- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Anchor Bar
Category: Restaurants Chicken Wings Chicken Wings [Edit]
1047 Main StBuffalo, NY 14209
Neighbourhood: Main Street
(716) 886-8920
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am - 10 pm
Fri 11 am - 12 am
Sat 12 pm - 12 am
Sun 12 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Dive-y, Touristy, Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
313 reviews for Anchor Bar
Review Highlights
-
"...without being dry and the hot sauce was just enough not too..." In 26 reviews -
"...napkins to leave notes on, license plates, and just an all..." In 14 reviews -
"The birthplace of wings is a religious mecca of food." In 34 reviews
Loading...
313 reviews in English
-
Review from Leslie Y.
5/16/2012
I am not an expertise on buffalo wings.....
After driving hours from Toronto, this was one of our expected stops....
My sister and her hubby introduced us to this spot, the wings were great.....
I don't know how to explain the wings, they were nice sized, none with broken bones as some others serve them.....and their blue cheese sauce just added the click to it....
We also ordered their pizza, after all, most of the other tables had it.....it was good....
We did order the corned beef sandwich, now that was a total disappointment, it came after our pizza, after our 50 wings, almost an hour down the line and my hubby wasn't a happy camper.....should have gotten him the pasta instead.....
Service was slow, our server was never around......
But this 5 stars is for the 50 wings, pizza, and 50 wings to go......so if you head up there, make a stop here, it is well worth it.... -
Review from Todd H.
Buffalo, NY
4/25/2012
Well, well, well.. I'm going through Yelp and who do I find? the Anchor Bar. Through out the years I have bashed this place in so many ways, where do I start?
1) Anchor Bar's wings blow.
2)They think their wings are awesome.
3)They think they are better than everybody
4) Real Buffalonians only reccomend this place to Canadians, and that is only because it bad for the Canadians and the Anchor Bar who has to serve them.
BOO TO YOU ANCHOR BAR... BOOOOO!!! -
Review from Elvis A.
4/13/2012 3 photos
Oh Anchor a place whose claim to fame is inventing the Buffalo Wings. A style of wings that seems to get popular everyday. Having missed this place on the last trip to Buffalo (ended up at Duff's which isn't much better) this time I was all prepared with the address saved in the GPS.
The place has personality I would give it that with vehicle plates from all over North America and even abroad. The place was busy for a weekday for a laid back city like buffalo.
We were seated promptly and some of us were starving after a long drive. So we ordered a side of fries and discussed what combination of wings we should order. We ordered some suicidal and some medium hot. The place had a jazz band playing that night, nothing special just an attempt at old classics. Anyway the fries came and were decent not greasy which is great but not as crisp I would prefer.
Now for the main event wings the suicidal had a very pungent peppery aroma emanating from them. Mediums were drizzled with hot sauce.
I tried the medium first crisp skin and meaty but some parts were dry. The sauce as expected didn't pack a punch. I was expecting a hint of vinegar but it wasn't there Decent wings but not earth shattering by any means.
Suicidal wings were a disaster. The sauce is mouth numbing but not due to the heat rather due to pepper! some of the wings were slathered with sauce so one had to use a napkin just to be able to hold them. Not a good attempt at wings (funny thing is I had almost identical wings in Jasper Alberta!)
So now that I have tried both Duff's and Anchor bar I can say one can save a lot of hassle and just pick up a pack of buffalo style wings at Costco in Canada (Tyson Brand at Safeway if you are in the USA) and save a trip. I find the frozen version much better as the skin though not as crisp as here or Duff's has better harmony with the sauce they put on and it packs heat.
I doubt my review will make a difference to the popularity of this place but maybe it can prepare you for the potential disappointment you might end up with here. -
Review from Mike E.
