IMHO the two best places by far for "classic" wings around Chicago are Crosstown Pub & Grill in Naperville and Franks for the Memories in Mundelein.

For better or worse, I don't find myself in those areas nearly as much as I used to. Jake Melnick's grilled "Ponchos" wings are pretty tasty, but that place can get pricey due to the location.

Cheers,

Chico

misterchico wrote:IMHO the two best places by far for "classic" wings around Chicago are Crosstown Pub & Grill in Naperville and Franks for the Memories in Mundelein.

...
On the latter, couldn't agree more. Esteemed Coordinator? An LTH North lunch at Franks for the Memories? Or better yet (Franks is not the greatest for ambience), an LTH North happy hour, for a change, so we can take our wings to one of the local brewpubs, Bosaki's, across the street, or Tighthead, a few blocks away, and watch a game?

Panther in the Den wrote:

Panther in the Den wrote:http://www.whyberwyn.com/featured/calling-all-wing-lovers-voting-is-now-open-for-berwyns-best-chicken-wings/

Just Berwyn but there are some good places in the mix.

Down to the final 5 on Tuesday.

Final 5

http://www.whyberwyn.com/shop-berwyn/be ... t-contest/

Going to visit them all Saturday afternoon

Paisans Pizzeria & Bar
6226 Ogden Ave, Berwyn
http://www.paisanspizza.com/


... got my vote edging out the favorite...

Cigars and Stripes BBQ Lounge
6715 Ogden Ave, Berwyn
http://www.stripesbbq.com/
... with C&S smoked wings and awesome sauces.



At Paisans, the manager mentioned their Dragon Sauce was a mistake made in the kitchen when staff mixed sweet and sour sauce with their hot wing sauce.

Nice big wings, good price point ($1.25 per), cooked perfectly, and the sauce had a nice hit of spicyness at the end. Only complaint, just one spear of carrot and celery?

Just a mile outside of the Chicago border and well worth the long trip.

Just a comment on pricing, two places that were mostly carry out were priced at $1 a wing, the other 3 were sit down restaurants and were priced at $1.25 (2) and $1.50.

All places did have a day with special discounted pricing.

Thanks for the tip on Frank's for the Memories. I grew up around there and have recently returned to the area (a bit south). Will have to try their offering soon.

My last trip for buffalo wings took me to Gator's and found they are best consumed on site as they do not travel well being loaded with sauce. On a recent lunch visit, the wings arrived piping hot from the kitchen and very wet. Not saying this is a terrible thing, but the wings towards the end of my meal were soggier than at start. Regardless, I enjoyed my meal and felt the quality of the chicken was solid, but larger than I usually prefer my wings. For my next order, I would like to try their wings dry with sauce on the side (and will likely result in an up-charge from what I've read here).

Gator's offers coupons on their website but they also have an $8.99 lunch menu during the week. I believe it was 10 wings with choice of sauce at this price point. My Peroni, however, cost $6. Coupons are not valid with lunch specials.

Also, I thought it appropriate to post a relevant link to the topic:

A solid collection of images of wings

Edited to correct link... thanks PITD

MeatPie wrote:Also, I thought it appropriate to post a relevant link to the topic:

A solid collection of images of wings

... when clicking on the link on my IPhone...

an error occurred while processing this directive

Correct link should be...

http://www.greasefreak.com/wings.html

I’ve had the opportunity to try Gators a couple times , on some of my last visits. Definitely very saucy wings, but I’d rather have that than getting an order where only half the wings actually seem to have any sauce on them. Bonus for their jalapeño sauces actually having chopped jalapeño in them.

MeatPie wrote:Thanks for the tip on Frank's for the Memories. I grew up around there and have recently returned to the area (a bit south). Will have to try their offering soon.

My last trip for buffalo wings took me to Gator's and found they are best consumed on site as they do not travel well being loaded with sauce. On a recent lunch visit, the wings arrived piping hot from the kitchen and very wet. Not saying this is a terrible thing, but the wings towards the end of my meal were soggier than at start. Regardless, I enjoyed my meal and felt the quality of the chicken was solid, but larger than I usually prefer my wings. For my next order, I would like to try their wings dry with sauce on the side (and will likely result in an up-charge from what I've read here).

Gator's offers coupons on their website but they also have an $8.99 lunch menu during the week. I believe it was 10 wings with choice of sauce at this price point. My Peroni, however, cost $6. Coupons are not valid with lunch specials.

Also, I thought it appropriate to post a relevant link to the topic:

A solid collection of images of wings

Edited to correct link... thanks PITD

I don't trust someone who gives positive ratings to Commonwealth, Riverview, Ranalli's, Big City Tap, Kincade's, Mcgee's, and 1 star to Toon's.

I don't think they're the best but Village Tap in Roscoe Village is a good contender and they're similar enough to buffalo that it scratches that itch while still being unique.

Hands down my favorite I've had here in Chicago can be found at Jake Melnick's. I dream about them.

Jake's gives you the choice of 9 different sauces (buffalo, bbq, super hot, xxx, pb&j, poncho's, firecracker, nashville hot, and a monthly rotating sauce). They are crispy and meaty and juicy and they've now become my golden standard.



Jake Melnick's Corner Tap
41 E Superior St
Chicago, IL 60611

csox wrote:I don't trust someone who gives positive ratings to Commonwealth, Riverview, Ranalli's, Big City Tap, Kincade's, Mcgee's, and 1 star to Toon's.

That's why I only referenced the pictures.

Toons! It just doesn't get any better than this. I mean, when an order of wings has a presence attack . . .


Buffalo Wings at Toons

=R=

Toons Bar & Grill
3857 N Southport Ave
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 935-1919

I've been craving Output's lemon pepper wings since I had them again last Friday. Crispy, juicy, greasy deliciousness. Becoming my favorite wing in Chicago. It's pretty divey... but man those wings are great. I get the hot sauce and blue cheese on the side.


Output Lounge
1758 W Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622

ronnie_suburban wrote:Toons! It just doesn't get any better than this. I mean, when an order of wings has a presence attack . . .

So are you saying their the Champions of all Wings?

Kid Charlemagne wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote:Toons! It just doesn't get any better than this. I mean, when an order of wings has a presence attack . . .

So are you saying their the Champions of all Wings?

There are just too many varieties and styles of wings out there to proclaim that but I wouldn't be sticking my neck out too far in saying that these wings from Toons are the best Buffalo wings in Chicagoland.

=R=