Wingin’ It: Discovering the Best Chicken Wings
in Columbus, Ohio
Long gone are the days when wings were considered a throwaway part of the chicken and were often discarded or used in soups and stews. Today, chicken wings have a cult following that initially started in Buffalo, New York, when Tessa Bellissimo, co-owner of the Anchor Bar, cooked up a batch by deep-frying them before tossing them in a mixture of hot sauce and butter.
The dish was an instant hit, and the Anchor Bar began serving them as a regular menu item. Today, chicken wings are a staple on menus in various spots, and you can expect to find them anywhere, from sports bars to ethnic restaurants. Here is a handy list of the best chicken wings in Columbus – one word of caution: you will probably want to try them all!
Hot Chicken Takeover
It only took one taste of authentic Nashville chicken wings for the owner of Hot Chicken Takeover to start making them in Ohio, first for friends and then through a pop-up chicken window before opening the first of what would be several chicken wings restaurants in Columbus alone.
Not only does Hot Chicken Takeover make some of the best chicken wings in Columbus from 100% fresh and never frozen chicken, but they also make it their mission to employ people who need a fair chance due to homelessness, previous incarceration, and more. Pick your meat, heat, extras, and sides, or go for the family pack if you’re feeding a crowd. They also have vegan wings.
Service options: Dine-in · Takeout · Delivery
North Market: 59 Spruce St, Columbus, OH 43215 • (614) 800-4538
Clintonville: 4203 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43214 • 614-754-1151
Grandview: 1417 W 5th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43212 • 614-502-3599
Easton: 4198 Worth Avenue, Columbus, OH 43219 • 614-532-7435
Photo Credit: Hot Chicken Takeover
B & K Smoke House
The B & K Smoke House used to be one of Columbus’ best-kept secrets until word got out about their old-fashioned barbecue, large portions, delicious chicken wings that fall right off the bone, and filling sides like collard greens, green beans, and freshly baked cornbread. Prices are very reasonable especially considering the serving sizes.
Do not let the quaint location and lack of fancy websites or social media accounts. The focus of the owners, James and Keith, is on providing Columbus with top-quality food that will have you coming back for more.
Service options: Dine-in · Takeout · No delivery
Address: 1114 E Main St, Columbus, OH 43205 • (614) 252-7017
Photo Credit: B& K Smoke House
Roosters
High on the list of the best chicken wings in Columbus for many residents, Roosters is a fun, casual joint that serves fantastic wings including boneless and traditional that are always fresh and never frozen. And unlike many spots which might use cheaper cooking oil, they proudly use 100% zero trans fat soy oil. Choose from a variety of sauces, from mild Honey BBQ or Carolina Gold to spicy Garlic or Sweet Thai Chili, or fiery Donkey or Nu-Killer.
Roosters gives back to the community with their Roosters Foundation, which donates scholarships to team members and charities like the Buckeye Cruise for Cancer, benefiting The Ohio State Comprehensive Cancer Center, totaling one million dollars a year.
Service options: Dine-in · Curbside pickup
Address: 3370 Olentangy River Rd, Columbus, OH 43202 • (614) 262-3185
Photo Credit: Roosters
Woodys Wing House
Woodys Wing House serves some of the best chicken wings in Columbus, hands down. Choose from boneless, classic, and breaded or smoked. They also offer dry rubs, something that isn’t common in the area, including Cajun, Rotisserie Peppercorn, Buffalo Ranch, Smokey Q, and Lemon Pepper. They also have over 15 sauces going from mild Garlic Parm to super spicy 5th Degree.
Woodys Wing House also serves beer on tap, pizzas, salads, desserts, and more.
Service options: Dine-in · Drive-through · Delivery
Address: 161 E Campus View Blvd, Columbus, OH 43235 • (614) 262-3185
Photo Credit: Woodys Wing House
OH Pizza and Brew
While their name indicates that pizza is their specialty, the chicken wings steal the show at OH Pizza and Brew. Not only are they perfectly crispy, but they are also served with delicious sauces like Nashville Hot Rub, Mango Habanero, and Garlic Parmesan. Pick from boneless or bone-in, and don’t forget to try some sides like their popular Onion Rings made with lightly battered fresh-cut sweet red onions.
Service options: Dine-in · Takeout · No-contact delivery
Address: 88 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215 • (614) 940-8687
Photo Credit: OH Pizza and Brew
Meshikou Chikin
If you love fried chicken and street food flavors from around the world, look no further than Meshikou Chikin! Their double-fried wings are served with fresh and tasty sauces like Spicy K Pop, which is sweet, savory, and spiced up with Gochujang, or Meshikou Garlic Bomb, a signature sauce passed down from two generations that is sweet, savory,
and tangy with a big punch of fresh garlic.
They are next door to Meshikou Ramen where you can get fantastic ramen, braised tofu, bao buns, and more.
Service options: Dine-in · Takeout · No-contact delivery
Address: 1506 Bethel Rd, Columbus, OH 43220 • (614) 457-1689
Photo Credit: Meshikou Chikin
Barley’s Brewing Company
Head over to Barley’s Brewing Company for flavorful and tender wings, vintage arcade games, and award-winning ales. Their “Unconventional Wings” come with sauce or rub, fresh celery, and your choice of ranch or blue cheese, and are known for being some of the best in town.
It doesn’t hurt that this laid-back pub strives to provide a fun atmosphere at all times and that they offer unique menu items like sauerkraut balls and pierogi. Well worth checking out!
Service options: Dine-in · Takeout · Delivery
Address: 467 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215 • (614) 221-9767
Photo Credit: Barley’s Brewing Company
Press Grill
If you tend to get overwhelmed by long lists of sauces, rubs, and dips, Press Grill is the place for you. They serve some of the best chicken wings in Columbus with a focus on just a few flavorful sauces. Choose from Medium, Honey Bbq • Hot, and Honey Mustard. If not everyone in your group is in the mood for wings, they also have a pretty extensive menu with salads, pizzas, burgers, and more.
Service options: Dine-in · Takeout · No delivery
Address: 741 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215 • (614) 298-1014
Press Pub On 5th – Grandview: 1505 W 5th Ave, Columbus, OH 43212 • (614) 817-1198
Photo Credit: Press Grill
Gallo’s Tap Room
Gallo’s Tap Room is the go-to place in Columbus to watch the game while eating some perfectly cooked wings, and they have a spot for pool, darts, and arcade games. The place can be busy so make sure to budget your time generously, but that’s to be expected for some of the best chicken wings in Columbus!
They are served with celery, housemade ranch or bleu cheese dressing, and sauces with 3 levels of heat including mild Teriyaki Wasabi, medium Hot Garlic, and hot Cockfight.
Service options: Dine-in · Takeout · Delivery
Address: 5019 Olentangy River Rd, Columbus, OH 43214 • (614) 457-2394
Photo Credit: Gallo’s Tap Room
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