Anaheim, CA
5/14/2012
Was in NY for two weeks of training, on my way to Niagara we wanted to stop and have a drink. Figured it would cool to check out the "original" wings place for the sake of going. We arrived about 20 minutes before the opening and it already had some people waiting, I'm assuming they were tourist like myself. Get inside, cool decor license plates some pretty awesome motorcycles etc.. Obviously we had to have the wings and of course throw back some beers. The wings were good, better than hooters but it definitely didn't have the wow effect.. But then again they are wings. Sat in the bar service was good but this is definitely a tourist spot, I'm sure local don't hang here on the regular they probably have some better local gems. If your in Buffalo, go for the sake of going its kind of neat.
-
Review from Lexie L.
5/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
True Americana type bar ambience. License plates from all over the US, Canada and Mexico on the walls, motorcycles etc. It was an early Tuesday night, so not exactly happening, but can see how this would be an awesome bar at night with a kitschy type atmosphere. The wings were good, although I personally hate wings. So that says something... It was worth coming to try the wings at the original birthplace of buffalo wings.
-
Review from Steve G.
Union, NJ
3/28/2012
Buffalo's Anchor Bar will forever be memorialized as the birthplace of Buffalo Wings, circa 1964. While the product is unquestionably an iconic local food item, Anchor Bar hasn't done much to feed the monster they've created. Their wings are undersized, overpriced and swimming in sauce which (and I'll be respectful here), doesn't align with my tastes-- regardless of flavor.
Props to the originator, but much better wings may be enjoyed at Duff's. -
Review from Jen M.
Buffalo, NY
5/8/2012
An extra star for being the birthplace of wings. But still, they are way undercooked and chewy. The sauce has no taste. The bleu cheese tastes off. Sides are iffy at best. The bartenders are inattentive. And the wait is too long. Yeah, there has been some good times here. But never for the food. I can name ten places within walking distance that serve better wings. Go here once to say you were here. Go here twice and waste your money.
-
Review from Tony D.
4/10/2012
Our experience here was really quite mixed...
Service: Pretty bad. The place was busy, but other tables that were seated after us seemed to be getting their food before we did. We waited 20/25 minutes, and then all the food came at once. I'm not sure why our waiter didn't bring us the bread to munch on beforehand at least. She also charged us for the fries but we never got them.
Food: Mixed. Portions were big, so you get good value for your money. Given that this is the place that invented the chicken wings, I was slightly disappointed with the wings. They were tasty, but they were greasy as hell! They were sitting in a pile of grease that didn't look appetizing. The coleslaw and salad were delicious though.
If I were in Buffalo again, I wouldn't rush back here. -
Review from Thuy C.
Brooklyn, NY
4/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
I had 2 option. Have wings at, Anchor Bar, the place that started it all, or get the famous wings at duff's... I had to choose Anchor bar! Dammit. I wanted my semi-hunger back! We ordered a single BBQ wings and a single suicide wings. Nothing was wrong with the sizes... It was well portion, not boney or too meaty on the wings. But the sauces were not flavorful or spicy, big disappointment.. I guarantee my 7 year nephew can take in their suicide wing challenge. The suicide wing also had a weird smell. Perhaps it was the dry rub. Too dry...
But at least I know how the original taste now... I can easily order chicken wings and slap it with BBQ sauce and make my own buffalo wings. -
Review from Jake S.
Brooklyn, NY
4/29/2012
I hesitated between 2 and 3 stars until I looked at the meaning of 2 stars. "Meh. I've experienced better" which is exactly how I feel about the Anchor Bar. Mind you, I lived in Buffalo (sort of) a few years ago and never went to the Anchor Bar because my native friends told me it wasn't that good. Duff's, or some neighborhood pizzeria was always better according to these friends. Apparently they were right.
Well, after a few years absence from Buffalo, I went to the Anchor Bar several times just to make sure that I could say I've been there.... It's embarrassing to tell non-Buffalonians that I lived in Buffalo but never been to the Anchor Bar. Well, the wings are adequate but definitely not the best. To be honest, I had better wings at Whole Foods buffet in Marlton, NJ just last week (that is another review though). Back on topic, yes, I went there several times in the last couple of years and had my woman sample it too.
