Okay...I admit I have been lurking on LTH for quite some time, and also freely admit that I don't like Top Ten Men's posts. I find them contrived and full of frat boy babble. Additionally, I get the feeling Top Ten simply wants a list of places for their website, rather than to experience the majestic dining possibilities lurking in " the Chi." Which is okay, but it just kind of irritates me.

I love this site, and even enjoy having Top Ten on it. There have been some very entertaining replies and posts because of him. My initial post was, in retrospect, probably a little harsh. Let's see if I can lurk a bit more lightly. Speaking of lurking, a fellow lurker and I were going to go into Honey 1 on Sunday in trench coats, hats and sunglasses, but our wives nixed the idea in favor of apple picking.

I suppose we should discourage the on-board discussion of other posters' flaws. So this is us, uh, discouraging it. Very, uh, firmly.

Of course, we also discourage stripmining the site and our community for information which will then be used elsewhere. It's one thing for all the different food sites and publications to cross-fertilize each other, which is what happens normally (although it would be nice to not just be referred to as "Internet Food Forums" once in a @$#*&ing while!), but we do take rather a dim view of "I'll pose the question here and post the answers on my own fantastic site (coming soon)." Just pointing that out. Now back to chicken wings.

I've been a long-time lurker who a. knows nothing of the beef (or should we amend this to "wing"?) between various posters and b. has considered making this post many times in the past!

My s.o. and I have been sampling the wings at many, many establishments for the last year or so in the quest to find the best wings in the city. This was spurred on by a serious letdown at Wing Fest, where we felt that the winning wings were quite dissapointing.

We've had quite a few disappointing ones (most recently at the Harold's location in the west loop - cold, didn't taste as if they had been fried at all - though the sauce was great if basic!), many more average ones (I would have to include Yak-Zies in that group), and a few surprisingly good ones.

The top two contenders at this point are Twisted Spoke (yes, really! - and both locations to boot) and Horseshoe (at Lincoln/Irving Park in North Center). Both places have a depth to their sauce that goes beyond Texas Pete + Butter, without going too far from what makes a wing a wing. Both use the jumbo wings rather than the sad little toothpicks one recieves at places such as BW3.

Horseshoe does a "regular" sauce(which seems to have a touch of sweetness and smokiness to it) and a "ring of fire" sauce for you masochists out there (I personally could not handle this one!) Great crispiness, and there's always enough sauce on the wings.

Twisted Spoke's are actually quite similar, with possibly a little more heat to their "regular" sauce. The clincher is the Jicima though. A much better accompaniment to the blue cheese dressing than celery!


Twisted Spoke
3365 N. Clark and 501 N. Ogden
Chicago

Horseshoe
4115 N. Lincoln
Chicago

jessicanono wrote:Horseshoe does a "regular" sauce(which seems to have a touch of sweetness and smokiness to it) and a "ring of fire" sauce for you masochists out there (I personally could not handle this one!) Great crispiness, and there's always enough sauce on the wings.

FYI, Monday is their discounted wing night (25 cents).
http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/sear ... 3912.event
http://www.horseshoechicago.com

I haven't had a chance to try their wings yet, but will be stepping up my efforts to do so...

jessicanono wrote:Horseshoe does a "regular" sauce(which seems to have a touch of sweetness and smokiness to it) and a "ring of fire" sauce for you masochists out there (I personally could not handle this one!) Great crispiness, and there's always enough sauce on the wings.

I went to Horseshoe yesterday to check out their wings. The ring of fire sauce is pretty good. Very buttery, with a mixture of their sweet BBQ sauce, hot sauce, and cayenne pepper, I believe. On a side note, on Wednesday they have $2 bowls of their chili, which is beanless but sooo good. It's basically a bowl of beef brisket chunks in a spicy red sauce. I also had to go there to congratulate Broken Cherry on the Double Crossers' win on Sunday. Next stop, the Ivy King Cup!

and less food.

This thread is becoming too wing-dominated so I thought I would direct it back to the earlier debate on what we call our fair city, and whether TopTenDude is an obvious interloper because of his usage. Just happened upon this from Chicago's own Scoop Jackson:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/st ... on/051011b

After the dreck about the Fab Five, there is a far superior segment on the 1989 "flyin'" Illini, in which Scoop refers to Chicago - couple of times - as "the Chi."

