Over the past year, we’ve devoured countless wings across Columbus. And during our saucy research, we’ve uncovered hidden gems—like the art of perfect crispiness, secret dry-rub blends, and these 10 incredible spots.
Shakers Public House Remote
$$ | (614) 468-1017 | WEBSITE
In a city landscape riddled with elaborate wing sauces (we recently tried one infused with ghost pepper and mango) we appreciate the oxymoronic complex simplicity of the lineup at Shakers Public House Remote. This spot makes incredible wings using only three core components: perfectly crispy chicken, a wide variety of sauces, and Trinity’s attentive service. The wings are juicy, and the sauces—from classic buffalo to sweet barbecue—create a perfect combination of tangy and savory.
Plus, we like that Shakers Public House Remote’s lively space with rustic wood accents and warm lighting makes us feel like we’re at a neighborhood gathering with our wings. Which we are.
Roosters
$ | (614) 853-0118 | WEBSITE
We’re grateful if a sports bar has even decent wings, so when we find one with a ranch we’d run through a wall for, it makes us want to hire a mobile billboard truck to tell everyone about it. So consider this our billboard truck ad for the traditional wings at Roosters, a family-friendly restaurant in Columbus.
The wings are served with homemade ranch from a mason jar and a blue cheese that’s equally good, and are tossed in a medium garlic sauce that’s perfectly balanced—meaning anyone sitting near you for the next hour will be jealous. The crispy texture and the half-price deal on Mondays make it a spot we’ll keep coming back to, with friendly staff checking in to make sure everything’s just right.
It’s clean, accessible, and has plenty of parking, making it a reliable choice for good food in a welcoming atmosphere.
bb.q Chicken Olentangy Square
$ | (614) 429-3454 | WEBSITE
The “Spicy Original” wings (we’re focusing on the flavor and suggest you do the same) from BB.Q Chicken Olentangy Square are the gold standard for fried chicken. The fried pieces have a perfectly crunchy coating, and are cooked to a crisp without being overly greasy. And despite that extreme crispiness, the meat still remains incredibly juicy.
The wings are served with a side of creamy ranch, and it’s the satisfying crunch of that coating combined with the coolness of the dip that makes us schedule our visits around their happy hour deals. At the time of this writing, that means enjoying affordable beer prices in their spacious dining area with big booths and TVs.
Smashburger
$ | (380) 249-7220 | WEBSITE
When we tried the mushroom and Swiss burger at this comfortable Columbus spot, time stopped and nothing existed besides the truth of well-prepared food and attentive service. It’s served with some incredibly crispy sweet potato fries that stand up to the juicy patty without getting soggy—a fact that we put to the test with the friendly staff, too.
Frankie’s Pizza & Wings
$ | (614) 476-5555 | WEBSITE
Frankie’s has been our go-to for pizza and wings for years, but as any food critic knows, even classics need competition. To keep with the sports theme, that makes their sweet sauce and dough the LeBron James of Columbus pizza—consistently excellent and impossible to ignore. The sauce has a subtle sweetness that elevates every bite, while the dough provides the perfect foundation.
There’s a beautiful balance between the crispy crust and the flavorful toppings, and like the best pizza joints, the quality shines through in every slice. Oh, and Frankie’s burnt ends and smoked wings are standout stars—not as famous as the pizza, but absolutely worth ordering.
Golden Fried Chicken and Fish
$ | (614) 999-8833 | WEBSITE
Golden Fried Chicken and Fish is a hidden gem tucked away in Columbus. This unassuming southern-style spot is known for its quick service and friendly atmosphere, and feels like a genuine taste of the South right here in Ohio. And Golden is where we ordered the true southern-style fried catfish, a plate of golden-brown perfection. The catfish has a ton of flavor from the expert frying, and the fish is served steaming hot and fresh.
That plus Golden’s exceptional fries creates an absolutely perfect meal, and is also why we’ve made the drive across town three times this week.
Star Kitchen Cafe
$ | (614) 525-0573 | WEBSITE
Star Kitchen Cafe brought us back to one of the (very) few pleasures of 2020—balancing something delicious on our laps while eating in the car. This drive-through spot is hidden in a Columbus strip mall, and specializes in home-cooked meals that they make in their clean, fresh kitchen. We ordered the BLT version, a generous sandwich stacked with crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, and tomato, plus a side of delicious fries.
It filled a comfort-food-sized hole in our heart that we didn’t know needed filling. Plus, the friendly staff included extra napkins which came in handy while we sat in the driver’s seat with this messy sandwich.
Luna Pizza Kitchen – Bethel Road Columbus
$ | (614) 525-0004 | WEBSITE
We don’t like sounding like a pizza chain advertisement, so we avoid using words like ‘legendary’ ‘epic’ and ‘game-changing’ when we’re talking about wings. But there’s a time and place for everything, and the Halal pepperoni pizza from Luna Pizza Kitchen is now our reigning definition of ‘epic.’ This generously topped pizza has a high-quality dough foundation, features unique, flavorful toppings, and is served with the kind of quick, reasonable service that, yes, is very game-changing.
Resist the urge to order another one immediately after finishing.
Meshikou Ramen
$ | (614) 457-1689 | WEBSITE
Ramen can be a quick noodle fix you slurp down before rushing to your next appointment. But the Meshikou Black Ramen at Meshikou is a bowl you should savor. It’s a rich masterpiece built from the best pork belly in Columbus, layered with their signature ghost oil that adds a touch of American spice to traditional Japanese cuisine. But the best part is the KFC wings, which we didn’t realize our ramen experience needed until now. See you later, bland broth.
AnA Shawarma
$ | (380) 206-7794 | WEBSITE
AnA Shawarma’s menu description of their chicken shawarma is “exceptional” and (as its appearance on this list indicates) we’re not arguing. It’s perfectly seasoned, tender, and has the ideal balance of garlic sauce and fresh vegetables to round everything out. It’s served with those second-to-none fries and extra white sauce, and combining everything creates a symphony of flavors that makes us wish we paid more attention in culinary school.
And now that this family-run establishment has become a popular spot in Columbus, the shawarma keeps regular hours. This means we can stop in and enjoy it with thoughts like, “Why are you so incredible,” and, “Can I get another meal if I order the generous portion?”