BEST WINGS IN OMAHA
My Personal Mount Rushmore
Few foods are as quintessentially American as chicken wings. They’re deep-fried. They’re messy. They’re indulgent. Even done at an average level, there’s a floor of deliciousness—for the most part, even an average chicken wing is still good.
And when you order wings at these Omaha restaurants, they can be spectacular.
I won’t lie and say I’ve eaten wings at every Omaha restaurant, and there are some spots I still want to hit. But I’ve sampled quite a few, and these are my top 4 (with honorable mentions, of course).
***Note: Just one dish per restaurant is included on this list. I wanted to showcase many restaurants rather than shower all praise on a few elite joints.***
Nashville Hot Wings (Sauced by Alfaro)
Sauced by Alfaro‘s wings would be absolutely delightful if served naked. Both the flats and drums have plenty of meat, and they’re fried to a perfect crispness. They can also be ordered char-buffed—finished on the grill to add smokiness and extra texture.
But with a name like “Sauced”, you know this Papillion restaurant isn’t stopping at naked wings. Its lineup of sauces are unique and creative. Any I’ve tried could’ve made this list, but to me, the Nashville Hot dry rub reigns supreme.
Nashville hot chicken has a reputation for bringing tongue-incinerating flames, but that’s not Sauced’s style. Sure, these wings pack some solid heat, but brown sugar provides sweetness to counterbalance the chili oil and red pepper flakes. The definition of sweet heat, these are, in my opinion, the best wings in Omaha.
Bubba Wings (Everett's)
Everett’s wings start with a house brine that guarantees each massive portion will remain juicy and tender. Available naked, fried and tossed, or fried and grilled, the latter is the way to go. Everett’s quickly fries the wings to add some crunch to the skin, and the grilling caramelizes the sauce for a thick stickiness.
While all Everett’s house made sauces bring something special to the table, none can top the off-menu Bubba Wings. These meaty behemoths are fried, tossed in Medium Hot sauce, grilled, then finished with a splash of Garlic Parmesan sauce and a sprinkling of parmesan cheese. The subtle heat melds perfectly with the creamy, cheesiness, and the combination of frying (crispy skin) and grilling (texture, smoky flavor) makes this one incredible wing.
Buffalo Wings (Nite Owl)
Biting into one of Nite Owl‘s wings elicits a different crunch than you’ll find anywhere else in Omaha. That’s because, in line with traditional Korean wings, their batter includes corn starch and they’re doubled fried, creating a crisp crust while maintaining a juicy meatiness.
The buffalo version hit all the right notes: buttery and spicy, but not enough so to overwhelm the palate. Crumbles of bleu cheese add a sharp tang to round out a near perfect wing.
Not Tso Nice Wings (Angelwingz—Kamp)
Your search for Omaha’s largest wings likely ends at Angelwingz, the wing-centric stall inside Kamp, the food hall in Blackstone. A standard order of 10 likely clocks in at over a pound for two reasons: there’s a lot of meat on these wings, and they’re heavily battered. The meat remains moist and tender because it’s baked first, then the batter and deep fry add a brilliant crispiness and lots of caverns for sauce to take residence.
The Not Tso Nice sauce is sweet, but it also brings a lingering spice that builds the more poultry you consume. Topped with crispy garlic and chives, the flavors are reminiscent of the incredible Spicy Bulgogi Burger from Nice Rollz.
Honorable Mention Omaha Wings
Tandoori Chicken Wings
It’s odd to have a wing that isn’t fried. But Kinaara’s process of marinating chicken in yogurt, lemon juice, and spices and cooking them in a cylindrical clay oven creates wings so juicy and delicate they don’t need the crunch from the deep fry.
The grilling process injects a smokiness that enlivens the smoked paprika and tapestry of earthy spices (garlic, garam masala, ginger, etc.) Though vibrant red in color, these wings aren’t five-alarm hot; rather, they’re warming but highlight the delicious Plum Creek Farms chicken itself.
Salted Caramel Wings
Juke’s Ale House
This flavor combination is one that seems very odd on paper, but it just works. The sweet, vanilla notes of the sticky caramel sauce are cut with the smokiness of bourbon, and large chunks of sea salt create a really strong sweet/savory combo.
But the most important part is the wings themselves, which are large and feature a perfectly crispy exterior and a juicy flesh inside. That combination is hard to achieve, and Juke’s has mastered it.
Smoked Chicken Wings
Few people in Nebraska know how to smoke meat like owner Blane Hunter, and his prowess extends to wings. While these aren’t the largest wings you’ll find, they’re infused with just a proper application of smoke.
A quick fry adds a crisp skin, then the wings are tossed in a sweet sauce that adds the just the right amount of sugar without it becoming overwhelming. The combo of sweet/savory works very well with these wings.
Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
OK, so technically they’re not chicken wings. Sue me. The flavor is so good, they’re worth including on this list.
Massive cauliflower heads are fried to achieve a proper crisp while ensuring the interior maintains its creamy nature. The cauliflower texture is a strong meat facsimile, and the buffalo sauce contains plenty of butter, richness, and a surprisingly spicy kick.
Honey BBQ Wings
The wings at Copps are as large as you’ll find in Omaha—if they were any bigger, they might own their own planetary orbit. The tender meat clings nicely to the bone, and the option to char-buff the wings (finish them in the oven) adds a brilliant caramelization.
The Honey BBQ version have a nice sweetness that’s balanced by the bitterness of grilling, with just a touch of heat coming on the back end. Copps is known for its creative sauces, and this is (in my opinion, at least), the best.
Buffalo Wings
Oscar’s has one of the best sports bar vibes in Omaha—and no self-respecting sports pub is complete without a great chicken wing.
The char-buffed experience adds that grilled texture and smoky flavor that completely enhances the chicken. And because these wings are grilled after they’re sauced, the sauce adheres perfectly to the skin.
The buffalo version packs a bit more heat than most Omaha restaurants offer, but it’s a welcome spice.
As stated above, I know this isn’t a comprehensive list of Omaha’s best wings; I still have so many left to try. Let me know where I need to try next! Tweet at me @danhoppen or message me on Instagram @dan_hoppen.