I'm just sayin' . . .

a.f.oneill wrote:and less food.

This thread is becoming too wing-dominated so I thought I would direct it back to the earlier debate on what we call our fair city, and whether TopTenDude is an obvious interloper because of his usage. Just happened upon this from Chicago's own Scoop Jackson:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/st ... on/051011b

After the dreck about the Fab Five, there is a far superior segment on the 1989 "flyin'" Illini, in which Scoop refers to Chicago - couple of times - as "the Chi."

I'm just sayin' . . .

He also is one of many who uses the "crilla" to refer to Chicago. Common uses "Chi-City" a lot on his new album, including a song with that title. "Chi-city, the city of wind"... he breaks all kinds of LTH-mandated statutes of Chicago nomenclature.

We are working on the LTH Style Guide, and will implement it electronically shortly, so that all references to "Chicago" will become "Crilla" automatically.

After the dreck about the Fab Five, there is a far superior segment on the 1989 "flyin'" Illini, in which Scoop refers to Chicago - couple of times - as "the Chi."

I'm just sayin' . . .

Yes, but you neglect to mention that Scoop Jackson is a drooling dolt and that ESPN's raison d'etre is the coining of "hip" phrases that will increase its social prestige with its target demographic--similarly drooling, doltish aging frat boys across America.

But wow, KFRP, that's a bit cynical (angry) don't you think? And I thought ESPN's raison d'etre, along with the rest of Disney, is to make money for its shareholders (at least it better be, dagnabbit). If seeming "hip" to its target demographic furthers this goal, well, I fail to see the problem.

"Drooling dolt" - ouch! Actually - and as an aside I don't much care for Scoop's column - I think his voice (along with other "Page 2" writers) is meant as the counterpoint to the more traditional ESPN columnists (Gammons, Capel, et al).

More importantly - does any of this somehow delegitimize "the Chi" as something locals use?

More importantly - does any of this somehow delegitimize "the Chi" as something locals use?

That's my point, it's not used by "the locals". It is a phrase deployed by a writer trying to imbue his product with the stamp of "insider-ness"--but without actually being on the "inside" of anything.

As for the raison d'etre of ESPN as a corporation, I suppose it is profit. But I was thinking more of their "experts", "personalities" and other such figures.

Kenny from Rogers Park wrote:

More importantly - does any of this somehow delegitimize "the Chi" as something locals use?

That's my point, it's not used by "the locals". It is a phrase deployed by a writer trying to imbue his product with the stamp of "insider-ness"--but without actually being on the "inside" of anything.

As for the raison d'etre of ESPN as a corporation, I suppose it is profit. But I was thinking more of their "experts", "personalities" and other such figures.

Once again, I find myself getting involved with this against my better judgement...but I hear a lot of kids/teens in my neighbourhood use terms like "Chi-city" and "The Chi". These are kids that were born and raised here, so I think they count as being "local". It could be a neighborhood thing, an age thing, or because they want to sound like Twista/Kanye/Common, but they are local and they do use it.

Not a phrase I'd use myself, but I've only been here for 4 years, so my personal opinion probably doesn't count for much on this subject...

Perhaps they picked it up from an internet food forum . . .

Kman wrote:Perhaps they picked it up from an internet food forum . . .

...

Is this a sign that many of us are getting old? It sounds like "the kids" might be starting to use this phrase...a phrase which I find grating on the ears and brain, to describe Chicago. As a life time resident well past the point of being described as one of "the kids", I have never heard this term used for our city before it was mentioned here a few weeks ago.

It reminds me of what Buck Henry told Martin Amis when the latter was doing a magazine piece on Hugh Hefner: "His real friends call him Ner."

a.f.oneill wrote:http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=jackson/051011b

After the dreck about the Fab Five

hmf... they're talkin about my time spent @ fabulous Umich. A^2 actually has an interesting wing place:
Mr. Spots
(734) 747-7768
808 S State St
menu here

one of the fiecest sauce i know.. can seriously remove your stomach lining when consumed in great quantities... back onto wings... last 10 replies above were uhh.. yah... *whatever*?

