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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

by Dianne de Guzman and Eater Staff Updated
2 comments / new
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by Dianne de Guzman and Eater Staff Updated
2 comments / new
Lauren Saria

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.

1041 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 392-0111
(415) 392-0111

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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.

1468 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 387-1908
(415) 387-1908
Hot Sauce and Panko

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.

533 Jones St, San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 440-7786
(415) 440-7786
Aaron K./Yelp

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. 

1077 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 872-9290
(415) 872-9290
A slab of Detroit-style square pizza with pepperoni cups Square Pie Guys

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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.

450 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94118
(628) 280-1792
(628) 280-1792

Also featured in:

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.

422 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 834-5001
(415) 834-5001
Wing Wings

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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.

770 Stanyan St, San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 386-9292
(415) 386-9292
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.

900 Cole St, San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 681-7678
(415) 681-7678
Lauren Saria

Also featured in:

Um.ma

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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.

1220 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 566-5777
(415) 566-5777

Also featured in:

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.

1031 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 242-0828
(415) 242-0828
San Tung

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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. 

2092 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 861-8285
(415) 861-8285

Also featured in:

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.

2224 Mission St #A, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 853-0671
(415) 853-0671

Also featured in:

Teeth

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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.

2323 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 285-2380
(415) 285-2380
Jennifer Y./Yelp

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.

3215 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 574-6166
(415) 574-6166
Nicole B./Yelp

Also featured in:

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.

2800 Bayshore Blvd, Brisbane, CA 94005
(415) 467-2343
(415) 467-2343

Also featured in:

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New Golden Daisy

1041 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94108

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.

1041 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 392-0111
(415) 392-0111

Hot Sauce and Panko

1468 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA 94109

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.

1468 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 387-1908
(415) 387-1908
Hot Sauce and Panko

Halal Wings Plus

533 Jones St, San Francisco, CA 94102

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.

533 Jones St, San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 440-7786
(415) 440-7786
Aaron K./Yelp

Square Pie Guys

1077 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103

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. 

1077 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 872-9290
(415) 872-9290
A slab of Detroit-style square pizza with pepperoni cups Square Pie Guys

Foghorn Taproom

450 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94118

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.

450 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94118
(628) 280-1792
(628) 280-1792

Wing Wings

422 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117

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.

422 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 834-5001
(415) 834-5001
Wing Wings

Kezar Pub

770 Stanyan St, San Francisco, CA 94117

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.

770 Stanyan St, San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 386-9292
(415) 386-9292
Ali Wunderman

Cole Valley Tavern

900 Cole St, San Francisco, CA 94117

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.

900 Cole St, San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 681-7678
(415) 681-7678
Lauren Saria

Um.ma

1220 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122

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.

1220 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 566-5777
(415) 566-5777

San Tung Chinese Restaurant 山東小館

1031 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122

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.

1031 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 242-0828
(415) 242-0828
San Tung

Moshi Moshi

2092 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94107

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. 

2092 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 861-8285
(415) 861-8285

Prubechu

2224 Mission St #A, San Francisco, CA 94110

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.

2224 Mission St #A, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 853-0671
(415) 853-0671

Teeth

2323 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

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.

2323 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 285-2380
(415) 285-2380
Jennifer Y./Yelp

Outer Orbit

3215 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

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.

3215 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 574-6166
(415) 574-6166
Nicole B./Yelp

7 Mile House Sports Bar & Grill

2800 Bayshore Blvd, Brisbane, CA 94005

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.

2800 Bayshore Blvd, Brisbane, CA 94005
(415) 467-2343
(415) 467-2343

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