Where To Find Mouthwatering Wings in Atlanta
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published August 6, 2020 and last updated August 22nd, 2022.
It seems like it’s a requirement when you’re a restaurant in Atlanta, whether you’re a Thai spot or a sports bar or a tapas place, that you have to have some sort of wings on the menu or you just can’t cut it here. While wings were by no means invented in ATL, Atlanta has absolutely adopted wings as its own cultural cuisine. Here are a few spots that locals rave about with wings that are better than the rest!
1. B&L Wings
800 Forrest St NW | Atlanta, GA 30318
Once you’ve had the hot honey lemon pepper wings at B&L Wings, there’s no going back. B&L Wings, started by a husband and wife duo, is one of those businesses that really had a come-up through Instagram, building a loyal fan base that keep them sold out week after week. The sweet blue cheese, the ranch fried okra, the crispy breading on the wings–an order from B&L is a gut bomb in the best of ways. Order them for pick-up this weekend and fall into a food coma.
@atlantaeatstv Finally checked out @THEBANDO_ATL and it’s worth the hype #atlantageorgia #atlanta #gowhiteboygo ♬ original sound – elijah woods
2. The Bando
3050 M.L.K. Jr Dr SW Suite M | Atlanta, GA 30311
These wings are total social media phenomena. Their wings are on the smaller side and extra crispy, and their famous “crack” wings are dusted in powdered sugar and great if you have an extra sweet tooth. But for more classic flavors, they also deliver, and the fries go heavy on the seasoning and are fantastic as well.
3. Clay’s Sports Cafe
5975 Roswell Rd D- 245 | Atlanta, GA 30328
For wings that are craveworthingly crispy and sauced to perfection, Clay’s Sports Cafe in Sandy Springs is an excellent choice. The prices are affordable, especially for the neighborhood, and we love the local neighborhood bar/restaurant feel of the place. Available for takeout and delivery!
4. Firepit Pizza Tavern
519 Memorial Dr SE | Atlanta, GA 30312
The dry rub unicorn wings at Chef/owner Leslie Cohen’s Firepit Pizza Tavern was Atlanta Eats staff pick for best meal of 2019, with an unusual and unique blend of ranch, lemon pepper, sugar, and salt that makes for the perfect explosion of flavors in your mouth. They’re perfectly crispy and the wings alone are worthy of a trip for any wing connoisseur, but there’s plenty more to love about this women-owned Grant Park restaurant. The neighborhood feel, the tavern style pizzas–and it’s all available for takeout and delivery at this time!
5. Fox Bros BBQ
Multiple Locations
Fox Brothers BBQ may be the most decorated BBQ spot in Atlanta, and for great reason. They do some mean, Texas style BBQ, with brisket that melts in your mouth and fried ribs that are the perfect cheat meal. But if you’re a wing lover, their tendy, juicy, flavorful smoked wings are right on the money for your visit. Prepare to wait, but it’ll all taste even more worth it! Available for pick-up and patio dining
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6. Hoots’ Wings
Multiple Locations
It’s a chain perhaps known for other things, but Hooters’ breaded wings (especially the spicy garlic flavor) are dope and that’s a hill we’ll die on. And now, Hooters are working to bring their wings everywhere, with their new Hoots’ Wings restaurant that’s now open in Decatur, Peachtree Corners, and Reynoldstown. They’ve got hundreds of combos available of their sauces and rubs, and it’s the perfect place for a weeknight meal or any game day catering you need to do.
7. Jack’s Pizza & Wings
676 Highland Ave NE | Atlanta, GA 30312
It can feel like Old Fourth Ward is all $18 cocktails these days, but for an unexpectedly affordable dive spot where the the beer is cold and the wings are great, head to Jack’s Pizza & Wings. With great vibes, pitcher deals, and well drinks, Jack’s Pizza & Wings is always a great time. Try the strawberry lemon pepper wing combo for a fun twist!
8. J.R. Cricket’s
Multiple Locations
We have to include this Atlanta institution in our list. J.R. Cricket’s first opened up shop in the ’80s and has been slinging wings ever since, really helping to . They make their blue cheese themselves and the wings are fresh, never frozen. And of course you’ve got to try their lemon pepper wet wings, made with a medium sauce and sprinkled with lemon pepper sprinkles.
9. The Local
758 Ponce De Leon Ave NE | Atlanta, GA 30306
It’s totally not weird if your favorite wing spot is a bar, if that bar is the Local. This lowkey dive is a great spot to grab a drink with friends is prime for wings. If you’re looking for a party, they were the place to go (in pre-pandemic times at least) for karaoke on Mondays. For wing flavors, you can’t go wrong with classic buffalo but their Korean BBQ ones are amazing too!
I totally get it Lou Will. pic.twitter.com/OwFTQQdAJt
— Zach Soskin (@ZSoskin) July 28, 2020
10. Magic City
241 Forsyth St SW | Atlanta, GA 30303
Whether Lou Williams was looking for just wings at Magic City, we couldn’t tell you, but strip club wings are absolutely a thing here and Magic City has some phenomenal ones, with one Yelp reviewer even writing, “If I could fill a tub with Magic City Kitchen wings and climb in I absolutely would not hesitate to do so.” And yes, they are offering takeout at this time.
