Flats or drums? Find the Valley’s best wings at these 9 eateries

Whether you like them dry-rubbed or dripping in sauce, chicken wings are messy, delicious fun that require you to get your hands dirty. They can be the perfect appetizer to share or a meal all on their own. Paired with veggies or fries and dunked in blue cheese or ranch, the combinations are endless.

And throughout the Valley, your options for where to get wings stretch far and wide from breweries to sports bars, pizzerias and dedicated wing restaurants. To help you narrow it down, here are our 12 favorite spots for chicken wings in Phoenix.

Ace of Wingz

8052 N. 19th Ave.
3923 E. Thomas Road
The title of the most unique wings in town goes to Ace of Wingz, without a doubt. Ever heard of strawberry-flavored wings? How about lemon lime buffalo elote wings? At the original little takeout counter on 19th Avenue, or its new sister restaurant on Thomas Road, the wings are like no other and there’s a steady stream of customers for a reason. Along with the creative concoctions, more traditional flavors are also available and all of the wings are large, plump, juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside and delicious. Pair them with an order of Spade Fries topped with parmesan, mozzarella and ranch, for a meal that takes the pairing of wings and fries to a whole new level.

Bad Jimmy’s

Multiple locations
Bad Jimmy’s has cemented itself as a go-to spot for lacy smashburgers, waffle fries and sea salt-flecked soft serve, but the smoked-and-fried wings are a sleeper on the menu at James Piazza’s burger bars. Those wings, crafted by pitmaster Nick Delozier, were previously a weekly special. With Bad Jimmy’s expansion, growing from one restaurant to four, the team has added a large smoker that makes it possible to serve wings daily at its restaurants in downtown Phoenix, uptown Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale. The low, slow cook makes these wings tender and infuses rich flavor. A trip to the fryer adds the expected crisp skin. You can go classic and order your wings tossed with buffalo sauce, but our favorite version gets tossed in a sweet and salty Tennessee dry rub.

Cornish Pasty Co.

Multiple Locations
Cornish Pasty Co. has locations throughout Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe and Phoenix, and is known for, unsurprisingly, its pasties. But that doesn’t mean other menu items don’t impress. Wings come in Saucy Parliament and sweet Tandoori flavors. The oven-baked chicken tandoori wings have more of a dry rub than a sauce. The blackened edges of each wing are crispy, and the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender. The tandoori flavor features a mild kick and a sneaky sweetness. The six wings come with cucumber and tomato slices, and a cup of lemon mint yogurt dip.

Crazy Mike’s Wings

5350 W. Bell Road, #130, Glendale
14175 W. Indian School Road, Suite B-10, Goodyear
No matter where you are in the Valley, the two locations of Crazy Mike’s are worth the drive. Located in Goodyear and Glendale, each restaurant serves a menu filled with options. Go with a classic honey barbecue for a saucy, sweet and tangy bite or try something a little out of the box with the dry-rubbed curry wings. These are sure to stain your fingers yellow, but the salty, savory rub has a flagrant kick of curry powder that works just as well on the curry-seasoned fries. At Crazy Mike’s, the menu makes good use of the fryer, and you can pair your wings with fried egg rolls, mozzarella sticks, jalapeno poppers, onion rings and even sweet fried treats including churros and beignets.

The Dirty Drummer

2303 N. 44th St.
You know the saying, “if it ain’t broke…” and the Dirty Drummer embodies that spirit. This old-school dive has walls lined with wood paneling and antique mirrors, low lighting, crackly booths and a stage for watching local bands. Those sitting at the bar have front-row seats of the grill masters in action. And along with football, music and cheap beer, people are here for the wings. Served how you like them, choose from original, grilled or double-dipped wings in a variety of sauces. We’re partial to the garlicky teriyaki sauce and the honey hot wings. These sweet and spicy morsels are best grilled, adding a kiss of char to the equation. Served by the dozen or half, the wings at this Phoenix institution are hard to beat.

JT’s Bar & Grill

4829 E. Indian School Road
At JT’s Bar & Grill, the seats are filled with regulars chatting with the bartenders while they watch the game. This tiny neighborhood hangout and dive bar is a no-pretense spot perfect for getting messy with some wings. JT’s serves them fresh off the grill and lacquered in mild, medium, hot, suicide, spicy honey BBQ or teriyaki sauce. Can’t decide? Go with “The Works” which mixes Buffalo, barbecue and teriyaki sauces, creating a unique blend that’s perfectly sweet, spicy, tangy and savory all in one bite. Grab a stool at the bar underneath the strings of Christmas lights and tuck in as you watch the cooks fire up the next batch.

Midwest Wings

2821 N. Central Ave.
201 E. Washington St., #109
937 E. Broadway Road, Tempe 
This local mini-chain has locations in midtown and downtown Phoenix, plus a spot in Tempe. Each location has a slightly different name and menu, but all serve crispy, juicy wings drizzled in a wide selection of sauces. We’re partial to the honey hot and the sweet and tangy Midwest BBQ. Midwest Wings also serves a selection of dry rubbed wings, chicken tenders and loaded fries, such as the stacked up Philly Cheesesteak Fries. Order the wings to enjoy in-house, or snag a dozen to go at these casual, counter-service spots.

Pullano’s Pizza & Wings

13848 N. 51st Ave., Glendale
This casual family-owned Italian restaurant has been a Valley staple since 1979. At Pullano’s, nearly every table orders a plate of wings to pair with pan pizzas, pastas and subs – and for good reason. The wings stay true to tradition with sauces of varying levels of heat (from “mild” to “spontaneous combustion”), and some more modern sauces that include mango habanero, barbecue and Hot Garlic Parmigiana. The restaurant also offers a selection of dry rubs, including jerk and lemon pepper. Wings arrive at the table saucy, but despite the generous ladle, the skin on the chicken snaps, while the meat inside is delightfully tender. The wings come with celery and your choice of blue cheese or ranch dressing, but we liked dipping the wings into Pullano’s flavorful sauces. The hot garlic parm and honey hot sauces are among the spicy, finger-licking options that will get us to make the drive back to Glendale.

Valley Wings

15414 N. 19th Ave., Suite C
1495 N. Hayden Road, Suite D-10, Scottsdale
Valley Wings is consistently one of our favorite spots and has taken home Phoenix New Times’ title of Best Wings multiple times. That’s because Valley Wings has found the right formula to ensure juicy meat with crisp skin. The restaurant has a solid mix of dry rub and sauced options. Those house-made sauces include Valley Gold, a honey mustard, and Valley Sauce, a barbecue sauce that can be made spicy. You’ll also find classic Buffalo and trendy hot honey. Be sure to ask about any off-menu sauces that may be available as well. Wings are presented neatly in a row, with the sauce poured on top, instead of tossed. That method means each wing has parts that are still shatteringly crisp and unadorned, letting the chicken shine, while other bites are messy, saucy fun.