When a play dubbed The Hot Wing King comes to town, you know we need to talk about one of our favorite dishes. That’s right, chicken wings. But instead of merely stating the best, we asked the new-to-town cast of the production what kind of wings they like. With that knowledge in hand we made some solid recommendations.
As for the play, The Hot Wing King received the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The premise of the show centers around the “Hot Wang Festival” in Memphis. Our hero, Cordell Crutchfield, has discovered the recipe that will land him the title of Hot Wang King. On the eve of the festival, not only does he work to prep and perfect his wings, but a family emergency changes everything.
The show runs from April 25 to May 25 inside the Kilstrom Theatre in the Denver Center of Performing Arts. Pair the performance with your own plate of wings and eat like the cast with these great places.
Dayo Olatokun, who plays TJ
“I like Buffalo sauce or whatever’s hot on the menu, and sweet chili.”
King of Wings has the wings to rule them all, and you can order them hot, tangy, mild, or with a Cajun dry rub. While there’s not a sweet chili, options include honey mustard, garlic hot Buffalo, spicy Thai, and XXXHot, among others. Dayo Olatokun should also order the Cajun Parmesan Fries ($5) to complement the chicken wings.
Wing prices range from six for $12, up to $24 for 36. The casual eatery also makes its own blue cheese and serves local beers on tap. 7741 W. 44th Ave., Wheat Ridge, kingofwingstaphouse.com
Isaiah Tyrelle Boyd, who plays Isom
“I hate wet wings! I am a dry rub person. I like lemon pepper dry, cajun dry, and garlic parmesan dry.”
Fire on the Mountain has two locations, Washington Park and Highland, which is perfect for Isaiah Tyrelle Boyd. Not only does it offer dry rub wings, but there’s a Cajun dry rub and a garlic lemon pepper dry rub.
The laidback eatery also does a sauce and dry rub of the month, which for April is a dry Buffalo. Serving sizes go from six to 36, starting at $10.99. There’s also vegan wings for those wanting a little seitan in their life. 3801 W. 32nd Ave., Denver; and 300 S. Logan St., Unit 102, Denver; fotmdenver.com
Tobias A. Young, who plays Big Charles
“My favorite sauce is a recipe of my own, which is my Gochujang Agave Wings!”
We totally understand loving your own creation, though traveling for work and cooking can be difficult. That’s why we’re recommending that Tobias A. Young heads to Ace Eat Serve for the Asian-style wing menu.
The line up includes Asian Buffalo Wings ($16) spiced with cayenne and garlic; Lucky Dragon Wings ($16) drenched in a spicy chili mayo and topped with sesame seeds; and a personal favorite, the Tiger Wings ($16), which are sweet, spicy, and addictive. Bonus, if you love the wing sauce you can buy a bottle to take home. 501 E. 17th Ave., Denver, aceeatserve.com
Jacques Jean-Mary, who plays Everett
“My favorite wing sauce is sweet chili or honey BBQ.”
With homemade sauces such as honey bbq, mango habanero, chili mango, and raspberry mango habanero, Genna Rae’s Wings & More is the place for Jacques Jean-Mary to go. The family-owned establishment opened in the Five Points neighborhood in 2016, and it’s been one of the top Denver wing spots ever since. Wings start at $11.50 for six, and up to $57.75 for 48 pieces. 1819 E. 28th Ave., Denver, gennaraeswings.com
Curtis Wiley, who plays Dwayne
“How can I choose! But if I must, garlic parmesan!”
Curtis Wiley must visit CD’s Wings, that way, he won’t have to choose a favorite flavor. There’s over 20 options including lemon pepper, chipotle ranch, Buffalo, Cajun dry rub, super spicy, mango habanero, and of course, garlic parmesan. An order of six runs $8.28, and the 10-piece is $14.60.
The original CD’s Wings opened in Westminster, but now it’s franchised and there are locations on the southern side of Denver in Aurora and Parker. All maintain the same great quality and tasty sauces. Multiple locations, cdswings.com
John Henry Carter, an understudy
“My latest favorite wing sauce is actually a dry rub, Caribbean jerk dry rub. It has a similar heat to Buffalo wing sauce, but the Caribbean rub elevates the experience to a whole new level with notes of cinnamon, garlic, and thyme!”
Small but mighty, the Jerk Pit makes smoked wings tossed in traditional jerk seasoning for $13, which is just what John Henry Carter ordered. The intimate spot only has a 20-seat bar, but given its a combination of Caribbean and southern hospitality, expect to feel welcome no matter who you’re seated next to. 3210 Wyandot St., Denver, jerkpitsmokehouse.com
Robert Denzel Edwards, an understudy
“My favorite wing sauce is hot honey or lemon pepper!”
Mattie’s Soul Food & Lounge has been around a few years, but it maintains an old school vibe. It’s also one of the only restaurants dishing up hot honey wings. You’ll find lemon pepper wings on the menu too, making it the perfect spot for Robert Denzel Edwards.
The only caveat, you have to get it as a wing plate with fries for $20, or go for the one-meat platter for $20, or two-meat platter for $31.99. On the up side, if going for a platter, you also get to choose from some true southern staples including homemade mac and cheese, candied yams, green beans with smoked turkey, and more. 7520 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, no website
