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Buffalo wing

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about the food. For the roller hockey team, seeBuffalo Wings (inline hockey).
Buffalo wings
Buffalo wings with blue cheese dressing
Alternative namesBuffalo chicken wings
Chicken wings
Hot wings[1]
Wings[2]
Place of originUnited States
Region or stateBuffalo, New York
Created byDisputed; either the Bellissimo family of the Anchor Bar, orJohn Youngof John Young's Wings 'n Things
Serving temperatureHot
Main ingredientsChicken wing
Cayenne pepperhot sauce
Butter
Food energy
(per serving)
90–110kcal

ABuffalo winginAmerican cuisineis an unbreadedchickenwing section (flat or drumette) that is generallydeep-fried,then coated or dipped in a sauce consisting of avinegar-basedcayenne pepperhot sauceand meltedbutterprior to serving.[3][4][5]They are traditionally served hot, along withcelerysticks andcarrotsticks, and adipofblue cheese dressingor, primarily outside ofNew York,ranch dressing.Buffalo wings are named afterBuffalo, New York,where they were invented, and have no relation tothe animal.They are often called simplychickenwings,hot wings,or justwings.

Buffalo wings have gained in popularity in the United States and abroad, with some North American restaurant chains featuring them as a main menu item. The name "Buffalo" is now also applied to other spiced fried foods served with dipping sauces,[6]including boneless chicken wings (made from chicken breast meat rather than a chicken wing[7]),chicken fries,chicken nuggets,popcorn chicken,shrimp,andcauliflower.It is also used for other dishes, such aspizza,that are seasoned with the Buffalo-style sauce or a seasoning.[8]

History

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Origin

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There are several different claims about the invention of Buffalo wings.[9][10]One is that Buffalo wings were first prepared in 1964 at theAnchor BarinBuffalo, New York,by Teressa Bellissimo, who owned the bar with her husband Frank.[10][11]At the time, chicken wings were inexpensive and undesirable, and normally thrown away or reserved forstockorsoup.[12]

Several versions of the story of the invention have been circulated by the Bellissimo family and others, including:

  • Upon the unannounced late-night arrival of their son, Dominic, with several of his friends from college, Teressa needed a fast and easy snack to present to her guests. It was then that she came up with the idea ofdeep fryingchicken wings and tossing them in cayenne hot sauce.[9][10][13][12]
  • Dominic toldThe New YorkerreporterCalvin Trillinin 1980: "It was Friday night in the bar and since people were buying a lot of drinks he wanted to do something nice for them at midnight when the mostlyCatholicpatronswould be able to eat meat again."He stated his mother came up with the idea of chicken wings.[9][10]
  • There was a mistaken delivery of wings instead of backs and necks for making the bar'sspaghettisauce.Faced with this unexpected resource, Frank says that he asked Teressa to do something with them, resulting in the Buffalo wing.[9][10]

Although an article published about the Anchor Bar in a local newspaper during 1969 does not mention Buffalo wings, a local competitor of the Anchor Bar,Duff's,began selling Buffalo wings in that year.[14][15]

Another claim is that John Young, who moved to Buffalo from Stockton, Alabama in 1948 at the age of 13, popularized chicken wings in Buffalo.[16]Beginning in 1961, he began serving uncut chicken wings that were breaded, deep fried, and served in his own special tomato-basedMumbo sauceat his Buffalo restaurant.[17][18]Prior to opening his restaurant, he had a conversation with a boxer who traveled; in a later interview Young recalled: "He told me that there was a restaurant inWashington, D.C.that was doing a good business with wings and I decided to specialize. "[18]In the same interview Young stated that the Anchor Bar did not offer Buffalo wings as a regular menu item until 1974.[18]He registered the name of hisrestaurant,John Young's Wings 'n Things, at thecounty courthousebefore leaving the Buffalo area in 1970.[9][10][19]In 2013, at the National Buffalo Wing Festival held in Buffalo, John Young's contributions were acknowledged when he was inducted into the festival's National Buffalo Wing Hall of Flame.[20]

Growth and popularity

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AUnited States Coast Guardcook preparing Buffalo wings in the galley ofUSCGCBertholf(2009)

In 1977, the city of Buffalo issued an official proclamation celebrating Anchor Bar co-owner Frank Bellissimo and declared July 29, 1977, to be Chicken Wing Day.[21]Throughout the 1970s and 1980s Buffalo wings gained in popularity as abar foodandappetizeracross the United States and Canada.[22]Large franchises specializing in Buffalo wings have emerged, notablyBuffalo Wild Wingsfounded in 1982 andHootersin 1983.[23]McDonald'sbegan sellingMighty Wingsas an option in 1990 at their restaurant locations in the United States.[24]In 1994, following fourSuper Bowlappearances by theBuffalo Billsfootball team, theDomino'spizza chain added Buffalo wings to their national menu, followed byPizza Hutthe next year.[25][26]

