Wings Galore - Beyond the Basics

From little known places to non-traditional preparations and sauces, these wings will have you taking a happy break from the usual:

Franklin Park Inn - Franklin Park
Otherwise known for mediocre, faux Mexican cuisine, the grilled wings at the Franklin Park Inn are worth the trip there. They take at least 20 minutes to prepare and are served chargrilled. There is no choice of sauce - they are prepared in a buffalo/tobasco sauce, and are ususaly very spicy. They aren't "saucy" wings, but they are packed with flavor. I think they are marinated prio to cooking and basted throughout the grilling process, but that is purely speculation on my part. (Read: I have tried to reproduce these several times, with the help of my grillmaster husband, and have failed. I would consider doing bad things for this recipe...)

RPMs Wings and Things Bridgeville PA
Not known for quality food or even wings, RPM's serves a hidden gem: the Black and Gold wings. I support our sports teams (even the Pirates) as much as the next Pittsburger, but I support my tastebuds even more. So, take comfort in the fact that I in no way allowed the marketing genius to affect my love of these wings. The "black" aspect is a Cajun sasoning coating the wings, and the "gold" is a honey sauce drizzled over the wings. The Cajun isn't very spicy, and the sauce isn't very sweet. The combination is amazing. I don't usually like other honey wings (like honey mustard) but these don't fit into that category for me. The sauce is thick, like a glaze more than a sauce, and it is used sparingly. The wings take 20-25 minuites to prepare. Salty, midly spicy, and a little sweet...what more can you ask for? Note: RPM's is not for the faint of heart. It still permits smoking and is more a shot and a beer bar than it is a restaurant. I love the place, but I wouldn't take my grandma there. Actually, I would, because she has tatoos, extra ear-piercings, and tells joke that would make Dice Clay blush, but I wouldn't take most grandmas I know there. You get the point...

Pittsburgh Bottleshop Cafe - Bridgeville, PA
The wings at the Bottleshop are served with a choice of the usual sauces, and are not too aggressively spiced. I like my wings crispy, what most people would consider extra crispy. I don't have to ask for them "well done" here, as they are always served as such. Bonus: great beer selection in both draft and bottle. Wing night is Monday: 40 cent wings.

Wings, Suds, and Spuds - Moon Twp.
Wings here are best when requested well done. They are served with an abundance of sauce, but it is good sauce. You get to choose a sauce and order the amount of heat you want as well. I much appreciate that aspect, because I like things hotter than most. Another plus here are the fresh cut curly fries.

Zooky's Sports Tavern - New Brighton
I don't know for sure, but I think the wings served here are fresh wings. If not, they are the freshest tasting frozen wings I've had. Whatever the case, they are great. They can be ordered extra crispy, but be prerared to wait an additional 5 minutes to the usual 20 the wings take to be prepared. There are more sauces to choose from than most places I've been, including oddities like old bay and lemon parmesean. I opt for the more traditional, and usually end up liking the hot the best.

The Oak Grove Bar - Ellwood City
The Oak Grove is a small bar in Ellwood that serves wonderful whole wings. The wings are well done and unless you order a "dry" flavor, the wings are served with plenty of sauce. I have developed a love for the buffalo ranch flavor - dry ranch seasonings added to the buffalo sauce. Other favorites include the buffalo, dry Cajun, and garlic (think melted butter and sauteed, diced garlic).