Crispy, saucy, finger-licking chicken wings. They can be the best part of a meal. That first crunch of a perfectly fried drumette, that tangy-sweet glaze on your lips. Nothing beats it. They’re a trailer for the feast ahead and, in fact, at some spots, the wings are the main event. These irresistible bites prove that Kansas City’s most memorable courses aren’t always main ones. This is a celebration of KC’s most exciting wing joints.
Peanut on Main
$ | (816) 753-9499 | WEBSITE
This historic Kansas City pub has been serving some of the best buffalo chicken wings in the city since 1889. These wings are crispy, sauce-drenched, tangy, and perfectly sized so that you can easily polish off a dozen with a cold beer. Grab a wooden stool and count how many Chiefs jerseys you spot before diving into your now-empty basket.
Godfather’s Pizza
$ | (816) 905-1000 | WEBSITE
Crispy, cheesy, and piled high with pepperoni, this pizza will make you wonder why you’d ever order anything else at Godfather’s (though you should definitely get the cheese breadsticks, too). Fluffy crust is topped with a mozzarella, provolone, and cheddar blend so generous you could use it to insulate a wall, but the far better use is just to devour it by the slice.
Social
$ | (816) 437-9077 | WEBSITE
Flavorful, cheesy, smoky, and satisfying. The Waldo Rolls from Social in the historic Waldo area will have you thinking, “Maybe just one more” before realizing you’ve already finished the entire plate. The occasional wait at this spot is worth it for these rolls alone. Just remember to grab extra sriracha aioli.
Kona Grill – Kansas City
$$ | (816) 931-5888 | WEBSITE
Just like playing ‘Fergalicious’ at a house party, the meatball appetizer from this Kansas City grill gets the people going. They’re perfectly seasoned, parmesan-dusted, and served with a rich marinara that has just the right kick. A plate of these is just the right starter to go with a few glasses of their house red. We really wish these came by the dozen, though.
Artego Pizza
$ | (816) 960-4787 | WEBSITE
We’ve written extensively about how much we love Artego Pizza’s Stockyard pizza, and have no interest in stopping any time soon. The combination of toppings is tremendous. Life-affirming, even. And the amazing crust is even better when paired with their perfectly cooked wings, or a side of unique flavor sauces. Making this your go-to order should be an Artego mandate.
Luna’s Chicken N Seafood
$ | (816) 832-8198 | WEBSITE
Luna’s Chicken N Seafood offers their chicken and seafood from all over the menu, but the best are their wings from the five-piece plate. These meaty portions are fresh and flavorful all at once. Eat these with just a dab of sauce and a splash of spiciness. And order liberally, because you’re going to want at least a dozen.
Wings and Burgers (Halal)
$ | (816) 255-2585 | WEBSITE
With chicken this good, you don’t just put it on the menu, you name the whole damn restaurant after it. Choose from perfectly spiced chicken legs with that charcoal flavor, chicken kebobs, and chapli kabab rice grilled with the precision of some sort of meat master. Between the chicken and the layers of spices, generous toppings, and juicy interiors, your companions will likely fork-joust for any remaining scraps.
Swifts Cajun Cuisine
$$ | (816) 226-8411 | WEBSITE
There are a lot of chicken wing spots in Kansas City—so many that we ranked our favorites—and Swifts Cajun Cuisine reigns supreme. There’s no skimping on flavor, which means the Cajun spices and seafood headline every bite. Look forward to the triple whammy of freshness from the fried chicken, catfish, and seafood pasta, and don’t forget to save room for the Gumbo later.
Wings Cafe LLC
$ | (816) 413-9464 | WEBSITE
At this Kansas City spot, crispy wings come with phenomenal sauces and rubs, are generously covered with sauce, and get served with enough meat to make you reconsider your appetite. And while you could theoretically share these large portions, you’re going to want them all for yourself.
GJ Fish & Chicken
$ | (816) 765-0474 | WEBSITE
It’s not easy for a humble chicken wing to make the jump from being, well, just a wing, to a neighborhood legend. Unless it’s the lemon pepper chicken from this Kansas City fish and chicken spot. The plate is loaded with a one-to-one ratio of crispy skin and tender meat, plus a generous drizzle of sweet teriyaki sauce and perfectly seasoned wing dings. It may be a simple platter of chicken, fish, and sides, but sometimes simple is best.
Luna’s Chicken N Seafood
$ | (816) 832-8979 | WEBSITE
The way we see it, ordering the 4 Wings 2 Catfish combo is not optional when you’re at Luna’s Chicken N Seafood. Generous portions of golden crispy catfish and expertly seasoned lemon pepper wings come with perfectly cooked crawfish and shrimp from the seafood boil. While it’s all designed to be shared, we often don’t dare to.
Taps on Main
$ | (816) 291-4502 | WEBSITE
With a crisp, golden crust and tender meat inside, the hand-breaded chicken tenders at this Kansas City favorite make for the perfect main you can enjoy through the whole visit. The housemade flavor stands out like a trumpet fanfare, and the breading has just enough crunch to it without putting your teeth through a workout. Wings may be the highlight of this place, but these things deserve love, too.
Wingstop
$ | (816) 454-9464 | WEBSITE
We could easily make a full meal from the wings selection at Wingstop and walk away completely content. If you’re tempted to go all in at this Kansas City chicken spot, make sure the Voodoo fries and Cajun-seasoned wings are on your order. The perfectly cooked wings are coated in that signature Cajun spice blend, and come paired with those crispy Voodoo fries for a satisfying crunch.
Church’s Texas Chicken
$ | (816) 454-7644 | WEBSITE
Instead of bland fast-food chicken, Church’s Texas Chicken offers crispy wings glazed with honey butter, mac and cheese that’s creamy and rich, and honey biscuits that melt in your mouth. Grab a combo next to a couple of extra sides and a staff-recommended sweet tea while contemplating how many family meals you could haul home before your spouse calls you to ask about a “suspicious amount of fried chicken.”
