The Buffalo Verdict

So we jumped into the family truckster and headed westward toward the land of Buffalo. It was here where we would finally seek the mystical origin of the Buffalo Wing at a dumpy placed called the Anchor Bar.

The Anchor Bar is located in downtown Buffalo and it is probably the only source of revenue that the city is getting from the outside as the place is a ghost town. The bar itself is large and dingy and very touristy. They have jazz bands playing while you eat your wings. We weren’t there for the music; nope not even the Styrofoam chicken wing hats that they were selling at the door. We had a mission to taste the mythical, original wing.

We ordered a bucket of wings but they came on a pizza pan. They were steaming with Western New York love but were accompanied by plenty of bleu cheese to cool the engines.

The teeth cut through and then they passed by the taste buds as they made their journey through the gullet and to the belly. And the verdict?

Delectable. The wings were very big with meat galore on the bone. The sauce was not smothered on the wing, they were quite dry. Perhaps my only qualm, as I believe this is the reason why the flavor did not savor quite as much as I thought it would. They were very tasty, but I felt that there was something lacking. Something that should give that extra punch. Don’s wings had this.

For that reason I put Don’s wings at number one on my list of wing joints. And here is the rundown of that list:

1.Don’s Wings-Anywhere on Earth where there is oil and heat. Tangy, tasty and hot. Back in the day they were the reason why people came to Graduation Parties and BBQ’s. Even though he grills them now, the old way still holds up as the best of the bunch.
2.Anchor Bar-Buffalo, NY. These guys had a lot of meat and flavor but were missing something that I can’t figure out. Some kind of citrus perhaps. I was hoping they would be the best but Don still reigns supreme.
3.Nice Guy Eddie’s-Ave A & Houston. New York, NY. Big time dumpy sports bar that isn’t worth mentioning because they come a dime a dozen in New York. But the wings are fantastic. These suckers are just drenched with heat and served with carrots, celery and bleu cheese. A very robust wing which will clear your sinuses.
4.Herndon House-Herndon, PA. Located on the eastern side of the Susquehanna river, this little old restaurant has a big menu of wing choice. You go here for variety and flavor. They have everything from honey mustard to old bay and pizza. But mention must go out to a wing called the Cajun Funeral which is a version of the Buffalo persuasion with all kinds of extra punches. If I were to include the Cajun Funeral as an actual Buffalo I would have to move the Herndon House up on the list. But they aren’t. Look out and beware of the Death Wing. People only eat these things on stupid dares.
5.The Edison-Sunbury, Pa. In the flavor department Edison wings are pretty good. Not fantastic. But good enough to make the list. Now when it comes to the actual wing is where the problems begin. It’s always hit or miss with these guys, and usually miss is the winner as you will end up gnawing on a sliver of bone and meat. Sometimes overcooked as well. But when they are on, or when they hit, they can be grand. And are great for late night munchies.

So that’s the list. That’s the story of the Buffalo quest. Is there a moral? I don’t know. I just hope that this trip will spark some kind of resurgence in the Don’s recipe. Somebody in the family must step up to the plate and start cooking em up old school again.

Latro,
Dee