Chicken wings, whether saucy, spicy, mild, fried, or smoked, are a beloved staple in America, especially during football season. These treats originated in Buffalo, New York in the 1960s and have evolved into a key feature on restaurant menus nationwide. Today, many eateries are celebrated for their creative takes on the classic dish.
The Takeout has recently compiled a list of the top chicken wing spots from each state, taking into account customer reviews, reader polls, local news coverage, and wing competitions. Below are five standout destinations for chicken wings across the United States, ranging from Oregon to New York.
Fire on the Mountain — Portland, Oregon
Operating since 2005, Fire on the Mountain is well-known for its freshly crafted sauces. Unique flavors like Spicy Peanut, Raspberry Habanero, and Jamaican Jerk are offered. Notably, their Buffalo Lime Cilantro sauce earned first place in the Creative Spicy category at the 2018 National Buffalo Wing Festival. They also secured third place in the Craft Wings category the same year. This eatery also features a rotating “sauce of the month” and provides vegan wing options.
Scovilles — Salt Lake City, Utah
The name Scovilles refers to the Scoville scale used to measure chili pepper spiciness. Located in Salt Lake City, this restaurant offers a range of spicy sauces and dry rubs, including Scotch Bonnet, Ghost Pepper, and Carolina Reaper. For those who prefer less heat, options like Cajun Honey BBQ and Buffalo Cilantro Lime are available. Scovilles received the “Best Wings” accolade in Salt Lake City Weekly’s 2025 “Best of Utah” awards, praised for the wings’ crispiness and sauciness.
Wings, Etc. — Topeka, Kansas
This venue has achieved notable acclaim, winning the “Best Wings” title from the Topeka Capital-Journal’s Community Choice from 2020 to 2024. It also took home the “Twisted Wing King” award at the 2021 Topeka Wing Fling, thanks to its Buffalo sauce and lime-pepper rub combo. Favorites at Wings, Etc. include the Hot-Honey Garlic and Tweener sauces.
Ale Emporium — Indianapolis, Indiana
Serving Indianapolis since 1982, Ale Emporium is famous for the Hermanaki wing. This crispy, sweet, and spicy jumbo wing features a secret spice blend combined with a house sauce and teriyaki. Their classic Buffalo wings were also lauded by Axios Indianapolis in 2024.
Bar-Bill Tavern — Buffalo, New York
No chicken wing list is complete without mentioning Buffalo. Although not the original site of the Buffalo wing’s creation, Bar-Bill Tavern is a local favorite, serving some of the best wings in the area. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen even cited Bar-Bill Tavern as his go-to wing spot during a 2019 interview with Barstool Sports Radio.
Sadie Chafe reports on lifestyle topics for Fox News Digital.