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Tucson Wing Expert's Top Wings in Tucson

Guide

Tucson Wing Expert's Top Wings in Tucson

by Chris KochJul 29, 2024Updated Aug 4, 20267 min read
This guide is brought to you by one of the best beverages you could possibly pair with wings–Ray Ray’s Sonoran Spirit Tea. Follow Ray Ray's on IG at @rayrayssonoran, read our article about Ray Ray's, and ask for a Ray Ray's the next time you order some wings.
Wee-ooo, wee-ooo, wee-ooo! Wing alert, wing alert! Tucson Wing Expert is here with a brand-new guide to my favorite wings in Tucson for the 2024 calendar. As the local wing expert, I started this journey in October 2019, where I reviewed a different chicken wing almost every week on Instagram (@TucsonWingExpert). My friends wanted to know where to get the best wings. Instead of just messaging them in the group chat every week, I created a short video showcasing Tucson’s amazing chicken wing scene. I dove down the rabbit hole, and have reviewed over 150 wings in Tucson alone. Here is a list of my favorite wings in Tucson.

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12 spots

CP's Wings (Photo courtesy of Tucson Meet Yourself 2023)

CP's Wings

No fixed location

CP’s Wings is a food truck and catering service with two options: sauce or no sauce. I like to describe their sauce as “a sweet heat.” Keeping it simple goes a long way because these wings are crispy on the outside, and tender and juicy on the inside.

Daisy Mae's Steakhouse (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Daisy Mae's Steakhouse

2735 West Anklam RoadWestside

This Southwest-style steakhouse was established in 1990 and is listed in the book “100 Things To Do In Tucson Before You Die”. They are known for their steaks and ribs — all cooked over their outside open-fire mesquite wood pit. If you’re a grilled wing fan these are the ones for you. Perfectly grilled wings are cooked on the same pit as the steaks and ribs, making for very flavorful and healthier wings. Ask for a side of their housemade barbecue sauce, which has a sweet and spicy kick, and dip it in their housemade ranch or blue cheese dressing.

El Torero Restaurant

231 East 26th StreetSouth Tucson

Family-owned and operated since 1956, this Mexican restaurant will blow your mind with its traditional dishes as well as its wings. Torero’s wings are a hybrid between a sweet chili sauce and a truffalo sauce (truffle and buffalo). Oven-roasted and fried to order, the wings come out garnished with fresh cilantro and green onion, accompanied with fries and a crema dipper. No flavor goes unnoticed. You will taste sweetness and spice from the sweet chili. You will taste acidity and rich earthiness from the truffalo. Dip it in the crema to smooth it all out.

Flaps and Racks

3253 East Valencia RoadSouth Side

This aviation-themed, family-owned restaurant that specializes in pork ribs and chicken wings is sure to delight any food lover with an ever-changing palette. With flavors like chocolate chiltepin, pizza, cinnamon roll, and fresh pineapple al pastor, (yep, these are all wing flavors!) it’s a unique spot for any true foodie! And just like another Tucson staple we all know and love, Flaps and Racks has a new, delicious Flavor of the Month. A must for your restaurant rotation! 

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Mulligans Bar and Grill

9403 East Golf Links RoadEastside

(In Bruce Buffer’s Voice) Coming in at 20+ different sauces and rubs all made in-house, fresh never frozen Jumbo wings! They are baked until cooked through and then fried. Some rubs and sauces include their Angry Hummingbird (honey, hibiscus, and Thai bird chil)i, Rock You Like a Hurricane (scorpion pepper, pineapple, and rum notes), and T-Town (chiletepin, chipotle, lime, and smoke cumin) — all are worthy of a championship belt. 

Pacaw's Wings & Things

No fixed location

Actively participating in the food scene with their food truck, pop-ups, and locally award-winning wings, Jeremiah of Pacaws is pushing the envelope of what wings and community can be. Basing a lot of his flavors on the local cuisine, some of my favorite rubs and sauces are the Pacaws house wings, michelada wings, and home of the “wing boil” that includes corn on the cob, sausage, potatoes, and a wide range of seasoning. Pacaws is 100% go-out-of-your-way-to-try chicken wings.  

PY Steakhouse

5655 West Valencia RoadSouthwest

The wings at this upscale steakhouse are not on the regular menu but can be requested under the “Chef’s Trust Me” menu, which is a five to eight-course dining experience. Trust me, you need to try these bad boys. One of the few times you’ll see me wearing a button-down collared shirt. The chef came out with a clean white plate of wings with a whipped cream canister filled with a blue cheese dressing to dip the gourmet wings in. A memory I won’t soon forget. 

