How This Classic Bar Food Became An Iconic New York Snack

It should come as no surprise to hear that New York is the ultimate foodie destination for chicken wings. Surely nowhere in the Empire State are chicken wings more beloved than in the city of Buffalo, which gave Buffalo chicken wings their somewhat confusing name — to be clear, no actual buffalos are harmed in their making. While we're pretty sure of its geographic origins, there's some dispute about who, exactly, we have to thank for the genesis of the Buffalo wing. Was it John M. Young, who opened an eatery called "Wings & Things" in Buffalo in 1966 and served uncut chicken wings with a spicy mambo sauce? Or do the honors go to Teresa Bellissimo of the nearby Anchor Bar, who cut the wings in half, breaded them, and served them up with hot sauce in 1964? Either way, the Buffalo wing is no longer just a regional delicacy. Instead, it's a touchstone of American culinary culture.

Buffalo's history of serving chicken wings can actually be traced back further than the appearance of Buffalo wings in the middle of the last century. Consider that the Buffalo History Museum presents a daily menu from the city's Clarendon Hotel dating back to 1857 which lists "chicken wings, fried" on the bill of fare. There's no denying that Buffalo was the birthplace of the modern-day spicy chicken wing. But how did it take its place as a shining star in the heavens of famous snack foods? The answer has to do with American football.

Say what you will about the Buffalo Bills, but their hometown gave us a tradition that spans coast to coast: eating Buffalo wings while watching football. When you discover how many wings are actually eaten during the Super Bowl, the only reasonable reaction is shock. But, once upon a time, Buffalo sports fans started munching on wings while watching the first big games (the first Super Bowl was in 1967) because chicken wings were an inexpensive cut of meat, and because they tasted good with pizza. Fast-casual chain Buffalo Wild Wings opened in Columbus, Ohio in 1982 and marked one of the first times that "Buffalo-style" chicken wings got nationwide attention. The wings gained popularity that only got bigger over the next few decades.

Nowadays, Buffalo wings feature on menus from the Big Island of Hawaii to Bangor, Maine and everywhere in between, but few folks have as much passion for them as the citizens of Buffalo, New York. Today, you can take a "Wing Ride" bike tour there, witness the coronation of Miss Buffalo Wing at the annual National Buffalo Wing Festival, and go out eating to earn an educated opinion as to who serves the very best chicken wings. One thing's for sure: it's going to be a delicious visit.