And the Best Chicken Wing in Buffalo…
Me, looking at the the image of Buffalo wing perfection at Gabriel’s Gate
Photo by Kevin Dynia
Is from Gabriel’s Gate. The wings there held a sense of authority that I imagine every other wing in town aspires to. The sauce was balanced to a tee, with equal, dedicated effort put in by the heat, acidity, and creaminess. It was the kind of sauce you’d put on nearly everything: meats, vegetables, and snacks (say…popcorn). You might not admit to it, but you’d toss a damn salad in it, in the privacy of your home, away from the eyes of the folks who have never experienced the righteousness that is that sauce. They wouldn’t understand.
Each bite was initiated with a crackle and followed by a juicy, fatty chew. They stayed crispy, too. There wasn’t excess sauce, just enough to keep the skin both coated and crackly. It was a perfect Buffalo wing, the kind you wouldn’t hesitate to order another 10 of (solely for personal consumption).
Not that it factored into my decision, but the atmosphere inside of Gabriel’s Gate was killer too. If you go ahead and imagine what Grizzly Adam’s sports bar would like like, it looked like that. Half-cabin. Half-bar. And another half…everything else. There was something mythical about the whole thing, which explains why the wings were so damn dreamy. If you’re in Buffalo for wings, Gabriel’s Gate is your spot.
The Top Three Wings in Buffalo:
Gabriel’s GateElmo’sMammoser’s
Other Wing Spots I Hit: Bar Bill Tavern, Doc Sullivan’s, The Blackthorn, The Lenox Grill, Anchor Bar, Duff’s, Cole’s, Glen Park Tavern, and Gene McCarthy’s
Some of you may be thinking, Wait, why didn’t they go to my favorite wing joint? Without naming names, I’ll say this: There were a couple Buffalo restaurants that did not want to sign the paperwork they needed to sign in order to appear in this video. And that’s totally fine. But remember, if you want to be the best, you have to play the game.
Now…about the New York city I trust for pizza:
What’s the Best New York Slice? I Ate at 30 Pizza Joints to Find Out
Sauce. Cheese. Dough. Attitude. It all matters.
