The Fiery Debate Over Buffalo Sauce's Origins

As Super Bowl 60 approaches, the true creator of the iconic spicy chicken wings remains a point of contention.

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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The origin story of Buffalo sauce, the tangy and spicy condiment that has become a beloved staple of bar food and Super Bowl parties, is a topic of debate. While the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York claims to have invented the sauce when the owners' wife Teressa Bellissimo fried up extra chicken wings in hot sauce, there are other accounts that suggest the recipe may have been inspired by similar sauces served at other restaurants in the region. As Americans prepare to consume a record 1.48 billion chicken wings during Super Bowl 60, the question of who deserves credit for creating the iconic Buffalo sauce remains a point of contention.

Why it matters

Buffalo sauce has become a cultural phenomenon, with the spicy condiment now appearing on menus across the country. As the Super Bowl approaches, the debate over the sauce's origins highlights the importance of food traditions and the way regional specialties can take on national significance. Understanding the history of Buffalo sauce also sheds light on the evolution of American cuisine and the ways in which culinary innovations can spark fierce rivalries.

The details

The most widely known origin story of Buffalo sauce comes from the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, where owner Frank Bellissimo's wife Teressa is said to have fried up extra chicken wings in hot sauce to serve as a bar snack. However, there are other accounts that suggest the recipe may have been inspired by similar sauces served at other restaurants in the region, such as John Young's Wings and Things, which featured breaded and deep-fried wings with a tomato-based 'mumbo' or 'mambo' sauce. The basic Buffalo sauce recipe is relatively simple, consisting of just butter and hot sauce, though some variations include additional ingredients like honey, garlic powder, paprika, white vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce.

  • In 1857, chicken wings were listed on a hotel menu in Buffalo, New York, indicating a longstanding history of the dish in the region.
  • In the 1960s, John Young opened his Wings and Things restaurant in Buffalo, where he served breaded and deep-fried wings with a tomato-based sauce.
  • The Anchor Bar's version of Buffalo sauce is said to have been created in the 1960s, when the owners' wife Teressa Bellissimo fried up extra chicken wings in hot sauce.
  • For Super Bowl 60 in 2026, it is estimated that Americans will consume 1.48 billion chicken wings, a 10 million increase from the previous year.

The players

Anchor Bar

A restaurant in Buffalo, New York that is widely recognized as the inventor of Buffalo sauce, where owner Frank Bellissimo's wife Teressa is said to have fried up extra chicken wings in hot sauce.

Teressa Bellissimo

The wife of Anchor Bar owner Frank Bellissimo, who is credited with creating the iconic Buffalo sauce by frying up extra chicken wings in hot sauce.

Dominic Bellissimo

The son of Anchor Bar owners Frank and Teressa Bellissimo, who has corroborated his mother's role in the creation of Buffalo sauce.

John Young

The owner of Wings and Things, a restaurant in Buffalo, New York that served breaded and deep-fried wings with a tomato-based 'mumbo' or 'mambo' sauce in the 1960s, predating the Anchor Bar's version of Buffalo sauce.

National Chicken Council

An organization that publishes an annual Chicken Wing Report, which estimates the number of chicken wings consumed during the Super Bowl.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

The debate over the origins of Buffalo sauce highlights the importance of regional food traditions and the way culinary innovations can take on national significance. As Americans prepare to consume a record number of chicken wings during Super Bowl 60, the question of who deserves credit for creating the iconic spicy condiment remains a point of contention, underscoring the enduring appeal and cultural impact of this beloved bar food.