The Best Chicken Wings Spots in the US

A Maine staple since 1988, Gritty’s (formerly known as Gritty McDuff’s) is a brewpub that’s become renowned for its fresh-brewed beer and classic pub grub, including some truly great wings. They’re deep-fried until perfectly crisp, and then tossed in classic wing sauce; sauces including Smoky BBQ, Thai Chili, and Garlic Parmesan; or dry rubs including Cajun or cinnamon chipotle.

BuffaLouie’s has been an Indiana University institution since its 1987 founding by Jay Lieser, and it’s a legendary hangout among locals and students alike for its burgers, subs, and especially wings. Served in increments of up to 30, they’re crisp and saucy, coated in six increasing Buffalo sauce heat levels or creative options including Rasta Jerk, Asian Zing, and Korean Q. The Memphis-style dry rub version is also worth sampling.

Wings are a pizzeria staple these days, but that doesn’t mean they’re usually any good. That’s definitely not the case at Delaware’s Anthony’s. Both the pizzas and the wings here are cooked in a coal-fired oven; the wings are roasted until crisp and just a little bit charred, and then tossed with your choice of caramelized onions, Buffalo sauce, a house dry rub, or garlic romano sauce. Parsley and focaccia complete the dish.

Duff’s, located just northeast of Buffalo, is a standard-bearer for Buffalo wings, with many locals preferring it to the more touristy Anchor Bar. We’ll leave it for you to decide, but it’s been serving wings since 1969 and the now-legendary recipe hasn’t changed since.

Pluckers has seven locations throughout Texas and Louisiana, and it’s a popular hangout for burgers, bacon-wrapped hot dogs, fried pickles and mac & cheese, and, of course, wings. You can take your pick from bone-in or boneless wings (or even thighs), and there’s a huge assortment of sauces and rubs to choose from, including Chili Lime, Maple Chipotle, Spicy Mandarin, and Spicy Ranch rub.