Best Buffalo Wings in Los Angeles?

[kinkela]

I love buffalo wings and I'm searching for the best places to eat wings in the South Bay, Westside, Hollywood, Downtown and the San Fernando Valley? After you share, I'll post my thoughts on your suggestions.

[notmartha]

Ok, here's the strange part,but the best I've tried is actually at BJ's Pizzeria. I went to the original Anchor Bar in buffalo so I know what it's supposed to taste like.

I like the ones at BJ (local one at Brea) because they are large, crispy, and the sauce is appropriately vinegary, and the blue cheese dressing has plenty of blue cheese. I order them with the sauce separate and the blue cheese dressing instead of ranch. I hate a soggy limp wing, so having the sauce separate allows me to douse it just before eating. The sauce may not be spicy enough for some people but it's fine for me (not sure if you can ask for a spicier version).

Plus since they serve pizza also, it kind of reminds me of my days in Upstate NY where we routinely have pizza and wings for dinner. Of course BJ's not a NY style pizza, but it does OK in a pinch.

Only nit I have is I like the non-drumstick part, and they seem to give the drumstick parts out more.

[Gobble de Gook]

I liked Wing Stop, but just to say, when they say Atomic, they really, really mean Atomic.

Twice.

[mbh65]

Robin's BBQ in Pasadena has rocking wings. I have friends in the Valley who make me bring them to all of their parties. Go with the Global thermonuclear ones. They are huge too. More like chicken legs then wings. The BBQ is great too.

[mazusc]

Wings n things

8326 S Western Ave

also very good fried gizzerds

[justanotherpenguin]

i came across this thread several months ago. decided to try "ye rustic inn" on hillhurst. i do believe they are the best traditional buffalo wings that i've ever had - including having been at the anchor bar in buffalo specifically to try the wings .(quickly ducks head to miss thrown projectile.)

btw, kinkela - where is the promised follow-up?

[jimmyodonnell]

I'm glad you liked them, I've always found them very good . . . and now that Sunset Bar & Grill has closed on the 3rd St Promenade, Ye Rustic is my LA favorite.

[dabruins07]

I am a big fan of wings...so i went to Big Wangs and had the Buffalo Wings there and even though it was good I was not impressed. I prefer the wings at Hooter's compared to the wings at Big Wangs. But the heart-a-tot as Big Wangs was amazing, tater tots covered with alfredo sauce what a combination. But i am still feeling the after effects today...i think my heart stopped beating for a little while.

[mrshankly]

I too tried Big Wangs and the wings were far from impressive. They had the texture of frozen wings that were re-heated... no tenderness whatsoever. The service was also mediocre, at best. Is it me or do they ask all of their customers to give a credit card to the waitress to hold before you order... because that's what they did with me. Considering some of the praise that I have read about Big Wangs on this board, I may give it another try as I'm a big fan of well made wings... but I doubt the service will be much better. The best thing on their menu were the tots... served extra crispy and in generous portions.

[kproq323]

I have to say Wings and Things on Crenshaw is pretty darn good. Still searching for the best. There used to be a place on the westside but it closed down. :(

[handlertaper]

We order wings to go from The Slice in Santa Monica. The owners are from Syracuse so they get how to make Buffalo wings, pretty close to those I used to eat at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo.

[a_and_w]

This sounds promising -- thanks for the tip!

[a_and_w]

Finally got around to ordering wings from Slice in Santa Monica. They got everything right in terms of wing sauce, blue cheese dressing, etc. but the wings themselves were terribly overcooked and dry. Still, everything else was good enough that I'll give them one more try...

[slacker]

Where on Crenshaw is Wings and things?

[handlertaper]

Wings and Things
4213 Crenshaw Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90008

[Kris P Pata]

On the South Bay/Westside tip, the venerable PRINCE O' WHALES in Playa Del Rey -- "LA's oldest Sports Bar" they like to proclaim -- has been my go-to place for real wings for a decade and a half. The wings -- meaty, crisp, moist -- come in three levels of heat and as your fingers will betray, the sauce is authentic enough that it stays with you long after you've washed your hands. A dive as all get, it's immensely popular with local airline workers due to its proximity to LAX but, for you sports fans, it also seems to be a watering hole for professional coaches as well. The sight of then-NY Knicks coach Pat Riley struggling to maintain his coiffed 'do and the pressed dignity of his polo shirt while ingesting a basket of wings, was a treat for us Lakers fans who didn't like the way he left LA.

Good quality fries, extra sauce and a pitcher are the accompaniments with your basket. Unless you're the type that enjoys a fistful of habaneros as a snack, you'll want to go no hotter than "medium."

-----
Prince O' Whales
335 Culver Blvd, Playa Del Rey, CA 90293

[goodhealthgourmet]

and what a sight it would have been years later, for us knicks fans who didn't like the way he abandoned US. see, sometimes even knicks & lakers fans can agree :)

ok, an essential wing-related question for me...

