Over the summer I had the opportunity to judge the Kickin' Chicken Wing Fest at the Fraze Pavilion, where some of the best wings in the Miami Valley were served up and celebrated.
After sampling more than 55 dishes, winners were awarded in categories including best wing, best boneless wing, best sauce and hottest wing.
Nick's in Xenia came out on top winning people's choice, best sauce and hottest wing, while Giovanni's in Fairborn was crowned best overall wing by the judges.
There’s no shortage of choices when it comes to wings. They are simple and if done right, downright delicious.
Here’s my short list of favorite spots to grab wings in Dayton if you are looking to keep popping poultry after the Thanksgiving holiday.
Bunkers
893 E. National Road, Vandalia
937-890-8899 | Website
Bunkers has jumbo wings that come breaded or plain. This is a spot that has been recognized over and over by Dayton.com as the “Best of Dayton” for good reason.
Company 7 BBQ
1001 S. Main St., Englewood
(937) 836-2777 | Website
Smoked. Crisp. Flavorful. These are some of my favorite wings in town.
Giovanni’s
215 W. Main St., Fairborn
937-878-1611 | www.giovannisfairborn.com
An Italian restaurant with some of the best wings in town? Believe it. You can choose from Italian, hot or BBQ, but it’s really the Parmesan wings that you want to order. They are absolutely fantastic and blow the other options out of the water.
Lock 27
Dayton Dragon’s Plaza, 329 E. First St., Dayton
937-433-2739 | https://lock27brewing.com
Lock 27’s signature dry rubbed, house smoked chicken wings, served with celery and house made Sriracha blue cheese come two ways — a hot habanero-peach rub or a dry sweet and spicy rub. Both are delicious.
Nick’s
1443 N. Detroit St, Xenia
937-372-3202 | http://gotonicks.com
The long-time Xenia sports bar continues to sweep the People’s Choice Awards at this event year after year and for good reason — they make really, really, really good wings. Just stay away from their “fire in ya hole” hot sauce unless you can take the heat. My mouth is still burning.
Romer’s
4439 State Route 725, Bellbrook
937-848-7676 | Website
1151 Brown St., Dayton
937-938-5806 | Website
Romer’s is a former first-place winner of the Kickin’ Chicken Wing Fest best wings. These wings are a double dose of flavor and crunch.
Stone House Tavern
258 S. Main St., Waynesville
513-855-4203 | Website
Listed as the “World’s Second Best Wings” the six breaded chicken wings that you are served up are fantastic. Apparently the recipe comes from a restaurant in New York that has the best, therefore these are the second best, at least according to the bartender when I inquired.
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