Wingaddicts BLOG
Everybody knows that Buffalo is the birthplace of the chicken wing game but it’s also super clear that the art of great wing making has since expanded far beyond the borders of Western New York. When it comes to the Big Apple and its five boroughs there’s a legitimate argument to be made that Queens may actually be the King.
As we put together our official "Queens NY Wing Trail," we didn’t consider the popular wing franchises, the takeout spots, or bar/restaurants that simply have “wings” on the menu. We featured the places that can be considered actual “wing joints.” In the case of this particular trail, though, there are a handful with smaller wing menus that are so good they had to make the list anyway.
Full disclosure, we didn’t get to all of these spots in person (yet), but did consult with many local foodies and wing experts and also combed social media wing groups. We’re quite sure that this list will steer you straight to the “Best Wings in Queens!”
Let us know who we missed!
This enormous Astoria space offers an upscale sports lounge experience in addition to being a dinner destination and even a dance club. There are nearly 50 television sets inside (even in the bathrooms!) Just walking through this beautiful place is an event in itself, you’ll say “wow” more than once. There’s a fabulous menu overall, but we’d like you to zero on in on the wing offering. Sweet Spot offers their signature jumbo wings in eight traditional house-made flavors including your favorite level of heat.
Normally a spot like Blackbirds wouldn’t be considered for one of our “wing trails” because wings aren’t necessarily its identity (though the trophy on the bar may contradict that statement). But this cozy neighborhood Astoria bar is beyond worthy of satisfying anybody’s wing craving despite only two flavors on the menu to choose from. With Honey BBQ and Buffalo (mild/medium/hot/nuclear) as its only two offerings, Blackbird does sneak in frequent flavor specials and has been voted “Best Wings in Queens” more than once. Last year it was ranked by theinfatuation.com as one of the "12 Best Wings in NYC.” THAT, is a big claim. Even bigger, Blackbird's was awarded the first place trophy for "Best Wings in NYC" in 2023 by renowned Instagram wing experts, @lordofthwings. That's more than enough street cred to make it on our Queens Wing Trail!
A popular bar/restaurant in Astoria with no website, and not much for social media, but a hidden gem nonetheless. The USA Today called Dillinger's “Possibly the best wings in NYC.” They run frequent wing specials including 25-cent wing nights which you don’t see too much these days. It’s a New York City sports bar run by rabid Green Bay Packers fans. We’d suggest showing up in an Aaron Rodgers (Jets) jersey and selecting from one of the ten flavor selections on the menu. If you’re a Packers fan, you’ll love it there even more!
The Mad Donkey claims to have the “Best Wings in Town,” so we’ll give them the chance to prove it. Six flavors include some of the classics along with Tomatillo Salsa Verde wings and their signature Donkey Sauce (a spicy BBQ). The Donkey has been a popular 36th Ave local bar for over a decade and you’ll feel right at home.
The Huntress teamed up with the Broken Bow Brewery out of Tuckahoe NY to bring Long Island City a place to enjoy a well-rounded draft beer selection. In the process, they've become one of the city's most mouth-watering chicken wing destinations as well. If the name doesn’t say it all, wait until you see the wing menu! Traditional and creative and a rotating “special” wing as well. This not your daddy’s wing joint! This place is gold! Wings are slow smoked for six hours and flash fried to order. Additional cooking styles including slow braised, roasted, and straight up oil fried. Known for the “Best Burgers in Queens,” but this place is a Wingaddicts paradise!
This legendary Queens spot is a BBQ lover’s dream come true. While we shy away from including BBQ joints on our Wing Trails, we make exceptions for the truly great ones. This is one of those. Pig Beach slow smokes their jumbo wings and finishes them off in the fryer for perfect smoke and crispiness. You can order their Hatch Vinegar Buffalo or Hot Honey Dry Rub, both of which come with a side of Alabama White Sauce. We bet you’ll take photos of these wings before you eat them!
If you’re a soccer fan, this will be your favorite stop on the wing trail as they broadcast futbol from all around the world. If you’re a wings fan (and we know you are) you’ll be just as happy. Famous for its “extra potent” margaritas and large draft beer menu, Bar 43 (Soccer Republic) has one of the best wing selections in Queens with 15 flavors of “Atomic Wings” to choose from, no matter how hot you like them! They were named “Best Sports Bar in Queens” by Foursquare.
Only one mile to the south-west of its sister location, The Huntress, Baroness is more well-known for its burgers. It also has a lesser wing selection than its sister but is exciting and trail worthy nonetheless. "Savage Wings" are slow smoked for six hours here, then flash fried and served in mild or hot, Carolina Gold, Soy Ginger Teriyaki, Mango Habanero and “Black and White.”
Tabbed as a high-end destination, Brewery Bar is a craft beer bar with 24 craft beers on tap along with an extensive list of local and imported beers and cocktails. Great looking menu which includes jumbo wings in six flavors; Brewery Sticky Sauce, Buffalo, BBQ, Mango Habanero, Sweet Thai Chili and Garlic Parmesan. You'll get that cozy Irish Pub feel as you crush great wings and enjoy sports on their numerous television screens.
Recently restored under new ownership, Sunswick 35/35/ (named because of its location at the corner of 35th Ave and 35th Street in Astoria, Queens) serves 25 beers on tap, some traditional and unique pub fare and a solid wing menu. Select from your classic Buffalo in any heat level, BBQ, Honey, Honey Mango Chipotle, Pineapple Habanero or receive them naked with your favorite sauces on the side.
