Sorry about yesterday. There was a problem with our data management solution, resulting in bad data. We’ve fixed that situation. Here are Scott’s rankings:

1(tie). Kazbor’s
1(tie). Decision’s
3(tie). KauKau Koner
3(tie). Winner’s Circle
5. The Gym
6. Ale Gator’s
7(tie). Ker’s Winghouse
7(tie). Hooter’s

(It’s important to note that Scott did not rank Beef’s, Bedrock’s, Chili’s, or Salem’s as he didn’t attend those days. Those establishment’s will NOT be penalized in the overall rankings)

Keep in mind that we realize these aren’t all of the wing establishments in Lakeland - our quest is far from over. Also, it’s important to note that these are ranked on 6 subjective criteria: Wings, Heat, Variety, Service, Value, and Atmosphere.

Scott’s Individual Leaders
Best Wing: KauKau Koner
Best Heat: KauKau Koner
Best Variety: (tie) Decision’s/Winner’s Circle
Best Service: Ker’s Winghouse
Best Value: Kazbor’s
Best Atmosphere: (tie) Ale Gator’s/The Gym

Tomorrow, we’ll let you inside Steve’s head (scary!) . . .

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So, a week or so ago, I tasked our regular contributors to fill out a spreadsheet ranking the wings and establishments we’ve eaten at so far.  There are 5 regular contributors: Scott, Mike, Steve, Shawn, and myself.  Each day, we’ll release one of our polls until day 6, when we’ll release the accumulative poll.  Without further adieu, here is Shawn’s official ballot:

1. Kazbor’s Grille
2. Decision’s
3. KauKau Koner
4. Beef O’ Brady’s
5. Winner’s Circle
6. Bedrock Cafe
7. Ale Gator’s
8. Chili’s
9. Salem’s
10. Ker’s Winghouse
11. Hooters

(It’s important to note that Shawn did not rank “The Gym” as he was on vacation that week)

Keep in mind that we realize these aren’t all of the wing establishments in Lakeland - our quest is far from over. Also, it’s important to note that these are ranked on 6 subjective criteria: Wings, Heat, Variety, Service, Value, and Atmosphere. Although Kazbor’s scored the highest, Decision’s is Shawn’s Best Wing.  The rest of Shawn’s leaders - Kazbor’s and KauKau tied for Best Heat - Kazbor’s, Decision’s, and Beef’s for Variety - Decision’s for Service - Kazbor’s for value (although, to be fair, we went on “all you can eat wings” Thursday) - and Ale Gator’s for Best Atmosphere.

Tomorrow, we’ll let you inside Scott’s head (scary!) . . .

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This week, we went to the mother of all wing establishments. Without Hooter’s, the wing industry would not even be an industry. This is where many a man is first exposed to, ummm, chicken wings. We’d kept pushing this venue back on our schedule, believing it would provide us with a new baseline. It did.

“It was inevitable. Wingsday must review all chicken wing establishments in the area and we couldn’t leave out Hooters - a giant in the wing business (and another business!). Hooters’ reputation was the only thing giant about it. Well, almost. Hooter’s chicken wings are as bulimic as their waitresses. Each could stand to put some meat on their bones. I tried the 911-hot chicken wings, naked. They are the second hottest wings on the menu. Only three mile island are said to be hotter. They were small, dry and lacking in meat. After consuming 11.5 wings (one was severely damaged) I’m starving (I was too - it’s sad to spend fifteen dollars on lunch and then need to get dessert on the way back to the office). The sauce was a deep red paste smeared on as an after thought then dehydrated, possibly via heat lamp. It tasted more like a tomato based spicy pasta sauce. Thankfully, I borrowed a Cajun and a parmesan wing from fellow wingmen. The Cajun were good, the parmesan were gross, dripping in cream sauce. I doubt I’d miss Hooters (the restaurant) if I never laid eyes on them (ummm, it?) again. I’m surprised how poorly the major wing establishments are measuring up against the hole-in-the-wall unknowns (Word - this is the most amazing thing to me; no-name places killing the big names. It’s like David and Goliath, only, if like David and Goliath were both chicken wings).”
–Steve

