"Started by UT freshmen who cooked 1,000 wings at a fraternity chili cook-off in 1995, this original campus wing spot grew into a statewide poultry empire while retaining its late-night, student-focused roots. The founders credit years of student support for that expansion. On a visit years later, the place still felt familiar — trivia-night promotions, giant sports TVs, a mural of the UT Tower and a cartoon Longhorn, a large U-shaped corner booth and a patio with karaoke — and the menu kept its straightforward appeal: hand-crafted sauces, crisp fried skin, juicy meat and bold lemon-pepper flavor paired with waffle fries and blue cheese. Loyalty programs, Wednesday trivia contests, game-night coupon giveaways and novelty freebie items (fried Twinkies, deep-fried macaroni) helped cement it as a social hub as much as a wing joint." - Eric Webb