WING WARS III

This is a wonderful event sponsored by, Atlantic City Weekly and 103.7 WMGM, the radio station.  It is held at the Golden Nugget in their ballroom.  There were 1,300 people in attendance this year.  20 local (and one not so local) battled it out for Wing supremacy – and the battle was one for the ages.  Each of these establishments brings their A-Game – they must.  This showcases their talents around that wonderful delicacy, the Wing (much more often than not – a Chicken Wing). 

Upon entry you are given two tokens – a red chip and a blue chip.  The red chip is to vote for your favorite wing and the blue chip is to vote for your favorite dipping sauce.  Fair enough.  And then you enter the ballroom.  There are ten contenders down either side of the venue, bars in the middle, and a stage with the band, LeCompt playing.  LeCompt is a great cover band.  They did the honors last year and did them again today for Wing Wars III.  Their version of “War Pigs” from Black Sabbath brought a smile to my face.  Great stuff. 

LeCompt

My wife saw that the far-right back corner was the least populated, so we started there.  It was Vic & Anthony’s from the Golden Nugget.  It was a maple glazed, quail wing and it was delicious.  IDK, if quail is a constant on their menu but they should consider it.  Very good first entry.  From there we made the rounds. 

But, before we go further, let’s talk strategy and science.  This is our - my wife's and mine, second Wing Wars.  We have been to the Burger Bash, too.  We now have a little experience when it comes to how these two events work.  We know to bring wipes, we know that if we find a seat one of us will sit so that the other will forage for two wings from each establishment to bring back to the table and enjoy.  We have upped our data collection.  Behold the Wing Wars III Data Collection Form.  Those stains were earned, the notes may look like hieroglyphics, but I can read ‘em – and this is how this blog was formulated.

Data sheet - for SCIENCE!

So, there it is.  My wife would hold down the fort and I would hunt and gather.  Oh, and there was so much to hunt and gather.  But that’s okay – it’s all part of the fun.  We sampled ‘em all – some twice.  As it turns out, wings are temperamental.  It’s best to have a fresh wing.  If the wing sits it can get cold, soggy, and nasty.  Not an establishment’s A-Game.  So, timing is important.  The temp, the texture, and flavor of a wing – all have an expiration time.  Fresh wings need to be replenished since this is YOUR establishment’s good name on the line.  There were times that I was pleasantly surprised.  I think that Hooters and Margaritaville upped their game from last year.  Hooters had their, “Daytona” sauce and Margaritaville did something fresh and fruity – they made a blueberry chipotle wing sauce.  My wife didn’t like it, but I did.  It showed initiative.  There were some true stand outs this time out.  Okatshe, made a tempura battered wing with a ginger scallion & chili sauce which was wonderful fresh but not so good if it was been sitting too long so that the oil can pool.  This wasn’t too much of an issue and it was great.  One contender, The Blind Rhino, came all the way from Norwalk, Connecticut to compete!  I’m glad they made the trip.  Theirs was a dry-rub, brown sugar concoction that strummed all the right chords.  Guy’s Bar-B-Que Joint was able to make a stop at Flavor-town for their excellent smoked wings.  The Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall had a great flavor too.  Their offering was a Citrus Sweet Chipotle wing and it proved to by my wife’s favorite – so much so that she red & blue chipped them.  The VUE Rooftop Bar’s offering was a lime-zest and cumin seasoning with a honey-lime crème sauce.  Very tasty.  Toll Man Joe’s got my blue chip – there was something tangy about their sauce that captured my imagination.  Villain & Saint, for my pallet, did something magical.  

Villain & Saint's alchemy at work

Their offering was something they called, KFC – Korean Fried Chicken that was batter fried with an Asian glaze, and ginger ailoi.  This one earned my red chip.  I fell in love with it.  The fact of the matter is, you couldn’t do wrong with any of these contenders.    

And then there was the judging – the people’s and the judges.  By popular, blue chip, vote the Dipping Sauces were…

Third:            Vagabond

Second:         Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall 

First:              Michael Patrick’s

By popular, red chip, vote the people’s favorites were…

Third:            Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall 

Second:         A.C. Burger Co.

First:             TIE! – The Blind Rhino AND Michael Patrick’s

And then came the professional judges.  And the winners were…

Third:            Villain & Saint (my pick for the shootin’ match)

Second:         Guy’s Bar-B-Que Joint 

First:             Chelsea 5 Gastropub

Other wonders beheld this very day…

Congratulations to all of the winners from this year’s Wing Wars!  All of the contestants, too, including; AC Burger Co., Bill’s Bar & Burger, Blue Water Grill, Chelsea 5 Gastropub, The Blind Rhino, Guy’s Bar-B-Que Joint, KURO, Michael Patrick’s Brasserie, Hard Rock Café, Manco & Manco, Okatshe, Hooters, Margaritaville, Rose’s Garden Grill, Villain & Saint, Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall, Vic & Anthony’s, Toll Man Joe’s, Vagabond Kitchen and Tap House, VUE Rooftop Bar – remarkable offerings, ALL!  You brought you’re A-Game.  The hosts should be congratulated, as well.  This was a Wing Wars for the record books.  I’m looking forward to Burger Bash in the spring – it, too, shall be GLORIOUS. 

NOTE: The data gathered for this particular blog is based upon the descriptions from, “A Wing And A Prayer” by Ryan Loughlin from the January 24^th – 30^th, Atlantic City Weekly magazine, my data sheets, and my notes.  Your results may vary, which is why I encourage you to get out there and to try these establishments out for yourself.  They are worth the trip – even to Connecticut!