KoriKobayashi/ Getty Images
KoriKobayashi/ Getty ImagesI posted on my socials about places in metro Detroit for the best chicken wings. Man, I got a ton of responses. You guys like your wings!
Of course, I had to deal with jokers saying the best place for wings is at the Little Caesars Arena. (rimshot) I don't know, lately I'm not even sure they're that great.
Truth be told, I don't eat a ton of wings throughout the course of a year. Maybe that's surprising for someone who grew up in Buffalo, New York. Don't get me wrong, I love a good wing but I try to stay away from fried food the best I can.
Rumor has it that the owner of the Anchor Bar in Buffalo "invented" the Buffalo wing in 1964. I say invented in parenthesis because there are many variations of why and how the wing was started. From tossing the wings into the deep fryer as a late-night snack for their son and his friends to putting them out at midnight on a Friday during Lent for the Catholics that were in the bar, to other stories. No matter where the truth lies, wings have been a popular food choice for the past six decades. Hell, I can remember 5-cent wing nights. Those days are long gone.
I thought I'd ask you guys for your favorite spots and I got a lot of different places from the east side, to the west side, to downriver. I couldn't include every single place you picked, but I tried to get a broad overview of some of the places that got multiple "votes".
My pick for the best spot for wings is the twelfth restaurant. And by how many of you also picked this local establishment, many of you agree.
Happy eatin'!
sugarbush tavern in chesterfield
According to Facebook follower, Rich Demucha "The Sugarbush Tavern in Chesterfield on 21 mile and 94. I go there every Saturday my sons love them." I may have to take a trek to the east side to try them for myself.
pete's garage in monroe
Dominik Mekenzie on Facebook piped in with this place. "It's not metro Detroit but if you are willing to make a drive come to Monroe Michigan and stop at Pete's garage. Personally the best wings in Monroe!" Well. I would consider that "metro Detroit", so I guess that counts.
huron river BBQ
This place chimed in to promote their wings, so I'll include them. "We have some pretty good breaded wings… naked wings too but those aren’t every day, we post on FB when we have those ready."
Sounds like a ride on the Harley down to Rockwood to give these a try.
oxford tap room
Lots of you mentioned this place. I'll have to get up there and give them a taste. Plus, I think they have a bike night too.
detroit wing company
A lot of you also suggested this place. I wasn't really looking for "chain" places, but because so many of you picked them, now I'm curious. Plus, they have the word "wing" right in the name, so it has to be good, right?
wing snob
This is another chain type of place, but once again, wing is right in the name. The main page on their site says "We just have better wings" so this might be another place to give a try.
hooters
Yes, someone said Hooters. I have to admit, I LOVE their wings. They're big and greasy and as I said earlier, I don't eat them all the time because they're not great for you. As far as I know, the only location left around here is the Taylor location.
one under craft beer and eats
One Under Craft Beer and Eats won the 2023 Detroit Free Press chicken wing challenge. Sounds like I'll be making a trip to Livonia in the future. Thanks for the heads-up from everyone who picked One Under.
the Charlevoix
The Charlevoix finished second in the 2023 Detroit Free Press contest, so I'll put them on our list. They were picked multiple times as well.
fairway sports bar and grill in Eastpointe
The Fairway Sports Bar and Grill got a few mentions as well. Just by looking at this Yelp review, all I see are wings!
the south lyon hotel
Yes, this is my hometown bar, but I'll be honest, their wings are awesome! Big, juicy, and just fantastic. If you're ever out that way, give them a try, you'll thank me!
Sweetwater tavern
Personally, the best wings I've ever had. About ten years ago, I ran into Ed Roland from Collective Soul at a festival in Louisville. When I told him I was from Detroit, he couldn't wait to tell me about a place in Detroit where he had the best wings. It took me about a year and a half, but one day I found myself downtown by Sweetwater. I had to give them a try. He was right....they are great wings! Since then I've eaten there with Jesse James Dupree from Jackyl and Ray West from Spread Eagle. It's worth the trip downtown to have their wings. This place had the most picks by you guys on socials, and for good reason.
