Buffalo wing

There are several different claims about the invention of Buffalo wings.{{cite web| url = http://www.geography.ccsu.edu/harmonj/atlas/buffwing.htm| title = On the Wings of a Buffalo or "Mother Teresa's Wings"| access-date = January 20, 2008| last = Harmon| first = John E.| work = Atlas of Popular Culture in the Northeastern United States| archive-date = July 28, 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120728233935/http://www.geography.ccsu.edu/harmonj/atlas/buffwing.htm| url-status = dead}}{{cite web| url = http://www.newyorker.com/archive/1980/08/25/1980_08_25_082_TNY_CARDS_000331411?currentPage=1 | title = An Attempt To Compile A Short History of the Buffalo Chicken Wing | access-date = 2008-01-22 | last = Trillin| first = Calvin | date = August 25, 1980 | publisher = The New Yorker Magazine}} One is that Buffalo wings were first prepared in 1964 at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, by Teressa Bellissimo, who owned the bar with her husband Frank.Primal Grill with Steven Raichlen, PBS, August 8, 2008 At the time, chicken wings were inexpensive and undesirable, and normally thrown away or reserved for stock or soup.

Several versions of the story of the invention have been circulated by the Bellissimo family and others, including:

• The Bellissimos' son, Dominic, was tending the bar, and upon the unannounced late-night arrival of several of his friends, Teressa wanted a fast and easy snack to present to the guests. She came up with the idea of deep frying chicken wings and tossing them in cayenne hot sauce.{{cite web| url = http://www.anchorbar.com/original.php| title = AnchorBar - Origins of the original Buffalo Chicken Wing| access-date = January 6, 2008| publisher = AnchorBar.com| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080129092706/http://www.anchorbar.com/original.php| archive-date = January 29, 2008| df = mdy-all}}{{cite web| url = http://homecooking.about.com/od/foodhistory/a/buffwinghistory.htm| title = Buffalo Wings History - The origins of Buffalo Chicken Wings| author = Peggy Trowbridge Filippone| access-date = January 20, 2008| publisher = About.com| archive-date = January 25, 2009| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090125160547/http://homecooking.about.com/od/foodhistory/a/buffwinghistory.htm| url-status = dead}}
• Dominic told The New Yorker reporter Calvin Trillin in 1980: "It was Friday night in the bar and since people were buying a lot of drinks he wanted to do something nice for them at midnight when the mostly Catholic patrons would be able to eat meat again." He stated his mother came up with the idea of chicken wings.
• There was a mistaken delivery of wings instead of backs and necks for making the bar's spaghetti sauce. Faced with this unexpected resource, Frank says that he asked Teressa to do something with them, resulting in the Buffalo wing.

Although an article published about the Anchor Bar in a local newspaper during 1969 does not mention Buffalo wings, a local competitor of the Anchor Bar, Duff's, began selling Buffalo wings in that year.{{cite news|last1=Galarneau|first1=Andrew Z.|title=At 50, the Buffalo-style chicken wing has conquered the world|url=http://buffalonews.com/2014/03/01/at-50-the-buffalo-style-chicken-wing-has-conquered-the-world/|access-date=1 May 2017|newspaper=The Buffalo News|date=1 March 2014}}{{cite web|last1=Clemens|first1=Chris|title=Duff's Famous Wings – Buffalo, NY|url=http://exploringupstate.com/duffs-famous-wings-buffalo-ny/|website=ExploringUpstate.com|date=May 18, 2015|access-date=23 May 2017}}

