Buftex Posted November 22, 2013 Author Share Posted November 22, 2013 (edited) So Bonnies in Brooklyn is legit? I'll have to check it out. And I don't know the exact order but Hooters, McDonalds, and Pizza Hut are somewhere in my top 5. Yes... Bonnies has great wings...best I have had outside of Buffalo. The place is small, and gets a bit crowded, but they are also a "Bills bar" on football Sundays! I was back in WNY this past July. My nephews, also in from Georgia, really wanted to go the the "world famous" Anchor Bar. The part of my family, much like those here, kept saying how "overrated" they were, and how they "suck"...I wasn't expecting much, as I hadn't been there in years...I thought they were actually really, really good...I had the opposite experience the previous trip home, with Duffs. Still though, like a lot of places, I realize, for whatever reason, some nights are better than others at different resteraunts. My personal favorite in Buffalo is Casa Di-Pizza over on Elmwood. They are awesome, every time! Living in Texas, where the wings generally suck (though there are some slightly better options than there used to be), I had kind of given up on wings...but Casa is what I dream about, when I dream of real chicken wings! It doesn't hurt that their pizza kicks ass too! Edited November 22, 2013 by Buftex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buftex Posted November 22, 2013 Author Share Posted November 22, 2013 Pluckers is really hit and miss for me. We got them catered at work a few weeks back, and their wings were actually really good. But, I've also had some awful wings from them. My old boss, at my previous job, every few months would get us Pluckers for lunch. I was her assistant manager, and I think she chose them, because she thought I was really into wings...I never had the heart to tell her, I only like wings if they are good. I really just like traditional Buffalo wings...hot! Their hot wings are just hot, with no taste, just all hot spice...I started just getting them with barbaque sauce, because hey, who doesn't like barbque chicken? Even with that, the sauce just tasetes like Kraft BBQ sauce or something. I was bummed when Wing Zone closed down...Pluckers just does not do it for me, and their prices are rediculous. Casinos has terrific wings (another ex-Buffalonian), but the downside is, they don't really do take-out, they take forever (they tell you that up front) and their location on 6th Street is not so appealing to an old !@#$ like myself. I only ever go there, anymore, if I am going to see a band on Red River and get down there a little early. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jauronimo Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 Yes... Bonnies has great wings...best I have had outside of Buffalo. The place is small, and gets a bit crowded, but they are also a "Bills bar" on football Sundays! I was back in WNY this past July. My nephews, also in from Georgia, really wanted to go the the "world famous" Anchor Bar. The part of my family, much like those here, kept saying how "overrated" they were, and how they "suck"...I wasn't expecting much, as I hadn't been there in years...I thought they were actually really, really good...I had the opposite experience the previous trip home, with Duffs. Still though, like a lot of places, I realize, for whatever reason, some nights are better than others at different resteraunts. My personal favorite in Buffalo is Casa Di-Pizza over on Elmwood. They are awesome, every time! Living in Texas, where the wings generally suck (though there are some slightly better options than there used to be), I had kind of given up on wings...but Casa is what I dream about, when I dream of real chicken wings! It doesn't hurt that their pizza kicks ass too! My experiences with Duff's and Anchor Bar were similar. Miserable experiences at Duff's. Soggy skin, wings swimming in vinegar. Last few times at Anchor each wing was well cooked and perfectly coated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaattMaann Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 article is dumb because they call them "buffalo wings" - its a freaking chicken wing best wings (and a few notes about other places) - Gabriels Gate used to be one of my fave wing places (BBQ wings) - but a friend who is a health inspector said "you do NOT want to eat there", that ended it for me - Amherst Ale House has fantastic wings, I recommend garlic parm wings tossed in hot sauce - order it just like that (its easily in my top 3 wing places) - Grovers (legendary for their burgers) has awesome, awesome wings - Duffs IS better than anchor bar (anchor bar shouldnt even rate) - if you dont like sauce then why are you eating chicken wings? - Bar Bill in East Aurora is well worth the drive out there for probably the best wings (go next door for the best beer store in WNY - Aurora Brew Works) - Syracuse and Binghamton areas also have a bunch of great wing places, dont sleep on those areas all of the above is fact Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wnysteel Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 I refuse to believe there are acceptable buffalo wings outside of a 50 mile radius of WNY. this! - Duffs IS better than anchor bar (anchor bar shouldnt even rate) - if you dont like sauce then why are you eating chicken wings? - Bar Bill in East Aurora is well worth the drive out there for probably the best wings (go next door for the best beer store in WNY - Aurora Brew Works) agreed on both points. and how about mammoser's in hamburg? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gomper Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 Snyder Bar & Grill has excellent wings. Local spot and way under the radar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jauronimo Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 - Duffs IS better than anchor bar (anchor bar shouldnt even rate) - if you dont like sauce then why are you eating chicken wings? Sauce is fine. I wish they cooked their wings. Soggy, rubbery skin is unacceptable in a chicken wing. And these weren't just soggy due to sauce, these were soggy because they weren't cooked long enough or hot enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Fong Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 article is dumb because they call them "buffalo wings" - its a freaking chicken wing I know people in Western New York just call them chicken wings and often I do the same, but I wouldn't be so quick to throw out the association. It's nice to have something that has become so widespread be associated with my hometown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jauronimo Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 I know people in Western New York just call them chicken wings and often I do the same, but I wouldn't be so quick to throw out the association. It's nice to have something that has become so widespread be associated with my hometown. I'm fine with the term as well. When I order a "buffalo wing" I can reasonably expect a wing that is fried, isn't breaded, and comes with a pepper based sauce. Theres all sorts of chicken wings out there which don't fall into that category. