From no-frills classics to high-end remixes, there’s plenty of ways to enjoy chicken wings in metro Detroit. Indulge in the best the area has to offer at these 12 hot spots. And don’t forget to ask for ranch — are you even from the Midwest if you don’t?
Anita’s Kitchen
The Lebanese restaurant may be revered for its hummus, chicken shawarma, and fattoush, but it’s also worth a visit for its chicken wings. Available at the eatery’s Ferndale, Detroit, and Lake Orion locations, the crispy Joe’s Wings are tossed with zip sauce and served with creamy feta dressing and carrots. 6pc at $11, 10pc at $16. Anita’s Kitchen, various locations; anitaskitchen.com.
Broasted Brothers
As its name would imply, this family-owned eatery specializes in broasted chicken at two metro Detroit locations. Individual wings ring in at $1.50 a piece, and wing meals, which come with several pieces of chicken, one side, and a biscuit, start at just $10.50. Sauces include Buffalo, BBQ, Mango Habanero, Bleu Cheese, Blackened Dry Rub, and Lemmon Pepper Dry Rub. For an after-dinner sweet, try one of the restaurant’s flavor-burst milkshakes. Broasted Brothers Plymouth, 15171 N. Sheldon Road, Plymouth; 734-892-2900; Broasted Brother’s Livonia, 30983 Five Mile Road, Livonia; 734-855-4760; broastedbrothers.com.
Brown Iron Brewhouse
With locations in Royal Oak and Washington Township, Brown Iron Brewhouse offers a variety of in-house dining and catering/party selections and was voted one of the top three wing places in ‘Best of Detroit 2022.’ Their wings are tossed in honey siracha BBQ sauce and garnished with green onions — and they’re only an appetizer, so be sure to leave room for Crispy Fish Tacos, Brisket Melt, Loaded Tater Tots, or the Cali Smoked Salmon BLT. Brown Iron Brewhouse, various locations; browniron.com.
Chicken Shack
It wouldn’t be a chicken wing roundup without a shout out to one of metro Detroit’s longest-standing establishments. Founded in 1956, Chicken Shack offers a variety of à la carte options as well as value meals and buckets. Sauce choices are BBQ or Hot N Spicy. Sides include potatoes, French fries, onion rings, coleslaw, corn, and green beans. Overall, it’s a simple menu, but its ability to stand the test of time makes it a standout locally. Chicken Shack, visit chickenshack.com for locations.
COOP Caribbean Fusion
Situated in the Detroit Shipping Company in Midtown, Coop — as its name would imply — is known for its chicken. The restaurant is helmed by Chef Max Hardy, who was a runner up on the Food Network cooking competition show Chopped. The six-piece famous Jerk Wings Coop can be paired with several sauces, such as Honey Lemon and Curry Love. Wash it all down with a Jamaican Punch or Mango Lemonade. Coop Caribbean Fusion, 474 Peterboro St., Detroit; 313-789-3023; thecoopdetroit.com.
Detroit Wing Co.
Voted the Best Wings – Suburb 2019 by Hour Detroit readers, Detroit Wing Co. first began in Eastpointe and now has locations across the metro area. The restaurant offers up 16 signature sauces — including Butter Cheese, Creole Parmesan, Greek, Whiskey BBQ, and Calypso Heat — to coat its classic and boneless wings. Detroit Wing Co. also offers sandwiches, fries, mac n’ cheese, and bakery options. Detroit Wing Co., visit detroitwingco.com for locations.
Flowers of Vietnam
For a flavorful spin on the classic, stop by Flowers of Vietnam for its dinner-time Caramel Chicken Wings. The wings are Korean fried and served with rau mau. The Southwest Detroit eatery, which operates out of a former Coney Island, also offers up a more traditional take on wings. During its Coney-style brunch, order up a plate of the Chicken Wings, which are fried and served with hot sauce, ranch, and BBQ sauce. Flowers of Vietnam, 4440 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-554-2085; flowersofvietnam.com.
Mavrix Restaurant & Bar
2023 Finalist for ‘Best Wings’ in ‘Best of Detroit,’ Mavrix offers “a little somethin’ for everyone.” The restaurant’s dining menu offers a full wing menu with your choice of traditional, boneless, or grilled boneless wings. Choose your heat and pick from a wide variety of sauces including Lemon Pepper, Cajun, BBQ, Sweet & Sassy, and Honey Zing. All wings come with celery and ranch or bleu cheese. Mavrix Restaurant & Bar, 50308 Schoenherr Road, Shelby Township; 586-532-0148; eatatmavrix.com.
Penny Red’s
Penny Red’s, one of the eateries offered by the Shinola Hotel, means business when it comes to chicken. It’s finely curated menu only features chicken sandwiches, buckets of “Damn Fine Fried Chicken,” and tasty sides like Penny’s Potato Salad, Crispy Brussels, and Dang Tangy Slaw. Penny Red’s, 1445 Farmer St., Detroit; pennyreds.com.
SavannahBlue
Expertly mixing interesting flavors, SavannahBlue offers up contemporary northern soul food. The restaurant’s House Dry-Rub Wings are served alongside barbecue molasses. Order other shareables like black eyed peas, deep fried ribs, or the candied sweet potato, or pick an entrée like pan-seared cornish hash, catfish, or seared salmon. SavannahBlue, 1431 Times Square, Detroit; 313-926-0783; savannahbluedetroit.com.
Second Base
This neighborhood joint doesn’t try too hard to impress. Instead, Second Base serves up solid takes on bar classics with games like pool, darts, pinball, and keno, and menu items like burgers, sandwiches, and appetizers. The Second Base Wings, which come with sweet and spicy sauces, are a steal at 10 for $8 or 20 for $15. Stop in for Karaoke on Saturdays from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Second Base, 1309 E. Nine Mile Road., Ferndale; 248-548-7771; secondbaseferndale.com.
Sweetwater Tavern
The Detroit restaurant has been named Best Wings – City 2019 by Hour Detroit readers and one of the top chicken wing restaurants in the U.S. by Thrillist. Sweetwater gets its wings delivered every morning from Eastern Market. They’re marinated for 24 hours before being soaked in spices then fried. To get the best of the restaurant’s offerings, opt for a combo like the Rib and Wing Combo, BBQ Rib Tip and Wing Combo, or Chicken Strip and Wing. Sweetwater Tavern, 400 E. Congress St., Detroit; 313-962-2210; sweetwatertavern.net for more information and Sweetwater Express locations.
Union Woodshop
The self-described “hand-crafted, wood-fired joint” specializes in all things barbecue. From sandwiches to burgers and pulled pork to ribs, there’s plenty to satisfy your cravings. The House-Smoked Chicken Wings can be ordered one of two ways. Naked wings can be topped with table sauces, which include regional varieties inspired by cities like Memphis, Tennessee; Raleigh, North Carolina, and Hell, Michigan. Wings can also be ordered Nashville hot style. Union Woodshop, 18 S. Main St., Clarkston; 248-625-5660; unionwoodshop.com.
This post has been updated for 2023.
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