Hot Wings

Most commonly chicken wings are deeep fried and smothered in a vinegar based cayenne pepper sauce. They are believed to have first been served with bleu cheese dressing, but now it is comon to find ranch with them and of course celery and carrots. You may have heard them called buffalo wings and wondered why, well it's because the "buffalo" came from New York, as in the city Bufflao, New York. Like the controversy over whose is better there is also a bit controversy about the orgin of these crispy snacks. Here are the four most reputable courtesy of wikipedia...

1.

One story is that Buffalo wings were first prepared at the Anchor Bar, located at 1047 Main Street (between North Street and Best Street) in Buffalo, New York, United States on October 3, 1964, by Teressa Belissimo, co-owner of the Anchor Bar with her husband Frank. Upon the unannounced, late-night arrival of their son, Dominic, with several of his friends from college, Teressa needed a fast and easy snack to present to her hungry guests. It was then that she came up with the idea of deep frying chicken wings (normally thrown away or reserved for stock) and tossing them in cayenne hot sauce. While the wings were deep frying, Teressa decided to serve left over celery sticks with blue cheese to her son and his friends to tide them over.

2.

A second version, as told by Dominic Bellisimo (Frank and Teressa's son) to The New Yorker reporter Calvin Trillin in 1980, stated: "It was Friday night in the bar in Buffalo, New York and since people were buying a lot of drinks he wanted to do something nice for them at midnight when the mostly Catholicpatrons would be able to eat meat again." He stated that it was his mother, Teressa, who came up with the idea of chicken wing

3.

The third version of the origin involved a mis-delivery of wings instead of backs and necks for making the bar's spaghetti sauce. Faced with this unexpected resource, Frank Bellisimo says that he asked Teressa to do something with them

4.

The fourth version has nothing to do with the Bellisimos or the Anchor Bar. Calvin Trillin stated in his 1980 New Yorker article that a man namedJohn Young also claimed credit for serving chicken wings in a special "mambo sauce". Chicken wings in mambo sauce became the specialty at his Buffalo restaurant in the mid-1960s. Young had registered the name of his restaurant, John Young's Wings 'n Things, at the county courthousebefore leaving Buffalo in 1970.

Hot wings also known as, but rarely referred to as "flats", and are a thing of controversy and discussions in Memphis. Many people claim to have great wings, some even claim to have the best. For most establishments I believe it's a marketing ploy much like the scene from Will Ferrell's Elf, (the scene with the world's best cup of coffee). Their is one place in Memphis that has the slogan of "the best damn hot wings". This place is Ching's Wings. This place is loved by its patrons and is an experience when you go... I have to admit that Chings is my favorite place in the city to get a good hot wing. This place is classic because of the location. It is right next to a weave store and a barber shop, which in my mind signifies the quality in itself. Let's be truthful here our African-American brothers and sisters don't stand for subpar food, as we so often do. For them it's all about the food and for us it's a combination of food quality and atmosphere, and many times atmosphere is more important. Chings surely has great food and depending on your style of decor it has a nice atmosphere. The walls are adorned with many of the city's patrons and you're sure to catch up on your ESPN while in the establishment. As far as the food goes they have simple and unique flavors. the wings come in seasoned, honey-gold,regular hot, medium hot, and suicide! The seasoned wings are my favorite and I get them every time. They also put the same seasoning on their fries. If you go you have to try the G-street punch or the Orange Mound punch, it's part of the experience. The owner's name is Lafayette and he is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. He always has a smile on his face and eager to accommodate your needs. Needless to say one of the gems of the Memphis food scene a little off the beaten path, but definitely worth a visit.