Another claim is that John Young, who moved to Buffalo from Stockton, Alabama in 1948 at the age of 13, popularized chicken wings in Buffalo.{{Cite web |date=2020-02-01 |title=Family stakes John Young's claim as the originator of the Buffalo wing |url=https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-news/family-stakes-john-youngs-claim-as-the-originator-of-the-buffalo-wing |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=WKBW 7 News Buffalo |language=en}} Beginning in 1961, he began serving uncut chicken wings that were breaded, deep fried, and served in his own special tomato-based Mumbo sauce at his Buffalo restaurant.{{cite news |title=The Story of John Young |author=Rachel Wharton |date=February 3, 2021 |work=The New York Times |page=D8}}{{cite news|last1=Okun|first1=Janice|title=John Young Stakes His Claim To The Chicken Wing|url=http://buffalonews.com/1996/02/06/john-young-stakes-his-claim-to-the-chicken-wing/|access-date=4 May 2017|newspaper=The Buffalo News|date=6 February 1996}} Prior to opening his restaurant, he had a conversation with a boxer who traveled; in a later interview Young recalled: "He told me that there was a restaurant in Washington, D.C. that was doing a good business with wings and I decided to specialize." In the same interview Young stated that the Anchor Bar did not offer Buffalo wings as a regular menu item until 1974. He registered the name of his restaurant, John Young's Wings 'n Things, at the county courthouse before leaving the Buffalo area in 1970.{{cite web| url = http://www.jamesbeard.org/about/press/newsdetails.php?news_id=24| title = James Beard Foundation | access-date = January 20, 2008| work = THE 2003 JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION COCA-COLA AMERICA'S CLASSICS AWARDS| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080103154411/http://www.jamesbeard.org/about/press/newsdetails.php?news_id=24| archive-date = January 3, 2008}} In 2013, at the National Buffalo Wing Festival held in Buffalo, John Young's contributions were acknowledged when he was inducted into the festival's National Buffalo Wing Hall of Flame.{{cite web|title=Buffalo Wing Hall Of Flame John Young "Wings and Things"|url=http://buffalowing.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/WingFest-2013-final.pdf|website=National Buffalo Wing Festival|access-date=4 May 2017|archive-date=August 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824014222/http://buffalowing.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/WingFest-2013-final.pdf|url-status=dead}}

In 1977, the city of Buffalo issued an official proclamation celebrating Anchor Bar co-owner Frank Bellissimo and declared July 29, 1977, to be Chicken Wing Day.{{cite news|last1=Claiborne|first1=Craig|last2=Franey|first2=Pierre|title=Food; Winging It In Buffalo|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/08/30/magazine/food-winging-it-in-buffalo.html|access-date=30 April 2017|newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 30, 1981}} Throughout the 1970s and 1980s Buffalo wings gained in popularity as a bar food and appetizer across the United States and nearby towns across the border in Canada.{{cite web|last1=Harmon|first1=John E.|title=On the Wings of a Buffalo or "Mother Teresa's Wings"|url=http://web.ccsu.edu/faculty/harmonj/atlas/buffwing.htm|website=Atlas of Popular Culture in the Northeastern United States|access-date=1 May 2017|archive-date=August 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817062054/http://web.ccsu.edu/faculty/harmonj/atlas/buffwing.htm|url-status=dead}} Large franchises specializing in Buffalo wings have emerged, notably Buffalo Wild Wings founded in 1982 and Hooters in 1983.{{cite news|last1=Carlyle|first1=Erin|title=Buffalo Wild Wings and the triumph of the chicken wing|url=http://www.citypages.com/news/buffalo-wild-wings-and-the-triumph-of-the-chicken-wing-6746668|access-date=5 May 2017|newspaper=City Pages|date=9 March 2011}} McDonald's began selling Mighty Wings as an option in 1990 at their restaurant locations in the United States.{{cite news|last1=Sozzi|first1=Brian|title=McDonald's Brings Back Mighty Wings|url=https://www.thestreet.com/story/13548178/1/mcdonald-s-brings-back-mighty-wings.html|access-date=5 May 2017|publisher=The Street|date=30 April 2016}} In 1994, following four Super Bowl appearances by the Buffalo Bills football team, the Domino's pizza chain added Buffalo wings to their national menu, followed by Pizza Hut the next year.{{cite web|last1=Stromberg|first1=Joseph|title=A Brief History of the Buffalo Chicken Wing|url=http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/a-brief-history-of-the-buffalo-chicken-wing-10260772/|website=Smithsonian.com|access-date=30 April 2017}}{{cite web|last1=Upton|first1=Emily|title=Why Buffalo Wings Are Called That|url=http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/10/buffalo-wings-called/|website=Today I Found Out|date=October 21, 2013|access-date=30 April 2017}}

File:An order of buffalo wings from Packy's Sports Grill in Boca Raton, Florida.jpg]]

