Where to Find Legit Chicken Wings in Cleveland

By on Sat, Feb 3, 2018 at 9:19 pm

Buffalo may have invented the chicken wing, but Cleveland knows a things or two about the classic appetizer. Whether you're more of a traditionalist, and prefer simple flavors like barbecue and hot, or get more adventurous with newer creations like pineapple habañero and honey bacon, these 20 places have some of the best wings around. So grab a beer, turn on the football game, and pick up some wings this Super Bowl Sunday.

Buffalo may have invented the chicken wing, but Cleveland knows a things or two about the classic appetizer. Whether you're more of a traditionalist, and prefer simple flavors like barbecue and hot, or get more adventurous with newer creations like pineapple habañero and honey bacon, these 20 places have some of the best wings around.

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Academy Tavern 12800 Larchmere Ave., Cleveland This old-timey bar has been serving up residents in the Larchmere district, where Shaker Heights turns into Cleveland, since 1939. This is a place where tradition rules, so go for the ‘Hot Buffalo’ wings because that’ll make you seem like a regular and they’ll really hit the spot. Photo via @DJMikel/Instagram

Academy Tavern

12800 Larchmere Ave., Cleveland

This old-timey bar has been serving up residents in the Larchmere district, where Shaker Heights turns into Cleveland, since 1939. This is a place where tradition rules, so go for the ‘Hot Buffalo’ wings because that’ll make you seem like a regular and they’ll really hit the spot.

Photo via @DJMikel/Instagram
Pounders 6370 York Rd., Suite 4, Parma With over 60 different sauces and rubs, there might be a restaurant with more types of wings, but we've certainly have never found it. Where else can you get flavors of wings like ‘Warm Bacon’, ‘Raspberry Chipotle’ and ‘Pineapple Habañero’? Photo via Pounders Bar & Grill/Facebook

Pounders

6370 York Rd., Suite 4, Parma

With over 60 different sauces and rubs, there might be a restaurant with more types of wings, but we've certainly have never found it. Where else can you get flavors of wings like ‘Warm Bacon’, ‘Raspberry Chipotle’ and ‘Pineapple Habañero’?

Photo via Pounders Bar & Grill/Facebook
City Tap 748 Prospect Ave., Cleveland Located in the heart of Downtown, City Tap is the perfect spot for wings right before heading over to take in a Tribe or Cavaliers’ game. The ‘Honey Sriracha’ are a standout here. Photo via @JaiSherell/Instagram

City Tap

748 Prospect Ave., Cleveland

Located in the heart of Downtown, City Tap is the perfect spot for wings right before heading over to take in a Tribe or Cavaliers’ game. The ‘Honey Sriracha’ are a standout here.

Photo via @JaiSherell/Instagram
The South Side 2207 W. 11th St., Cleveland The ‘Carolina BBQ’ and ‘Chipotle Lime’ flavors of wings here are some of the most original and mouthwatering in town at Tremont's South Side. Come hungry here, and with a big group, so you can get wings and all of their other shareable items at one of Scene’s favorite spots. Photo via @TheSouthsideCleveland/Instagram

The South Side

2207 W. 11th St., Cleveland

The ‘Carolina BBQ’ and ‘Chipotle Lime’ flavors of wings here are some of the most original and mouthwatering in town at Tremont's South Side. Come hungry here, and with a big group, so you can get wings and all of their other shareable items at one of Scene’s favorite spots.

Photo via @TheSouthsideCleveland/Instagram
Quaker Steak & Lube Multiple Locations While Quaker Steak started in Pennsylvania, the chain has made Ohio it’s second home with 16 locations around the state, including locations at the airport and the Q. The ‘Smoked Jalapeño Honey’ is a favorite sauce of ours and the ‘Triple Atomic’ is a challenge for those daring few who can handle the spice. Photo via @QuakerSteak/Instagram

Quaker Steak & Lube

Multiple Locations

While Quaker Steak started in Pennsylvania, the chain has made Ohio it’s second home with 16 locations around the state, including locations at the airport and the Q. The ‘Smoked Jalapeño Honey’ is a favorite sauce of ours and the ‘Triple Atomic’ is a challenge for those daring few who can handle the spice.

Photo via @QuakerSteak/Instagram
Skinny’s Bar and Grille 780 E. 222nd St., Euclid Although Skinny’s in Euclid only serves wings on Mondays and Wednesdays, many consider their wings the best in town so we had to include them here. Also, the juicy burgers are as big as your head. Photo via Skinny’s Bar and Grille

Skinny’s Bar and Grille

780 E. 222nd St., Euclid

Although Skinny’s in Euclid only serves wings on Mondays and Wednesdays, many consider their wings the best in town so we had to include them here. Also, the juicy burgers are as big as your head.

Photo via Skinny’s Bar and Grille
The Rush Inn Multiple Locations The Rush Inn, with locations in Lakewood and Avon, is as no-frills as they come. While we usually prefer wings drenched in sauce, dry rub is the way to go here, with the ‘Lemon Pepper Dry Rub’ being our favorite. Photo via The Rush Inn/Facebook

The Rush Inn

Multiple Locations

The Rush Inn, with locations in Lakewood and Avon, is as no-frills as they come. While we usually prefer wings drenched in sauce, dry rub is the way to go here, with the ‘Lemon Pepper Dry Rub’ being our favorite.

Photo via The Rush Inn/Facebook
American Tavern 28020 Miles Rd., Solon This local solon neighborhood tavern went from the American Tavern to the Blue Star Tavern, back to the American Tavern, but no matter what the name is, the chicken wings have stayed deliciously consistent. We prefer standard hot wings here with a side of Cajun fries. Photo via Wikipedia

American Tavern

28020 Miles Rd., Solon

This local solon neighborhood tavern went from the American Tavern to the Blue Star Tavern, back to the American Tavern, but no matter what the name is, the chicken wings have stayed deliciously consistent. We prefer standard hot wings here with a side of Cajun fries.

Photo via Wikipedia
Around the Corner 18616 Detroit Rd., Lakewood The popularity of the Lakewood dining scene and the newest bistro or gastropub can often cause visitors to overlook neighborhood spots like Around the Corner. That would be a mistake, as they have one of the better bar menus in town, including award-winning wings. Try the ‘Lake Erie Smoke’. Photo via @ATCCleveland/Instagram

Around the Corner

18616 Detroit Rd., Lakewood

The popularity of the Lakewood dining scene and the newest bistro or gastropub can often cause visitors to overlook neighborhood spots like Around the Corner. That would be a mistake, as they have one of the better bar menus in town, including award-winning wings. Try the ‘Lake Erie Smoke’.

Photo via @ATCCleveland/Instagram
The Rib Cage 2214 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights This Cleveland Heights barbecue joint serves some of the meatiest wings around. Go for the ‘Carolina Mustard Vinegar’ for one of the most unique and delicious flavors in town. Photo via The Rib Cage Smokehouse/Facebook

The Rib Cage

2214 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights

This Cleveland Heights barbecue joint serves some of the meatiest wings around. Go for the ‘Carolina Mustard Vinegar’ for one of the most unique and delicious flavors in town.

Photo via The Rib Cage Smokehouse/Facebook
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