Western New Yorkers Share Their Favorite Wing Spots

As the NCAA basketball tournament brings thousands of visitors to Buffalo, locals weigh in on the best places for the city's iconic dish.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 9:19am

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With the NCAA basketball tournament bringing crowds to Buffalo, locals are sharing their favorite spots for the city's iconic dish - chicken wings. While there's no definitive "best" wing place, Western New Yorkers have strong opinions on their go-to spots, citing factors like crispy texture, flavor variety, and longtime loyalty. The article also recommends other quintessential Buffalo foods like beef on weck sandwiches, sponge candy, and loganberry drinks to round out the local dining experience for visitors.

Why it matters

Chicken wings are a source of immense local pride in Buffalo, with residents having strong allegiances to particular wing joints. As the city hosts a major sporting event, showcasing the best wing spots is important for welcoming visitors and celebrating the city's culinary culture.

The details

The article compiles recommendations from Western New Yorkers on their favorite wing places, noting that "best" is subjective when it comes to this iconic local dish. Factors like crispy texture, flavor variety, and longtime loyalty influence people's preferences. In addition to wings, the piece also highlights other quintessential Buffalo foods like beef on weck sandwiches, sponge candy, and loganberry drinks that visitors should try.

  • The NCAA basketball tournament is taking place at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo over the next couple of days.

The players

Western New Yorkers

Residents of the Buffalo, New York region who shared their favorite wing spots for the article.

KeyBank Center

The arena in Buffalo hosting the NCAA basketball tournament.

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What they’re saying

“Best" is a relative term when it comes to wings, because you can ask a thousand people in Western New York the best place for wings, and you will get a thousand different answers.”

— Dave Fields, Author

The takeaway

Buffalo's chicken wing culture is deeply ingrained, with locals having strong personal preferences for particular wing spots. As the city hosts a major sporting event, showcasing this iconic local dish is a way to welcome visitors and celebrate the city's culinary identity.