Crispy Chicken Wings Confit
You may think you’ve found the best chicken wings in the city. But Greenhouse Tavern’s crispy chicken wings confit ($13) may have your favorites beat. After slow-cooking them in fat overnight, chefs flash-fry to order then toss the wings in a light sauce of lemon juice, garlic, scallions and roasted jalapenos. “They’ll make your mouth pucker from some of the sauce,” says general manager Jonathan Blair. 2038 E. Fourth St., Cleveland, 216-443-0511, thegreenhousetavern.com
Everything Bagel
We’re already obsessed with the bagel topping, so it makes perfect sense for Noble Beast Brewing Co. chef and co-owner James Redford to use the breakfast favorite to create the everything bagel wings ($8). He coats the wings in spent grain-infused flour and serves them with pickled celery and celery seed mayo. “You get all the elements of what should be going into an everything bagel,” says Redford. 1470 Lakeside Ave., Cleveland, 216-417-8588, noblebeastbeer.com
Jamaican Jerk
If you’re looking for a little twist to your traditional wings, head to Sarita for its Jamaican jerk chicken wings ($11), which are both spicy and sweet. After braising them in Jamaican jerk chicken stock for about an hour, chef and owner Anthony Romano fries them to order. “Then we toss them in a Jamaican jerk butter and finish them with jalapeno jam,” Romano says. 14523 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-226-5200, sarita-restaurant.com
Sweet and Smoky BBQ
After the sweet and smoky BBQ wings ($14) at Smokin’ Q’s BBQ and Beer House are fried, they are tossed in sauce and set under a broiler. “I actually think finishing it under the broiler with the sauce makes a big difference, because it kind of caramelizes the sauce a little bit,” says executive chef Zachary Ladner. All wings are served with either house-made ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing and house-made pickles. 718 SOM Center Road, Mayfield Village, 440-646-0429, smokinqbbq.com
Tangy Gold
Fans of boneless wings flock to Big Dog Bar and Patio in Ravenna for its Tangy Gold wings ($8). Coated in a honey mustard sauce that’s sweet and tangy, the wings have quickly become fan favorites, says owner Patsy Haney. “They’re fresh, never frozen,” Haney says. “I think that’s what makes the wings tender and have the most flavor.” 432 W. Highland Ave., Ravenna, 330-296-9115, facebook.com/bigdogsaloon