What's the final word? Go there to take a picture because that's what the tourists do. If you want to meet the natives, Anchor Bar is not the place to meet them. You probably need to find a neighborhood joint for that. And these days, you do see a lot of people at the Anchor Bar who are in town for business. -
Review from Keyshaun S.
Buffalo, NY
3/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
Great service but the kid size wings are just ok. I hate that this place is a well known staple for Buffalo because there are way better places. The only reason I give them 3 stars is because of the pizza. Duff's wings are way better.
PLEASE GET LARGER WINGS. And stop over charging on everything just because of your name. People will catch on and sooner or later someone will come around and offer better food with better prices right here in the same area and then you will be sorry. For example, Cozumel and Cantina Loco. -
Review from Doug K.
Meredith, NH
3/4/2012
Stopped in after Bruins v Sabres - Bruins lost :( - for world famous wings. Ordered HOT ... They were not. I like em crispy but theses were over done and not enough sauce. Don't bother. I make them better at home.
Bar staff was weak. Very weak.
If you like bikes - like me - cool bikes on display. That was the highlight. -
Review from Melissa S.
Pittsburgh, PA
3/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
Being a pregnant person has its advantages. Not only do you taste and smell things like a superhero, places like Anchor Bar exist, in my humble opinion solely for us to gorge without shame.
This place has a really laid back family vibe, but not in an annoying screaming kid kind of way. Lots of framed photos of famous folks who have dined here line the walls (including our girl, Hilary Clinton. Wut, Wut!). After looking at the menu for 2.5 seconds we had our order decided: 20 wings, hot. 10 each. Doable? Hell yes.
The wings have a crispness unlike any other I have tried, with a zesty punch of sauce. Not too little, or too much. The perfect amount. The wings themselves are not to shabby either, but came from glorious Adonis-like chickens who lifted Volkswagons for sport.
We left pleasantly full and tumbled into the street ready for a nap. Def worth the drive from the 'burgh! -
Review from CHARLES J.
Buffalo, NY
5/4/2012
Pretty good but not la Nova but la Nova is not anchor bar. If you do not want charbroiled food anchor bar is the one
-
Review from David G.
3/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place is much more hyped than it should be. Food quality is average to above average, but I'm a hot wing guy, and the suicide wings, were not very suicide.
The opinion of my party and I was that there were better wings out there. If you keep your expectations average, then you won't be disappointed. -
Review from Bill G.
4/11/2012
Well where to start?
We had to stop in and try the Anchor Bar's wings. After all, it is the self proclaimed originator of the Buffalo wing.
Expectations were high, but, disappointingly, were not even closely met.
The wings were okay. But just that, OK. And way overpriced, $13 for 10 wings!!! are you kidding me? If you are the wing king and doing that kind of volume, you should be at least competitively priced. And other menus items were comparatively overpriced as well.
The restaurant overall was not clean. A small item that we got a chuckle over, their piano that sits in the middle of the dining room (covered by an old moving blanket) was basically the coffee station. They had their coffee makers on it, brewing away! lol
So, you say that you are the wing gods. But, no wet naps??? And the bathroom only has two sinks??? lmfao
The bathrooms continued the theme of overall uncleanliness.
If you absolutely have to stop in because of the "provenance" (LOL), go ahead. But, just lower your expectations to avoid significant disappointment.
There are way better options, in Buffalo and almost every other city you can think of. -
Review from Mari D.
Houston, TX
3/29/2012
Terrible. Like others have said; dry, not hot, undersized, overcooked, overpriced. Only reason they're getting 2 stars is cause the waitstaff were ok.
-
Review from Michael L.
Lake Elsinore, CA
2/9/2012
I had high expectations and the Anchor Bar came up short. The wings were dry and the hot sauce was not very flavorful.
Hard to believe they invented Buffalo wings? -
Review from Robert M.
1/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
So let me start by saying that I am not from around here. Stopped by on the way to the falls. I mean, you kind of have to right? This was a great experience and I am glad that I had the opportunity to eat at the original.
