With their crispy texture and spicy sauce, Buffalo wings are the perfect addition to sporting events, family get-togethers, or evenings at home with friends. They’ve become such a staple of American snack food, many people can’t imagine they were invented just a few decades ago. Here is a brief history of chicken wings and how they continue to be enjoyed across the country today. 

Knowing Your Wing History

When Did Buffalo Wings Originate? 

Like any famous food, there are multiple stories about how modern chicken wings came to be. In one version of the origin story, restaurant owners Frank and Teressa Bellissimo are credited with inventing the tasty appetizer in 1964 after a shipment of chicken wings arrived at their Buffalo, NY, restaurant instead of the chicken necks they typically used to make their sauce. In an attempt not to waste the wings, Teressa developed Buffalo wings on the fly by frying the wings and tossing them in a mixture of hot sauce and butter before serving them as an appetizer. 

However, in a competing story, a man named John Young claimed to be the true inventor of the Buffalo wing. He claimed since they were a staple in the African-American community where he grew up, he put his spin on wings by serving them with his handmade “mambo sauce” in the mid-sixties. But many wing aficionados point out that since Young did not separate his wings into the “drumstick” and “flat” halves that are so ubiquitous on menus, his creation belongs in another category of American food.

What Varieties Are Available Today? 

While Buffalo wings are traditionally deep-fried and served in a mixture of melted butter and a hot sauce made with cayenne pepper, modern variations include smoked, grilled, and even baked wings. Today’s chefs have put their personal spin on chicken wings by treating them with dry rubs, sweet sauces, and myriad other toppings. Typically, wings are served with either ranch or blue cheese dressing to take the bite out of the heat. 

If your mouth is watering for the addictive flavor of Buffalo wings, turn to Crico's Pizza & Subs in Gulf Shores, AL. In addition to specializing in delicious, freshly prepared chicken wings, this local eatery also offers specialty pizzas, hot subs, crisp garden salads, and fresh-baked garlic bread. To place an order for takeout or delivery, send them a quick note online or give them a call at (251) 948-3100.