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Jim Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 I had an idea for a restaurant about 20 years ago. All sorts of different types chickent wings. From Buffalo, to garlic to teriyaki and on and on. I was going to call it Wing Nuts. Always a day late and hundred thousand dollars short. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canadian Bills Fan Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 I think Santoras has good wings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Fong Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 I'm fine with the term as well. When I order a "buffalo wing" I can reasonably expect a wing that is fried, isn't breaded, and comes with a pepper based sauce. Theres all sorts of chicken wings out there which don't fall into that category. Good point. It drives me crazy when I go to a place and have to order my wings "Bone-in." And don't even get me started on the blue cheese vs. Ranch thing. NSFW relevant rant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buftex Posted November 22, 2013 Author Share Posted November 22, 2013 Sauce is fine. I wish they cooked their wings. Soggy, rubbery skin is unacceptable in a chicken wing. And these weren't just soggy due to sauce, these were soggy because they weren't cooked long enough or hot enough. Agreed...the chicken itself is just not good. I remember Duffs being much better back in the late 80's early 90's...last two times they were kinda gross. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrags Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 (edited) Agreed...the chicken itself is just not good. I remember Duffs being much better back in the late 80's early 90's...last two times they were kinda gross. thats the problem. I know it shouldn't have to be done but certain places need to be ordered a certain way. At Duffs, the trick is to order them crispy and saucy. It eliminates what some people complain about. It's really no different from anywhere you've gone for a long time, over time, you get a feel for how things need to be ordered. For example, when I go to Violas in Niagara Falls, it's always a double steak and cheese with miracle whip, oil, onions and seasoning. Edited November 22, 2013 by mrags Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plenzmd1 Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 I had an idea for a restaurant about 20 years ago. All sorts of different types chickent wings. From Buffalo, to garlic to teriyaki and on and on. I was going to call it Wing Nuts. Always a day late and hundred thousand dollars short. 100K be okay...me and a friend were thinking of opening a Mellow Mushroom..friggen $1M up front....you gotta sell a lot o pizza and beer for that kins of dough Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrags Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 100K be okay...me and a friend were thinking of opening a Mellow Mushroom..friggen $1M up front....you gotta sell a lot o pizza and beer for that kins of dough Buffalo Wild Wing franchises back in 04-06 were at minimum of $3m. It broke down like this: $1m for the rights $1m in the bank $1 (roughly) to purchase everything for the store Then in top of it, they never let you open just 1 store. When I was an assistant GM in one of the busiest stores in the country, my owner signed a deal for 11 stores. Ended up selling them all back to corporate after the 6th one opened. 6 stores and the rights to 5 more in the Las Vegas area earned him a cool $45m. Normally you'd think that was a lot but in sure scraps to the man that came up with the slogan "Where's the Beef?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Fong Posted November 23, 2013 Share Posted November 23, 2013 Buffalo Wild Wing franchises back in 04-06 were at minimum of $3m. It broke down like this: $1m for the rights $1m in the bank $1 (roughly) to purchase everything for the store Then in top of it, they never let you open just 1 store. When I was an assistant GM in one of the busiest stores in the country, my owner signed a deal for 11 stores. Ended up selling them all back to corporate after the 6th one opened. 6 stores and the rights to 5 more in the Las Vegas area earned him a cool $45m. Normally you'd think that was a lot but in sure scraps to the man that came up with the slogan "Where's the Beef?" BW3, the precursor to Buffalo Wild Wings was such a better place. They had a BW3 in Greenville, NC when I went to ECU. Great place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buftex Posted November 23, 2013 Author Share Posted November 23, 2013 BW3, the precursor to Buffalo Wild Wings was such a better place. They had a BW3 in Greenville, NC when I went to ECU. Great place. I didn't know there was a difference..a BW3 opened up close to my place a little over a year ago...I have yet to venture in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Fong Posted November 23, 2013 Share Posted November 23, 2013 I didn't know there was a difference..a BW3 opened up close to my place a little over a year ago...I have yet to venture in. The original chain was a much smaller (and better) operation. It was called Buffalo Wild Wings & Weck (BW3). Years ago, (maybe 10-15?) the chain was sold to some big hitters that dropped the weck from the name and made it a more national chain. The original chain was a lot more like a local bar. The new one isn't really worth anyone's time unless in a pinch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrags Posted November 23, 2013 Share Posted November 23, 2013 (edited) Of course they're not worth anything. It's a national wing chain. Edited November 23, 2013 by mrags Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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