So the wings and the flavor were not what I expected, for several reasons. Mainly good things though.
1) The flavor is not the salty, vinegar flavor you get from the bottle of 'buffalo' flavored stuff. So that was a great positive.
2) The wings were big and meaty. I was expecting this to have turned into a tourist trap and serve the bony things.
3) It still had a tone of locals which means it is keeping true
4) Hot is not hot. My 4 year old daughter ate the hot and likes it. Okay, she is almost 5 so I don't want to over exaggerate. But the next step up was the suicide. I just don't think that was going to cut it either. So I am not sure if it is just because the NY 'upstate' pallet is not use to spicy, but that was not even close.
5) Not a fan of dipping wings in Blue Cheese, mainly because I don't like blue cheese. This blue cheese was a whole lot different though. This was fantastic and a great compliment.
But, in the end, the flavor itself was fantastic. It all worked. The wings were great, the atmosphere was great, the service was slow, but that is okay sometimes. -
Review from Arden C.
3/5/2012 1 photo
I was in Buffalo NY a couple weeks ago and checked out the famous spot that buffalo wings were created! I was pretty satisfied. We had the spicy wings, they were juicy and meaty. I ate WAY too many fries and onion rings but it was well worth it. My tummy was happy :) Now I'm craving wings after writing this review. Doh.
-
Review from Aaron L.
Long Beach, CA
1/6/2012
I recently found myself in Buffalo and was told that this restaurant created the original buffalo wing back in 1964, so I felt it was in my best interest to stop by and give them a shot.
Upon entering I felt pretty good about the spot.. lots of interesting flare cover the walls from motorcycle paraphernalia to photos of famous celebrities and politicians that have stopped through for dinner or at least a drink at the bar. The dining room has a large amount of tables and we didn't have a problem being seated immediately even though it was fairly busy. The service was friendly and prompt and drinks were served immediately. A full line of beer and wine are readily available.
We figured we would have wings as an appetizer to accompany whatever else we ordered for dinner. The wings were good with a decent texture and the medium buffalo sauce had a pretty good flavor and a bite to them. I guess it would be hard to say if they were greater than any other better-than-average wing place.. but considering they were the first (supposedly), I would give them 2 thumbs up.
But the wings were not the highlight of my night. I ordered the Linguini alla Geppetto with the red sauce for my main course, and I was not disappointed! I was served a giant bowl of pasta covered in flavorful marinara and delicious shrimp, scallops and clams. When I think of a seafood pasta, this is exactly what I'm looking for.. and since it was such a large portion, I was only able to eat half of it and take the rest with me for my next meal. Well worth it! -
Review from Fox E.
Clarence, NY
12/8/2011
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.
In most places, the "inventor" of any given famous food is going to be at least decent, and at best, the pinnacle of that food item, anywhere in the world. Anchor Bar falls extremely short. And before you start nodding in agreement and recommending Duff's, how about No, Scott?
How Anchor Bar and Duff's have come to be known as the two go-to places for wings is beyond me. Granted, neither is as bad as the horrendously insulting chain Buffalo Wild Wings, but oh my word, if these wings were not only the original but also the best, they would not have lasted a year, let alone the best part of a century!
Credit where credit's due, well done to this place for inventing them (although they have changed owners and are no longer the inventors anyway, just a brand name and location now), but the sauce is thin and week and not buttery at all, the wings are tiny and crappy, and the overall taste is just bland and Franks-Hot-Saucey.
Real wings can be found nearby, at places such as Zip's (my favourite wings) on Hertel, or a few places on Allen St (Gabriel's Gate for example), even local chains like Jim's Steak Out and Just Pizza and the particularly excellent Avenue Pizza chain are far superior to the wings here.
It gets a 2 instead of a 1 because it hasn't franchised itself all over town yet. Please try these wings only so you can compare them to real Buffalo wings, which you can find at any one of 100 local eateries, such as the ones I mentioned. For me, the Anchor Bar is anchored to the bottom of my "places to get wings" list, just above Buffalo Wild Wings, just under the similarly disappointing Duff's.