My vote goes to the Black Beetle on Chicago Avenue, west of Western. Juicy and meaty wings with plenty of perfectly balanced spicy/vinegary sauce. Served in a basket with the traditional carrots, celery and ranch or blue cheese dip. So delicious. Good beer selection too, and have never been disappointed with the rest of their menu....

Hey Chop,

Have you ever had the "vinaigrette" fries? Can you tell me more about them?

I'm looking for somewhere closer than Candlelite for something approaching those damn addictive garlic fries.

I get a serious jones for buffalo wings probably once a month and since I'm in the city now (new transplant from the western 'burbs) I wonder if all these suggestions from the last year or so still hold up. I've done the Buff Joe's and the standard bar wings, and I need to go on a wing excursion, much like the mandatory trip to Mecca, except spicier.

Has anyone ever made the trek to St. Charles and gone to Frantastic Wings? It's on North Ave. (rt. 64) in the shopping center with Geno's East. For my money, they've got the best wings I've ever had and they're worth the trip west. The service isn't great as it seems to be mostly stoned high schoolers running the place, but whatever setup they have in back seems to work.

I stick with the regular, buffalo style wings, hot, with their blue cheese dressing. The wings come right out of the fryer and are still violently hot when they reach the table. Sauce is excellent--nice and hot, with lots of tang. I don't know if it's the standard Franks + margarine, but either there's extra spices or even some extra vinegar in there. Either way, it's got that nice burn-your-nose essence to them.

Mild wings are good as well, and apparently their BBQ wings took second this year in the wingfest. They've also got your standard burgers and such menu, but after seeing the fish sandwich I'd just stick with wings and beer. Other quibbles include having to pay extra for celery and bleu cheese sauce--this should always be a part of the buffalo wing experience.

http://www.sparewheels.net/wing.htm

Frantastic Wings
1554 E. Main St.
St. Charles
630-584-9464

PS: Wingfest says Gator's Pub has the best wings. Any thoughts?

I'll second the recommendation for Frantastic Wings. I've been going there for about 6 to 7 years and they are always consistently good meaning crisp skin but not to the point of drying out the meat. The sauce is as described by whiskeybent which is most likley Franks plus fat and some extra spices. It works well and satisfies the craving for an archetypal buffalo wing when I don't feel like getting grease all over my kitchen.

Even though im a first time poster, im a longtime lurker and this thread is my favorite one on the site due to my love of wings and the great suggestions by the posters. The best wings that I have ever tasted are at Jakes eat it and beat in Kansas City theyre smoked and fall off the bone but thats for another thread. I have found what have become my favorite wings in Chicago and they are found at House of Wing on Clark street 1 block north of fullerton. The place is run by an old chinese man who cooks the food and his grandson who cant be older than 15 who runs the register. They offer 2 styles regular and chrunchy with either buffalo or bbq sauce. I really love the crispy style buffalo they are done to perfection. The grandpa puts more TLC into these things than Ive ever seen he might as well be making the flour in the back as well. The best part is they deliver to the Lincoln Park area and are open till 3am on the weekends. One tip I have is to put in your order before you come and before you pick them up if you take them to go, the grandpa puts so much care into to these things it can take 20 minutes to make them at times. These wings are crispy juicy and the buffalo sauce is very tasty. These wings rank right up there as one of chicagos best and I urge people to try them and not a better night to do so than monday for the National Championship to bad its sans Illinois. Holladay.



House of Wing - (773) 929-9421 - 2447 N Clark St

Buffalo Joe’s has long been my standard for wings but I never find myself in that neighborhood anymore. The last time I went out of my way to get there the wings were so scrawny and grey I found them inedible. Major disappointment.

Today, by chance, I found myself in reasonable proximity to Da Beef’s rec of House of Wings. The parking gods smiled on me as I found a spot right in front with time on the meter.

The interior is cramped, (3) micro tables with a couple of stools along the counter window. Aside from the wings, the typical dog, beef, etc was offered. The oldster was manning the register and a possible illegal worked in back cleaning celery with care.

Wings are offered single, double, or party order. A single order is $5.25 for eight pieces or $5.75 for “crispy” -- they could be ordered buffalo or BBQ. I immediately appreciated the fact that celery and blue cheese or ranch came with the order and they described the quantity in terms of “pieces” and not “wings” as others obfuscate. There was no heat level specification offered.

