WGN News Blog

Chicago's Best Wings!

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My toughest assignment yet? Following up on metromix.com's Best Wings feature (read it here). Seriously. Who wants to travel all over the city and eat wings all day? Oh, right. I do.

After narrowing the list down to 16 finalists, metromix asked Chicagoans to vote for their favorite - in Chicago, suburbs not allowed. The result was a crowning achievement for the Fifty/50 in Wicker Park, who was named the big winner. The tri-level sports bar has commanded plenty of attention since opening on Division Street a few years ago. Their wings are plenty meaty and smothered in your choice of sauce, all made right there in house. They'll cost you $9 for 8, but they boast only the best quality ingredients.

Another spot on the list that didn't even place or show - Abeng Stuart's Wings Around The World. I love this place on 75th Street. Abeng moved it there after the rent at his 35th street location became way too costly. The result is a smaller spot, but the same signature sauces remain. He makes them all from scratch, different varieties representing countries all over the globe. There's the award-winning honey lemon pepper (U.S.A.), Parmesan garlic (Italy), mango jerk (Jamaica), and so many more.

And to conclude, I have no idea how metromix.com left these wings off their list. I have to assume they've never eaten the Little Hotties at Take Me Out, Let's Eat Chinese on 18th Street in Pilsen. Other publications have referred to these wings as "chicken crack," and while I would never make a joking point about such a devastating drug, I have to concede the point. These wings are indeed chicken crack.

Karen Lim's family owns Great Sea Chinese Restaurant in Albany Park. The same chicken wings have been captivating locals for decades. Karen decided to franchise them out and stuck with the Take Me Out concept after a fire next door caused her to close and remodel. I find the wings at Take Me Out even better than the original - they're crispier, but still come slathered in that unbelievable asian sauce. Dare I say the Little Hotties are my favorite quick snack in Chicago?

If you're looking for the hottest wings in town, I've got you covered there as well. About a year ago, Jake Melnick's Corner Tap in River North unveiled their H-O-T Wings. These wings are SO hot, they claimed, customers would have to sign a waiver before eating them. Yeah, right. Nice gimmick. I went to try them myself. Here's what happened:

 


I know you all have an opinion, where can I find your favorite wings in Chicago? Leave a comment and let me know. Here are more details on the spots featured on tonight's segment:

The Fifty/50
2047 W. Division St.
773.489.5050
www.thefifty50.com
Monday-Thursday 11am-2am; Friday 10 am-2am; Saturday 10am-3am; Sunday 10am-2am

$9 for 8 wings

Wings Around The World
510 E. 75th St.
773.483.9120
www.flavorstoinfinity.com
Monday-Tuesday 2pm-12mid; Weds 12noon-2am; Thursday-Friday 12noon-4:30am; Saturday 12noon-5am; Sunday 12noon-7pm
$6.99 for 10


Take Me Out, Let's Eat Chinese
1502 W. 18th St.
312.929.2509
www.takemeoutchinese.com
$6.39 for regular order, $11.99 for family size
11am-9:30pm daily


5 Comments

Great Wing segment! I have to add my own personal favorite and of course it's my own restaurant Crosstown Pub & Grill not in the City Of Chicago but rather in Naperville! NBC rated Crosstown Pub & Grill #1 back in October of '08! See our video on our website www.crosstownpub-grill.com. If you mention this blog comment you'll get a free taste!

I'm shocked to see that Crosstown Pub and Grill in Naperville is not on your list. They have the best wings I've ever had. Thursday's is half-off wings and practically every table in the place is taken from open to close. I seriously suggest getting down to 909 E. Ogden in Naperville to eat some wings and feel some rivalry.

I watched your segment and was shocked not to see Crosstown Pub & Grill in Naperville on it .. perhaps it was just a city segment .. not sure .. but if you ever get to the burbs give Crosstown a try they have a lot of variety not to mention the rivalry with Cubs vs Sox .. great place!! 909 E Ogden Avenue, Naperville, IL

I know people would hardly think it was true, but WingStreet Wings at Pizza Hut have some of the best wings i've had in a long time. I tried them for the first time about 3 weeks ago, and could not BELIEVE how great the taste was. And now i am hooked! My favorite flavor is the Medium Buffalo traditional wings. But i also love the Spicy Asian traditional wings. The Garlic Parmesan traditional wings are tastey too. Give them a try!!!

Mr. Leshock, I really enjoyed the search for Chicago's Best Wings segment. What I think set it apart was the use of songs that related to each restaurant's name or theme. People's random comments usually trigger a song in my head, so I appreciate what you did. Stay creative.

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