As the market for chicken wings expanded, restaurants began to create and use a variety of sauces in addition to buffalo sauce.[27]Some of these new chicken wing sauces were influenced byChinese,Japanese,Thai,Caribbean,andIndiancuisines.[28][29]Other flavors created by restaurants include unique combinations, such as Blueberry BBQ Wing Sauce and Maple/Bacon Glaze for example, to help keep customer interest and grow their businesses.[30]After the price of raw wings increased, and with a growing desire by some diners for a neater eating experience, restaurants began to offer a menu item called "boneless wings," sometimes marketed under the name wyngz.[31][32]Boneless wings are essentially small pieces of skinless, boneless chicken breast that are coated in flour and spices, then fried or baked, like achicken nugget.[7]They are usually coated in or served with the same sauces as Buffalo wings. The growing popularity in recent years of Buffalo wing consumption, and of restaurants serving wings, have led to actual and perceived shortages of chicken wings in the United States during certain times.[33][34][35]

In many areas of the United States, chicken wing festivals are held—with Buffalo wings being used incompetitive eatingevents such as atPhiladelphia'sWing Bowland theNational Buffalo Wing Festival.[36]It has also become commonplace for restaurants to offer a wing-eating contest.[37]Many bars and restaurants intentionally create an extra-hot sauce for this purpose, and customers are sometimes rewarded with their picture posted on the restaurant's wall or website, a commemorativeT-shirt,a free meal or a combination of rewards for successfully completing the challenge.[38]

Preparation

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Chicken

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The chicken wings used for Buffalo wings are usually segmented into three parts: drumette, flat, and flapper or pointer, the last of which is usually discarded, although some restaurants serve them with this latter part still connected to the flat. Traditionally, the wings are deep-fried in oil, without breading or flour until they are well browned. Alternatively, they may be baked, grilled, orbroiled.[39]

Sauce

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Cayenne pepper-basedhot sauce,melted butter, and vinegar are the standard base of Buffalo wing sauce, which may be made mild, medium, or hot.[40]Other ingredients are also common, although less dominant, such asWorcestershire sauceandgarlic powder.Commercial ready-to-use wing sauce is made with varying levels ofspiciness.[41]The cooked chicken wings are placed in a bowl or pot and shaken to coat the wings completely covering them in sauce before serving.

Service

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Buffalo wings with garlic dip and celery, along with a glass ofCoca-Cola.

Traditionally, Buffalo wings are served with small sticks ofcelery(accompanied sometimes withbaby carrotsor carrot sticks), andblue cheesedipping sauce on the side.[42]Ranch dressing,however, is the most popular wing dipping sauce in the United States.[43]

