Why Are They Called Buffalo Wings?

wereAre they made from buffalo or chicken? Have you ever wondered why chicken wings are called buffalo wings? We’ve got the answer in this article!

Buffalo Wings

These game-day favorites are uniquely American. Buffalo wings are indeed chicken, and they are made from unbreaded chicken flats or drumettes. They are generally deep-fried, smoked, or baked, and then coated or dipped in buffalo sauce.

Buffalo sauce is spicy and made from vinegar, butter, and hot sauce.

You most often find buffalo wings served hot alongside celery sticks, carrot sticks, and blue cheese or ranch dressing.

Why are They Called Buffalo Wings?

Well, it doesn’t have anything to do with the beautiful buffalo!

Buffalo wings were invented in the city of Buffalo, New York, so that’s where the name comes from. Some people simply call them wings, chicken wings, or hot wings.

The name “buffalo” has also become synonymous with hot dipping sauces. For example, you might have buffalo chicken fries, buffalo shrimp, buffalo cauliflower, etc. Sometimes, you may even find it on pizza and burgers.

Who Invented the Buffalo Wing?

There are some conflicting stories. Some say Teressa Bellissimo prepared them in 1964 at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, which she owned with her husband, Frank. Here’s the story:

Her son Dominic and a few of his friends returned from college, and Teressa wanted to feed them quickly. She decided to try deep frying chicken wings and tossing them in hot cayenne sauce.

Another story says this: Dominic wanted to do something nice for the bar patrons who were spending a lo of money on drinks. It was midnight, and his Catholic patrons could eat meat again after their Friday fast. He said that’s when is mother came up with the idea.

Still another story says this: The delivery truck delivered wings instead of backs and necks. So, Teressa’s husband asked her to do something with them.

Moving away from the Bellisimos, some say that John Young, who was originally from Alabama, moved to Buffalo, New York. He started serving breaded, deep-fried chicken wings in 1961, covered in his own special sauce.

John Young was inducted into the National Buffalo Wing Hall of Flame in 2013 at the National Buffalo Wing Festival held in Buffalo.

So you can decide which story you like best!

Feeling hungry now? Check out our chicken wing recipes on our blog!