Game day watchers are projected to eat more than a billion wings
Football fans might be surprised at the matchup, but one thing is not surprising: America’s love for chicken wings. This is never more apparent than on the final game day, when wings are at their hottest. Last year, Americans were anticipated to devour 1.42 billion wings while watching the the two final teams battle for the Lombardi Trophy, according the National Chicken Council’s (NCC) Wing Report.
“There will be no wing shortage,” said NCC spokesperson Tom Super. “Like almost anything else you buy right now, wings might be a little more expensive, but they’ll be stocked. I just wouldn’t wait until kickoff to be in line or order online.”
Last year, wholesale wing prices were down 19 percent from a mid-year high, according to USDA data. Retail wing prices are up about $0.30 per pound on average from the same time last year. Why the uptick? Many costs, like the price of chicken wings, have increased because of unusually high demand, record input costs, labor shortages that have reduced the supply of many goods, and government spending programs that have flooded the economy. Greater demand and less supply equals higher prices, ultimately resulting in the highest inflation that the country has seen in 40 years.
“Demand for chicken wings has been through the roof since the beginning of the pandemic,” Super added. “A shift from sit-down restaurants to takeout and quick service has boosted chicken wing consumption. Restaurants like wing joints and pizza places were built around takeout and delivery, and as long as people are sitting around watching TV and maybe drinking a beer, wings will remain in the game.”
To help meet increased demand last year, some chicken producers diverted birds traditionally marketed as whole birds for parts instead, like wings. More good news is the end-December frozen wing inventory totaled 73.2 million pounds, up 70 percent from last year, which should provide some cushion. Chicken companies, retailers and restaurants have planned ahead for the Big Game.
Maybe one day we can settle the debate over flats versus drums, but for now, editors at Anton Media Group, along with some of the most credible “Foodies” of the Facebook page Long Island Foodies, have shared their top picks for best local wings, in no particular order:
Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza
• 137 Old Country Rd., Carle Place; 516-877-7750
• 3430 Sunrise Hwy., Wantagh; 516-679-2625
• 8063 Jericho Tpke., Woodbury; 516-367-2625
Brews Brothers Grille
• 183 Franklin Ave., Franklin Square; 516-216-5008
Brooklyn Wing House
• 2441 Jericho Tpke., Garden City Park; 516-636-5191
Changing Times Pub
• 1247 Melville Rd., Farmingdale; 631-694-6462
Croxley’s Ale House
• 129 New Hyde Park Rd., Franklin Square; 516-326-9542
• 190 Main St., Farmingdale; 516-293-7700
• 7 S. Park Ave., Rockville Centre; 516-764-0470
EGP Oceanside
• 2823 Long Beach Rd., Oceanside; 516-766-9547
Elsie Lane
• 29 Jericho Tpke., New Hyde Park; 516-302-8412
• 295 Main St., Huntington; 631- 824-6236
Greek Xpress
• 182 New Hyde Park Rd., Franklin Square; 516-502-6126
• 59 Main St., East Rockaway; 516-593-4949
• 37 Great Neck Rd., Great Neck Plaza; 516-570-6814
• 437 S. Oyster Bay Rd., Plainview; 516-433-8070
Haunted House of Hamburgers
• 330 Fulton St., Farmingdale; 516-777-1031
J. Paul’s Terrace Cafe
• 239 Merrick Rd., Oceanside; 516-536-1806
Jackie Reilly’s
• 3964 Hempstead Tpke., Bethpage; 516-731-7544
The Main Event
• 799 Old Country Rd., Plainview; 516-935-5120
• 1815 Broadhollow Rd., Farmingdale; 631-522-1030
Majors Steakhouse
• 284 E. Meadow Ave., East Meadow; 516-794-6600
NY Flying Wings
• 554 Stewart Ave., Bethpage; 516-433-2463
Smokin’ Al’s
• 847 Merrick Rd., Massapequa Park; 516-799-4900
Spanky’s Food Factory
• 2458 Jericho Tpke., Garden City Park; 516-280-8440
Via Roma Pizza
• 1764 Merrick Ave., Merrick; 516-868-2311
Wings Over Farmingdale
• 221 Main St., Farmingdale; 516-756-9464
Zorn’s of Bethpage
• 4321 Hempstead Tpke., Bethpage; 516-731-5500