and the nuclear No 1 Left Standing (made with ghost peppers). The sauces are arranged by increasing heat level, and guests have a choice of three crispiness levels and three sauce amounts, from “light” to “swimming.”

Hattie B’s is a Nashville landmark, one of the best spots in the city for its infamous hot fried chicken, which takes a dunk in super-spicy oil after coming out of the fryer. The wings here are given the same treatment, and are served whole, with the flat and drumette still attached. They’re available in six heat levels ranging from Southern (no heat) to Shut the Cluck Up (insanely spicy).

A popular neighborhood pub located in Austin’s West End, The Tavern has been a great place to grab a beer (and possibly see a ghost) since 1933. Whether tossed in Buffalo, barbecue, or sweet Thai chili sauces, the wings are just about perfect; don’t miss the Tavern White Wings – bacon-wrapped jalapeño-stuffed boneless chicken bites tossed in your choice of sauce.