As the market for chicken wings expanded, restaurants began to create and use a variety of sauces in addition to buffalo sauce.{{cite web|last1=Brox|first1=Denene|title=Winging It|url=https://www.qsrmagazine.com/menu-innovations/winging-it|website=QSR|date=October 15, 2012 |access-date=30 April 2017}} Some of these new chicken wing sauces were influenced by Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Caribbean, and Indian cuisines.{{cite news|last1=Brownell|first1=Claire|title=Why the once worthless chicken wing is now worth billions|url=http://business.financialpost.com/news/retail-marketing/why-the-once-worthless-chicken-wing-is-now-worth-billions|newspaper=Financialpost|access-date=30 April 2017}}{{cite web|title=Our 33 Best Asian-Inspired Finger Food Recipes|url=http://www.saveur.com/asian-finger-food-recipes|website=Saveur|access-date=30 April 2017}} Other flavors created by restaurants include unique combinations, such as Blueberry BBQ Wing Sauce and Maple/Bacon Glaze for example, to help keep customer interest and grow their businesses.{{cite web|last1=Cansler|first1=Cherryh|title=Now trending: Why unique chicken wing flavors are hot|url=https://www.fastcasual.com/articles/now-trending-why-unique-chicken-wing-flavors-are-gaining-customer-attention/|website=Fastcasual.com|date=July 30, 2015|access-date=3 May 2017}} After the price of raw wings increased, and with a growing desire by some diners for a neater eating experience, restaurants began to offer a menu item called "boneless wings," sometimes marketed under the name wyngz.{{cite web|last1=Myers|first1=Dan|title=We Need to Come Up With a Better Name for Boneless Wings|url=https://www.thedailymeal.com/eat/we-need-come-better-name-boneless-wings|website=The Daily Meal|date=December 6, 2016|access-date=3 May 2017}}{{cite news|last1=Neuman|first1=William|title='Boneless' Wings, the Cheaper Bite|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/13/business/economy/13wings.html|website=The New York Times|date=October 13, 2009|access-date=30 April 2017}} Boneless wings are essentially small pieces of skinless, boneless chicken breast that are coated in flour and spices, then fried or baked, like a chicken nugget. They are usually coated in or served with the same sauces as Buffalo wings. The growing popularity in recent years of Buffalo wing consumption, and of restaurants serving wings, have led to actual and perceived shortages of chicken wings in the United States during certain times.{{cite web|last1=Bennett|first1=Dashiell|title=Chicken Wing Shortage Threatens To Destroy Super Bowl|url=http://deadspin.com/5139146/chicken-wing-shortage-threatens-to-destroy-super-bowl|website=Deadspin.com|access-date=30 April 2017}}{{cite web|last1=Yglesias|first1=Matthew|title=The Great Chicken Wing Shortage of 2013|url=http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2013/02/chicken_wing_shortage_drought_ethanol_standards_and_expensive_corn_have.html|website=Slate.com|date=February 2013|access-date=30 April 2017}}{{cite web|last1=Taylor|first1=Kate|title=Don't Panic:There Will Definitely Be Enough Chicken Wings for the Super Bowl|url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/231031|website=Entrepreneur.com|date=January 24, 2014 |access-date=30 April 2017}}

In many areas of the United States, chicken wing festivals are held—with Buffalo wings being used in competitive eating events such as at Philadelphia's Wing Bowl and the National Buffalo Wing Festival.{{cite web|title=Wing Festivals Across America in 2015|url=http://www.bringthewing.com/2014/11/wing-festivals-across-america-in-2015/|website=Bring the Wing.com|access-date=3 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702091549/http://www.bringthewing.com/2014/11/wing-festivals-across-america-in-2015/|archive-date=July 2, 2017|url-status=dead}} It has also become commonplace for restaurants to offer a wing-eating contest.{{Cite web|title = Chicken Wing-Eating Competitions Across America|url = http://tailgatefan.cbslocal.com/2015/04/30/chicken-wing-eating-competitions-across-america/|access-date = 2015-08-24|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150827224733/http://tailgatefan.cbslocal.com/2015/04/30/chicken-wing-eating-competitions-across-america/|archive-date = August 27, 2015|url-status = dead}} Many bars and restaurants intentionally create an extra-hot sauce for this purpose, and customers are sometimes rewarded with their picture posted on the restaurant's wall or website, a commemorative T-shirt, a free meal or a combination of rewards for successfully completing the challenge.{{cite web|title=Wing Eating Challenges in Restaurants Across America|url=http://www.bringthewing.com/2012/04/wing-eating-challenges-in-restaurants-across-america/|website=Bring the Wing.com|access-date=30 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505115416/http://www.bringthewing.com/2012/04/wing-eating-challenges-in-restaurants-across-america/|archive-date=May 5, 2017|url-status=dead}}

