NORTH CENTRAL TRAIL (#5 of 7)

The "North Central Trail" is the fifth path on the new CT Wing Trail and features eleven wing spots mostly around the Hartford area and directly north. While none of these spots have yet to be featured on Wingaddicts RELAPSE episodes (which places them in the CT Wing Hall of Fame) FOUR of them are on the schedule to be added in 2023. Shhh. Can you guess which ones? 

Regardless, each of these spots is unique in its own rite and each one will provide a memorable wing experience. If you'd like a video preview, just click on the wing photos below to see the Wingaddicts visit and learn more about each restaurant!

As you eat your way through our awesome wing state, please be sure to log into the Wingaddicts App, go to the restaurant's profile page, snap a wing pic, and leave a short review! You'll earn 1,500 rewards points on the "Leaderboard" (found in the Library section) and your wing stop will be registered towards the Trail Challenge! 

If you've already been to any of the spots on the trail and still have your wing photo, go to the app and add it in. That counts! 

FOUR DAD'S PUB

We like to think we're the ones who discovered this place (which, of course, isn't true). But Four Dad's Pub  became an instant Wingaddicts classic when we stopped into their little Granby location. With an 80's rock and roll theme (live music) and an electric atmosphere the four dad's (Dante, Mike, Eugene and Mario) created a special restaurant/bar. They recently opened a second location in Hartford (adding pizza) but their wing game is among the best in Connecticut. (Spoiler Alert: they're next up on our RELAPSE calander). You'll find ten wing flavors on this insane menu with a constant addition of creative (and mouth watering) specials. We simply cannot pick a favorite. We love them all.

OLD WELL TAVERN

One of the oldest operating bars in the state, Old Well has had many different owners, many different names, and many different stories. Frank Cardoso and his wife Erika Lange took over in 2008 and created Old Well Tavern in this building that was built in 1730. If the walls could talk. The only location (that we know of) with an actual body buried in the basement (Seth), this is one of the most unique wing spots we've ever been to. With amazing flavors named after customers, friends and family members you'll want to try most of them. And you should. Wings here are fried, grilled and sometimes even smoked. This place  is special.

BLACKBOARD CAFE

Right around the corner from Bradley Airport in Hartford / South Windsor, the Blackboard was opened by Greg "Blackboard" Buceivicius in 2006. It's a large dive-bar atmosphere with pool tables, dart boards, foosball, shuffleboard, beer pong, an expansive craft beer selection and a menu that has 27 wing flavors! Only the locals know about this little gold mine. We'd suggest you try the Glottony or the Crack wings! 

BEACHLAND TAVERN

We first discovered the magic when we stopped into Beachland Smoke (a BBQ themed version) back in 2020. BSmoke closed its doors, but Chip Kohn's Beachland Tavern, in West Hartford, is the originator of these famous smoked wings and serves them up in Buffalo, BBQ, Sweet Garlic Chili, Honey Mustard, Honey Chipotle and (our favorite) "Kitchen Sink Sauce." You can have your choice of slow smoked wings (which we recommend) or oil fried the traditional way. Of course, we ate them all. You won't be disappointed.

CARMINE'S BAR GRILL & STAGE

Carmine Pellegrino opened this establishment so he could have a place to jam with his bandmates on weekends. This live music venue, next door to Goodwin College in East Hartford, then transformed into a top-notch Italian-fare bar/restaurant. The menu offers five basic wing flavors, but all are cooked perfectly and presented professionally. We loved all five.

MULBERRY STREET PIZZA

Mulberry is famous in Manchester for the word on the sign. "Pizza." The town's overwhelming favorite for pizza, also dishes out the wings though. The Sulick family Bob, Dee and their son Colin will make you feel like part of the family when you walk through the doors. With eleven wing flavors to pick from, many locals recommended the Sweet Chili which was excellent. Since our visit we've noticed that they've added an interesting-looking flavor we've never heard of . . . Peanut Butter Ginger. Meet me at the Mulb!  

ARTISANAL BURGER CO

A spot that might never drum up the image of wings (pun intended), because it's name ABC (Artisanal Burger Co) screams BURGERS. While ABC has some of the best hand-crafted, locally-sourced burgers you may ever eat, TV's and a full bar with a great craft beer selection, it also has America's new favorite food. And while wings play a small role in this movie, they can't be overlooked. ABC slow smokes its wings and serves them in six flavors including a Pastrami Dry Rub that's unique and a must-try. Forgive our wing shot, but we had technical difficulties that night! Haha

ROOSTERS CHICKEN & WAFFLES

The chicken wing purist might overlook Roosters because it's in a class almost by itself. These wings are classic breaded fried chicken wings and come in a wide array of delicious flavors that soak right in. You'll be hard pressed to find meatier or more-flavorful wings anywhere. Colonel Sanders is rolling over in his "gravy!" I can't remember us ever having this big a feast. I get immediately full just thinking about it! Roosters has six CT locations on the trail, so you can try them in East Hartford, Wethersfield, New Britain, Berlin, Manchester or Meriden. It's a fast-food type place doing mostly takeout, so don't expect to sit down for a beer.

FLYING MONKEY

"Flying Monkey Wings" are the VERY first thing you see when you pick up a menu in this awesome family bar and grill restaurant! Owner Junior Baez created a masterpiece in this "airline-themed" easy-access location with pub-fare as well as delicious dinner entrees. Their jumbo wings are par-baked and deep fried with their proprietary "Monkey Rub" and served in some super unique flavors. We loved them all but particularly the Spicy Monkey (topped with peppers) and this Drunken Grubin' Monkey wing. 

FORK & FIRE

Tucked away in a small plaza which includes Farmington's most-popular pizza joint, Naples Pizza, Fork & Fire is an American restaurant and bar with a rotating list of local craft beers on draft and signature cocktails all served in a relaxed and cozy atmosphere. Kurt Kruczek (who also owns Naples Pizza) has all of his cuisine prepared in house from scratch using a "no corners cut" method. There are only four flavors on the menu, so you can get them all! We did. Oh, and we didn't add Naples to the Wing Trail but as long as you're there . . . they're legit too!

FIVE CORNERS

In the famous "five corners" section of Farmington, Christos and Despina Theodoropoulous created a beautifully restored Mid-Century Contemporary eatery which offers a unique New American seasonal menu. In addition to a huge selection of craft beers, they also offer wine on tap and 80 different selections of gin. In addition to a full lunch, dinner and weekend brunch menu they also offer four wing flavors. We ate them all. Our fave? The Sticky Asian wings. 

How many of these awesome wing joints can you visit in 2023? The Wingaddicts app will easily keep track of your visits, or you could just print out the checklist to do it the "old fashioned way!"

Download the new Wingaddicts Starter Wings app for FREE in your app store or by clicking this link!

Join Facebook’s largest group of wing enthusiasts "Wingaddicts Community" , follow them on Instagram @wingaddicts  and be sure to subscribe to the Wingaddicts channel on YouTube to see over 250 episodes!  You can also learn about more sauces in the Wingaddicts "Saucy Saturday" playlist on the YouTube channel.

Want to contact the Wingaddicts personally? Tommy, Doni the Cleaner and Wingchef Ryan communicate regularly through the "Wingaddicts Community" on Facebook.