Wingaddicts BLOG
/wingaddicts/Screen_Shot_2021-06-30_at_2.10.38_PM-vc3ff.png)
Updated: August 2024
Back in July 2021, after a solid year-and-a-half of Wingaddicts, I wrote this blog entitled “CT’s 25 Best Buffalo Wings.” In it, I reviewed my personal favorite buffalo wings (up to that point) from Connecticut establishments. This post has since circulated world wide and continues to receive thousands of clicks three full years later.
To date, we’ve eaten “buffalo style” wings at more than 200 CT restaurants and have had so many great ones. With all the new data, and considering that seven of my original 25 have gone out of business, I felt compelled me to re-write the blog in the interest of correct information. Only 14 remain from my original list.
So here is my new (personal favorite) list of Best Buffalo Wings in Connecticut. As you read it, please keep two things in mind. First, we’ve been to some outstanding locations where we didn’t happen to order Classic Buffalo that day (after all, we’re on a quest to eat 1,000 different flavors and are always looking for variety). Second, I’ve taken 250 restaurants and narrowed them down to 25. Some, clearly, were left at the border.
But as always, the only opinion that really matters is YOURS, so I’d love to hear your input! Here’s MY Top 25 in alphabetical order:
Archie Moore’s, New Haven (4 locations)
The state’s very first restaurant to serve chicken wings on the menu is still the OG. With multiple locations around CT, my favorite is the New Haven spot and the original buffalo recipe is world class. You can even buy it by the bottle in grocery stores.
This is such a high quality restaurant that wings can sometimes be an afterthought when you show up. But don’t let that happen to you. Chef Red is a genius in the kitchen and while we’ve had some insane flavor combos there, the buffalo recipe is as good as anywhere.
Blind Rhino in Black Rock and S.Norwalk
I almost need a new dictionary to find the words to describe the wings here. The Rhino competes in more competitions than any other CT establishment (and usually wins). They have so many great flavors but that Spicy Buffalo is a multiple time National Award Winner. Rightly so.
The wing mecca of Connecticut has over 150 flavors on the menu so, full disclosure, I’ve only ordered “buffalo” wings there one time. But Dew Drop has a commitment to excellence in all of its ingredients and is one of the few places who cooks from fresh. I probably won’t ever order buffalo style there again, but only because there are SOOOO many more I need to try.
This is a surprise entry to the list, but only because Fireplace is known for its main thing; pizza. Named Best Pizza in Southington for 20-something years straight, most people don’t think to order wings there. We (of course) do. In addition to a proprietary dry rub ingredient, Fireplace oil fries and finishes the wings off in the pizza oven. They hit differently there. (As do all the other flavors). Hidden Gem Alert!
Similar to Dew Drop, Groggy is at the top of "Wingaddicts Mount Crushmore” offering 70 mouth-watering flavors on its menu. Also like Dew Drop, the straight “buffalo” style wing is A-plus but can get lost in the shuffle. Doesn’t matter though. This place is wing gold.
Another of the state’s greatest wing destinations, Hard Hat has three locations now but my heart belongs to the original bar in North Haven. This place is famous for it’s “Doob style” wings which means they oil fry, sauce, and then grill the wings. The Doob Buffalo wings are by far their top seller but - depending on your sauce preference - I recommend asking for a second saucing or an extra cup of sauce on the side. Oh mamma!
It’s hard to bring yourself to order straight buffalo wings at The Hub, considering they have a ridiculous weekly wing special that always tastes as insanely good as it sounds. But I put their buffalo wings against anybody’s. Similar to Fireplace Pizza (above) the Hub finishes its wings off in that wood-fired pizza oven for a unique and delicious experience.
This out of the way Southington spot is another great wing stop with a top-level buffalo wing on a fairly extensive menu. The “Jacked up” buffalo is completely unforgettable.
This little Seymour watering hole has blossomed into one of the best wing joints in the state since being taken over by fourth-generation owner Chris Caruso. The menu is creative and extensive, the dive bar atmosphere is absolutely classic, and the wing game is on point. While I’d skip the Buffalo wings if I could only order one flavor, I never order just one flavor. Haha. Excellent classic buffalo wings.
J.Timothy’s Taverne, Plainville
No, they’re not overrated. They’re among the best wings in the entire world. Period. Most CT “buffalo” wing conversations start and stop right here. J.Tim’s is nationally renowned for their “Dirt” wings which consist of a complex double fry technique that they have perfected over the years. J.Tim’s doesn’t have a huge wing flavor menu, but sells more wings than anybody else in the state.
Knuckleheads Taproom, Wallingford
This restaurant is in a class by itself. It’s just cool. They do so many things here, it would be wrong to call Knuckleheads a “wing joint.” But I’ve eaten every wing on their menu and they give their Buffalo wings a special twist that makes them completely unique. They also have a secret “fire dust” that you can sprinkle on if you're "that guy."
The Lodge is your local, down-to-earth, hometown dive bar in Southbury/ Southford. Smoke on the patio, drink at the bar, shoot pool, and eat whatever pub fare suites you best. I’ve been eating the buffalo wings there for over 20 years. They’re probably exactly how they turned out back in 1964 when they invented the flavor at Anchor Bar in Buffalo. No frills.
