Best Wings in Memphis (2025)

A University District rite of passage where honey gold sets the bar. Memphis Travel and the Commercial Appeal regularly spotlight Ching’s, and Food & Wine name-checks it among the city’s standards. Expect lines, handwritten tickets, and sauce-drenched fries.

Memphis’ oldest family-run tavern serves drummy-only wings in Greek, Buffalo, or BBQ. Praised by Memphis Flyer and highlighted in Bon Appétit’s Memphis guide, it’s a late-night staple with a jukebox, ribs, and fiercely loyal regulars.

Billy Richmond Jr.’s flavor lab—Guru Gold, Lemon Pepper Hot, and more—gets frequent nods from Food & Wine and local critics. The Whitehaven shop brings game-day energy and consistent, meaty wings from a proudly Memphis-born brand.

Overton Square’s Cajun mainstay turns out cult-favorite Zydeco wings—sweet, tangy, and sticky. Recommended by I Love Memphis and the Commercial Appeal, it’s a lively stop for po’ boys, pitchers, and a platter of saucy wings.

A downtown fixture with a late-running kitchen where Buffalo-style wings earn praise from the Commercial Appeal. Come for the barroom camaraderie; stay for crisp drummies, cold beer, and an old-world vibe.

Family-run landmark led by the Robinsons, celebrated by Southern Living and national critics. Smoked wings deliver Memphis soul, right alongside rib tips and Cornish hen. A barbecue icon where wings often steal the show.

Midtown counter-service favorite with honey gold and lemon pepper that locals swear by. Included in the Commercial Appeal’s 2025 guide to Black-owned restaurants, it delivers generous portions, friendly service, and straight-ahead Memphis flavor.

Orange Mound institution since 2005, profiled by Memphis Magazine. Order the Orange Mound sauce—an ode to the neighborhood—or house signatures like April and Erica. Community-first, flavor-loaded, and proudly Memphis.

Lamar Avenue stalwart with 30-plus flavors and hallmark honey gold. Lauded on the I Love Memphis Hot Wing Trail, it draws steady neighborhood traffic for whole wings, seasoned fries, and hearty combo deals.

Part lounge, part kitchen, all Memphis energy. The Commercial Appeal includes Brinson’s in its Black-owned dining guide, and Downtown Memphis lists frequent events. Try Tennessee Whisky or Mango Habanero and catch a DJ set.

Whitehaven icon of Sweet Spicy Love, featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Recently moved into a larger Winchester Road spot with a drive‑thru; locals flock for wings, gizzards, and that signature glaze.

Among the names most associated with Memphis wings. Food & Wine credits Crumpy’s as an originator; the Downtown shop keeps the legacy alive with seasoned, lemon pepper, and honey gold favorites near the Medical District.