Photo Above Courtesy of Amber OX Public House
Coastal Virginia has a thing for wings—saucy, spicy or crispy, we love them all. Even during a national chicken wing shortage, the demand for wings never stopped growing. Over Super Bowl weekend alone, Americans consume more than 1.4 billion wings, according to the National Chicken Council, making football and chicken wings an unbeatable combination.
As we enter a new football season, local restaurants are heating up the fryers to prepare for a rush of wing eaters this fall. From traditional Buffalo wings to Korean fried chicken and even stuffed wings, there are so many ways to indulge in chicken wings across Coastal Virginia. Get your moist towelettes ready to try these wing joints.
Amber Ox Public House
Williamsburg
Amber Ox Public House’s creativity extends from their craft beers to their Oak Smoked Wings. The brewpub seasons their wings with a mix of mustard and dry spices, then smokes them with white oak for two hours for a deeper flavor. These oak-smoked wings are fried to order and tossed with a mix of house barbecue rub and ranch powder for a tangy finish. TheAmberOx.com
Big Sam’s Raw Bar
Virginia Beach
Kick off your meal at Big Sam’s Raw Bar with a dozen of their Big Sam’s Big Wings. These oversized chicken wings are deep-fried, fire-grilled then tossed in Hometown Formula sauce. Regulars recommend ordering your wings double grilled for an added smoky flavor. BigSamsRawBar.com
Crave Wings
Newport News
Crave Wings is truly for the chicken wing fanatic, serving up fried whole wings, as well as traditional and boneless wings in a variety of dry rubs and sauces. Owner Andrew Lee gives diners a taste of his native flavors with his Korean spicy sauce. Put your taste buds to the test with the Nuclear sauce or go for something sweeter like honey garlic pepper. CraveWings757.com
J&K Style Grill
Virginia Beach
There’s no shortage of wing flavors at J&K Style Grill. Get an order of wings with one of their house-made sauces or dry rubs, such as their best-selling Carolina-style Kenyata sauce or lemon-pepper Caribbean Candy rub. A must-try at J&K are their stuffed wings—jumbo drumettes, seasoned with Caribbean Candy and filled with juicy collard greens to create the perfect Southern bite. JAndKStyleGrill.com
KOCO Korean Fried Chicken & Croffles
Virginia Beach
One of Coastal Virginia’s newest wing spots is KOCO Korean Fried Chicken & Croffles, which opened in March. Korean fried chicken gained popularity across the world because of a frying technique that results in extra crispy chicken skin. KOCO serves their Korean fried chicken wings with a choice of sticky-sweet soy garlic sauce or its spicy counterpart with a mild chili heat.
Facebook.com/KOCOsKorean757
Lendy’s Café & Raw Bar
Virginia Beach
Lendy’s Café has been dishing out their famous wings since 1987. These crispy, tender wings are served with a choice of 16 sauces, including their award-winning Suicide sauce that’s not for the faint of heart. Lendy’s kicks up the heat with their Below Hell sauce, but those looking for something less severe can take comfort in options like the honey Old Bay sauce. LendysVABeach.com
My Mama’s Kitchen
Norfolk
The chicken wings at My Mama’s Kitchen are part of a family legacy. Chef Moe Stevenson learned the recipe from his mother, who used to sell wings when he was growing up. Stevenson fries the wings for a crispy outside before tossing them in a wok with one of almost 20 homemade sauces. The Drip sauce, a sweet, tangy and spicy combination, is a fan favorite. MyMamasKitchenVA.Square.Site
ShoreBreak Pizza & TapHouse
Virginia Beach
Don’t let the name fool you. ShoreBreak Pizza & Taphouse is also known for their jumbo wings. The restaurant’s 15 sauces range from mild to options that pack a fiery punch, including hot Buffalo and the aptly named Fire sauce. ShoreBreak even offers boneless wings, as well as dry rubs that will keep your fingers a bit cleaner. ShoreBreakVB.com
The Dirty Buffalo
Chesapeake, Norfolk and Virginia Beach
Owned by a native of western New York, The Dirty Buffalo brings authentic Buffalo-style wings to the region. Coastal Virginia Magazine’s Overall Gold winner for Best Wings, Dirty Buffalo has more than 40 sauces and rubs on the menu. Get the best of both and order wings tossed in a signature sauce then dusted with a rub, such as the New Age Outlaws with sweet Buffalo sauce and Old Bay rub. TheDirtyBuffalo.com
Wing King
Virginia Beach
Wing King has spent more than 20 years dishing out Buffalo-style wings in Coastal Virginia. In fact, Wing King’s claim to fame is that their wing recipe comes from the original home of Buffalo wings in New York, Anchor Bar. Stay authentic with their mild, medium or hot sauce, or order one of their other delectable sauces, such as garlic parmesan, hot-q and hickory smoke. WingKingOnline.com
Arielle Patterson
