Favorite Spots in AZ: Chicken Wing Edition

Dedicated to all the chicken wings out there that have changed my life

For those of you who know me, you know that I am a closeted food critic. I was fortunate enough to have grown up in a family that is obsessed with good food. It is woven into our core values like how butter is laminated into dough to make a croissant. Eating good food, talking about good food, and making good food; it’s who we are. I don’t just shop for clothes, I shop for meals.

I am starting this food series off strong with my love of chicken wings. I tell my fiance all the time that my ideal meal will always be pizza and wings; maybe the Chicago in me loves a greasy meal.

I dream of these wings from Glai Baan. They are perfectly crispy, seasoned, and juicy literally every single time. The side sauce as pictured is tangy from the fish sauce and spicy from the chili and it is everything I want for my wings. Everything at this local Thai restaurant is so amazing. The staff is absolutely lovely and the owner is one of the kindest men I have ever met. It is a 10/10 for me consistently.

The naked chicken wings from Fly Bye are seriously next level. These are classic late-night, Sunday Football, greasy meal chicken wings. I prefer wings like this to be naked that way I can order a plethora of sauces on the side and get a variety of flavors rather than just one. It’s all about strategy people! Hats off to Sam Fox, Arizona restauranteur and icon.

The only time I am okay with my wings pre-sauced is when I order these from Culinary Dropout another Sam Fox favorite. Somehow the wings are saucy and crispy every time and for that, I am thankful because this sauce is so good I could swim in it.

An honorable mention is my dad’s chicken nuggets. Obviously, you can’t just order these at a restaurant, but I am sure he would love to make you some in exchange for some whiskey. Brined in pickle juice and perfectly paired with his dill ranch, I could eat these every day if I wasn’t concerned about my overall general health. Gonna call him now to request these at the next family meal.

Can’t wait to share more, going to go make a snack now.

-xo

erin