There was no line as I placed my single order for crispy buffalo ranch (I know I know). I sat in a stool and watched said oldster shuffle off to work. The wings went in the deep fryer, and I amused myself with a pencil puzzle I keep in my back pocket for just such occasions. Several others placed orders for non-wing fare as I bided my time. After checking, meticulously, several times, the wings were plopped into a Tupperware-like container. Some sauce was precisely squirted onto the chicken. A top was affixed with some fasteners and said oldster began to shake the wings. He made sure to shake them to the east, west, north, and south – upside down, sideways, and aright. He was almost dancing. He removed the securing mechanisms, found something amiss, resecured and danced some more.

The wings were placed in the standard three compartment cardboard container along with many celery pieces, a container of decent dressing, two wet naps, and a hard candy mint. I wanted to shout stop as the container went with care into a plastic bag that he tied in one of those ways I can’t figure out – but I was stuck in the moment – I also knew I pack cold steal that could make quick work of those fiendish plastic bag tie-ers.

Total wait time (14) minutes that I did not find excruciating. Still plenty of time on the parking meter. Enough time to whip out the camera. I wish digital cameras made that cool auto-film-advance sound as I coaxed my model to be her sexy self. Maybe I need another hobby.

The wings were quite meaty. Any more and the skin/fat to meat ratio would suffer. They were cooked to perfection – I’m leary of them undercooked and well done is a disaster. The sauce definitely tasted “buffalo” flavor. A bit of vinegar, a bit of heat, a bit sweet, though it lacked much butter flavor. The wings were crisp from a light coating of corn starch (?). They were delicious and the celery particularly fresh and cool. A winner all around.

In the great chicken wing pantheon that exists in the gullet of my mind’s eye Buffalo Joe’s, at the top of its game, still reigns supreme, though the wings were never as meaty. I might wish for a bit more heat and oleo from House of Wings, but considering the great care and pride put into the product, and the end result, I wish to change my mind.

House of Wings
2447 N Clark
773-929-9421
M-Th 11-9
F-S: 11-3
Sun: 12-8
Delivery offered

-ramon

Regarding the House of Wings.

I totally agree with how meaty the wings are. But for whatever reason, the one time I ordered delivery from them, the meat's texture was quite rubbery.

That's because the wings steam in the takeout container on their way to you. That's why the wings from Domino's suck so badly (in addition to the fact they are from Domino's).

Those House of Wings wings look mighty fine to me. I've passed the place a hundred tims and never stopped. That must change.

Those House of Wings wings look mighty fine to me. I've passed the place a hundred tims and never stopped. That must change.

Seconded. That picture makes my mouth water.
Love them wings.

Any suggestions for non-buffalo or non-bbq wings?

The best wings I have ever had were in Baltimore's Lexington Market and they were at this asian place which served them up in some honey teriyaki kind of glaze. That what I'm jonesing for. something like that with asian flavors.

any ideas besides making them myself?

Kitchen Monkey wrote:Any suggestions for non-buffalo or non-bbq wings? The best wings I have ever had were in Baltimore's Lexington Market and they were at this asian place which served them up in some honey teriyaki kind of glaze. That what I'm jonesing for. something like that with asian flavors.

The gan pon chicken wings at Great Sea (3254 W Lawrence) are very good. I’d go so far as to say they’re among the best chicken wings of any sort in Chicago.

I'm a picky chicken wing person.

Many times they are underdone or bland. There is not really a place in Chicago I really like enough to recommend.

I know this is eating out forum, but I really like Uncle Dougie's wing sauce that you make at home. Real vinegery sauce with some kick. Not hot but tasty/spicy. Plus if you follow the directions all the fat is cooked away (the wings are baked, not fried). Meat falls off the bone. My personal favorite.

I have perused LTH many times in the past and thoroughly enjoyed some of the recommendations cited here. Finally I have something minor to provide.

I am a big fan of Schoolyard Tavern's chicken wings. They are meaty and possess a tasty, crispy outer layer. They can be ordered in a variety of sauces...the sweet and spicy really gets my taste buds jumping. And I believe they have a deal on Thursday nights - 20 cent wings.

Schoolyard Tavern & Grill
3258 N Southport (at School)
773-528-8226