Ask a group of random Buffalonians where to find the best wings in Buffalo, and you’ll most certainly hear the words “Bar-Bill.” Well, we’re here to confirm their greatness. Just south of the city, tucked in the charming Americana village of East Aurora, these wings deliver the perfect trifecta: shatteringly crisp skin, succulent meat, and expertly brushed-on sauce. Yes, they actually use a paintbrush, ensuring every wing is evenly coated without getting soggy.

These wings may be listed as a side, but they’re undeniably the main event at Gabriel’s Gate. Well-sauced with a tangy kick and a perfectly crisp exterior, they’re the ultimate expression of the chicken wing in all its glory. Pair them with an ice-cold Canadian beer and a basket of piping hot fries—no need to overthink it. The place itself is a gloriously weird tavern, where mounted animal heads share wall space with a wooden Native American statue and a bubbling fish tank.

At Nine-Eleven Tavern, it’s cash only, no takeout, no reservations, and no air conditioning—just pure old-school South Buffalo wings, served exactly how they’re supposed to be. Fried to perfection with a brittle, golden crust, these jumbo wings are slathered in buttery hot sauce for a satisfying tang that doesn’t drown the texture. There are no fancy flavors here—just classic hot wings, done right.

The hefty, nose-tingling wings arrive piping hot in faux wood bowls and demand a mountain of napkins. The menu warns: medium is hot, medium-hot is very hot, and hot is very, very hot—and the rumors are true. Think twice before venturing into their death sauce territory, and if you’re unsure, stick with medium. It’s still loaded with sauce, has plenty of heat, and won’t obliterate your taste buds.

Elmo's is a beer pitcher-yielding sports bar near the University of Buffalo, and their claim to fame is the double dip wing. Fried and sauced like usual, they’re then coated in another layer of sauce and grilled, which locks in the smoky undertones while keeping the exterior delightfully crisp. There are plenty of sauces to choose from, but we recommend mixing it up with combos like hot-BBQ or cajun-honey mustard.

This old-school spot has all the hallmarks of a classic Buffalo wing joint: housemade blue cheese, Canadian beer, vintage Buffalo Bills gear, and jumbo wings fried to perfection. The hot drums and flats here are the gold standard—perfectly balanced with a buttery kick and just the right amount of heat. You should also try Sully’s salt and vinegar wings. Dry-rubbed with salt and vinegar powder, they deliver a sharp bite reminiscent of the chip flavor they're modeled after.

Buffalo’s two most iconic culinary staples—chicken wings and beef on weck—collide at Doc Sullivan’s. They’ve created jumbo beef on weck wings that come glazed in a creamy horseradish sauce and finished with the same flaky salt and caraway seeds that top a kummelweck roll. You should also prioritize their signature Smitty wings, too—these are exceptional hot wings with a zesty, peppery punch from their secret sauce.

With a beer garden, its own brewery, and loyal regulars sipping Labatt Blue, there’s a lot to love at Gene McCarthy’s. That includes the wings, which are meaty, expertly fried, and drenched in just the right amount of sauce to keep things flavorful without overwhelming the crunch. While unique flavors like mandarin sesame and Thai chili garlic bring something different to the table, the real standout is the house specialty: sweet and spicy BBQ wings topped with crumbly blue cheese.

Wingnutz is relatively new to the Buffalo wing scene. The owners got their start dishing out drums and flats at a Knights of Columbus in North Buffalo, before getting a feature on a popular sports podcast. Now, they have a brick-and-mortar in Williamsville where the wings undoubtedly live up to the hype. These are perfectly sauced behemoths—don’t bother questioning how these wings are so big, just make sure you get them with their Wingnutz Signature sauce.