UFC isn’t your typical wing destination. We wouldn’t even call it a wing joint. And while we seldom include Korean spots on our wing trails, this one is so super-unique that we just had to. Let’s start with their claim, “Best in the Universe.” Since opening in 2007, UFC has served only Tecumseh Farms wings (the only chicken producer in the US to offer chicken that is both certified organic and human, per Humane Farm Animal Care). They serve their signature Korean fried chicken wings in five flavors including Hot, Soy Garlic, BBQ Mustard, Sweet and Spicy and Plain. The NY Times rated them the #1 Korean Fried Chicken in all of NYC. I mean Anthony Bourdain ate there for goodness sake. UFC is heavily responsible for the current Korean chicken boom in the US.
Celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year, this family business opened up in Rego Park with the mission statement “Appreciate Your Customer.” That’s music to anybody’s ears, especially ours. Tropix is an institution in its community, constantly giving back. During Covid, Tropix ran a “Wings to Warriors” program delivering wings to local hospitals, EMS and the 112th precinct. You’ll love it because of the 28-flavor wing menu (the biggest selection on the Queens Trail), the tropical palm tree vibe and the friendly service. They also have Happy Hour daily and DJ music on weekends. This place is a treasure.
O’Neill's opened its doors the day prohibition ended in December, 1933 and has been family-run for three entire generations. It’s fair to say that every Maspeth resident has been through these hallowed doors at one point or another throughout their lives. Some might have been lucky enough to have been there when the New York Mets showed up after winning the 1986 World Series! You’ll be lucky to walk in there anytime and experience O’Neill’s Famous Wings. The menu has Buffalo, Jack Daniels, Thai Chili, Honey Mustard, Hot and Sweet, Garlic Butter, Honey Glazed, BBQ, Sweet and Sour, Pineapple BBQ, Cajun and Chipotle BBQ.
Boasting its “elevated” pub fare, this Forest Hills gastropub is right next door to the Long Island Railroad Station and is super popular for its craft beers, bespoke cocktails and insane bourbon, scotch, rye and tequila lists. The Station House has also gained acclaim for its unique wing game. They serve farm style jumbo wings in full sections that are fried with a light house breading in four flavors. We recommend the Pickled Pepper wing but you can’t go wrong with the BBQ, Mild Buffalo or Signature Hot wing. While the flavor selection may not blow your mind, the experience will. Infatuation.com ranked Forest Hills as one of the “12 Best Wings in NYC.”
Austin’s has been a staple in the Kew Gardens community for over 30 years. Enjoy a selection of more than 60 beers (20 on tap) and select from a dozen foundational chicken wing flavors, fried traditionally. Eat at the bar, in the dining room or outside on the patio and watch the games on multiple TV’s.
After 40 years as a local hotspot in Rego Park, Bridie's moved a few miles to the heart of Middle Village at the start of 2024. New location, same great wing game! These guys take their wings seriously as evidenced by the separate “Bridie's Famous Wings” section on the menu that boasts nearly 20 exciting flavors with frequent specials popping up as well. When a restaurant claims to have the “Best Wings in Queens” you need to stop in and investigate! This spot is absolutely one of the crown jewels of the Queens Wing Trail.
Millard Fillmore was the 13th president of the United States and the last ever from the Whig Party. He was never elected, but ascended to office from VP when President, Zachary Taylor died in office in 1850. While being fed a bowl of soup on his own deathbed in 1874 (in Buffalo, NY), Fillmore’s last words were “the nourishment is palatable.”Well the nourishment is a lot more than palatable at the tavern that bears his name, having been voted “Best Wings in Queens” three years running in 2022, 2023 and 2024 by bestof.qns.com. Current owner Adam Tortora started as a bartender on his 21st birthday and purchased the bar on its 40th Anniversary. While there are only four traditional flavors on the menu, they are listed as the “Whig Wing Party.” And now you know why. Wink.
This cool and trendy bar/restaurant is owned by a fourth-generation Astorian who loves his city. The restaurant itself is an homage to the New York City skyline, specifically that famous photograph of the union workers eatin lunch on the trestle (you know the one) while building the great city. The wing menu is also a small one, offering Buffalo, BBQ, Sweet Chili and Lemon Pepper wings, but they are an area favorite and have won critical acclaim. And while we wouldn’t officially consider Trestle to be a “wing joint” we do 100% recommend a visit there on our Queens Wing Trail.
This Forest Hills bar/restaurant is borderline in its classification as a “wing joint,” because it is popular for so many other things. But Acey Ducey’s is a must addition to our wing trail because its another big-time local favorite. Acey’s has been voted “Best Wings” in multiple customer voting polls and social media surveys and has delicious wings in Buffalo, Garlic Parm, BBQ, Sweet Thai Chili, Chipotle BBQ, Honey Garlic, Teriyaki and Bob Marley. Also known for killer burgers, Acey’s has a large draft beer collection along with multiple TV’s and dart boards in its “Darts and Suds Parlour.”
So there are 19 of our most-recommended wing destinations in the Queens borough. Certainly we may have missed some and would love to hear about those. Please feel free to email me directly at tommy@wingaddicts.com to open that discussion. Also, please download the FREE Wingaddicts App and leave reviews for YOUR favorite wings and wing joints. Because as we love to say, the only opinion that really matters is yours!
Wings up!
Tommy Wyatt is co-founder of Wingaddicts and author of this “Under the Wingfluence" blog. He can be reached directly by email at tommy@wingaddicts.com
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