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Photo by Corey Miller
Joshua Lofton of Craft 31 shows off a plate of wings.
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Photo by Corey Miller
Oak Smoked & Fried Wings from Amber Ox Public House
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Photo by Corey Miller
Craft 31
Americans gobble an estimated 1.33 billion chicken wings during Super Bowl weekend each year, says the National Chicken Council, the trade association for chicken producers and processors.
And while March Madness keeps the demand high, this tiny, saucy snack has come a long way since its creation in Buffalo, New York, in 1964. Its weaved its way into American culture and become a staple on the menu of every sports bar and in many homes when it’s game time.
In fact, what was once a snack or starter is now acceptable even as an entrée and enjoyed beyond game days. The versatility of the wing is what makes it so popular. Baked. Deep fried. Breaded. Naked. Dripping in sauce. Dry rubbed. The list goes on. Then add a side of dipping sauce to create even more combinations and the possibilities are nearly endless.
I tasked myself with finding the best wings in Williamsburg. The aforementioned varietals made this a rather daunting undertaking, so I plugged in a couple requirements: 1) no big chain restaurants, and 2) the wings had to be smoked. My quest led me to these four restaurants:
#4 OLD CITY BBQ
These tasty wings come with a nicely made in-house sauce selection making them an easy option for those who enjoy a variety of flavors. Well-smoked, although a little on the smaller side, what makes these wings special is they’re also organic.
#3 TWO DRUMMERS SMOKEHOUSE
While the wings here are similar in size to Old City BBQ’s, they have one of the best smoked flavors of all others listed. They were slathered in an Alabama white barbecue sauce, which is creamy and sweet and did not overpower the smoked flavor. I was strongly tempted to list these as number 2, but while chicken wings are always on the menu, the smoked wings are only on special. Call ahead.
#2 CRAFT 31
What we have here are very meaty, subtly smoked wings with several flavor options—Memphis Sweet and Sticky, Dr. Pepper, BBQ Dry Rub, to name a few. The sauce is the dominant flavor, so be sure to try a few and pick your favorite. This is a great option for a party that enjoys a variety of styles and a messy, heavily-sauced wing.
#1 AMBER OX PUBLIC HOUSE
These wings come in only one style and that’s because these guys know what they’re doing. Big, juicy wings with an undeniable oak-smoked flavor and seasoned to compliment. House-made bread and butter pickles are the perfect accompaniment, and the buttermilk-tarragon dressing was a lovely departure from the classic ranch, but not too far from the beaten path to turn off diehard ranch fans. All the flavors come together to form a truly outstanding chicken wing.
I’m pleased to say that every restaurant on the list provided fast and friendly service. They all also have well-thought out menus, often even very creative, along with atmospheres pleasant for dining or a drink and snack at the bar.