Food Fight: Voters say Wingstop's wings are the real thing
By Gerald M. Gay
ggay@azstarnet.com
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 05.15.2008
The Wingstop, a Dallas-based chicken chain, ruled the roost in our Food Fight over buffalo wings.
Founded in 1994, the Stop has more than 600 locations across the country, including four in Tucson.
The restaurant boasts nine wing flavors, from sweltering hot to sweet-and-tasty, with names like Atomic, Cajun, Hawaiian and Teriyaki.
Wings are made-to-order and are served with or without the bone.
"I grew up in Buffalo for 25 years," said Kenneth Wesolow-ski, 32. "I have eaten at the Anchor Bar, the bar that started it all. I know it is a chain and we want the local guy to win, but The Wingstop has it won, no questions asked. Their wings are the perfect size and tenderness. They are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside."
Nathan Hutchings, an Ithaca, N.Y., transplant, was also impressed.
"They taste like they should," said Hutchings, 30, a systems administrator. "Wingstop comes closest to tasting like the original."
Wingstops in town are at 7940 E. Broadway, 2500 N. Silverbell Road, 3122 N. Campbell Ave. and 3662 W. Ina Road.
Wings aplenty
Not everyone made the Wing Stop their top spot.
Pamela Smith, an X-ray technician, waxed nostalgic about the chicken at Putney's Sports Saloon at 6090 N. Oracle Road.
"My husband and I used to have date night every Thursday which consisted of Putney's wings, Coronas and a movie," she said. "Now that we have kids, it is not as often. But when we have barbecues at our house, we order 150 and rarely have any left over."
Dusty Trails Western Wear President Michael P. McCracken felt the honor should go to Long Wong's at 2500 E. Sixth St.
"Long Wong's has the hottest wings in Tucson, for my money," he said. "Their suicide wings are hotter than belief. I imagine if Fry's carried Long Wong's suicide sauce, it'd be toned down a bit for legal reasons."
And Nina Madrid preferred the wings at Rocco's Little Chicago, 2707 E. Broadway, just east of the University of Arizona.
"Give them a try and you'll be convinced," said the 44-year-old University of Arizona accountant. "They are crispy, tasty and to die for. The wings are hot. I suggest you try the mild or medium for starters."
Other wing contenders
Readers also raved about the wings at the following places:
Buffalo Bell, 3756 S. Sixth Ave.
Sgt. Pepperoni's, 2860 West Ina Road.
The Depot, 3501 E. Fort Lowell Road.
Buffalo Wild Wings, 68 N. Harrison Road.
Wings Over Broadway, 5004 E. Broadway.
Rusty's Family Restaurant, 2075 W. Grant Road.
Thunder Canyon Brewery, 7401 N. La Cholla Blvd., in Foothills Mall.
Wings and Rice, 5502 E. Pima St.
Shooters Steakhouse and Saloon, 3115 E. Prince Road.
Wing Factory, 6330 E. Golf Links Road.
Bianchi's Italian, 1110 N. Silverbell Road.
Tiny's Saloon and Steakhouse, 4900 W. Ajo Highway.
Joe and Vicky's Place, 3700 N. Oracle Road.
Native New Yorker, 8225 N. Courtney Page Way in Marana, also garnered a few votes despite not being officially open here. The Phoenix-based chain, which has snagged numerous best-of buffalo wings awards, was expected to open its first Tucson-area location in Continental Ranch this week.
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