Bad Dog Tavern - Chicago

Bad Dog Tavern - Chicago



The Bar: Bad Dog Tavern on Lincoln Street in Lincoln Square is located right in the heart of the Northside neighborhood.  This laid back tavern is a great atmosphere for trying one of their many craft beer selections, watching the Hawks game, or ordering up some of their Award Winning Wings.  Well this particular evening, I came in to do all three.  The bar is dark intimate setting, quite, good tunes playing, while the Blackhawks game is on multiple screens.  They even have a Christmas tree lite up.  Very festive.   Even on a Saturday night, my friends and I walked in and got a seat at the bar.  With 3 wings flavors to choose from, deciding which craft beer to pair with my wings with was more difficult than placing my wing order.

Ginger Soy

The Wings: Buffalo, Maple BBQ, and Ginger Soy are their 3 wing sauce options.  When rating wings, one of my first choices I usually go with buffalo.  One of my friends put in an order of the Ginger Soy, so we could trade a few so I could get a taste.  The wings themselves on both plates were jumbo, meaty, tender and a lot of sauce...so far so good.  As for the sauce, the buffalo sauce is exactly that...just very average buffalo sauce.  Nothing special about this sauce stands out.  In my opinion, the buffalo could use a little more flavor and heat.  I don't know if the award was for the buffalo sauce or not, but a little more spice would make everything nice.

 

Ginger soy is another story.  The first wing I had, made me want to order another plateful.  A seriously delicious combo, a little sticky, a little salty and sweet, not much spice but with wings soaking in a plateful of extra sauce, these will leave you with more than enough flavor, you'll forget the lack spice and focus on taste.  



Buffalo

Wing Night: 1/2 off apps Fri & Sat 9pm-12am (Wings on the appetizer menu).

Side Notes:
+ $3 Craft beer of the week every Wednesday.
- Just needs a little heat, but that's just me.

Moment of Truth and Why:

Overall: 3.5 Star Wings 
Temperature: 5
Size & Texture: 4
Flavor: 3.5
Heat: 2
Sauce Overall: 4
Ginger Soy: 4.5
Buffalo: 3.5



The Ginger Soy flavor raised the rating up from just an average hot wing.  Temperature served was just right.  The jumbo wing size, texture and tenderness is just what most wing eaters enjoy, but its missing that little bit of crispiness I like, but pretty damn good regardless.  Wings drenched with the sauce of your choice with the extra bit of sauce, you can see on the plate, for dipping more.  Buffalo flavor was just ok and Ginger Soy was great.  Just needs a little more heat and you got a 4 star wing joint.  I'll definitely be back.

Website: http://www.baddogtavern.com/index.html

Agree or Disagree?  What did you think of their wings?  Got a wing joint for me to check out?

Tweet me @chicagowingman

Moonshine - Chicago

Moonshine on Division St. in Chicago.

The Pub:  Sadly Moonshine closed its doors a few days after I was there eating wings, watching football, and enjoying cold beer.  Prime location on Division, even had a parking lot.  Bartender put on any football game we asked for, and the place was busy.  They have moonshine.  Strong stuff and number of craft beers.  Brunch special was also recommend by some friends who frequented the spot.  It was sad to hear it closed a few days later, but at least I got to try a unique wing sauce combination.

Wings: "The chef special", mix of their homemade BBQ and Buffalo sauce.

Buffalo & BBQ sauce mixed together on wings!

The wings themselves were you average wing, good size and temperature.  I was sitting at the bar deciding which flavor to order, the bartender quickly recommend the chef special combination of BBQ and Buffalo.  I took her advice and The flavor that comes with mixing BBQ and buffalo is something I haven't experienced before.  Hot and spicy with the smokiness of BBQ flavor.  Very unique.  Is this common?  If requested will other places mix their sauces?  Maybe not but I'm glad the bartender pointed this out, because it wasn't on the menu.

Wing Night:  Moonshine is closed.

The Moonshine Bar

Side Note:  They had moonshine.  Check out the picture I took of the bar.  That stuff is strong.  So is the 10% rootbeer draft they had on tap, which other bars have.

Moment of Truth and Why:

Overall: 4-Star Wings 
Temperature: 3
Size: 4
Sauce: 5
Flavor: 5
Heat: 3

Wings weren't the crispiest, temp was good, size was average its all about the sauce and flavor which got higher rating.

 

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Got a favorite wing joint?  Tell me and I'll check it out.





Why Wings? and My Rating System

Buffalo wings have evolved into a culinary work of art.  Chefs use their creativity to create their wing sauces and flavors to stand out among the rest.  Who doesn't want to be known for having the #1 rated hot wings?  So I started thinking...since I love eating wings and checking out new places, why not tell you about my experiences.  For many years I've talked about writing about wings from all over Chicagoland and as I travel around the country and the world.  So welcome to the story of Chicago's Wingman.  Eat more wings.

