Jauronimo Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 It's amazing that there is such variety in chicken wings. There is not much to them if they are done traditionally. Therefore, in theory, there should be little reason for distance from the mean. I've only had rubbery, flaccid skin, undercooked disappointment from Duffs. Maybe they were well cooked before being submerged in vinegary sauce such that you have to go bobbing for wings. More likely, I was there at peak hours and they were never cooked well to begin with. Deep frying is easy. Problem with wing places is dropping order after order of wings and fries into deepfryer lowers the temp of the oil. Colder oil means soggy, greasy food. In an ideal world they would wait for oil temp to come back up to optimal 350-375. When you've got a bar full of people who are ALL ordering wings, theres a trade off and you have to choose between letting people wait for 90 minutes or delivering a compromised product in a timely manner. At my favorite wing place back home (Richmond's) I've noticed it on many nights. Crowded nights, your mileage may vary. A quiet Tuesday night and they're about as good as it gets. I think the above accounts for some of the discrepancy in quality. After moving to Texas I've also learned that some people just don't know wtf they're doing with wings.
thebandit27 Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 Duff's is hit and miss. The best places (IMO) for wings are (in no discerning order): Elmo's Bar Bill Gabriel's Gate Nine-Eleven Can't go wrong with any of them.
BuffaloBillsForever Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 I've only had rubbery, flaccid skin, undercooked disappointment from Duffs. Maybe they were well cooked before being submerged in vinegary sauce such that you have to go bobbing for wings. More likely, I was there at peak hours and they were never cooked well to begin with. Deep frying is easy. Problem with wing places is dropping order after order of wings and fries into deepfryer lowers the temp of the oil. Colder oil means soggy, greasy food. In an ideal world they would wait for oil temp to come back up to optimal 350-375. When you've got a bar full of people who are ALL ordering wings, theres a trade off and you have to choose between letting people wait for 90 minutes or delivering a compromised product in a timely manner. At my favorite wing place back home (Richmond's) I've noticed it on many nights. Crowded nights, your mileage may vary. A quiet Tuesday night and they're about as good as it gets. I think the above accounts for some of the discrepancy in quality. After moving to Texas I've also learned that some people just don't know wtf they're doing with wings. This is spot on about the oil. Also, it is really easy to tell when a restaurant pre-cooks their wings and then flash fry's them. That is one of the biggest sins of all. They end up shriveled and dry like an old ladies $%#@
MarkAF43 Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 Duff's is hit and miss. The best places (IMO) for wings are (in no discerning order): Elmo's Bar Bill Gabriel's Gate Nine-Eleven Can't go wrong with any of them. How good is Nine-Eleven? They are like three streets from my house but I haven't been there yet.
Jauronimo Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 How good is Nine-Eleven? They are like three streets from my house but I haven't been there yet. I haven't been, but if it gets the Bandit seal approval its bound to be excellent. He knows his food.
BuffaloBill Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 I've only had rubbery, flaccid skin, undercooked disappointment from Duffs. Maybe they were well cooked before being submerged in vinegary sauce such that you have to go bobbing for wings. More likely, I was there at peak hours and they were never cooked well to begin with. Deep frying is easy. Problem with wing places is dropping order after order of wings and fries into deepfryer lowers the temp of the oil. Colder oil means soggy, greasy food. In an ideal world they would wait for oil temp to come back up to optimal 350-375. When you've got a bar full of people who are ALL ordering wings, theres a trade off and you have to choose between letting people wait for 90 minutes or delivering a compromised product in a timely manner. At my favorite wing place back home (Richmond's) I've noticed it on many nights. Crowded nights, your mileage may vary. A quiet Tuesday night and they're about as good as it gets. I think the above accounts for some of the discrepancy in quality. After moving to Texas I've also learned that some people just don't know wtf they're doing with wings. Understand and agree with the fryer temperature comments. However, a place like Duffs that presents itself as the premier wing joint should have the ability to plan for peek capacity on their fryers. There is also a lot to be said for a business that holds to a quality standard and organizes their process to hold to it. Look what happens when you don't. You get internet threads telling everyone that your product sucks.
BuffaloBillsForever Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 Agree to disagree with the "mild" wing sentiment. I love spicy food and some places mild wings are hot. Now that wouldn't be a "mild" wing. It does bring up another fundamental problem with a lot of wing joints and that is their inability to scale the hotness levels appropriately.
BuffaloBillsForever Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 I can believe bad wings. I cant believe someone starts a written sentence with "So". BTW I've always favored Brennans wings. If you're ever in Western Broward try the Quarterdecks wings. Oh yeah! Literally, one of the nastiest smells in the world is a case of chicken wings that have gone bad.
eball Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 Duff's is hit and miss. The best places (IMO) for wings are (in no discerning order): Elmo's Bar Bill Gabriel's Gate Nine-Eleven Can't go wrong with any of them. Elmo's and the Gate are fantastic. Bar Bill cooks their wings beautifully but I'm not a fan of their medium sauce.
Maury Ballstein Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 (edited) Anyone ever take a girl or wife out and they order old bay wings ? Wtf is that ? It's buffalo, garlic parm, and an occasional spicy BBQ for me. Bleu cheese is definitely a major factor as well. It does bring up another fundamental problem with a lot of wing joints and that is their inability to scale the hotness levels appropriately.True. Big problem down in VA. I've had mild wings that burn my lips off. Can't trust them w the hot. Edited March 2, 2016 by Ryan L Billz
The Poojer Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 i've often made wings using walkers wood jamaican jerk seasoning....probably my favorite seasoning!!! Anyone ever take a girl or wife out and they order old bay wings ?Wtf is that ? It's buffalo, garlic parm, and an occasional spicy BBQ for me. Bleu cheese is definitely a major factor as well. True. Big problem down in VA. I've had mild wings that burn my lips off. Can't trust them w the hot.
Gugny Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 Anyone ever take a girl or wife out and they order old bay wings ? Wtf is that ? It's buffalo, garlic parm, and an occasional spicy BBQ for me. Bleu cheese is definitely a major factor as well. True. Big problem down in VA. I've had mild wings that burn my lips off. Can't trust them w the hot. Wuss.
thebandit27 Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 Elmo's and the Gate are fantastic. Bar Bill cooks their wings beautifully but I'm not a fan of their medium sauce. I grew up 5 minutes from Elmo's, so they'll always be my #1. Can't ever pass up a double order split between Cajun and Honey Mustard.
Gugny Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 So I still stand by Bar Bill as the best wings I've ever had. I do want to try the others on Bandito's list.
Maury Ballstein Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 Hipsters don't eat wings. They tell you tofu tastes the same. Maaaaaaaaaan
Guffalo Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 That is one of the biggest sins of all. They end up shriveled and dry like an old ladies $%#@ How did you draw this analogy? Have you been shopping in the senior citizens department lately?
May Day 10 Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 I think Duff's is good. Not the best in town, but way better than Anchor Bar and better than most. Mild wings would likely be bad.
MarkyMannn Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 Duffs, and its probably 10 years since I been there, a soupy sloppy mess, they just make them hotter than anyone else. Virtually any corner pizzeria is better. Still that is personal taste. Seems wings have gotten REALLY expensive over the last few years too Many people mentioned BarBills. Try Wallenweins at the other end of East Aurora for beef on weck. BB's has great food, terrible service. Seems they bring out servings one at a time rather than the whole table. The last time I was there, they never bring out my order, but later show up with the bill to pay, believe it or not. So they bag the order and insist I pay for it. NFW!
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