From tobasco-dripping, nose-clearing, pepper-packing to lighty-seasoned, skin-moistened, backed-in flavor to grease-bursting, deep-fried crispy-crunchness — there were more chicken wings in the place than a Maryland henhouse.
More than 17 of the borough’s finest eateries and about 1,000 people packed Greenpoint’s Red Star Bar, 37 Greenpoint Avenue, last week for the borough’s first annual Best Wings in Brooklyn contest.
And when all the clucking was over, Super Wings, 1218 Union Street, in Crown Heights was the choice of the three judges, Sugarcane, 238, Flatbush Avenue, in Park Slope was the people’s choice as ballots were handed out, and Wing Wagon, 351 Flatbush, also in Park Slope was this reporter’s favorite.
In particular, Wing Wagon has a very unique garlic wing that came with a special garlic and herb sauce.
“We start with the very best top-of-the line wings, and our sauces are very unique. Only we have them and they are a secret,” said Wing Wagon owner Rene Aquino, who came to this country from Mexico 24 years ago and now lives in Sheepshead Bay.
Aquino, who was assisted at the contest by his daughter, niece and nephew, said he became the owner of the business three years ago after doing most of the work there for the 17 previous years.
Second place went to Red Star, the host bar of the contest and third prize went to Teddy’s Bar and Grill, 96 Berry, in Williamsburg.
Getting second place in both the people’s choice and this reporter was Kettle Black Bar and Restaurant, 8622 Third Avenue, in Bay Ridge.
Others in the contest included Atomic Wings, 134 Smith Street, in Carroll Gardens, the Bean Post Pub, 7525 Fifth Avenue, in Bay Ridge, the Buffalo Cantina, 149 Havemyer Street, in Williamsburg, Canteena, 494 Fourth Avenue, in Bay Ridge, Jake’s Bar-B-Que, 189 Columbia Street, in Carroll Gardens, Magnolia Restaurant and Bar, 486 6th Avenue, in Park Slope, Rocky Sullivan’s, 34 Van Dyke Street, in Red Hook, Sarah James, 305 Throop Street, in Bedford Stuyvesant, Spike Hill, 184-186 Bedford Avenue, in Williamsburg, Wheeler’s, 1707 Sheepshead Bay Road, in Sheepshead Bay and the Yellow Hook Grille, 7003 3rd Avenue, in Bay Ridge.
The Brooklyn Brewery also provided several of their signature beers.
Borough President Marty Markowitz was on hand to give the award presentations.