We’ve been to hundreds of restaurants (as I mentioned previously) and Old Well stands out as one of the most memorable. The wing game there is different than anywhere else with the flavor combos, different cook methods and overall atmosphere and the Buffalo wings I ate in my one visit were A-plus.
One of the pillars of Mount Crushmore. If you’re a wing enthusiast you need to get over to this Oakville wing titan. Another spot with multiple flavors (and they do awesome things with wasabi - if that’s your bag), their Buffalo wings are some of the best you’ll find anywhere and its undeniably one of the best wing spots in Connecticut.
This is your classic Shelton home town dive bar constantly frequented by locals who wouldn’t go anyplace else. Nothing fancy at Porky’s. They have four flavors that you can mix any way you like. But the star of the show here is the Buffalo wing. It would be impossible to argue that its one of the very best in the state.
Another great wing spot on Rt 67, this Seymour location is a member of the CT Wing Trail for a reason. Solid traditional Buffalo wing with a perfect cook on it.
Rabbit Hole Tavern, Old Saybrook
On the CT shoreline, Rabbit Hole takes the Buffalo Wing to another realm. There isn’t a huge flavor selection here, but their Buffalo wings are available in different heat levels with movie ratings. In other words G, PG, R and XXX. The latter is for mature audiences only, but I was beyond impressed with the “R” rated Buffalo wings there. Excellent and unique.
The ONLY wing destination in the town of Redding and one of very few within a ten-mile radius in any direction, RRH would be a top wing spot anywhere on this planet. Lots of great flavors and the Buffalo is on point.
Rose’s Family Restaurant, Oxford
While I get giddy for the Carbonara and Gorgonzola Cherry Pepper Cream wings here, the Buffalo wings are best categorized as classic and traditional. Because they’re cooked to perfection, the classic hot sauce/ butter recipe would make you feel like you were in Buffalo if you closed your eyes.
This place didn’t even exist when I wrote the initial article three years ago. But Salty has risen up to become one of CT’s best wing-focused newcomers. Big menu. Lots of flavors. Great sports bar atmosphere. When a place really cares about the wings it shows. Salty Dog is no exception.
Buffalo sauces can be pretty similar, and mostly because many places use bottled sauce or just mix hot sauce and butter. When Sliders opened in 1992, they got started with their own sauce recipe right from jump street. Today, over 30 years and five CT locations later, you can purchase this sauce bottled online. Unlike most of the great CT wing spots with huge menus (and I’ve eaten all 33 flavors on theirs) my favorite at Sliders is the Classic Hot Buffalo. All day long.
Tenth Hole Tavern, Glastonbury
This little hole in the wall in Glastonbury is a place nobody talks about. But that’s only because nobody knows about it. It’s a tiny restaurant on a nine-hole golf course (hence the name) that serves personal pizzas, modern pub fare and chicken wings that are traditional but at the same time, unique. They have a proprietary dry rub dust that they use on many of their flavors. It takes the classic buffalo wing to a different level.
One of the original spots responsible for CT wing heritage, and another with dozens of flavors on the menu. People in Danbury will fight you if you say you don’t like these wings. And you will. The first CT restaurant to have an actual “Wing Menu,” TK’s has been smashing out world class wings for over 30 years. Another spot known for a huge flavor list, and especially famous for its flavor-mix combos, the buffalo wings stand up against anybody’s.
The Willimantic Brewing Company, to use its full name, is best known for its beer. It’s also super popular for its tacos. But while the wing list is smaller, and we almost wouldn’t even classify Willibrew as a “wing joint,” we enjoyed six flavors and the buffalo was the most unforgettable. One thing setting it apart is that they give you a ‘grilled’ option if you’re willing to wait a few extra minutes. Do that.
Wing It On!, Waterbury (multiple locations)
I can’t say enough about this little Waterbury spot (which has now grown into a national franchise in just five years). Normally I don’t get excited about fast-food style, takeout wings (ie Wingstop, Wings Over, etc) but WiO does it at a different level. Don’t just take it from me. They won “Best Medium-Heat Buffalo Wings” at the National Buffalo Wing Festival two years running.
So there you have it. It was painful for me to hold off seven more restaurants that I really wanted to add, but I wanted to stay at 25. If there’s a Wingaddict out there reading this who has already had every buffalo wing on this list then I’ll personally send you the others. If you’re somebody who disagrees with any of my entries, just remember its my personal opinion. That means you can argue, but you’ll be wrong!
Did I forget your favorite spot? Let me know. I'll either try it, or try it again! Frankly, I've never met a wing I didn't like! And remember, this list is only my opinion of BUFFALO wings that I've tried. Not "best wings." Not "best buffalo wings." But Tommy's best buffalo wings!
Wings up!
/wingaddicts/Screen_Shot_2021-06-30_at_2.06.22_PM-dc73b.png)
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
Join Facebook’s largest private group of wing enthusiasts "Wingaddicts Community" , check out over 300 YouTube videos and follow them on all social media platforms @wingaddicts. Also, don't forget to download the most-inclusive chicken wing app in the world, for FREE in your app store or by clicking this link!
/wingaddicts/images/wingaddicts_finalTM_Logo-q080b.png "wingaddicts Logo TM"){kind=logo}
/wingaddicts/Wingaddicts_cartoons-z18e6.png "Wingaddicts cartoons")
/wingaddicts/WingaddictsAppPic_1.png "wingaddicts App")
/wingaddicts/images/BlogLogo-2.png)