Seriously. Do you know how hard it is for me to rate someone a 2/5 when they are a local business? I even have a rule, that says local businesses are only rated 3-5 and chains 1-3. But I am breaking my own rule for the Anchor Bar because they are just so, so, so overrated. It may be true that this place invented Buffalo Wings, but then again I think it's changed hands so many times over the years that all it really is now is a brand name.
If these are the wings that were invented all those years ago then thank goodness time passes and allows us to become better at things, because a number of the Pizzerias and Wingerias in the city have become rather amazing at producing breathtaking wings, but Anchor Bar certainly is not. And before you say "Duffs is better anyway", Duffs is ****, too. I'm sorry but they're just not that good! Buffalo Wings are supposed to be buttery and greasy, not just swimming in pure hot sauce without a trace of cheffery or cookery or buttery... er... anyway.
But yes, that is the point. People fly here and go to Anchor Bar. Like it's a rite of passage, and more often than not, they leave here thinking that Buffalo Wings are nothing to write home about, no better than you might find at your local Buffalo Wild Wings. It's a crime that to this day, the argument is "Duffs or Anchor Bar", when the argument should be "how did Duffs and Anchor Bar stay in business with all of the genuinely excellent Wing places in town?"
The band OneRepublic borrowed my friend's guitar for a gig at Canisius College once, and they asked the audience, "Duffs or Anchor Bar", and everyone said Duffs. (Sigh). And before you bring up Buffalo Wild Wings, those are no more Buffalo Wings, than Taco Bell is Mexican food. Follow my drift? Don't go here for wings! 2/5 -
Review from Hilvic Ryan N.
Alexandria, VA
When you're the originator of the Buffalo Wing, which is a mainstay of menus all over the world, you're unfortunately going to be a victim of your own hype. Also, haters 'gon hate, and that's that.
Here's what I think: the buffalo wings here are fantastic. To the haters who say they've tasted better buffalo wings elsewhere, ask yourself how that could possibly make sense, considering this is the standard setting recipe? It's like pitching a perfect game in baseball-- you can't exceed that feat, you can only tie it. What you're really saying is that you prefer someone's else take on the Anchor Bar's phenomena. Which is fine, that's all you, bruh. Now put down your Haterade before you choke on it.
I will echo what others have said about the service. I almost thought this was one of those places where the staff is purposely cold and rude, and several times under this context I actually thought it was charming. Like, awww, look at her ignore me again. So cute. But no, they're just kinda... not that nice. Serviceable, yes, but this isn't the warmest staff ever.
Anyway, I'm a big fan of buffalo wings. I've had it in the Philippines, Japan, Hong Kong, Canada, and all over the US. The buffalo wings here at Anchor Bar are very, very good. And I'm glad I stopped by. -
Review from Daryl P.
Littleton, CO
3/18/2012
I really like the food here and it is exceptional! The price is a little high but that is it.
-
Review from Jeff T.
12/2/2011
Quick review from a wing nut. I recently traveled to Niagara Falls with the wife and made it a point to stop on our way back to Cleveland just to try the wings. Congratulations Anchor Bar, you are my favorite place to devour wings from every aspect.
While we were there, we witnessed to-go orders like we've never seen. This has to make a statement to who has the best wings in Buffalo. Every to-go order was for wings and wings only. Unbelievable.
Hint: Get in, Get early, Get messy.Listed in: Going Out On A Wing(s)
-
Review from K. O.
Buffalo, NY
10/7/2011
Way overrated. The waitress was rude and a waste of space. The wings not so great, I had better ones at a local pizzaria.
P.s. rude waitress dont discuss your tips and don't count your tips in front of customers, makes you look unprofessional. -
Review from Randy B.