[i assume they have] blue cheese sauce/dressing? how is it?

[Foodandwine]

Kris P Pata.. Passed this place for 20 years whom would ever know? Been there for beer some 10 years ago. I will try it out thanks H O U N D.. Love those wings..( general staement)

[bulavinaka]

I have lots of memories from The Prince - of those I remember, most were good, of those that weren't good, they were self-induced...

[TailbackU]

I really hate to announce this, but looks like a bunch of people have already given out the secret that is, Ye Rustic Inn. I love wings as well, and this place definitely has the best wings of any place I've tried in LA. It's a great locals dive bar in Los Feliz with decent food, but the wings definitely shine here. Ask for extra crispy.

[ysr_racer]

What about a good place in OC?

Anybody?

[blackbookali]

Its the Rustic by a mile. Suicide extra cripsy, accept no substitutes.

[bulavinaka]

If you're willing to broaden your definition of Buffalo wings to "great tasting" wings, Kyochon Chicken might be a worthy contender for you*. This Korea-based chain is starting to take a foothold in LA where the standalone eatery in Koreatown has a satellite sister in Freshia's food court in Old Torrance, and with good reason. They are all about chicken and almost all of it fried; in fact, with the exception of three items on their simple menu (french fried, cheese sticks and soft drinks), the rest is chicken-related. The other chicken-related dishes are three entrees like fried rice with chicken, chicken bulgogi, and chicken with rice cakes - all looking like the offer varying degrees of heat. The experience can seem a little pricey for what amounts to a fast food environment with a few frills tossed in. About $10 for a medium order and $15 for a large. But the first bite totally justified the prices for me.

The best way for me to describe Kyochon's fried chicken would be to hit on their three main components that makes their eats unique from just about any other fried chicken joints:

1) Koreans love garlic (and so do most others who enjoy great food) but at a level that most folks don't come close to. This culture pays tribute to the intensely flavored bulb by putting it into just about anything edible where it will logically fit. Just about every Korean eatery and home is like a mini Gilroy Garlic Festival where homage is paid with deep reverence to it. Somehow, Kyochon infuses the heady flavor of garlic into their fried chicken. Along with a slightly sweetish batter, the garlicky taste will have your lips smacking your fingers after polishing off each chicken part. Napkins are offered, but what's the sense in wasting a good napkin (and wasting any of that intoxicating residue on a napkin)?

2) Kyochon has no finished food sitting around. If you love fried foods and understand how quickly a crispy fried bird can fly south, you're applauding Kyochon with a standing ovation. They fry your order upon taking it. Nothing is sitting around, no one is tapping their fingers on the counter waiting for someone to take any of their aging inventory away because there isn't any.

3) Speaking of fry to order, try double-fry to order. This procedure ensures a crisp tasty bird with the flavors and juices sealed in. Don't think extra crispy like the Colonel - their version is kind of freakishly unreal to me. I don't know if Kyochon's French fries are given the same treatment, but they are crisp and fresh out of the frier as well. I wouldn't call them the best fries in town, but they definitely get a passing grade, and this is the only "plain" starch that is offered to accompany your fried chicken.

You can order Kyochon's fried chicken by according to a parts list. Whole bird cut into its respective disembodied segments, sticks (meaning drumsticks to us Yanks), wings, and a combination of wings and sticks. They're all treated wth the same frying expertise and love.

Getting back to the wings. Since you're on a mission for great Buffalo wings, my guess is that you appreciate some heat on your wings. Kyochon has a spicy version for all of their fried chicken. In essence, their spicy version is more or less a Korean take on Buffalo wings, sticks, and all other chicken parts. After finishing off their fried chicken, Kyochon brushes on just enough of a coat of spicy slighty sweet chile-enfused glaze where the end product is very reminiscent of a great buffalo wing. The flavor and heat of this glaze definitely has a lotta Seoul. But if you can tolerate the cummulative heat, grab a large order and forget about what your mom taught you about table manners just for a while. Why did the chicken cross the road? It wouldn't have chance hanging around Kyochon.

* Note - no beer or shoju is currently offered. If Kyochon did, this would complete the chicken coup d'etat...

[Gingerleen]

What's the address???

[bulavinaka]

Koreatown address:
3833 W 6th St
LA, CA 90020
213-739-9292

Old Torrance address:
2515 Torrance Blvd (in Freshia Market's food court)
Torrance, CA 90503
310-320-9299

The Torrance location is among three other food-related counters, two of which are conducive to creating a full meal along with Kyochon with the third being a bakery - you decide if you still have room for it. Korean sushi/sashimi is a good starter, the second counter has various Korean dishes - maybe soup or some veggie-intensive dish would be good, and of course, save room for Kyochon. It's nothing fancy there - just tables and chairs but a lady keeps it very tidy. Many order to go - keep the box open but away from your reach. You can warm them at home in the oven when you get home.

[Hershey Bomar]

I get take out wings from Ye Rustic far to often so... I was happy to find Kyochon.