“Today we visited Hooters on the South side. Overall I must say that I was not impressed, in fact it sucked (I love the bluntness of this statement). Here is a breakdown of the day:

1. Arrived at 12:30 PM
2. Very busy
3. Service was extremely slow (Unbelievably slow. We were with a large party, but still, it was ridiculous)
4. Iced tea was watered down
5. Ordered 10 Spicy Garlic/Cajun wings
6. Food took approximately 45 minutes to come out
7. Wings were very greasy
8. To much sauce on the wings
9. Wings were also salty and to much pepper
10. The wings were so small I thought they were pulled from a Cornish hen
11. When I was finished I was still hungry
12. Even with the inside decoration it was not worth the price I paid, money or physically

Overall I would have to say that I am not sure I would visit Hooters again.”
–Jason

“Hooters. The name says it all. You know, now that I think about it, that’s all they really have going for them. There wasn’t much of a lunch rush today. In fact, it was a lot quieter than I remember Hooters being back when I frequented the establishment weekly. Oh how taste changes as you grow. I could tell it was going to be an interesting lunch from the moment I approached the table. To say that our waitress was tense/flustered would be like saying people go to Hooters for their quality cooked wings. I digress. The service was crap. The wings were crap. Even most of the “scenery” was crap. I can say, however, I never choose to eat at this place unless I have friends going there, which was the case for today.

Our waitress was totally (not) on top of things, scrambling all over the place, not knowing what plate was which flavor (this has happened to us a few times; if you advertise multiple flavors of wings, and you brag about how well you do it, how ’bout keeping ‘em straight for the customer. I would say that half the time we are forced to figure out the flavors on our own). At one point she blamed it on the cook’s colored toothpick technique. Later, she was complaining how she is usually very organized, but 3 girls didn’t show up for work. I don’t want to hear you complain. I just to eat a good wing. Well, I didn’t eat a good wing. I got 10 hot wings, naked, and an order of curly fries. The wings were the smallest pieces of meat that I had ever seen (that’s what she said) (funny guy! You beat me to it!) and the curtly fries were unseasoned and soggy. The only thing that would have made this experience better was 1) someone else had paid 2) beer would have been involved, or 3) all the waitresses were running around naked. I think the last option wouldn’t have been child friendly, or even a Hooters establishment at all. I think that this wing experience will be my last week with the Wingsday crew. I don’t know if I can emotionally handle another let down like this. (I’ll most likely be back next week)”
–Mike

“I approached this outing with apprehension – in the past I always used Mr. Everyman’s excuse for visiting the establishment: “Honey, it’s just because they have good wings, I swear!” (A similar ploy to “I only read it for the articles.”) However, I knew once my discerning taste buds sampled the food here, I might lose my excuse (What Scott meant to say here: Now that I’ve become a wing snob, I can’t check out the Hooter’s babes anymore, since their wings suck).

And I did. For starters, the wings/drums looked like they came from New York City pigeons more than actual chickens. Smallest wings ever. [Insert “large (chicken) breast” joke here.] (Okay - you know what they say about small wings?)

Moreover, the flavors just weren’t that great. Any combination of flavors was a nightmare… icky, gooey, too much seasoning. A mess. The hot wings were okay. The teriyaki was bad, but I hate teriyaki anyway. The Cajun were okay. Somehow I lucked out and picked (in my opinion) the best-tasting wing on the menu – the Spicy Garlic. That’s not saying much, though. The best tasting wing at Hooters is like being the smartest person to repeat 5th grade… twice.

From now on I’ll have to tell my wife I go to Hooters for the oysters (I would go for the shrimp!).”
–Scott

“The wings were good. Not really the best wings I’ve ever had. My favorite part about lunch was dipping the fries in the ranch. I liked the fries - not the best I’ve ever had, but they were good. I guess I would go back.”
–Christian (age - 8 - filling in for his dad and reviewing wings as part of “Bring Your Child to Work Day”)

Make sure to check Wingsday this week as we unvail our rankings thus far in the “Wing of the Year” competition.  Have a great weekend!

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Due to some very special circumstances, we’re postponing Wingsday until tomorrow.  Make sure to check back for our reviews, and maybe a special guest reviewer!

