Kickin’ Chicken Wing Fest winners crowned

Seven businesses take home top prizes in chicken wing competition.
The Kickin’ Chicken Wing Fest, hosted by the Miami Valley Restaurant Association, was held at Fraze Pavilion on Saturday, July 8. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Credit: Tom Gilliam

The Kickin’ Chicken Wing Fest, hosted by the Miami Valley Restaurant Association, was held at Fraze Pavilion on Saturday, July 8. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
What to Know
By Alexis Larsen
July 10, 2023
X

There were 17 local restaurants and food trucks on hand to feed steaming hot chicken wings and other dishes to hungry chicken wing lovers at this year’s Kickin’ Chicken Wing Fest.

Despite the weather thousands of people showed up at Fraze Pavilion Saturday, July 8 queuing up in long lines wrapping around the grounds all in the name of chicken. Judges sampled every wing and awarded their favorites:

Pies and Pints Pizza and Craft Beer took home the award for Best Wing at the 2023 Kickin’ Chicken Wing Fest held July 10 at the Fraze Pavilion. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

icon to expand image

Best Wing: Pies and Pints

52 Plum St., Beavercreek

937-429-7437 or https://piesandpints.net/location/dayton-oh/

The mix of sriracha, cilantro, garlic, spices and an impressive job grilling with just the right amount of char won the judges over.

Best Sauce: Nick’s Restaurant

1443 N Detroit St, Xenia

937-372-3202 or http://gotonicks.com

Best Boneless: Romer’s Bar and Grill

4439 W. Franklin St., Bellbrook

937-848-7676 or www.romersbar.com

Kicken' Chicken Wing Fest: Amber Rose won Best Side for their Street Corn dish. PHOTO BY ALEXIS LARSEN

Credit: Alexis Larsen

icon to expand image

Credit: Alexis Larsen

Best Side: Amber Rose

1400 Valley St., Dayton

937-228-2511 or theamberrose.com

Best Dessert: El Meson

903 E. Dixie Dr., Dayton

937-859-8229 or elmeson.net

Hottest Wing: Buffalo’s Best Food Truck

859-866-0535 or www.facebook.com/BuffalosBestnky

Best Decorated Booth: Archer’s Tavern

9496 Dayton Lebanon Pike, Centerville

937-401-1015 or www.archerstavern.com

2030 E. Dorothy Lane, Kettering

937-291-1015 or www.archerstavern.com

Explore5 summer festivals happening this weekend across the Dayton area

The People’s Choice Award for “Best Damn Wing” was given to Archer’s Tavern which beat out Nick’s Restaurant in Xenia which has taken home this top prize since the event’s inception.

Kicken' Chicken Wing Fest: Archer's Tavern won People's Choice and Best Decor. PHOTO BY ALEXIS LARSEN

Credit: Alexis Larsen

icon to expand image

Credit: Alexis Larsen

Archer's Tavern won People's Choice and Best Decor at Kicken' Chicken Wing Fest. PHOTO BY ALEXIS LARSEN

Credit: Alexis Larsen

icon to expand image

Credit: Alexis Larsen

Archer’s spicy garlic wings topped with parmesan cheese and their “Sexy Style” made with a special rub and their “Touch of Klass” spice mix are the wings that earned them the second best medium wing sauce at the National Buffalo Wing Festival. Their delicious take on wings won the crowd over for top place and bragging rights.

Contact this contributing writer at alexis.e.larsen@hotmail.com.

ExplorePHOTOS: Did we spot you at the Kickin' Chicken Wing Fest at Fraze Pavilion?
In Other News
1
Day Yoga adds third location with new studio in Washington Twp.
2
Friday the 13th: What is so unlucky about it?
3
Happy birthday Dorothy Lane Market! What to know about its history
4
Graeter’s celebrates 154th birthday with special offer
5
Dayton-area festivals to check out throughout May

About the Author