I am just an average guy, living in an average suburb, with a good job, who is perfectly happy being the 9-5 guy.  For me, the hot wing is anything but...and when a friend once said to me "wings are wings", I decided to created this blog to describe the uniqueness of every wing joint I check out and every sauce and flavor I taste.   Everyone has their own favorite wing temperate, size, sauce, flavor, and heat.  I've made up a rating system I think covers all aspects of eating hot wing and hope to guide you to some great

What makes me qualified to rate and review the wings I eat?  Absolutely nothing.  I'm not a writer, I'm not a food critic, and I'm not a reporter or a "foodie". So welcome to the blog where hot wings are no long the appetizer to share with friends.  Wings are the main course.  Agree or disagree I hope you enjoy...

When I'm ordering wings I have 5 categories that I rate and review.

1. Temperature: When the wings are served are they warm, hot, or are the wings waiting to be served with whatever sauce I order.  I rarely find wings are served cold, but it has happened.  If I take wings to go I don't mind warming up a little to get my wings to right temperature.
1 star - served to me cold
2 star - need to be warmed up or they were under the warming lamp
3 star - not hot but not cold, better eat them fast
4 star - warm and ready to eat
5 star - hot and steaming, perfect temperature for me.

2. Size & Texture:  Who doesn't like jumbo wings.  Meaty and tender is what I'm looking for.  I do like crisy but points are lost if to soggy and to crunchy.  Over cooked, over fried, over grilled
1 star - small and dried out or small and soggy
2 star - small but tender or medium and dry
3 star - medium and tender
4 star - jumbo and tender or Jumbo and crispy
5 star - jumbo with the perfectly tender and crispiness into one bite

3. Sauce: Some like naked or over drenched with sauce.  I'm looking for just right  I don't want a wing to slip out of my hand and land on my pants because of to much sauce (who hasn't this happen too?)  or feel like I need to shower after I eat.  However, I don't want to ask for a side of sauce because there simply isn't enough.
1 star - Practically naked or need a bib
2 star - please bring me an extra side of sauce
3 star - could use more but not complaining
4 star - hey not bad at all, with a little extra on the plate for dipping
5 star - Ah...just right

4. Flavor: I like flavor, I like to taste what I'm eating.  To much garlic, to much ginger, to much smoky flavor can and does happen.  I'll let you know when I think that.
1 star - bland and flavorless, gotta give me something
2 star - some thing missing, just average
3 star - hey not bad but could use just a touch more of...
4 star - flavor packed and delicious
5 star - Wow! how can I even describe in words how good this flavor is?

5. Heat: Maybe you like a little heat, maybe a lot.  Well I all my food with a kick and spiced up, but not teary eyed where is the milk hot.
1 star - no heat or wow where is the milk?
2 star - pass the pepper.
3 star - average, a little spice makes everything nice
4 star - its heating up in here its great
5 star - nose is running but its so good.  glad my glass of water is near by.

Follow me on Twitter @chicagowingman and tweet me a place to check out.

Wild Mountain Smokehouse & Brewery - Nederland, Colorado

Traveling this week.  Wild Mountain Smokehouse & Brewery - Nederland, Colorado

Wild Mountain Smokehouse & Brewery

I traveled to Boulder, Colorado to visit some family over the Thanksgiving holiday and attend the Utah v Colorado football game.  While there, I was told I had to check out Wild Mountain Smokehouse & Brewery located in "Ned".  Where is Nederland?  Up Boulder Canyon about 18 miles from downtown Boulder.  This small laid back town is know for the Frozen Dead Guy Days Festival in March but I'm here for the wings and its November.  Located in the heart of this little mountain town, this place was packed on an early Saturday evening.  But no surprise to the locals...cold beer was flowing and the smell of BBQ was in the air on a cold windy night.  Bar is small, yet cozy and although crowded we only waited about 15 minutes for a table.  As I sip on a home brewed Otis Pale Ale, I glance around the room, checking out all the dishes coming out of the kitchen.  I knew I was getting the wings but hey, I do like other food too.  I did sample some the pulled pork my Aunt ordered and the beef brisket my uncle ordered....



A dozen buffalo wings as served, smoked then grilled.

"Wings":   When it comes to wings, I typically don't think of BBQ joints, but these certainly did not disappoint.  Not to take away from any place in Boulder but the wings are worth the drive up to Ned.  They slowly smoke the marinated wings, then coat with buffalo or BBQ sauce and then tossed on the grill.  The wings have a little smoky taste to them but the meat falls off the bone.  You don't come across smoked then grilled wings to often so if you don't like the smokey taste, at least order 1/2 dozen, worth trying.  The sauce isn't bad, very average buffalo sauce.  Not much of kick.  They do have six BBQ sauces, which you can sample all of them for $2 extra, which isn't bad if your looking to find your flavor.  I mentioned I had an Otis Pale Ale but also had the Hop-Diggity IPA.


