Wings
Chicken Wing Review/QB Comparison: Danny’s South In Orchard Park
Even If I’m not a big fan of chicken wings at a particular place I make it a point to find some positive things to say about the experience.
It’s a more arduous task this time around.
My unceasing voyage to outgrowing every piece of clothing I own led me to Danny’s South on Abbott Road in Orchard Park on Thursday night. While there’s several joints far more reputable in the chicken wing game I’ve yet to visit, I chose Danny’s South for two reasons. One was my cousin Colin living nearby and willing to meet me out for some eats and conversation of which I always enjoy having with him. Secondly and if we’re being honest here, more importantly was multiple signs hovering around that unmistakably advertised 30 cent wings. I mean, who the hell am I to be on a chicken wing binge and not take advantage of that deal, right?
Not so fast.
If there’s one thing I hate is advertising that doesn’t tell the whole story. I mean I’m trying to get a deal on some chicken wings, not sign a two-year contract with Verizon Wireless. Just give me some chicken wings at the price you blatantly advertise with no strings attached. Half-truth advertising incenses me.
Allow me to explain.
While staying in Buffalo I drive past Danny’s South to and from my office daily. While passing I noticed several signs that read 30 cent wings Tuesday-Thursday. It doesn’t mention, not even in any fine print any drink minimum. It certainly doesn’t say anything about paying extra each for blue cheese or celery. The reality is you have to buy two drinks to be able to order 10 wings at 30 cents per, and a single blue cheese is $1.00, as is a skimpy handful of celery pieces—which by the way they don’t tell you there’s a charge for that until you get a receipt. They also drill you for $2.75 for a diet coke with no refills— even if you’re sitting at the bar.
Essentially if you’re a non-drinker and want wings with one blue cheese and a few sticks of celery you’re paying around$12.00. That’s not expensive by any means, but it doesn’t really sound like much of a special anymore, does it?
Don’t bother saying it’s not common either. I don’t give a shit. Shame on any and all establishments that have drink minimums not included in their advertisement. Implement a policy that you need to be blacked out drunk to get 30 wings free if you want—just have that shit on your posters so people know what they’re getting into beforehand.
Four nights ago I went to Pour House in Hamburg for 50 cent wing night, got a small diet soda at the bar and my total bill was $6.00. Imagine that—charging what your ad says with no strings attached.
I’m cognizant of this being a lot of bitching over what’s essentially a small handful of dollars and has me coming off like a cheap bastard, but I can’t stress enough how much extremely misleading advertising gets under my skin.
Price and policy controversy aside, a really good chicken wing would’ve annulled any angst over feeling hoodwinked by any Danny’s South sham advertisement.
That simply didn’t happen.
To their credit, I ordered my customary medium saucy and not very crispy (I don’t emphasize “not crispy at all” anymore) and they delivered in that regards. The wings had plenty of sauce and they weren’t rubbery but not crispy either. However, when I tried to ask for as many flats as possible I was cut off before I could even complete that sentence and told no, which is fine. Very few places have given me all flats. But I feel like the bartender punished me for even inquiring because my order wasn’t flat-friendly at all. In fact, there were actually more drums than flats and yes, I am the jerkoff that counted them.
It doesn’t get better from there. I prefer medium sauce with the hope if not expectation it’ll be not too hot but teeter on the edge of it. I don’t need my head sweating like a shower immediately after is necessary, but I’m at least trying to get a little glisten on my dome when eating wings. This sauce had precious little kick and felt closer to mild than hot. Lastly, I wouldn’t brand the wings as tiny but calling them generous would equally be a stretch. These wings were at best welterweights.
Honestly when you combine everything, most importantly of course the wings, I’d be lying if I said this place wasn’t in the conversation for worse I’ve had yet.
It’s worth noting Danny’s South has a nice sports bar feel inside, a great reputation for other food (wings are clearly not their signature dish) and they do have some kickass memorabilia hanging up to enjoy.
QB COMPARISON: To use my standard quarterback comparison, Danny’s South is the Jay Cutler of chicken wings. There’s definitely curb appeal but before he leaves you’ll regret him ever signing with your team.
Almost directly across the street the Big Tree had wings for 50 cents each. I choose Danny’s because I’ve already had Big Tree and wanted yet another new place under my belt.
It was a regretful choice.
If you listen regularly to my Moran-Alytics Podcast, read my blog wing reviews here or follow me on Twitter (@PatMoranTweets) I’m sure you’re aware of my fondness for chicken wings.
In fact, perhaps the only thing I enjoy more than eating wings is power ranking them.
This cliff notes version is I was born and raised in Buffalo and spent most of the first 45 years in the 716. While living Buffalo, quite possibly like many of you I had a tiny handful of go-to spots for wings and rarely ventured anywhere else. I moved to Florida in the summer of 2016 and after trying wings at a half dozen or so spots and detesting each, it hit me how badly I took great wings back home for granted.
In large part because of my job and to a smaller extent my podcast I’m afforded the opportunity to get back to Buffalo semi-regularly. Admittedly to a huge fault I know use each opportunity to try new places while occasionally go back to some a second or third time. I started writing up small reviews on each spot and comparing that place’s wings to a former or current NFL quarterback for fun. Lastly, I power ranked each from one down to however many I had. Before my latest trip I power ranked all 40 places I’ve tried.
Incredibly this series kind of took off. My last Power Rankings was read by nearly 50,000 people. In the process I realized these reviews and rankings went from being able to do it for laughs among my friends to at least semi-serious, because at this point people are actually going to places (or not) based in part on my reviews.
My criteria is unscientific. I judge each spot on one but never more than two flavors, with traditional medium (or hot) mandatory. In addition friendly service, price and overall vibe plays at least some role in my rankings. Like I said, some spots I end up at more than once and they subsequently may go up or down in the rankings based on that but I’m prioritizing getting to as many first time joints as possible.