9/26/2011
FIRST wings or WORST wings -- both! This place is ONLY for TOURISTS
With high expectations for the birthplace of the Buffalo Wing, I was so sadly underjoyed and overdisappointed. I sent back my RAW wings, then again as they were still undercooked. By then, I lost my craving. They returned to me for the 3rd time, but were now dry and overcooked. Unbelievable!
Locals seemingly order everything else. So, tourists - beware. Perhaps best to take a picture of yourself outside by the sign. -
Review from joe t.
Gardner, MA
11/14/2011
The wings are good, but probably aren't even in the top ten of the city's best. You won't find the best places listed on Yelp. I've got a friend who lives there and he laughed when I said I went to the Anchor Bar.
"Disappointed?" he asked. Yup.
Obscenely big portions of leaden food. Thank you for the vat of heavier than concrete chicken cacciatore. Oh, and the oversized leathery beef on weck. Like I said, the wings are good. As in "average to slightly above"( "Mild" by the way translates to "No sauce") but you can (and should) do better. -
Review from Keith W.
Rossmoor, CA
9/27/2011
If you are in the Buffalo/Niagra area and have some spare time, it's fun to be able to say you went to the birthplace of the buffalo wing.
The bar area was what I expected, an old classic with touristy decorations, but the dining area where we sat, pretty much looked like they went to smart and final and picked up some spare stackable chairs and folding tables... a little lame.
The buffalo wings were a good size and crispy and juicy, but the sauce wasn't really to my liking, and the dipping sauce was a sort of mayo/bleu-cheese out of a jar... kinda' strange dipping sauce.
Overall, wings and sauce tasted ok, but sad to say I would have preferred wings from Pizza Hut. Probably won't be back, but since we had some free time, it was worth the trip. -
Review from Graydon M.
Los Gatos, CA
12/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is the gold standard by which all wings should be judged. I recommend ordering yours at least one level hotter than you'd normally order them elsewhere though.
These taste great as well as being hot. I am only sad that I don't get the chance to visit Buffalo more often. -
Review from Lynn P.
Lutherville-Timonium, MD
8/17/2011
All wings are not created equal.
The Anchor Bar is where it all started, way back in 1964, when a mother was faced with feeding some hungry boys. She only had the wings left, so she fried them, whipped up some sauce to dip them in, and voila....the Buffalo wing was born.
The Anchor Bar sauce is as good as it gets. You can get your wings here hot, hotter, and suicidal. None of the froo-froo sweet, spicy oriental sauce, or barbecue, or cajun, etc. Just plain old hot sauce is all you need. Served up with a cold Canadian draft, this is one meal you must experience some time in your life. This place serves wings the way they were meant to be served.......simple, yet oh so tasty! -
Review from Mariko M.
8/19/2011
An obvi tourist trap.
Yes, the Anchor Bar is a legend, but I think the food is mediocre.
If you do dine at AB, I would recommend the chicken wings only.
The pizza and stuffed pepper were 'meh.'
3 stars ~ -
Review from Richard. F.
Plymouth Meeting, PA
12/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
I did enjoy the decor, quick seating, service, and Genny Cream Ale on tap but if this is the original home of the buffalo wing I have no idea how this concept ever took off. The order of hot wings that came out had a rather bland sauce, the wings weren't crispy, and my whole order was just about drum sticks.
My wife said the wings were good but I wasn't convinced so when I got home wed headed right to the new valley tavern and ate some wings I know are good. -
Review from John M.
Brunswick, GA
3/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
Amazing wings. Beer selection is weak but man the wings are killer.
-
Review from Theodore W.
Boston, MA
9/17/2011
How can anyone give the iconic Anchor Bar anything less than five stars? It's where the wing was born! Okay, personally I prefer Gabriel's Gate by a smidgen, but the AB is still in the top 3 on earth (not a fan of Duff's, personally).
I was going to review other items besides the wings, till I remembered...I've never had anything there but wings. *Ashamed* -
Review from Frank Z.
