Anyone find the wings at Buffalo Joe's a bit saltier now?

As a devoted fan of Buffalo Joe's in Evanston, I was dismayed to find myself steering some friends away from their up-to-now great (usually suicide-flavored) wings.

How did this occur? The last two or three times I've had what I remember to be my favorite buffalo wings in the area, I noticed a much saltier(?) taste to the chicken. Whether taken out (via a single party pan) or dining in (via a double order) -- and whether derived from the chicken or the sauce -- I found it actually difficult to finish my allotted meals (which tend to consist of buffalo wings and nothing else... well, maybe a mega-gutbuster soda, too).

At first, I figured it must just be me -- or that BJ's in Evanston was having an off day -- but when it happened repeatedly over the last couple of months, I began to get concerned. After confirming the odd flavor with another fellow fan of their wings (while also drawing no reaction from others who couldn't tell the difference), I now bring the issue to you, my brave buffalo brethren.

Now there are those of you who don't like Buffalo Joe's in the first place, and I'm not directing this survey to you (and don't expect to change your mind on their fare by any means). I just want to see whether anyone else who still frequents the establishment has experienced this change in ingredients or preparation recently. I'm not close to anyone in management, unfortunately, so I was also wondering whether someone had or could provide an explanation for this shift in spicing. (I'm only speaking of the suicide-flavor wings as that's what I usually eat; they're the ones piled high with slices of jalapeno peppers). I have yet to confirm a similar change at the Howard Street location, but fear being disappointed yet again.

At any rate, thanks for reading the concerns of a hungry fan o' wings, and I hope you all have a Happy New Year.

--Dan

Buffalo Joe's on Clark has always been my standard (I actually prefer them to wings I've had in Buffalo), but the last few times I've been there, the wings were anemic and, I don't know, they just taste different. I don't remember thinking they were saltier, but there is definitely something different about them compared with what I remember the being like in the mid-90s. (I never did like the suicide wings--jalapeno and Buffalo sauce just tastes all sorts of wrong to me, but their mediums were fantastic.) They're still okay, but, like you, I've become hesitant to recommend them.

Binko wrote:Buffalo Joe's on Clark has always been my standard (I actually prefer them to wings I've had in Buffalo), but the last few times I've been there, the wings were anemic and, I don't know, they just taste different. I don't remember thinking they were saltier, but there is definitely something different about them compared with what I remember the being like in the mid-90s.

I'm not exactly sure when this change occurred, but I distinctly remember still being amazed by the flavors (at least, when the meat was juicy, tender, and fresh outta the fryer) no longer than six months to a year or so ago. Perhaps there was a subtle shift in the sauce -- or the bags o' wings -- over the past year that I dismissed until the change was all too apparent? I'm not sure, but the end result was rather horrifying to this longtime fan. If I can drag myself into the Clark location again, I'll have to mention it to the staff if the altered taste persists (since I'd be dining in to get instant feedback, of course).

Sadly snobby in this case,
Dan

I've said it elsewhere but I'll repeat myself here. Joe's has slid pretty far imho. The wings are smaller, more broken bones, thinner, more anemic sauce, and the service has tanked. They've upped the price for soft drinks and they charge for ranch dressing now.

It's a shame as I have fond memories going back to high school of meeting there with friends. I've gone back a few times overthe last year out of convenience more than anything and while they are good, something has changed, maybe it's me, maybe it's them, I dunno.

My buddies and I have been going to Buffalo Joe's for like the past 15 years, always considering them to have the best Buffalo wings around and for years went at least every month or two. In recent years we dropped back to once or twice a year because of marriages and just being to busy to make the trip for our guys nights out.

About a month ago we went and we were really disappointed. As others have mentioned, the wings were a bit slight on meat (remembered big, fat wings) and the sauce was definitely not the great sauce of the past. We thought they must be using some sort of pre-made restaurant supply sauce similar to BW3, not a real Buffalo wing sauce made from Louisiana hot sauce and butter. I felt as though I was tasting a week wing sauce base that was spiked with a capsaicin concentrate, while it was spicy the distinct cayenne pepper flavor of Louisiana hot sauce was weak.

Another bad sign was that the back room stunk like garbage coming from that back kitchen/washing room. I meant to call the manager to complain but never got around to it and forgot.

I'll give it one more try and that's it, and if it's still bad I'm going to complain for sure. I want this place to be great like it use to be.

It's nice to know that the changes I'd been noticing at BJ's -- before I stopped going there entirely -- were not merely figments of my imagination.

Frankly, I always thought the service was pretty lousy at the Clark St. location (can't think of another place that NEVER starts preparing a carry-out order until the customer arrives to make the pickup) but I used to put up with it because of the wings, which I thought were great.

Last few times out, the food was horrible. There was an odd sweetness to the wing sauce that was completely new and noticeably out of place. A very specific flavor profile had been changed and the change was so drastic and so negative, I couldn't believe that more wasn't being said about it. The place had turned on a dime. It was the kind of change that, to me, signified a belief that the customers weren't astute or discerning enough to notice anything.

Anyway, after a few unsatisfying visits, I stopped going. And until someone I trust assures me that things have returned to their original state, I have no plans to return. It's a bit of a bummer because I don't really have a 'go to' place for wings but no wings are better than lousy wings. And that's why I no longer eat at Buffalo Joe's.

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ronnie_suburban wrote:It's nice to know that the changes I'd been noticing at BJ's -- before I stopped going there entirely -- were not merely figments of my imagination.

I've been telling myself since I started this thread that I'd force myself to go back, but I haven't been able to muster the emotional fortitude to return. I can't waste any more good money on bad wings, but I feel a need to take this to management (if not a sympathetic employee or two) before giving up on 'em entirely. Any suggestions about the best way to broach the topic of changed recipes, ingredients, et cetera should I finally make the trip again?

Sadly,
Dan

On my trip home last weekend, I had to decide whether to go to Buffalo Joe's for some wings or Dengeo's for a gyro (both of which I can't find decent versions of here in the desert). Not heeding my sister's warnings, I opted for Buffalo Joes, further proving that my sister is always right.

The wings were scrawny and stringy, the suicide sauce lacked that bright orange color I fondly remembered and was now a muddy red, without that pungency that I used to love so much. They were salty and lacking that depth of flavor that made Buffalo Joe's my go-to wing joint when I still lived in Chicago. Buffalo chips are still good, and the ranch is still the same, thank goodness. Anyone know what kind of ranch they use? I've never encountered it anywhere but there.

It was a sad state of affairs, and I missed out on a gyro.

fastfoodsnob wrote:Any suggestions about the best way to broach the topic of changed recipes, ingredients, et cetera should I finally make the trip again?

Sadly,
Dan

When I was last in the store, I asked a manager about this and was told that "nothing had been changed." *sigh*

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