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Lauren Saria

Where to Find the Crispiest Chicken Wings in San Francisco

The finest wings around town, from classic Buffalo to fiery gochujang

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In keeping with the typical coastal competitions regarding food, there's an absurd rumor circling about that suggests San Francisco is lacking in the chicken wings department, especially when pitted against high-flying places like New York and Chicago. But fear not, good people, your deep-fried needs will be more than met by the delicious wings that the restaurants of this city have to offer.

On this list, you'll find straight-up Buffalo wings, salt-and-pepper, spicy gochujang, tangy pineapple-glazed, and so much more. No matter the variety, though, every wing on this list is crunchy and juicy, satisfying all your wing cravings. Here now are 15 of the finest wings in San Francisco.

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New Golden Daisy

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This Chinatown deli, with meat hanging in the window, doesn’t mess around — New Golden Daisy specializes in wings, and only the drumettes, eschewing the flats and tips for a perfectly shaped mini-meat experience. The pricing runs by the pound, depending on how the ladies size you up that day, and this is definitely cash only. Grab takeout boxes of chow mein and fried rice, if so inclined.

Hot Sauce and Panko

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Hot Sauce and Panko supplies the deep-fried bird for Russian Hill, offering a plethora of spicy and savory wings for takeout. Try the wings and waffle combo for the full experience.

Halal Wings Plus

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Tenderloin spot Halal Wings Plus boasts wings that are indeed halal. They’re small but flavor-packed and come in varieties like spicy mango habanero, barbecue, and garlic parmesan. These guys also do fun mashup items like tandoori quesadillas.

Square Pie Guys

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These guys are best known for their Detroit-style pizzas, now available on both sides of the bay. But they’re also in on the fried chicken game, they’ve always had solid wings, and there’s something to be said for being able to order good pizza and wings together — what a beautiful bromance. 

A slab of Detroit-style square pizza with pepperoni cups Square Pie Guys

Foghorn Taproom

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Foghorn should get more respect for its wings, of which they have a number of options ranging from expected flavors (lemon pepper, Buffalo, barbecue sauced) to the unexpected (pineapple basil, Tajin, hot honey crunch). But we also do love an inclusive wing spot, taking Sundial vegan wings and offering to toss them in a sauce of choice, with vegan options marked clearly.

Wing Wings

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Besides having a fun name to say, Wing Wings delivers on what they promise: more than 10 different sauce options, from the classic Buffalo to Angry Korean. While OG owner Christian Ciscle is no longer in charge, the wing game remains strong.

Kezar Pub

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Located right next to the former stadium of San Francisco’s own 49ers, Kezar Pub is a no-frills neighborhood pub that knows how to treat soccer fans right. Their famous Buffalo wings are tangy and delicious, and go great with the many beers they have on tap.

Ali Wunderman

Cole Valley Tavern

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Yes, Cole Valley Tavern recently made some Food Moves with the hiring of chef Seamus Gibney of Cod Damn, upping its menu game and giving a permanent home to Gibney’s excellent fish and chips. But, also yes, the wings are worth a try. There’s a Buffalo option, of course, but the cumin or pineapple glazed varieties are worth a whirl if you’re looking for something different.

Lauren Saria

Um.ma brought Korean home cooking to the Inner Sunset, when Chris Oh rolled in with Los Angeles K-Town vibes. The Korean fried chicken wings are glazed with gochujang and honey, dusted with black and white sesame seeds, and adorned with crunchy diced Korean melon. They’re served stacked tall with mini Korean flags waving.

San Tung Chinese Restaurant 山東小館

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San Tung is a full-service Chinese food restaurant, and the wings are one of a kind. Head to the Sunset for the specialty dry wings, which are deep-fried and flavored with ginger, red pepper, and garlic. Your sports buds (and taste buds) will be thanking you.

Moshi Moshi

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Dogpatch Japanese restaurant Moshi Moshi does wings with attention to detail: Each one gets butterflied by hand before taking a dip in a garlic and chili marinade. Then they’re tossed on the grill for a nice char — order them with a hit of spice thanks to yuzu kosho or plain without. 

Prubechu

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San Francisco’s only Chamorro restaurant serves dried fried wings that are unlike almost any others on this list. Each golden-hued wing sports a crispy “Prubechu Pork Spice” coating that’s boosted by coriander, fennel, and turmeric, chef Shawn Naputi told SFGATE. An order includes a side of lemony fina’denne, a traditional Chamorro dipping sauce.

Mission Street bar Teeth (née Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, but presumably sent a cease-and-desist by the Henson estate) is usually a go-to for its wings. If you’re looking to also grab a drink, save your wing hunger for Wednesdays when wings go for as low as 50 cents with the purchase of two drinks.

Outer Orbit

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A Mission-Bernal pinball bar with lots of fun beer, Outer Orbir’s menu skews Hawaiian. A great item to order would be the gojuchang chicken wings, 10 or five pieces to an order, with a creamy dipping sauce. Call ahead to order for pickup, or get delivery through a few different apps.

