Chicken wings are more than just a bar snack. Wings are integrated into households from all over during every notable game day. The city of Houston’s diverse culture means you can find wings that range from the gritty, no-frills kind that come slathered in hot sauce, to the kinds that make you wonder if there’s some secret, ancient technique at play. No pretense, no gimmicks — just a good, honest wing that’ll provide flavor, heat, and sauce-coated fingers.
Whether you’re looking for breaded, unbreaded, stuffed, spicy, or sweet, Houston’s got plenty of offerings to satisfy every palate. May this list give you inspiration on where to order a batch for the next big game.
Dak & Bop
While Dak & Bop translates to “chicken and rice” in Korean, owner Jason Cho serves far more than the classic pairing at this casual concept. The menu showcases dishes and flavors that encapsulate the essence of Seoul cuisine. The restaurant’s signature Korean fried chicken comes in the form of popcorn chicken, tenders, drumsticks, and wings. Wings ($16) are offered in quantities of 10 in mild flavors like soy garlic and buffalo, spicier options like sriracha-lime and hot & spicy, and even a seasonal flavor that warrants repeat visits. 1801 Binz St. Ste. 120, Houston, dakandbop.com
Feges BBQ
Smoke and meat will always be a perfect marriage, and a great example of that unity is the many offerings at Feges BBQ. Husband-and-wife team, Erin Smith and Patrick Feges serve barbecue utilizing their backgrounds of live fire cooking and fine dining. Their Spring Branch restaurant offers plenty of non-traditional barbecue items, including smoked chicken wings ($15). Smoked with post oak wood, and tossed in your choice of sweet Thai, Alabama white, hot red, or PB&J, these juicy and tender wings come in orders of 10, 15, or 20 pieces. For a great deal, stop by during happy hour Tuesday through Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m., and score 10 wings for $10. 8217 Long Point Rd., Houston, TX fegesbbq.com
Stuff’d Wings
Since 2019, Stuff’d Wings has answered the age-old question, “What would happen if you stuffed mac and cheese inside a chicken wing?” This Midtown food truck takes Houston’s love for stuffed turkey legs and applies it to the beloved bar snack, creating a tasty and indulgent tconcoction. Wing lovers can choose to stuff their wings with mac and cheese, seafood boudin, chicken boudin, and more, and add a sauce of choice. 401 Richmond Ave., Houston, stuffdwings.com
Som Boon Thai Kitchen
A silent newcomer in the Thai food scene, Som Boon, which translates to “worthy” in Thai, aims to deliver authentic, fiery flavors to Houston diners. Operating in the Durham Shopping Center, this cozy establishment does indeed live up to its name, serving dishes true to its roots, including spicy chicken wings. Som Boon offers five piece wings ($9) in two flavors: spicy garlic and honey jalapeño. Both manage to hit the right balance of spicy, salty, sweet, and savory. Spice heads can even crank up the heat with six different levels of spice. 1801 Durham Dr. Ste. 2, Houston, somboonthaikitchen.com
Dream Wings
Don’t let its location in a car wash parking lot fool you — Dream Wings is serious about chicken wings and offers some of the best in the city. Order in quantities as small as five ($9) or as large as 100 ($131), and choose from dozens of creative sauce flavors, like Buffalo Jerk, Nightmare Ranch, and Dry Lemon Pepper Jerk. 3451 Ella Blvd., Houston
Winnie’s
At Winnie’s, Benjy Mason and chef Graham Laborde have not only taken the time to develop noteworthy po-boys, but they have also created what they believe to be the perfect chicken wing. Wings are cured in sugar and salt, drawing out surface moisture to promote crispiness, then slow-cooked in oil for 20 minutes before they are flash fried. They come in orders of six ($17) with the option of flavors like lemon pepper, buffalo, and the tongue tingling Nashville Seoul. 3622 Main St. Ste. A, Houston, winnieshouston.com
Wing Boss
Opened in 2020 by Tony Jones, Wing Boss’ mission is to be a one-stop shop for chicken wings, no matter the preference. Beyond traditional bone-in and boneless wings, guests have the option to have them breaded or unbreaded. Wings are brined for 24 to 48 hours, and then seasoned with a special blend to ensure their tenderness and flavor. Go for the six piece wings on your own ($11), or splurge on the 50-piece ($91) with a group. Wing Boss will be able to satisfy the largest, and even pickiest, of crowds. 7820 Almeda Rd., Houston, wingbosshtx.com
Seoulside Wings
Jane Lim launched Seoulside Wings as a food truck serving jumbo wings with Korean-inspired flavors in 2017, and has since expanded the concept to operate out of a stall at Conservatory Galleria. Flavors like K Sauce and soy garlic are terrific, but what truly makes the wings stand out is Lim’s process of hand-battering and twice-frying to give them a glass-like crisp texture that can withstand being tossed in sauce. Wings are available in quantities of five, eight, and 10 for individual orders, and even larger quantities for catering. Be sure not to skip out on the kimchi fries. 5353 W. Alabama St. Ste. 100-9, Houston, seoulsidewings.com
Bollo
Bollo has been serving top notch pizza and Italian comfort eats in Upper Kirby since 2015, and more recently at its new location at Stomping Grounds in Garden Oaks. For owner Ray Salti, a Houston pizza veteran who also owns Pepperoni’s, where there is good pizza there must be good wings. At Bollo’s original Upper Kirby location, he proudly offers both. Wings are offered in classic Buffalo and Jamaican Jerk flavors, but for something unique, try the Italian wings, which are breaded in the same style as a chicken cutlet. Wings are available by the half dozen ($15), and are accompanied with tzatziki sauce, a welcome alternative to traditional ranch or blue cheese. 2202 W. Alabama St. A, Houston, bollohouston.com
