# Five wing joints worth the drive

> From a Portland sauce lab to Josh Allen's Buffalo favorite, these are the wing spots locals actually fight about.
- Title: Five wing joints worth the drive · Fox News | Shortify
- Summary: From a Portland sauce lab to Josh Allen's Buffalo favorite, these are the wing spots locals actually fight about. The best wings in America are rarely in…
- Keywords: chicken wings, food, restaurants, buffalo, road trip, news, politics, Five, wing, joints, worth, drive
- Source: Fox News — https://foxnews.com/food-drink/portland-buffalo-5-best-chicken-wing-destinations-across-america
- Author: Sadie Chafe
- Published: 2026-09-12T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: chicken wings, food, restaurants, buffalo, road trip, news, politics
## A staple with a hometown
Wings started in Buffalo, New York in the 1960s and never left the American table, especially once football season starts.

> Saucy, spicy, mild, fried, smoked, however they're prepared, chicken wings are an American staple
## How the list was built
The Takeout ranked the best wings in every state using customer reviews, reader polls, local news coverage and wing competition results.
## Portland's sauce lab
Fire on the Mountain has been making its own sauces since 2005, including Spicy Peanut, Raspberry Habanero and Jamaican Jerk, plus a monthly rotating sauce and vegan wings.
## Salt Lake brings heat
Scovilles offers Scotch Bonnet, Ghost Pepper and Carolina Reaper rubs, with Cajun Honey BBQ for the cautious. It took Best Wings in Salt Lake City Weekly's 2025 awards.
## Topeka's five-year champ
Wings, Etc. won the Topeka Capital-Journal's Community Choice Best Wings from 2020 through 2024, and took Twisted Wing King at the 2021 Wing Fling.
## Indy's secret blend
Ale Emporium has served Indianapolis since 1982. Its Hermanaki wing layers a secret spice blend, house sauce and teriyaki on a crispy jumbo wing.
## Buffalo's local pick
Bar-Bill Tavern did not invent the Buffalo wing, but locals and Visit Buffalo Niagara rate it among the best in town. Bills quarterback Josh Allen named it his favorite in 2019.
## Key takeaway

The best wings in America are rarely in Buffalo anymore, they are wherever a local kitchen has spent years perfecting one sauce.