7 Mile House Sports Bar & Grill

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Located on the edge of San Francisco in Brisbane, 7 Mile House is a historical landmark serving a unique mix of Italian and Filipino favorites, and an excellent stop for locals to watch practically any San Francisco sports game they desire. But among the hits are its selection of chicken wings. The Buffalo option is a given, but the Sriracha mayo or sweet chili are also favorites.

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New Golden Daisy

This Chinatown deli, with meat hanging in the window, doesn’t mess around — New Golden Daisy specializes in wings, and only the drumettes, eschewing the flats and tips for a perfectly shaped mini-meat experience. The pricing runs by the pound, depending on how the ladies size you up that day, and this is definitely cash only. Grab takeout boxes of chow mein and fried rice, if so inclined.

Hot Sauce and Panko

Hot Sauce and Panko supplies the deep-fried bird for Russian Hill, offering a plethora of spicy and savory wings for takeout. Try the wings and waffle combo for the full experience.

Halal Wings Plus

Tenderloin spot Halal Wings Plus boasts wings that are indeed halal. They’re small but flavor-packed and come in varieties like spicy mango habanero, barbecue, and garlic parmesan. These guys also do fun mashup items like tandoori quesadillas.

Square Pie Guys

These guys are best known for their Detroit-style pizzas, now available on both sides of the bay. But they’re also in on the fried chicken game, they’ve always had solid wings, and there’s something to be said for being able to order good pizza and wings together — what a beautiful bromance. 

A slab of Detroit-style square pizza with pepperoni cups Square Pie Guys

Foghorn Taproom

Foghorn should get more respect for its wings, of which they have a number of options ranging from expected flavors (lemon pepper, Buffalo, barbecue sauced) to the unexpected (pineapple basil, Tajin, hot honey crunch). But we also do love an inclusive wing spot, taking Sundial vegan wings and offering to toss them in a sauce of choice, with vegan options marked clearly.

Wing Wings

Besides having a fun name to say, Wing Wings delivers on what they promise: more than 10 different sauce options, from the classic Buffalo to Angry Korean. While OG owner Christian Ciscle is no longer in charge, the wing game remains strong.

Kezar Pub

Located right next to the former stadium of San Francisco’s own 49ers, Kezar Pub is a no-frills neighborhood pub that knows how to treat soccer fans right. Their famous Buffalo wings are tangy and delicious, and go great with the many beers they have on tap.

Ali Wunderman

Cole Valley Tavern

Yes, Cole Valley Tavern recently made some Food Moves with the hiring of chef Seamus Gibney of Cod Damn, upping its menu game and giving a permanent home to Gibney’s excellent fish and chips. But, also yes, the wings are worth a try. There’s a Buffalo option, of course, but the cumin or pineapple glazed varieties are worth a whirl if you’re looking for something different.

Lauren Saria

Um.ma

Um.ma brought Korean home cooking to the Inner Sunset, when Chris Oh rolled in with Los Angeles K-Town vibes. The Korean fried chicken wings are glazed with gochujang and honey, dusted with black and white sesame seeds, and adorned with crunchy diced Korean melon. They’re served stacked tall with mini Korean flags waving.

San Tung Chinese Restaurant 山東小館

San Tung is a full-service Chinese food restaurant, and the wings are one of a kind. Head to the Sunset for the specialty dry wings, which are deep-fried and flavored with ginger, red pepper, and garlic. Your sports buds (and taste buds) will be thanking you.

Moshi Moshi

Dogpatch Japanese restaurant Moshi Moshi does wings with attention to detail: Each one gets butterflied by hand before taking a dip in a garlic and chili marinade. Then they’re tossed on the grill for a nice char — order them with a hit of spice thanks to yuzu kosho or plain without. 

Prubechu

San Francisco’s only Chamorro restaurant serves dried fried wings that are unlike almost any others on this list. Each golden-hued wing sports a crispy “Prubechu Pork Spice” coating that’s boosted by coriander, fennel, and turmeric, chef Shawn Naputi told SFGATE. An order includes a side of lemony fina’denne, a traditional Chamorro dipping sauce.

Teeth

Mission Street bar Teeth (née Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, but presumably sent a cease-and-desist by the Henson estate) is usually a go-to for its wings. If you’re looking to also grab a drink, save your wing hunger for Wednesdays when wings go for as low as 50 cents with the purchase of two drinks.

Outer Orbit

A Mission-Bernal pinball bar with lots of fun beer, Outer Orbir’s menu skews Hawaiian. A great item to order would be the gojuchang chicken wings, 10 or five pieces to an order, with a creamy dipping sauce. Call ahead to order for pickup, or get delivery through a few different apps.

7 Mile House Sports Bar & Grill

Located on the edge of San Francisco in Brisbane, 7 Mile House is a historical landmark serving a unique mix of Italian and Filipino favorites, and an excellent stop for locals to watch practically any San Francisco sports game they desire. But among the hits are its selection of chicken wings. The Buffalo option is a given, but the Sriracha mayo or sweet chili are also favorites.

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