See also

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References

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  1. ^O'Shaughnessy, Caitlin M."What is the Difference Between Hot Wings and Buffalo Wings?".Chowhound.RetrievedApril 30,2017.
  2. ^Nicks, Denver (September 28, 2016)."Who Actually Created Buffalo Wings?".The Daily Beast.RetrievedApril 30,2017.
  3. ^Horwitz, Jeremy (January 1, 2008)."Chicken Wings, or, Why people Know About Buffalo".Buffalo Chow. Archived fromthe originalon December 31, 2009.RetrievedNovember 18,2009.
  4. ^"Chicken Wings – A Hot Topic! New 2012 Wing Report!".National Chicken Council.RetrievedApril 30,2017.
  5. ^Birdsall, John."America, You're Getting Two-Thirds of the Hot Wing".Chowhound.RetrievedApril 30,2017.
  6. ^Horovitz, Bruce (October 8, 2009)."Spicy buffalo flavors stampede into gobs of new food products".USA Today.RetrievedApril 30,2017.
  7. ^abAnthony, Ted (February 10, 2023)."How the 'boneless wing' became a tasty culinary lie".Associated Press News.
  8. ^Banfield, Kelsey."17 Hot & Spicy Buffalo Sauce-Flavored Foods".babble.RetrievedApril 30,2017.
  9. ^abcdeHarmon, John E."On the Wings of a Buffalo or" Mother Teresa's Wings "".Atlas of Popular Culture in the Northeastern United States.Archived fromthe originalon July 28, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 20,2008.
  10. ^abcdefTrillin, Calvin (August 25, 1980)."An Attempt To Compile A Short History of the Buffalo Chicken Wing".The New Yorker Magazine.RetrievedJanuary 22,2008.
  11. ^Primal Grill withSteven Raichlen,PBS,August 8, 2008
  12. ^abPeggy Trowbridge Filippone."Buffalo Wings History - The origins of Buffalo Chicken Wings".About. Archived fromthe originalon January 25, 2009.RetrievedJanuary 20,2008.
  13. ^"AnchorBar - Origins of the original Buffalo Chicken Wing".AnchorBar. Archived fromthe originalon January 29, 2008.RetrievedJanuary 6,2008.
  14. ^Galarneau, Andrew Z. (March 1, 2014)."At 50, the Buffalo-style chicken wing has conquered the world".The Buffalo News.RetrievedMay 1,2017.
  15. ^Clemens, Chris (May 18, 2015)."Duff's Famous Wings – Buffalo, NY".ExploringUpstate.RetrievedMay 23,2017.
  16. ^"Family stakes John Young's claim as the originator of the Buffalo wing".WKBW 7 News Buffalo.February 1, 2020.RetrievedFebruary 9,2024.
  17. ^Rachel Wharton (February 3, 2021). "The Story of John Young".The New York Times.p. D8.
  18. ^abcOkun, Janice (February 6, 1996)."John Young Stakes His Claim To The Chicken Wing".The Buffalo News.RetrievedMay 4,2017.
  19. ^"James Beard Foundation".THE 2003 JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION COCA-COLA AMERICA'S CLASSICS AWARDS.Archived fromthe originalon January 3, 2008.RetrievedJanuary 20,2008.
  20. ^"Buffalo Wing Hall Of Flame John Young" Wings and Things ""(PDF).National Buffalo Wing Festival.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on August 24, 2017.RetrievedMay 4,2017.
  21. ^Claiborne, Craig; Franey, Pierre (August 30, 1981)."Food; Winging It In Buffalo".The New York Times.RetrievedApril 30,2017.
  22. ^Harmon, John E."On the Wings of a Buffalo or" Mother Teresa's Wings "".Atlas of Popular Culture in the Northeastern United States.Archived fromthe originalon August 17, 2016.RetrievedMay 1,2017.
  23. ^Carlyle, Erin (March 9, 2011)."Buffalo Wild Wings and the triumph of the chicken wing".City Pages.RetrievedMay 5,2017.
  24. ^Sozzi, Brian (April 30, 2016)."McDonald's Brings Back Mighty Wings".The Street.RetrievedMay 5,2017.
  25. ^Stromberg, Joseph."A Brief History of the Buffalo Chicken Wing".Smithsonian.RetrievedApril 30,2017.
  26. ^Upton, Emily (October 21, 2013)."Why Buffalo Wings Are Called That".Today I Found Out.RetrievedApril 30,2017.
  27. ^Brox, Denene (October 15, 2012)."Winging It".QSR.RetrievedApril 30,2017.
  28. ^Brownell, Claire."Why the once worthless chicken wing is now worth billions".Financialpost.RetrievedApril 30,2017.
  29. ^"Our 33 Best Asian-Inspired Finger Food Recipes".Saveur.RetrievedApril 30,2017.
  30. ^Cansler, Cherryh (July 30, 2015)."Now trending: Why unique chicken wing flavors are hot".Fastcasual.RetrievedMay 3,2017.
  31. ^Myers, Dan (December 6, 2016)."We Need to Come Up With a Better Name for Boneless Wings".The Daily Meal.RetrievedMay 3,2017.
  32. ^Neuman, William (October 13, 2009)."'Boneless' Wings, the Cheaper Bite ".The New York Times.RetrievedApril 30,2017.
  33. ^Bennett, Dashiell."Chicken Wing Shortage Threatens To Destroy Super Bowl".Deadspin.RetrievedApril 30,2017.
  34. ^Yglesias, Matthew (February 2013)."The Great Chicken Wing Shortage of 2013".Slate.RetrievedApril 30,2017.
  35. ^Taylor, Kate (January 24, 2014)."Don't Panic:There Will Definitely Be Enough Chicken Wings for the Super Bowl".Entrepreneur.RetrievedApril 30,2017.
  36. ^"Wing Festivals Across America in 2015".Bring the Wing.Archived fromthe originalon July 2, 2017.RetrievedMay 3,2017.
  37. ^"Chicken Wing-Eating Competitions Across America".Archived fromthe originalon August 27, 2015.RetrievedAugust 24,2015.
  38. ^"Wing Eating Challenges in Restaurants Across America".Bring the Wing.Archived fromthe originalon May 5, 2017.RetrievedApril 30,2017.
  39. ^Barrow, Cathy."These wings are called 'irresistible' for a reason".The Washington Post.RetrievedSeptember 17,2017.
  40. ^Pittman, Christine (February 24, 2017)."What's the Difference Between Hot Sauce and Wing Sauce".The Cookful.RetrievedApril 30,2017.
  41. ^Zimmer, Erin."Taste Test: Buffalo Wing Sauce".Serious Eats.RetrievedApril 30,2017.
  42. ^Saladino, Emily (February 2, 2017)."Why Do We Eat Celery with Buffalo Wings?".Tasting Table.RetrievedSeptember 17,2017.
  43. ^"Ranch Is The Most Popular Wing Dip (POLL)".Huffpost. January 30, 2013.RetrievedSeptember 17,2017.
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