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This week, we took on Salem’s, at the corner of 92 and MLK. I’ll be honest with you, I wasn’t stoked about Salem’s, as it kinda reminded me of a fast food place. Guess what? It was a fast food place, albeit one with pretty good wings . . .

 

“Today we tackled Salem’s Gyros & Subs. I had 10 hot buffalo chicken wings with a side of onion rings. I’m not sure why they ask “here or to-go?” because everything was served up in styro-foam ready to take away (Trav: this is pretty convenient). Whatever (Don’t whatever me - it is convenient). From ordering at the counter to sitting down eating took maybe four minutes. Seriously, I’ve seen drive-thru burger joints run slower. The quality of the chicken wasn’t great. Some of the drumettes were very small (That’s what she said!). The wing pieces were better sized. The sauce smelled as though it was going to be very hot, but on the scoville scale, just measured at a normal hot to my taste. Overall I’d say the experience was a good one. Especially for a time crunched lunch. You could get in and out of there in no time and enjoy a decent wing. The sign boasted “open 365 days a year.” I guess now I know where to get a good hot wing meal on Thanksgiving or Christmas. They server platters of 100 wings too. Just what the holidays need (The holidays, do, in fact, need wings).”
–Steve

 

“Having driven past Salem’s Gyro shop many many times, I was confused when I found out that we would be eating there for Wingsday. When I arrived today, upon closer inspection, I noticed it was a fast food style establishment, even equipped with a drive thru. After I parked and walked in, I instantly knew that this would be a better place for take out rather than dine in. The dining area was maybe 20 feet wide by 50 feet long (that’s what she said), with not much room  (It really was kinda tiny, but I didn’t feel cramped.  Maybe that’s just me). Needless to say the tables were a bit crowded when surrounded by four grown men. Anywho, I placed my order. A number 6 platter. 10 wings and fries. I paid my bill and joined the guys while waiting for my food. I didn’t realize that a drink was not included. They should be more specific with that, because I thought “platter” meant everything I need to dine. Frustrated with the situation, I walked out to my car and drove away grabbed a bottle of water and returned to my lunch. The wings were pretty standard. Nothing special, except the ones that were cold (Mike ordered a few minutes after the rest of us - he probably got some of our leftovers). They tasted like every other mediocre wing tastes. They were decent in size. The fries were good. It was better than Ale Gator’s (At first, I disagreed with this - but I think he’s right). I would hardly rate this wing, or establishment, on a top list of places to dine, but I would eat there again (as long as it was take out).”
–Mike

“I’ve passed by Salem’s Gyro & Subs several times over the years. You really can’t miss the building since it’s quite colorful and tends to stand out (Seriously - it’s got flourescent lights and pink and blue accents - it slightly resembles a Miami Subs; are there still Miami Subs?).  It’s not in the greatest part of town, so I’ve never really given any consideration to stopping by, especially after dark. Wingsday occurs mostly during the daylight hours, so we gave it a shot. The restaurant was clean and although there were several people waiting for food, everything seemed well organized. I ordered the 10 wings and fries platter with a drink and paid under $10 which included free beverage refills. This is a fast food restaurant and the food came out in about 5 minutes. Many establishments openly advertise that it takes at least 20 minutes to thoroughly cook wings, so we (I had no concerns.  I’m brave like that) had some concerns about things being prepared so quickly. Regardless, when we picked up the food it seemed well cooked and we dug right in. The wings were cooked to a light crispy texture and had a very distinct flavor unlike any other wing that I’ve had. The sauce had a hint of sweetness and the hot flavor was a little too much on the medium side, but overall they tasted pretty good. The size of the actual wings were a medium large, but the drumsticks were quite small. We also noticed that we got about 12 to 14 pieces of chicken instead of just 10, which was a nice bonus. The fries were good and the shrimp that one of the guys ordered to share was not bad either. Although everything was pretty good about the experience, there was nothing great about it. I would give it an overall rating of 2.8 out of 5 stars.”
–Shawn

I would definitely eat there again, dine-in or take out.  The subs looked good, and the wings were definitely passable.

Stay tuned, as next week, we’ll be releasing the first official rankings from the Wingsday crew.  It’ll be like the BCS, only, you know, without football teams and computers.

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