Memphis may be known primarily as the BBQ city, but it's got a lot more to offer than smoked pork and beef brisket!
We’re diving into another Memphis mainstay: chicken wings. Whether you like yours tear-jerkingly hot or mellow honey gold, the following wing joints are guaranteed to satisfy. Pack some extra napkins and hand sanitizer for the road and read on to find some of the best wing spots in Memphis.
Memphis’ oldest family-owned tavern, Alex’s has been open since 1953. You may have come for their award-winning Greek burger, but you’ll stay for their delicious chicken wings. Available in Greek, Buffalo or BBQ flavors, these wings are drummies only. Accompanied by some of the best jukebox music in town, they are well worth a try by any aspiring Memphis wings aficionado.
For over 30 years, Bayou Bar & Grill has brought New Orleans-style, Cajun specialties to Midtown. They bring this same flair to their renowned chicken wings, available in their popular zydeco flavor or their original hot. The zydeco wings boast a “milder, sweeter kick” and are served with ranch dressing, while the original hot wings are served with bleu cheese.
Central is known in Memphis and beyond as one of the best barbecue joints in town. In addition to their critically acclaimed barbecue, however, Central is known for some of the best smoked wings this city has to offer. They marinate their wings overnight in a signature blend, before slow smoking them and finishing them off in the deep fryer. You can order your next batch wet (with their special wing sauce), dry (with their hot rub), jerk (with a dry Caribbean seasoning), sweet heat or even naked.
All-Star Hot Wings invites its guests to dine like stars with their premium selection of dry and wet whole wings. The local chain has three locations, so odds are that, no matter where you are in the city, you’re just a hop, skip and a jump away from some sweet, sweet All-Star wings.
With locations in North Memphis and Whitehaven, Best Wings remains true to its name, serving up crispy whole wings made to order, as well as catfish, sandwiches and even an award-winning house made spaghetti. Although they offer 12 different wing flavors, the tender and flavorful lemon pepper are fan favorites.
A true local favorite for almost 20 years, Ching’s is a family-owned restaurant located on Getwell Road. Almost as distinctive as their fantastic wings is the restaurant’s atmosphere. Always popular with students and athletes, Ching’s proudly displays framed photos of many of its patrons from over the years, including a few celebrities. Visitors can leave their mark by signing one of the crowded walls of the restaurant–if they can find a space between the photos, memorabilia and flat screens hung all over the place.
Known for their incredible Memphis barbecue and signature Cornish hens, Cozy Corner has been featured by such publications as 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, Southern Living and Gourmet. This family-owned restaurant clearly knows its stuff, and anyone who’s tried their smoked barbecue wings would adamantly agree.
The Queen has been ruling things for a while, and rightly so! Having been in the game since 1949, Dixie Queen has been the spot to pull up and grab grub, whether that’s early in the morning as you head into work or late at night after you tore up the club. We know we’re here to talk about wings, and those are FIRE, for real—but make it a meal, and grab a double cheeseburger, onion rings, and a Humdinger too.
A literal shack located in the parking lot of Lowe’s, Elwood’s is a true local gem. They’ve got one of the most diverse menus of the restaurants on this list, offering everything from smoky barbecue to classic deli dishes and southern comfort staples, and just all of it is fantastic. In addition to everything else, they serve up some of the biggest and most flavorful whole wings in Memphis. Their wings are marinated for a full day and night in a delicious jerk seasoning paste before being smoked for a few hours and topped off in a pizza oven to get that nice, crispy finish.
Riko's kickin chicken
Honey Gold is one thing, but Honey Garlic… Now that’s a game changer. Riko’s Kickin Chicken packs a punch with this and their 10 other signature flavors, and the wings aren’t the only thing they can brag about. Those Kickin Catfish baskets are on point!
With locations in East Memphis, Bartlett, Collierville, Arlington, Millington, Wing Guru offers an impressive range of flavors to suit your every mood. While their signature honey suicide flavor has garnered awards, the lemon pepper wings served wet-style are also a standout and not to be missed.
Founded in 1991, Crumpy’s has multiple locations across the city. In addition to their fantastic wings, Crumpy’s is also known for its Suicide Wing Challenge. On the first Saturday of each month, worthy competitors are invited to eat all of the meat off of five of their spiciest wings in under five minutes, with no beverages or other food until the ten minute mark. Stop by Crumpy’s soon to try your mettle and compete for fame, glory and a fat cash prize..
Voted Best Wings in the Mid-South for 25+ years,” D’Bo’s offers award-winning dry and wet wings that are available in 12 flavors. In addition to the classics, they offer unique favorites such as teriyaki, Asian, ranch and parmesan garlic. If you’re 21 and up, make sure to grab one of D’Bo’s Daiquiris to help you beat the heat.
With locations in Memphis, Southaven and Cordova, Mr. P’s has been a local favorite for over 20 years. Not only do they offer fantastic wings, the atmosphere is perfect for getting together with friends to watch the next big game. Get their wings whole, party style (dummies and flats), or boneless in any of their nine delicious flavors.
Established in 2001, Uncle Lou’s is known for its mouth watering fried chicken. The place is so good, in fact, that it was featured by Guy Fieri in a 2008 episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives as well as one in 2020. It’s also ranked as a local favorite for classic chicken wings. Uncle Lou’s keeps it simple, offering guests four flavors to choose from (homestyle, sweet spicy love, mild or hot), but each rich flavor is well worth the spotlight.
We know the title says 15 places, but y’all know Memphis has more than that! Here are few more wing spots that you and your friends should flock to:
- The Kitchen: North Memphis/ Crosstown Neighborhood
- 901 Wings: Downtown Memphis & Cordova
- Supreme Hot Wings: Cordova
- Jus Wings & More: Hickory Hill
- Brinson’s Downtown: Downtown Memphis
- Rayford’s Hotwings: Cordova & Raleigh
- Adline Hot Wings Express: North Memphis
- The Wing Factory: The Medical District
- 18 Wayz Wingz & Thingz: Orange Mound
- New Wing Order: Food Truck location can be found here. Brick and Mortar location at 341 Beale Street.
- Mikes Hot Wings: Winchester and Wolf River (Germantown)