The wings at Kychon are very crispy and you can get an order half and half -- half spicy and half just fried. I call ahead and it takes 20 minuted for them to cook. they're always ready when I show up.

If you order to go from Ye Rustic, that place is always to loud for me, they always tell you 10-15 minutes but it's always more like 25-30.

[bulavinaka]

I can't say that I've been to Ye Rustic, but if their chicken is as good as Kyochon's, I'd wait... Takeout is a great way to go at Kyochon. When I'm downing those wings in the food court, I keep reaching for that beer that just isn't there.

[a_and_w]

That gurgling is the sound of my drool...

[ErikaK]

Hmm do you know if they have this in the Tustin Freshia??

[bulavinaka]

That I don't. As far as I know, Kyochon is huge in Korea but kinda new to LA. I'd call to find out.

[ladius]

For another Asian take on wings, Furaibo is pretty good. And they have beer, lots of it. Sake too.

[a_and_w]

To clarify, do the "double fried" and "spicy" versions have the garlic infusion? Thanks...

[bulavinaka]

Hey A&W - both versions are the same for the most part - the heady garlicky aroma is in the chicken and/or batter, and the chicken parts are then double-fried to ensure a nice crisp texture. As a result of the double-frying, some of the chicken fat is rendered away but the pieces are still steaming moist and tender. The only difference between the "regular" and "spicy" is that they take the regular parts and brush on a spicy glaze. In essence, the result is a Korean version of Buffalo wings, drumsticks, and every other chicken part that they offer. This one added step creates a totally different experience.

Hershey Bomar says that you can order half/half. That seems a good way to go as you can try both versions, and also use the regulars as spacers between the spicy ones... If you're a healthy eater or plan to take home leftovers, get the large.

[snooze button]

This is a terrific write-up. If they're still open for dinner I'll be there tonight for those wings n' sticks.

[Servorg]

Ye Rustic Inn
1831 Hillhurst Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Phone: [phone]

[DanaB]

Ding! Ding! Ding! We have an answer!

If the OP searches the boards (on this topic that has been discussed before), he will not find a better answer than this.

[rednyellow]

I like Ye Rustric Inn wings a lot. I ask for well done and very spicy and they are always very good. Very good bloody mary's too.

[Jwsel]

Everything else sucks, but the extra spicy buffalo wings at Ribs USA in Burbank are the best I've had in LA. They may not be as hot as the suicide wings from Hoagies and Wings (which has branches in Sherman Oaks, on La Cienega, and on Venice), but the sauce has great flavor. I also get the spicy fries -- thick fries coated with the same sauce. They are pretty soggy, but have a good, flavorful kick.

[jimmyodonnell]

RIBS USA wings are very good, as are Ye Rustic Inn's mentioned below. Hoagies & Wings are too fat & wet for me, the chicken's just not very good so they're just immersed in sauce.

[SauceSupreme]

In Hollywood, stop by Big Wangs on the corner of Cahuenga and Selma. (The best thing there, though, are the tater tots.)

-----
Big Wangs
1562 N Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

[Marianna215]

Second big wangs -- good for tastebuds, not so much for for the arteries.

[goodhealthgourmet]

third big wangs.

[wilafur]

oooh...the tater tots at big wangs. mmmmm!!!

[tatertotsrock]

TATERTOTS!?!?!?
I'm so going there as soon as I can.
I love tatertots!!!

[Pei]

to follow that tangent, the tater tots at Roni's on Little Santa Monica (across from the Beverly Peninsula) are incredible.

[so_hungry]

can i just say that this is the BEST tangent in the world?!?!?! now i have a place for my tators. finally reunited with my love!

[Jaybay]

love big wangs, and they do have the BEST tots in town.. you must try the "heart-a-tot" which is a huge order of tater tots, covered in alfredo sauce with bacon and parsley. its pretty unbelievable.

[wilafur]

OMG. i will have to try this out next time! mmm! my cardiologist is gonna love me!

[creamfinger]

Tater tots covered in Alfredo sauce... with bacon? If it isn't illegal, it should be!

[AllieMcC]

I'm a big fan of Wing Stop. There are locations in Whittier and Monrovia. Great (hot!) wings and potato salad, and reasonably priced.

[tatertotsrock]

Holy sh!t!
I haven't had wings in years...then, on Friday, we were in Long Beach to see the Paul Taylor Dance Co and wanted to have a nice dinner..traffic was so bad that we needed to get something fast...we said, if we are gonna get food that isn't good for us, it better be really bad and taste really good...we saw Wing Stop and laughed and then said what the hell!
It was GREAT!!!!
WING STOP in Long Beach ROCKS!!!
We had the crispy boneless stips "original hot" style.
Wings, we ordered: Lemon/Pepper; Hawaiian, Mild Original; Cajun, and one other I can't remember.
The frech fries were amazing!!!
There were 60 wings at our table....only 3 of us eating, and we're just petite gals-2 of us barely 5'2"...we ate everything!!!
YUM!