11. Nam Phuong
4051 Buford Hwy NE | Atlanta, GA 30345
As a city, we’re truly blessed to have a gem like Buford Highway serving up the best international cuisine in all of Georgia, and Vietnamese gem Nam Phuong’s take on the chicken wing is something that’s worth a trip in itself. It’s extra crispy, with the perfect sauce that’ll have you coming back again and again. The secret to Nam Phuong’s addicting wings? A hint of fish sauce, a staple in many Southeast Asian cuisines.
12. Pit Boss BBQ
Multiple Locations
We’re never not thinking about the smoked jumbo wings at hole-in-the-wall spot, Pit Boss BBQ. This dive has some of the best BBQ in town in a no-frills environment where you can comfortable sit and stuff your face with all the ‘cue you could want. Get them in Hapeville down by the airport or in Stockbridge.
13. Three Dollar Cafe
Multiple Locations
Three Dollar Cafe is your friendly neighborhood bar. We could eat wings for days at this spot! This sports bar is the perfect place to grab some beers with friends or family and enjoy some great homemade food. The steak & cheese and the burgers are so good you’ll come back the next day!
14. Wings 101
Multiple Locations
Getting a taste of Atlanta means indulging in the best wings you’ve ever had. Wings 101 does exactly that and more, with their various flavors and quality chicken. You wouldn’t be an Atlantian without having a favorite wing spot, so make this one yours!
Once you’ve had the hot honey lemon pepper wings at B&L Wings, there’s no going back. B&L Wings, started by a husband and wife duo, is one of those businesses that really had a come-up through Instagram, building a loyal fan base that keep them sold out week after week. The sweet blue cheese, the ranch fried okra, the crispy breading on the wings–an order from B&L is a gut bomb in the best of ways. Order them for pick-up this weekend and fall into a food coma.
For wings that are craveworthingly crispy and sauced to perfection, Clay’s Sports Cafe in Sandy Springs is an excellent choice. The prices are affordable, especially for the neighborhood, and we love the local neighborhood bar/restaurant feel of the place. Available for takeout and delivery!
The dry rub unicorn wings at Chef/owner Leslie Cohen’s Firepit Pizza Tavern was Atlanta Eats staff pick for best meal of 2019, with an unusual and unique blend of ranch, lemon pepper, sugar, and salt that makes for the perfect explosion of flavors in your mouth. They’re perfectly crispy and the wings alone are worthy of a trip for any wing connoisseur, but there’s plenty more to love about this women-owned Grant Park restaurant. The neighborhood feel, the tavern style pizzas–and it’s all available for takeout and delivery at this time!
Fox Brothers BBQ may be the most decorated BBQ spot in Atlanta, and for great reason. They do some mean, Texas style BBQ, with brisket that melts in your mouth and fried ribs that are the perfect cheat meal. But if you’re a wing lover, their tendy, juicy, flavorful smoked wings are right on the money for your visit. Prepare to wait, but it’ll all taste even more worth it! Available for pick-up and patio dining
1565 Church St #505, Decatur, GA 30033Anybody else out there got a passion for Hooters’ breaded wings? We’re psyched they’re working to bring their wings everywhere, with their new Hoots’ Wings restaurant that’s now open in Decatur, Peachtree Corners, and Reynoldstown. They’ve got tons of sauces and rubs–try the hot honey sauce and Parmesan Garlic for some good eats.
It can feel like Old Fourth Ward is all $18 cocktails these days, but for an unexpectedly affordable dive spot where the the beer is cold and the wings are great, head to Jack’s Pizza & Wings. With great vibes, pitcher deals, and well drinks, Jack’s Pizza & Wings is always a great time. Try the strawberry lemon pepper wing combo for a fun twist!
We have to include this Atlanta institution in our list. J.R. Cricket’s first opened up shop in the ’80s and has been slinging wings ever since, really helping to . They make their blue cheese themselves and the wings are fresh, never frozen. And of course you’ve got to try their lemon pepper wet wings, made with a medium sauce and sprinkled with lemon pepper sprinkles.
It’s totally not weird if your favorite wing spot is a bar, if that bar is the Local. This lowkey dive is a great spot to grab a drink with friends is prime for wings. If you’re looking for a party, they were the place to go (in pre-pandemic times at least) for karaoke on Mondays. For wing flavors, you can’t go wrong with classic buffalo but their Korean BBQ ones are amazing too!
Whether Lou Williams was looking for just wings at Magic City, we couldn’t tell you, but strip club wings are absolutely a thing here and Magic City has some phenomenal ones, with one Yelp reviewer even writing, “If I could fill a tub with Magic City Kitchen wings and climb in I absolutely would not hesitate to do so.” And yes, they are offering takeout at this time.
As a city, we’re truly blessed to have a gem like Buford Highway serving up the best international cuisine in all of Georgia, and Vietnamese gem Nam Phuong’s take on the chicken wing is something that’s worth a trip in itself. It’s extra crispy, with the perfect sauce that’ll have you coming back again and again. The secret to Nam Phuong’s addicting wings? A hint of fish sauce, a staple in many Southeast Asian cuisines.
