Best wings in NJ?

[Pete Guy]

My friends and I are huge wing fans and this has been an ongoing discussion for quite some time now. For my money, it's Cluck-U in Jersey City. There are other locations, such as the Rutgers campus in New Brunswick, but Jersey City seems to be the best. Others claim that Hooters, Bazookas, and even the wings at the Outback take the prize. They don't seem to meaure up to the size, texture, and wing sauce of Cluck-U in my opinion. I'd highly recommend them to anyone who hasn't tried them. They even have a sauce called nuclear fusion, which has made grown men cry (myself included). Any other ideas? I'd love to try some new places.

[Jason Perlow]

Cluck U is definitely a great wings place (I've been to the Morristown one) -- I've had their top level sauce ("global") and its pretty insane. However I really dig their chicken sandwiches -- their "little roman" with the parmesan cheese sauce is great. Messy though.

[jhlurie]

I nominate Kinanra, in Edgewater, for best wings. Their Hariyali Kebab are basically wings, coated with fresh mint, cilantro and chili oil and pan seared along with onions and peppers.  The wings are a bit puny, but the "sauce"/coating is so different, its a worthwhile endevour for the curious.

For traditional wings, Pluck U is okay--although the one by City Hall in NY isn't nearly as good as the one in Morristown.  Hooters' wings are good as well--but they are served in a very inconsistent manner (sometimes absolutely dry without enough sauce and sometimes SOAKED in sauce to the point where the wings are soggy).

I wonder... have any major restaurants/chefs tried to conquer Chicken Wings, or have they permanently ceeded this item to fast food?

[Pete Guy]

I've seen Pluck U in the city and it is definitely NOT the same company as Cluck-U (I think it's a knock-off). I've also had Thai style wings, which were pretty good, at the Lemongrass Grill, but I don't think that qualifies as a major restaurant. I've seen Kinara mentioned a couple of other times on the board, sounds like a place to check into.

[Jason Perlow]

Yeah I totally forgot about Kinara's Heriyali Kebab. Man if only I could figure out how to make those at home.

[jhlurie]

Quote: from Pete Guy on 2:29 pm on Oct. 25, 2001

I've seen Pluck U in the city and it is definitely NOT the same company as Cluck-U (I think it's a knock-off).

You got me!  I didn't even notice that one was "Pluck" and the other "Cluck".  Gee I feel like a Schmuck. :)

Actually, they are both playing off the very human tendency to associate things that sound like each other.  I'm not sure why an association with a questionable phrase people say to each other when they are angry sells chicken, but apparently it does.

[=Mark]

For my money the best wings I know of are served at Memphis Pigout in Atlantic Highlands.

Go figure, they also serve the best New England Clam Chowder in the area...

[helenas]

Once again, i'm so grateful to find eGullet.

By your recommendation, yesterday i drove to Cluck-U( Eatontown) to get take-out. It was a mistake to have

my dog and wings in the same car: the dog got insane.

The other mistake was to warm the wings in microwave:

when my husband finally came from work, they were cold, so i put them in micro, and they got soggy. I should

put them in the oven, or maybe under the broiler. Or even better, Cluck-U offers delivery, so i'll order it tonight.

[Pete Guy]

Microwave = bad

Even the oven dries them out a bit. They must be consumed right after you buy them. Hope you enjoy the Clucker. Try the honey hickory. (I wish I lived close enough for them to deliver).

[downdog]

best wings in new jersey depends on your locale; kroghs in sparta has great wings, so does the long valley brew pub in long valley then again, so does gaffers pub in west orange.

[tommy]

agreed on gaffer's. really good traditional buffalo wings.

Edited November 26, 2002 by tommy (log)

[wawairis]

For my money the best wings I know of are served at Memphis Pigout in Atlantic Highlands.<p>Go figure, they also serve the best New England Clam Chowder in the area...

Some of the best clam chowder. Ray's in Long Branch and Klein's in Belmar are in fierce competition.

[tommy]

For my money the best wings I know of are served at Memphis Pigout in Atlantic Highlands.<p>Go figure, they also serve the best New England Clam Chowder in the area...

Some of the best clam chowder. Ray's in Long Branch and Klein's in Belmar are in fierce competition.

still ignoring.

[TheMan,TheMyth]

I feel Cluck U is the best locale for Wings in New Jersey. Their chicken sandwiches are also very good.

Both can be extremely messy.

The Man, The Myth

TapItorScrapIt.com

[Jason Perlow]

Fink's Funky Chicken and Ribs makes damnned good wings and his Screamin Chicken sauce is pure evil.

Theres also a new Wings/Pizza/Deli place in Bergenfield right by the interesection of Clinton and Washington Ave thats pretty good. I recently had their "hot" wings (three levels below the hottest) and it nearly blew my head off, I think because they were done in a dry style. They have about 4 different types of sauces as well as the traditional wings glaze in various heat levels. They also have like 60 dfferent types of specialty sandwiches on their menu.

[Jason Perlow]

I feel Cluck U is the best locale for Wings in New Jersey.  Their chicken sandwiches are also very good.

Both can be extremely messy.

The Man, The Myth

TapItorScrapIt.com

Yeah, theres one sandwich called the Little Roman which I really like, which has a garlic/parmesan sauce on it.

EDIOT: I said this earlier in the thread, I think I am getting Alzheimers.

[wawairis]

For my money the best wings I know of are served at Memphis Pigout in Atlantic Highlands.<p>Go figure, they also serve the best New England Clam Chowder in the area...

Some of the best clam chowder. Ray's in Long Branch and Klein's in Belmar are in fierce competition.

still ignoring.

ARRRRRGGGGHHHHH!!

When will it end?

[Kim WB]

Mr. Cluck U is my neighbor. He was the original owner of the New Brunswick store, and then established the franchise. He is very involved with all of his franchisees, including financing, suppliers, quality control. staffing...its a great franchise. And the premise: start in college areas, make a name for yourself, and spread out from there, show that his marketing skills are as strong as his "wing" skills.

[pete ganz]

Cool to see this thread revived. I have been trying to nail down Cluck-U's sauce at home. There's something in there I can't quite nail, like a molasses type flavor. Anyone make this type at home or have any ideas on what's in the sauce? Thanks.

AKA Pete Guy

[LiquidBread]

I really like Jimmy Geez's wings on Belmont Ave. in Haledon. They are larger than average (more meat per wing), they have 3 different heat levels although I've only had medium. They are deep fried with no breading which is something I really like. Nice crispy, delicious skin. Then they sprinkle them with parmesan cheese which is a great touch that I haven't seen anywhere else. Served with a generous portion of celery, carrot sticks and peppery blue cheese dressing.

They have some newspaper articles on the wall where they are reviewed. Under the previous owner (when the place was called TJ's) a publication (can't remember which) named them the best wings in Jersey. I don't think they changed the recipe at all.