East Side chicken wing spot abruptly closes, sets its sights on food trucks

Slappin' Wings permanently shuttered its new eatery, but plans to reopen as a food truck in late April.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Slappin' Wings, a popular Columbus chicken wing restaurant, has permanently closed its newest location on the East Side. However, owner Creddell Gilbert says the concept is currently building out a food truck to reopen the business in late April.

Why it matters

The closure of Slappin' Wings' East Side location is a setback for the local restaurant scene, as the eatery was known for its wings and other menu items. However, the pivot to a food truck model could allow the business to remain viable and continue serving its loyal customer base.

The details

Slappin' Wings opened its new eatery at 475 Kelton Ave. last year, but has now permanently closed that location. The reasons for the closure are unclear. The restaurant previously operated two other locations in Columbus, at 2384 Sullivant Avenue and 1600 Oakland Park Avenue.

  • Slappin' Wings opened its new Kelton Ave. location last year.
  • The restaurant has now permanently closed that Kelton Ave. location.
  • Slappin' Wings plans to reopen as a food truck in late April 2026.

The players

Slappin' Wings

A popular Columbus chicken wing restaurant that has now permanently closed its newest East Side location, but plans to reopen as a food truck.

Creddell Gilbert

The owner of Slappin' Wings, who says the concept is currently building out a food truck to reopen the business in late April.

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What they’re saying

“Fans of the Columbus chicken wing spot will still be able to enjoy the brand in the near future. Gilbert said the concept is currently building out a food truck to reopen. He said it will likely be able to open in late April.”

— Creddell Gilbert, Owner (614now.com)

What’s next

Slappin' Wings plans to reopen as a food truck in late April 2026.

The takeaway

The closure of Slappin' Wings' East Side location is a setback, but the restaurant's pivot to a food truck model could allow it to remain viable and continue serving its loyal customer base in the Columbus area.