Albany, NY
8/10/2011
"Underwhelmed" is putting it mildly. Anyone who says these are the best wings has apparently never actually gone anywhere else. The Anchor Bar is ordinary at best.
I get it: the Anchor Bar brought us the wing. And I understand that Buffalo residents in particular seem to be fiercely loyal to this hometown institution.
As an outsider, though, it's really not that great at all. I was expecting to be floored by the kickass wings and instead I got floored by disappointment. These wings are simply boring. It certainly does not live up to the hype. I suppose the Anchor Bar is worth visiting in order to appreciate the history of this food. After you try this place, you will realize that while the Anchor Bar introduced the wing, others have stepped in and perfected it. -
Review from Jimmy S.
Tonawanda, NY
3/4/2012
Stopped by for some of the famous wings. Lived in Buffalo and never had them. I have had better but wanted to try the originals. They were good and it is worth the experience. If I am in the area I would stop by again. The staff is friendly and good to chat with.The walls are covered with some pieces of history, collected over the many years they have been open. Was an interesting experience.
-
Review from Don F.
O'Fallon, IL
8/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
I had such high expectations for this place. It is the birth of an entire food movement. Hot wings are part of my four basic food groups. (ie beer, sushi, steak, scotch and Cuban cigars, and anything drenched in buffalo sauce (yes, that includes Cheerios!!) and I know I can not count!!)
I was literally at my Temple Mount, Mecca, etc. When the first of many red flags went off! There was no parking. My rental car was a new Mercury Grand Marquis, and I got boxed in by some genius who did not realize that lines are on the arking lot for a reason....
So I did my best Austin Powers impression to get free and park across the street. I go in expecting to be greeted by angels chanting Gregorian chants, I was met by drunken frat boys spending and bragging about spending their parents money.
I get a place at the bar, Red Flag #2, if they were so good why was the place not bust on a Friday evening. Undaunted I asked for a menu. The bar maid says you ought ot try our pizza (Red Flag #3). I meekishly ask if this is where Hot Wings were created. She nodds. I figure she is playing a game of screw with the tourist. I say I will try the Hot wings. My order is placed.
I look at the only other people in the bar, you got it, the future leaders of America. What are you guys eating? I heard a litany of sandwich orders recited to me (#4) politely enough as to make me think these mooches wanted me to contribute to their beer fund. I inquired aboiut the hot wings. One of them said only tourists order those they suck (#5).
When the wings arrived they tasted truly awful (I would classify Hot at anchor as mild-medium at Syberrgs, or Show Mes). But they made up for sucking by being small! The only bright spot was that they have Yuenglings beer, I have not had that for a while.
Parking sucked. -
Review from Mark f.
9/3/2011
If you go in with low expectations, then you'll think this place is "okay". But Its the widely publicized "birthplace" of wings so you would think they have a reputation to uphold...but nah. , , they never claim to be "the best" and They're far from it...I had much better wings at the cabaret on Pearl....(heck dominos has better wings than my past 3 visits at the anchor ).
Each time Ive been here, The wings are over cooked (known as 'crispy') and there's nothing special about the sauce. Ambience: They have a setup for a live band , but I've never seen anybody actually play . There's no music otherwise. The service is 'okay' , and the price is not bad. Its just 'okay'.. its worth going at least once. -
Review from Julia B.
7/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
The wings here were pretty underwhelming. Since this place is known for their wings, perhaps I had too high of expectations. I'm glad we came because this place is the birthplace of wings, but if you're looking for excellent wings in Buffalo there are a number of other places you can go to. On the upside, we got here pretty early so it didn't take too long for the wings to come out.
The service was really good and friendly (maybe I'm just used to everyone in DC being so mean) so this place definitely has that going for it.
The rest of the food may be pretty decent, but since we had the wings and the appetizer sampler (I believe there were mozzarella sticks, jalapeno poppers, and potato skins) I can't comment on the other food here.
The decor is pretty neat, with tons of different license plates and other kitchy stuff. Lots of stuff to stare at while you're waiting for your food. :)
