Chicken wings are a staple in American cuisine, especially popular during football season. Originating in Buffalo, New York, these wings have seen a range of preparation styles, such as saucy, spicy, mild, fried, smoked, and more. The evolution of chicken wings since their start in the 1960s has led to various inventive recipes across the country.
The Takeout recently compiled a list of the best chicken wings in every state. The selection criteria included customer reviews, reader polls, local news coverage, and wing competitions. Below are five standout chicken wing destinations that have received accolades.
Chicken wing prices have decreased, but your favorite restaurant may not lower their prices.
Fire on the Mountain — Portland, Oregon
Established in 2005, Fire on the Mountain is a local favorite known for its creative sauces. Flavors like Spicy Peanut, Raspberry Habanero, and Jamaican Jerk are unique highlights. Their Buffalo Lime Cilantro sauce claimed first place in the Creative Spicy category at the 2018 National Buffalo Wing Festival. Additionally, the restaurant secured third place in the Craft Wings category. Fire on the Mountain also features a rotating “sauce of the month” and accommodates vegan customers with vegan wing options.
Scovilles — Salt Lake City, Utah
Scovilles in Salt Lake City is named after the Scoville scale, which measures chili pepper spiciness. This restaurant offers a variety of sauces and dry rubs, including Scotch Bonnet, Ghost Pepper, and Carolina Reaper for heat enthusiasts. Milder options include Cajun Honey BBQ and Buffalo Cilantro Lime. Scovilles won “Best Wings” in Salt Lake City Weekly’s 2025 “Best of Utah” awards, celebrated for the wings’ crispiness and sauce variety.
Wings, Etc. — Topeka, Kansas
Renowned for its wings, Wings, Etc. in Topeka has been recognized as “Best Wings” by the Topeka Capital-Journal’s Community Choice from 2020 to 2024. It also earned the title “Twisted Wing King” at the Topeka Wing Fling in 2021, thanks to their Buffalo sauce and lime-pepper rub combination. Popular sauce choices include Hot-Honey Garlic and Tweener, highlighted in a national round-up of top wing spots.
Ale Emporium — Indianapolis, Indiana
Ale Emporium has been serving Indianapolis since 1982, with a fan-favorite menu item: the Hermanaki wing. These jumbo wings are crispy, sweet, spicy, and coated with a special spice mix and house sauce, including teriyaki. They are known for doing traditional Buffalo wings well, as noted by Axios Indianapolis in 2024.
Bar-Bill Tavern — Buffalo, New York
No list of great wing locations would be complete without mentioning Buffalo. While Bar-Bill Tavern is not the birthplace of Buffalo wings, it remains a top spot in the area, endorsed by locals and Visit Buffalo Niagara. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen shared with Barstool Sports Radio in 2019 that Bar-Bill Tavern was his preferred local wing destination.
Sadie Chafe contributes to the Lifestyle team at Fox News Digital.