Image:Coast Guard buffalo chicken wings.jpg cook preparing Buffalo wings in the galley of {{ship|USCGC|Bertholf}} (2009)]]

The chicken wings used for Buffalo wings are usually segmented into three parts: drumette, flat, and flapper or pointer, the last of which is usually discarded, although some restaurants serve them with this latter part still connected to the flat. Traditionally, the wings are deep-fried in oil, without breading or flour until they are well browned. Alternatively, they may be baked, grilled, or broiled.{{cite news|last1=Barrow|first1=Cathy|title=These wings are called 'irresistible' for a reason|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/these-wings-are-called-irresistible-for-a-reason/2017/04/26/a23a6278-2918-11e7-be51-b3fc6ff7faee_story.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=17 September 2017}}

Cayenne pepper-based hot sauce, melted butter, and vinegar are the standard base of Buffalo wing sauce, which may be made mild, medium, or hot.{{cite web|last1=Pittman|first1=Christine|title=What's the Difference Between Hot Sauce and Wing Sauce|url=http://thecookful.com/difference-between-hot-sauce-wing-sauce/|website=The Cookful|date=February 24, 2017|access-date=30 April 2017}} Other ingredients are also common, although less dominant, such as Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder. Commercial ready-to-use wing sauce is made with varying levels of spiciness.{{cite web|last1=Zimmer|first1=Erin|title=Taste Test: Buffalo Wing Sauce|url=http://www.seriouseats.com/2011/02/what-is-the-best-buffalo-wing-sauce-brand-texas-pete-anchor-bar-franks-red-crystal.html|website=Serious Eats|access-date=30 April 2017}} The cooked chicken wings are placed in a bowl or pot and shaken to coat the wings completely covering them in sauce before serving.

File:Chicken wings at O'Learys.jpg.]]

Traditionally, Buffalo wings are served with small sticks of celery (accompanied sometimes with baby carrots or carrot sticks), and blue cheese dipping sauce on the side.{{cite web|last1=Saladino|first1=Emily|title=Why Do We Eat Celery with Buffalo Wings?|url=https://www.tastingtable.com/dine/national/why-do-we-eat-buffalo-wings-celery|website=Tasting Table|date=February 2, 2017|access-date=17 September 2017}} Ranch dressing, however, is the most popular wing dipping sauce in the United States.{{cite web|title=Ranch Is The Most Popular Wing Dip (POLL)|date=January 30, 2013|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/30/best-wing-sauce-blue-cheese-ranch_n_2581566.html|publisher=Huffpost|access-date=17 September 2017}}

• {{portal-inline|Food}}
• Chicken lollipop
• List of hors d'oeuvre
• List of regional dishes of the United States
• Nashville hot chicken
• Yangnyeom chicken
• Swiss wing
• Lemon pepper wings
• Italian-American cuisine

{{clear}}

{{Reflist|2}}

{{Commons category|Buffalo wings}}

• [http://www.buffalowing.com/ National Buffalo Wing Festival]
• [https://buffalohistorymuseum.com/2017/10/22/the-first-buffalo-chicken-wings/ The First Buffalo Chicken Wings] by The Buffalo History Museum. Discusses 19th century consumption of chicken wings in Buffalo, N.Y.

{{Chicken dishes|state=collapsed}}

{{Culture of Buffalo, New York|state=collapsed}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Buffalo Wing}}

Category:American chicken dishes

Category:Appetizers

Category:Canadian cuisine

Category:Cuisine of New York (state)

Category:Cuisine of the Mid-Atlantic states

Category:Cuisine of the Midwestern United States

Category:Culture of Buffalo, New York

Category:Fried chicken