Photo Courtesy: J. Timothy’s Tavern
I partake in many different things and have many different skills, but the one I take the most pride in is my love for wings. It’s not just a love of food, and I’m not afraid to admit it, the only word that would do it justice is connoisseur. That being said, you won’t have to search “Wings near me” anymore, because this is the only guide you will need.
Let me give you a look into my experiment; three places: Buffalo Wild Wings, J Timothy’s, and Wings Over. To keep everything consistent I went with the classic buffalo sauce for a flavor and although I personally think blue cheese is essential, it would be unprofessional of me to use it since it could sway results. With that I say, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty, let’s get this wing show on the road.
Buffalo Wild Wings - Wethersfield Location (4.6/10)
Buffalo Wild Wings. Beer and Sports. Am I missing one? Not in the slightest. The fact that this place advertises wings is atrocious. Yes, it is convenient and a quick bite to eat while watching a game, but to put this mockery of a “wing” restaurant in the same category as J Timothy’s and Wings Over would compromise my character.
The atmosphere is there. TVs galore. It’s a great place to tune into a game and get some drinks with friends. It is a pretty good price compared to the competition as a 10-piece traditional will only run you about $9.99. Upon opening the box, I could tell it was going to be sloppy. The crisp is not there whatsoever, and even though the sauce was just buffalo it seemed like they searched up “generic hot sauce”, bought it, and tossed some wings in it. The bottom line is if you're looking for a good chicken wing, what they refer to as B dubs should NOT be in the conversation.
J Timothy’s Taverne - Plainville, CT (7.9/10)
Some people may crucify me for this one, but I say let them. J Timothy’s is an award-winning restaurant that brings people in from around the region to come and try their wings. I really enjoy their sizing style that goes up to a bucket of 40 wings. However, they only let you get one flavor per order which knocks them down a couple of pegs because who would want 40 wings with the same sauce? Nonetheless, it’s a bit steep coming in at $15.95 for 10 wings.
Now for the actual review. Inside there is a rustic look that makes you feel hungry. It’s a loud environment but it gets you amped to demolish some wings. The presentation was great and so was the service. The flavor honestly was the best out of all three places. It was seasoned to perfection and had the proper sauce distribution for each and every bite. But where it lost points for me was freshness. The chicken tasted old and the oil they fried it in seemed like it had been sitting for ages. They make a lot of wings I get that, but if you want the title of best wings you have to keep up with the demand and make sure you’ve rotated to new fresh food. Maybe the batch was bad, and I will cut them some slack, but it wasn’t my favorite. Overall, it’s a place you will want to try at some point in your life if you love wings.
Wings Over - New Britain Location (8.6/10)
Wings Over is a small chain restaurant that primarily does take-out but has some space to dine in. When thinking of the perfect place to order from for a game, Wings Over is the blueprint. You call in and get your wings in no time and they also deliver if you prefer that route, and these wings are also the cheapest if you buy what they call the “Puddle Jump” (10 wings). It's only $8.49. Price is not the only factor that sets Wings Over apart.
When I ordered, of course, I had to go buffalo just because of the experiment, but they had almost 22 flavors to choose from. It came in a styrofoam takeout container, and I could smell how delicious it was through the box. Check for crispiness, sauce, and seasoning on point, and the chicken was so juicy and fresh. Yes, it may seem like an unpopular choice, and it not only checked all the boxes, but it also set the standard for what wings should be like.
WINNER
It was a whirlwind of flavor and taste, some had it more than others, and some not at all cough cough Buffalo Wild Wings. So, the obvious loser is Buffalo Wild Wings, I wouldn’t even consider going there looking for wings. J Timothy’s Taverne honestly had the flavor, but I can’t sit here and tell you that they were prepared fresh, and as a consumer, it disappointed me greatly. When it comes down to it there’s no need to look any further than Wings Over. So, what are you waiting for, go get your drums and flats!
Have an opposing viewpoint to this opinion? Let us know. All views are welcome. Send your thoughts to our Editorial Staff – Editor Dylan Hicks dhicks@student.dean.edu or Dean Daily Faculty Advisor, Professor John Rooke jrooke@dean.edu
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