What’s a Pizza Without Wings?
Everyone always talks about the perfect pizza, but what about its chicken friends? The right wing only elevates game night, bringing a saucy mouthful with every bite—but the wrong wing? Well, now it doesn’t matter how good the pizza was. Don’t let chewy chicken get you down! We have our picks for the best and worst wings across popular pizza chains.
1. Little Caesars
If there’s one thing the world can agree on, it’s that Little Caesars isn’t very good. For a pizza joint, its signature dish is already lackluster, but the wings aren’t anything to write home about either. They don’t have many flavors, the sizes are inconsistent, and they’re always drowning in sauce.
2. Domino’s
You know, for a while there, Domino’s really earned its reputation as a bottom-of-the-barrel pizza chain—but things turned around in the last few years. While their pizza made a comeback, their wings have yet to catch up. With so little meat on the bone, it’d be nice if we actually bit into some chicken, not greasy gristle.
3. Papa John’s
People already stand divided on Papa John’s (though we enjoy their pies). However, their wings remain a consistently disappointing choice. At that price point, you don’t get much meat on the bone, and to make matters worse, they always have a reheated quality to them. At least the flavor hides the texture.
4. Sbarro
Sbarro’s a great joint when literally any pie will do, but we’re not here for below-par options. Those bland, chewy bites never hit the spot, and it’s always disheartening when a popular pizza place can’t nail a beloved side dish.
5. Pizza Nova
We won’t lie, Pizza Nova used to be good. But like so many things in life, it all went downhill a few years ago, and now it’s only good for heartburn. Its piddly wings are no different. The only upside is their online deals, which at least offer a decent serving for good prices.
Raysonho @ Open Grid Scheduler / Grid Engine on Wikimedia
6. Greco Pizza
Greco pizza is…not great. You really need a healthy set of teeth to rip through the tough, bland texture, and their wings only follow suit. You don’t get much for the cost, and they don’t have many flavors available either. Even if you do get a mouthful of chicken, it’s a gamble on how much is gristle.
7. Pizza Delight
Pick your poison: lightly breaded or boneless wings. Either way, you’ll get bland, chewy chicken. Half the battle is finding a location that will cook your wings all the way through, but even if you do, don’t expect any real flavor payoff.
8. Papa Murphy’s Pizza
There’s good news and bad news with this pizza joint’s wings. The good news is that you’ll score decent flavor and a generous serving of sauce. The bad news is those lemon pepper wings still aren’t worth it. Luckily, this chain is only popular on Canada’s west coast, and some locations don’t even offer these rubbery bites.
9. Panago Pizza
Canadians remain torn on Panago’s wings, and we can’t exactly blame them. The biggest problem is that they’re inconsistent; sometimes you find a great basket of reasonably-priced wings, and other times you pay for cardboard. They also don’t have many flavors to choose from, so your hands are always tied.
10. 241 Pizza
241 took a serious nosedive in recent years. Their overly sauced pies don’t hold a candle to their tasty predecessor—and their wings suffered the same fate. Overpriced, often burned, and lacking in flavor, these wings are just another casualty of the times.
The original uploader was DragonFire1024 at English Wikinews. on Wikimedia
Let’s face it: a pizza is nothing without a side of wings (don’t fight us). With some forgettable options out of the way, it’s time we set the table for some mouth-watering chicken.
1. Pizza Hut
End the Pizza Hut slander! Like Domino’s, this chain was often regarded as one of the worst around, but its pies and wings turned it around. Their chicken is affordable, boasts crispy skin, and tastes delicious. Just don’t get the boneless ones—unless you like soggy bites.
Ed!(talk)(Hall of Fame) on Wikimedia
2. Jet’s Pizza
That Detroit-style pizza is already worth any price, but their wings deserve equal time in the limelight. The available flavors pair beautifully with their pizza options, and you’ll sink your teeth into a crispy wing every time. If you can handle the heat, their Sweet Red Chili goes over well.
3. Pizza Pizza
You have about five minutes to eat Pizza Pizza until it’s just cheese strings on cardboard. However, their wings aren’t the same letdown. While their regular chicken isn’t bad, we prefer the breaded wings for extra value, and their smoky BBQ sauce pairs well with either option. We find ourselves ordering chicken more than their pizza!
BioPub (Tomasz Piwowarek) on Wikimedia
4. MOD Pizza
If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on MOD’s wings, we recommend them. They’re not available in every location, and chances are, you’ll only find them across a few states, but they come packed with flavor and aren’t overly sauced. The only trouble is finding a location that does them right.
SounderBruce from Seattle, United States on Wikimedia
5. Cici’s Pizza & Wings
There’s nothing better than a late-night Cici’s pizza—and their wings only seal the deal. Doused in flavorful sauce and cooked to a perfect crisp, don’t discount this unassuming chain. It might not be as big as the other guys, but that’s exactly why it’s better.
6. Round Table
When you want a simple pizza and wing dinner, Round Table delivers. Sure, they might not have the same flavor profile as other chains, but you’ll still nab plenty of meat on the bone. They’re also tossed in just enough sauce to get your tastebuds going.
7. Marco’s Pizza
Breaded wings are sometimes more trouble than they’re worth. Luckily, Marco’s Pizza nailed the texture! You get a real mouthful of crispy chicken, each bite coated in a tasty sauce that complements any one of their pies. Some locations don’t always deliver on quality, but those that do are well worth the journey.
Mr. Blue MauMau from USA on Wikimedia
8. Boston Pizza
Okay, BP isn’t technically a “pizza place.” Hilariously enough, their pizzas aren’t even the best thing on the menu. However, this sit-down chain brings real value and serious flavor to the table. If you pop over during wing night, you can nab them oven-roasted or fried, and choose from a handful of tasty flavors.
Raysonho @ Open Grid Scheduler / Grid Engine on Wikimedia
9. Hungry Howie’s Pizza
It’s rare to find a pizza place with good boneless options, but Hungry Howie’s doesn’t disappoint. Their wings, even the bone-in kind, have a great flavor and don’t come drenched in sauce. But our favorite thing about them is just how big they are for the cost.
10. Hunt Brothers Pizza
You won’t have to hunt for better wings at this pizza place. They’re crispy, they’re flavorful (especially the lemon pepper ones), and you’ll get them at a decent price. They’re not as big as other wings on this list, but they certainly taste better than the big guys’.
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