I just spent 20 days in Buffalo and had wings 25 times, including 20 first-time spots. Obviously there’s many more places to go and if you don’t see your favorite spot on this list, they’ll be there at some point.
Last thing: These are nothing more than my person opinions and I don’t fancy myself the leading authority on all things Buffalo wings. I don’t take myself too seriously and neither should you.
On that note, here’s my Summer/Fall 2019 Chicken Wing Power Rankings, 1 through 60. Most are linked to a review I did while some have either yet to be written or need to be redone.
Hotel Dalmatia is located in Riverside and I hit up in the early afternoon during the week with reinforcements. My wife, daughter, her boyfriend and my son joined me. Because of my extensive company we tried five different flavors, though in keeping with my own rules I only counted the medium plus one signature (in this case Chiavetta Cajun) for this review. To call it an unexpected experience is an understatement. Let’s dig in.
PROS: The wings were generously sized with enough crisp but not TOO crispy. More importantly the taste borderline blew me away. Like I said we ordered five flavors (they have around 60 or some crazy shit like that) and the traditional medium were really (really) good. Taking it one step further, I’d put their Cajun Chiavettas against almost anyone’s specialty wing. Holy shit, they were they tasty. Not counting towards my overall review we also had Garlic Parm, Chiavettas BBQ and Lemon Pepper Franks. Of them, the BBQ were the best. Bonus points for being reasonably priced and the people (more on that in a second) were nice.
CONS: This isn’t a con to everyone or even most but must be mentioned. The location can be scary, especially if you’re not a city slicker. Let’s keep things real here—Riverside doesn’t have the best reputation and isn’t the safest part of WNY. I could easily see people who aren’t “city smart” intimidated by this place, especially after dark. Also, this is a place most go to drink first and eat second. Although the bartender and patrons couldn’t have been nicer, I wouldn’t consider this a quintessential spot to bring the entire family for a sit down dinner. Lastly, which doesn’t factor into my review I wasn’t a fan of the Lemon Pepper Franks—far too strong for my liking.
QB COMPARISON: Dalmatia is the Jim Plunkett of quarterbacks. When talking about the game’s greats you don’t think much of Plunkett if at all, but if a few things fell his way Plunkett proved to be a championship winning quarterback. if you’re all about the wings you can wholeheartedly trust this place.
RECORD IF DALMATIA HOTEL PLAYED A FULL NFL SEASON: 13-3 but worth nothing that they could really use a new stadium.
OUTLOOK: I want to be very clear about my cons, those are only for some wing-goers and not a general reflection on Dalmatia Hotel. I found the place and its clientele awesome. If you don’t mind Lynard Skynard potentially blaring on the jukebox while you mow down delicious wings you’re good to go. Props to Joe Yerdon from The Athletic for recommending this spot to me. Can’t wait to have them again.
(Note: My reviews and ultimately Wing Power Rankings are always based on the same criteria. I try medium wings plus at least one specialty or flavor I’m in the mood for. I don’t ask for anything special (such as extra crispy or extra saucy) other than requesting as many flats as possible. I also put at least some stock into vibe, service and price.)
Hotel Dalmatia is located in Riverside and I hit up in the early afternoon during the week with reinforcements. My wife, daughter, her boyfriend and my son joined me. Because of my extensive company we tried five different flavors, though in keeping with my own rules I only counted the medium plus one signature (in this case Chiavetta Cajun) for this review. To call it an unexpected experience is an understatement. Let’s dig in.
PROS: The wings were generously sized with enough crisp but not TOO crispy. More importantly the taste borderline blew me away. Like I said we ordered five flavors (they have around 60 or some crazy shit like that) and the traditional medium were really (really) good. Taking it one step further, I’d put their Cajun Chiavettas against almost anyone’s specialty wing. Holy shit, they were they tasty. Not counting towards my overall review we also had Garlic Parm, Chiavettas BBQ and Lemon Pepper Franks. Of them, the BBQ were the best. Bonus points for being reasonably priced and the people (more on that in a second) were nice.
CONS: This isn’t a con to everyone or even most but must be mentioned. The location can be scary, especially if you’re not a city slicker. Let’s keep things real here—Riverside doesn’t have the best reputation and isn’t the safest part of WNY. I could easily see people who aren’t “city smart” intimidated by this place, especially after dark. Also, this is a place most go to drink first and eat second. Although the bartender and patrons couldn’t have been nicer, I wouldn’t consider this a quintessential spot to bring the entire family for a sit down dinner. Lastly, which doesn’t factor into my review I wasn’t a fan of the Lemon Pepper Franks—far too strong for my liking.
QB COMPARISON: Dalmatia is the Jim Plunkett of quarterbacks. When talking about the game’s greats you don’t think much of Plunkett if at all, but if a few things fell his way Plunkett proved to be a championship winning quarterback. if you’re all about the wings you can wholeheartedly trust this place.
RECORD IF DALMATIA HOTEL PLAYED A FULL NFL SEASON: 13-3 but worth nothing that they could really use a new stadium.
OUTLOOK: I want to be very clear about my cons, those are only for some wing-goers and not a general reflection on Dalmatia Hotel. I found the place and its clientele awesome. If you don’t mind Lynard Skynard potentially blaring on the jukebox while you mow down delicious wings you’re good to go. Props to Joe Yerdon from The Athletic for recommending this spot to me. Can’t wait to have them again.
(Note: My reviews and ultimately Wing Power Rankings are always based on the same criteria. I try medium wings plus at least one specialty or flavor I’m in the mood for. I don’t ask for anything special (such as extra crispy or extra saucy) other than requesting as many flats as possible. I also put at least some stock into vibe, service and price.)
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