Wing Night: No mention of specials, but if in the area worth the stop no matter what time.

Side Note:
+A lot of great local & home brewed beers to choose from.
+A lot of BBQ sauces to chose from, probably should have gone that route.
-Buffalo sauce was a little weak, not much heat.
-Told us the wait would be 45-60 minutes, although I waited about 15 minutes to sit, we almost decided to leave.  Not much room to move around while you wait, bar seats about 6 people tightly.

Moment of Truth and Why:

Overall 3.5 Star Wings
Temperature: 4
Size & Texture: 4
Sauce: 2.5
Flavor: 4
Heat: 1

The smoked then grilled wings isn't something I come across to often.  The taste is a little smoky and only average buffalo sauce.  But 100% worth the drive up to Nederland from Boulder.

Website: http://www.wildmountainsb.com/
http://frozendeadguydays.org/
 

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Got a favorite wing joint?  Tweet me and I'll check it out.

Buffalo Wild Wings - Dry Rub Edition Part 1

Buffalo Wild Wings - Dry Rub Edition

Buffalo Wild Wings - Dry Rub Edition Part 1

B-Dubs:  Well who hasn't been to a local BW3 by now.  20 locations in Chicagoland, my home base location...Willowbrook. I have been going to Buffalo Wild Wings for almost 15 years and have had most of their sauces.  Everyone knows the verity of quality sauces that are packed with flavor and heat.  Wings size always seems to differ from night to night.  Any location is a great place to meet after work, choose from a wide verity of beers,  or to catch your favorite team in action...But how often have you had the dry rub flavors?


Wings: With 5 dry rub flavors to choice from Salt & Vinegar, Lemon Pepper, Chipotle BBQ, Buffalo, and Desert Heat... I recently decided to sit down and go outside the norm and try the dry rub seasonings they offer.  I ordered up an order of Lemon Pepper and Desert Heat.



Lemon Pepper

Life is full of wonderful choices.

Lemon Pepper - dry rub was very average.  Flavorful?  Yes.  A little over bearing with pepper?  Also yes.  I'm glad I at least got the snack size (contains 5 wings), any more it would have been difficult to finish.  Worth trying but share with friends.


Desert Heat

Desert Heat - a lot flavor, right amount heat with little clean up.  Similar tastes to a spicy taco mix but Desert Heat mixes well with crispiness of a chicken wing.  Dip in a little ranch and its even better  I even purchased this seasoning to add to my collection of spices at home.

Stay tuned as I bring you some thoughts on all 21 flavors/sauces/seasonings Buffalo Wild Wings offers...including taking the Blazzin Challenge...


Wing Night:
Tuesday traditional wing night
Thursday boneless wing night

Side Note:
+All the sauces and dry rubs are available for purchase.
+They offer a ton of menu items besides wings.  Burgers, Salads, Apps.  Get buffalo wedges w/cheese with your wings
-They don't have the Pac-12 network, so I can't watch my Utah Utes games.

Moment of Truth and Why:
Lemon Pepper Dry Rub 1.5-Star Wings (Worth trying but can't eat to many, to much pepper.)
Desert Heat Dry Rub 3.5-Star Wings (Flavor packed, nice heat, only negative tastes similar to Lawry's taco mix you buy at the store.)

Website: www.buffalowildwings.com   
 

Follow me on twitter @chicagowingman
Got a favorite wing joint?  Tweet me and I'll check it out.

Black Rock Pub & Kitchen - Chicago

 



Black Rock Pub & Kitchen

Black Rock Pub & Kitchen on N. Damen Ave. Chicago.

The Pub:  This is one of my favorite spots in the city, so I'm little biased.  This is a laid back neighborhood pub with a great craft beer selection, friendly staff, and of course great wings.  Good place to watch a game but they usually don't put the game sounds on.  They have these craft beer tapping events every once in awhile which are fun.  Just check out the beer menu, this should be enough to get you in the door.

Wings: 3 flavors of wings: Coffee BBQ, Ponzu-Sesame, and Buffalo

Wings are tossed on the grill once cooked to make them crispy.  Buffalo sauce is pretty good, not to hot but a nice kick.  Ask for an extra side of the sauce if you like a lot of sauce.  I think they are served just right.  The  BBQ isn't to bad either.  I have never had the Ponzu-Sesame so I cant comment.


Wing Night:  Thursday night is 1/2 prices apps, which is where the wings are on the menu.

Side Note: They have a summer softball league which my team won back in 2011.  Back room has fire place, pool table, and foosball table.

Moment of Truth and Why:
4-Star Wings 
Could use a little more sauce without having to ask for extra.

 

Website: blackrockbar.com

 Follow me on twitter @chicagowingman

Got a favorite wing joint?  Tell me and I'll check it out.






And Here We Go...

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