America's best wings

Metromix's favorite fried, battered, spicy bar food

The starter you can always trust to perform for the big game, chicken wings are the epitome of bar food and have the humble origins to match. The spicy buffalo chicken wing originated at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, N.Y. It was the creation of Teresa Bellissimo who, depending on the tale you’re told, either created the bar food staple in 1964 to satisfy some lingering customers or improvised when the deliveryman dropped off a pile of wings instead of the backs and necks normally used to make spaghetti sauce.

It’s estimated that 13.5 billion chicken wings will be consumed this year (one guy is aiming to eat 2,011 himself). Not all of those billions will be created equal, so however many you devour, make sure to pick the best.

Metromix staff from around the country grabbed extra napkins and loaded up on celery and blue cheese in a search for their favorites. From stomach-scorching to savory and even vegan (blasphemy!), check out our contenders from some of the best wing spots in the country.