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Saucy, spicy, mild, fried, smoked — however they’re prepared, chicken wings are an American staple, especially during football season.
Wings have come a long way since their humble beginnings in Buffalo, New York, where they were popularized in the 1960s. Today, inventive variations have popped up at establishments across the country, some of which have garnered glowing reviews and accolades.
The Takeout recently compiled a list of the best chicken wings in every state, with the selections based on multiple factors, including customer reviews, reader polls, local news coverage and wing competitions.
Here are five of the best chicken wing destinations across the country, from Oregon to New York.
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Buffalo wings, popularized in western New York in the 1960s, have become an American restaurant staple. (iStock)
Fire on the Mountain — Portland, Oregon
This locally owned and operated eatery has been around since 2005 and is known for its freshly made, inventive sauces, which are available in unique flavors like Spicy Peanut, Raspberry Habanero and Jamaican Jerk. Its Buffalo Lime Cilantro sauce won first place in the Creative Spicy category at the 2018 National Buffalo Wing Festival, and that same year the restaurant won third place in the Craft Wings category.
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Fire on the Mountain also offers a rotating “sauce of the month,” as well as vegan wings.
Scovilles — Salt Lake City, Utah
Restaurants across the country are putting inventive spins on chicken wings with sweet, spicy and smoky flavors. (iStock)
The Scoville scale measures the spiciness of chili peppers so, as the name suggests, Scovilles in Salt Lake City likes to bring the heat. Guests can choose from an array of sauces and dry rubs, including Scotch Bonnet, Ghost Pepper, Carolina Reaper and more spicy selections. Those who don’t love extreme heat opt for milder flavors like Cajun Honey BBQ and Buffalo Cilantro Lime.
Scovilles earned the title of “Best Wings” in Salt Lake City Weekly’s 2025 “Best of Utah” awards, with the write-up raving about the wings’ crispiness and sauciness.
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Wings, Etc. — Topeka, Kansas
This Topeka restaurant is no stranger to the chicken wing spotlight. Its wings were crowned “Best Wings” by the Topeka Capital-Journal’s Community Choice for five years in a row, from 2020 through 2024. It was also awarded the title of “Twisted Wing King” at the Topeka Wing Fling in 2021, thanks to its Buffalo sauce and lime-pepper rub hybrid.
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Customers love the Hot-Honey Garlic and Tweener sauces at Wings Etc., The Takeout noted.
A recent round-up named the best chicken wing spots in the country, based on reviews and competitions. (iStock)
Ale Emporium — Indianapolis, Indiana
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Serving Indianapolis since 1982, one of the Ale Emporium’s most popular items is the Hermanaki wing, a crispy, sweet and spicy jumbo wing covered in a secret spice blend, along with the restaurant’s special house sauce and teriyaki.
Ale Emporium does the classics well, too: Its Buffalo wings were praised by Axios Indianapolis in 2024.
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Bar-Bill Tavern — Buffalo, New York
Wing spots from Oregon to New York are earning recognition for their signature sauces and creative preparations.
Would a chicken wing round-up really be complete without mentioning Buffalo? Home of the Buffalo wing, the city has no shortage of places to get a wing fix. Although Bar-Bill Tavern is not where the Buffalo wing was originally created, it is a spot that holds its own and serves up some of the best wings in the area, according to locals and Visit Buffalo Niagara.
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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen told Barstool Sports Radio in 2019 that Bar-Bill Tavern was his favorite local spot to get wings.