Where to Find the Best Chicken Wings in Buffalo

You may be under the impression that a chicken wing is just a chicken wing, regardless of where you go, but that's simply not true. You'd be amazed at the subtle differences that can separate a mediocre wing from a show stopper. In Buffalo, the home of the original wing, there are hundreds of places to go. But if you're in search of the best-of-the-best then these seven places make for the best chicken wing crawl in town.

01 of 07

Frank and Teressa's Anchor Bar - Downtown

Anchor bar original Buffalo chicken wings. — Frank and Teressa's Anchor Bar

There's no better place to start this list with than the home of the original recipe. Anchor Bar served the first ever Buffalo wing in 1964 and they haven't slowed down since. The restaurant offers their specialty wings in three sizes (single order of 10, double order of 20 or a bucket of 50) with nine different sauces, including mild, medium, hot, spicy hot BBQ, garlic parmesan, honey garlic, sweet and sour, chipotle BBQ or suicidal. If you're looking for the most traditional wing possible, stick to the medium sauce.

1047 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14209
(716) 886-8920

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02 of 07

Bar Bill Tavern - East Aurora

Bar Bill Tavern has earned a devout following since they first started serving chicken wings in the early 1980s. They regularly make appearances in 'Best Chicken Wings' lists in Western New York, drawing people from the city to try their recipe. Their secret may come from their selection of 13 sauces (mild, medium, medium hot, hot, extra hot, suicidal, honey dijon, zesty honey pepper, teriyaki, medium cajun, hot cajun, honey butter BBQ and hot and spicy BBQ) or from their homemade blue cheese dressing that's made daily.

185 Main St, East Aurora, NY 14052
(716) 652-7959

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03 of 07

Duff's - Amherst

For nearly 40 years Duff's has been the neck-and-neck competitor with Anchor Bar, regularly competing for the top spot of best wings in the city. President Barack Obama visited Duff's in 2010, only a few months after Duff's beat out Anchor Bar for having the best wings in Buffalo. His order? Onion rings, french fries, and 10 medium wings. If you'd like more variety you can choose from their selection of 10 sauces.

3651 Sheridan Dr, Amherst, NY 14226
(716) 834-6234

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04 of 07

La Nova Pizzeria - West Side

Known for their extensive list of sauces, La Nova Pizzeria has become a Buffalo icon since opening in 1957. Choose from any of their 21 choices or mix and match for a meal unlike any other in the area. Their 'kickin' bourbon molasses' and roasted garlic BBQ sauces are unbelievable, but their more traditional mild, medium, hot and inferno sauces can't be beat either.

371 W Ferry St, Buffalo, NY 14213
(716) 881-3303

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05 of 07

Gabriel's Gate - Allentown

Gabriel's Gate is a longtime Allentown watering hole offering some of the best local food in the neighborhood. As trendier restaurants have moved in this place has stood its ground, mainly due to their great dishes–namely their wings. During the colder winter months you can relax by a toasty fire and in the summer you can enjoy your food in their back garden, but whatever you do make sure to order their wings.

145 Allen St, Buffalo, NY 14201
(716) 886-0602

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06 of 07

Sportsmen's Tavern - Black Rock

If the chicken wings don't draw you into Sportsmen's Tavern then the live music definitely will. The bar hosts local musicians nearly every night of the week making it a great place to go for a music lover who's also into wings.

326 Amherst St, Buffalo, NY 14207
(716) 874-7734

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07 of 07

Wellington Pub - North Buffalo

The Wellington Pub has served North Buffalo residents since only 1984 but it feels as though it has always been there. On summer nights the outdoor patio is packed and during the colder winter months you're guaranteed to run into a familiar face or two. One reason for their popularity is the wings. Their simple recipe of either mild, medium, hot or BBQ has been perfected and is arguably the best place to go for authentic chicken wings in North Buffalo, making it a must-stop spot on your crawl.

1541 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, NY 14216
(716) 833-9899