— When you want to devour something right off the bone, nothing satisfies quite like chicken wings.
Fortunately for us, Dayton knows how to make great chicken wings.
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Here are our top choices noted by readers and staff:
You told us Bunkers serves the best chicken wings in the Dayton area. It's hard to disagree. JIM INGRAM/STAFF(HANDOUT)
HANDOUT
BUNKERS
Repeatedly voted by our readers as the ‘Best’ in Dayton, Bunkers’s takes the cake when it comes to chicken wings in the Dayton-area. “We do jumbo wings. You can get them breaded or naked. They are mighty tasty with our homemade sauces,” manager Amy Glavin said.
Location: 893 E. National Road, Vandalia
Hours: Mon-Thurs 10 a.m. to 12 a.m.; Fri 10 a.m. to 2:30 a.m.; Sat 8 a.m. to 2:30 a.m.; Sun 8 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Info: Facebook | Website | 937-890-8899
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Nick's hand flours all of its wings and has a line of sauces that pack a punch. JIM INGRAM/STAFF
NICK’S RESTAURANT
There’s a reason people will travel to Xenia for these wings. Having won awards at the Kickin’ Chicken Wing Fest at Fraze Pavilion every year since its inception, it’s clear Nick’s wing game is no fluke. The most popular sauce — another award winner — is the Sweet Hot Damn.
Location: 1443 N. Detroit St., Xenia
Hours: Sunday, noon to midnight (kitchen closes at 9 p.m.) Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. (kitchen closes at 10 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and at 11 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday)
Info: Website | Facebook
The food at Lock 27 in downtown Dayton. Pictured: smoked chicken wings with a sriracha blue cheese and a hot sauce. Photo by Amelia Robinson(Photo: Amelia Robinson)
Photo: Amelia Robinson
LOCK 27 BREWING
Lock 27 is famous for more than its beer. Try the dry rubbed, house smoked wings served up right with housemade sriracha blue cheese dip. You won't want to share.
Location: 1035 S. Main St., Centerville, 329 East First Street, Dayton
Hours: Mon to Tues 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., Wed-Thurs 11 a.m. - 11 p.m., Fri 11:30 a.m. - 12 a.m., Sat 11 a.m. to 12 a.m., Sun 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Info: Facebook | Website | 937-433-2739
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The wings are the real deal at JJ Fish and Chicken. CONTRIBUTED
JJ FISH AND CHICKEN
Talk about a hidden gem! JJ’s has got the traditional wing-style down pat.
Location: 4633 N. Main St., Dayton
Hours: Mon-Thurs 10 a.m.-12 a.m.; Fri and Sat, 10 a.m.-3 a.m., Sun 11 a.m.-12 a.m.
Info: 937-610-1010
Wednesdays are the perfect day to grab wings like these BBQ ones from McIntosh Pub. Their dry rub wings are also amazing. (Source: Facebook)
MCINTOSH PUB
Wild Wing Wednesday at McIntosh's Pub is the best time to grab 10 wings for $6.50. If you’re not feeling saucy, their dry rubs are the real deal.
Location: 6 E. Franklin St., Bellbrook
Hours: Mon to Sun 11 a.m. to midnight
Info: Facebook | 937-848-3200
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Maybe you've checked out TJ Chumps before, but have never opted for the wings. You should change that immediately and order up a basket of medium-style wings, extra crispy. (Source: Facebook)
TJ CHUMPS
Maybe you've checked out TJ Chumps before, but have never opted for the wings. You should change that immediately and order up a basket of medium-style wings, extra crispy.
Location: Englewood, Fairborn, Huber Heights, Miamisburg
Hours: Sun 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Mon-Fri 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sat 11 a.m.-12:30 a.m.
Info: Facebook | Website | 937-859-4000
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The specialty sauces are a treat at Archer's Tavern. (Source: Facebook)
ARCHER’S TAVERN
From the dry Archers to the Wing and a Prayer, each specialty sauce is a treat for your tastebuds whether you go for the "World's 2nd Best Wings" or the boneless wings.
Location: Centerville, Kettering
Hours: Mon to Thurs 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m., Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-12 a.m., Sun 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Info: Website | 937-401-1015 (Centerville) 937-291-1015 (Kettering)
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Bottom line: Hinders' Butt Warmer Chicken Hunks are delicious chicken breast chunks lightly breaded and coated with a sweet and tangy sauce. CONNIE POST/Photo
HINDERS SPORTS BAR & GRILL
Hinders is a "no frills" sort of spot up in Tipp City, but we will gladly forego the fine dining to indulge in their wings. Pick between the easy sitters (mild), butt warmers (medium) or our personal fave, the ass kickers (hot). The names don't lie.
Location: 902 W. Main St., Tipp City
Hours: Mon to Fri, 11-12 a.m., Sat 11 to 1 a.m., Sun 12 to 9 p.m.
Info: Facebook | 937-667-4433
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Blind Bob's bourbon wings are hand-breaded, crispy wings with an incredible sauce. VIVIENNE MACHI/STAFF
BLIND BOB’S
For those of us who live in the Oregon District, it's practically a weekly ritual to stop over at Bob's and order up some bourbon wings. These hand-breaded crispy wings get the sweet treatment in their sauce, and the end product definitely gets all of our taste buds dancing.
Location: 430 E. Fifth St., Dayton
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Info: Facebook | Website | (937) 938-6405
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Elsa's may not be an expected destination for wings, but their sauces are amazing. (Source: Elsa's Facebook)
ELSA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT AND CANTINA
Yes, Elsa's has the Mexican food angle down, but its nine wing sauces are all on point as well. The everyday eater would go gaga over the sweet Thai sauce wings, but if you're a brave soul (and over 21), challenge yourself with Mike's "I'm On Fire Ready To Die" wings.
Location: Centerville, Dayton, Kettering
Hours: Monday to Sunday 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m.
Info: Facebook | Website | 937-938-7372
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HONORABLE MENTIONS
COMPANY 7 BBQ
Upon asking for wing recommendations, 3 people immediately shared this option. Rather than deep-frying their wings, Company 7 slow smokes their chicken wings for a tender texture and smoky flavor. Get 5 for $5.99, 10 for $10.99, 15 for $14.99 or 20 for $18.99. Check their Facebook page for weekly specials on wings (and other items). Their award-winning sauces are the perfect topper.
Location: 1001 S. Main St., Englewood
Hours: Mon-Sat 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sun 12 to 8 p.m.
Info: Facebook | Website
THE WANDERING GRIFFIN
As Dayton's official Buffalo Bill's bar, The Wandering Griffin is held to a very high standard in regard to Buffalo Wings. They are crispy and very large. But, to nod to their "upscale pub fare menu" they also offer a seasoned and grilled signature chicken wing that has become very popular. You can get 6 wings for $8.99.
Location: 3725 Presidential Dr, Beavercreek
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Info: Facebook | Website | Call 937-956-5216
HAIRLESS HARE BREWERY
Their menu is small, but mighty. Hairless Hare took the third-place spot for Best Wings in the Dayton.com Best of 2017 competition. Go for the smoked wings!
Location: 738 W. National Road, Vandalia
Hours: Mon-Thurs 4 to 10 p.m., Fri 4 to 11 p.m, Sat 12 to 11 p.m., Sun 12 to 10 p.m.
Info:Facebook | Website | Call 937-387-6476
Do you know of a great wing spot we should try? Let us know! contact@dayton.com