Rocco's Little Chicago Pizzeria

2555 East Broadway BoulevardUniversity & 4th Ave

Featured on the hit show “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives,” you know this place is doing it right. Having cooked for the legendary Guy Fieri, the show featured his deep-dish pizza and wings. If you’re from the Midwest and missing home, this place is a go-to in Tucson. The wings will leave you completely satisfied — they’re a poster child for what we envision hot wings should be. 

The Saddle

820 East University BoulevardDowntown

A newer restaurant and bar near the University of Arizona that fits right in with the college crowd. With drinks served in plastic cowboy boots and bar food that’s kicked up to the next level, like chicken and waffle sliders, this hang-out reminds me of a college house party. A Coca-Cola brined wing produces a wonderful crispy bark around the edges and fall-off-the-bone meat. The homemade sauces, ranch, and blue cheese make these wings the best by campus.

Wings & Rice (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Wings & Rice

5502 East Pima StreetMidtown

Chicken wings and hibachi fried rice — a match made in heaven. With an eclectic menu ranging from Buffalo to the Pacific Rim, this place has been wowing people for years. 23 sauces and rubs to choose from, and if you enjoy flavors of the Pacific as well as all your standard rubs and sauces, you should head there soon. My go-to order is the spicy orange sauce and fried rice. 

Wings y Más

1145 West Prince RoadMidtown

Having picked up 100 wings for my birthday party in eight different flavors (they have more) my party guests were thrilled with them all. Priding themselves on the science it takes to make a perfectly crispy wing, they aim to be consistent with their food as well as their impeccable customer service. My favorite sauces and rubs include sweet and spicy, garlic parmesan, and chiltepin.

Wooden Nickel Tavern

1908 South Country Club RoadMidtown

You might assume the local dive bar doesn’t have great food but you’re wrong. Can’t always judge a book by its cover! This is a must-try for chicken wings and cheap drinks. Listed on their menu under “Best Wings in Town,” there’s no-frills when it comes to presentation or flavors. They know what they have, and that’s damn good wings.   

Frequently asked questions

Tucson has standout wing spots across bars, restaurants, and casual eateries. Many local kitchens focus on house-made sauces, crispy texture, and bold heat levels.

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Located at 5526 E. Grant Rd., @Casapitatucson serves Mediterranean and Middle Eastern favorites alongside American breakfast and burritos.

Owner Amna Al-Qaisi, known as Mama Amna, has spent more than two decades feeding Tucson. Originally from Iraq, she lived across eight countries throughout the Middle East, bringing those culinary traditions with her to Tucson.

Her family has operated several beloved Tucson restaurants over the years, including Sinbad’s, Geronimo’s, Gyro King, Arabic Express, and Golden Falafel.

In this video: Hummus, bulgur dip, fattoush salad, vegan falafel samoon, chicken shawarma, mixed grill + Dubai drink.❤️

Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.comLocated at 5526 E. Grant Rd., @Casapitatucson serves Mediterranean and Middle Eastern favorites alongside American breakfast and burritos. Owner Amna Al-Qaisi, known as Mama Amna, has spent more than two decades feeding Tucson. Originally from Iraq, she lived across eight countries throughout the Middle East, bringing those culinary traditions with her to Tucson. Her family has operated several beloved Tucson restaurants over the years, including Sinbad’s, Geronimo’s, Gyro King, Arabic Express, and Golden Falafel. In this video: Hummus, bulgur dip, fattoush salad, vegan falafel samoon, chicken shawarma, mixed grill + Dubai drink.❤️ Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com
Join the Tucson Foodie team for a very special dinner at @sawmillrun. A culinary journey from the Sonoran Desert to the summit of Mount Lemmon. TOMORROW! Aug 15, 6-8pm.❤️ 

Tickets in bio.
MENU👇🌲

AMUSE:
Forest Floor
Hazelnut Soil • Whipped Goat Cheese • Black Garlic • Pickled Mushroom • Crispy Mushroom • Mountain Herbs

FIRST COURSE: 
Desert Oasis
Compressed Melon • Whipped Feta • Chiltepin Vinaigrette • Pickled Cucumber • Toasted Pepitas • Mint

SECOND COURSE: 
Campfire Embers
Roasted Bone Marrow • House Chorizo • Pickled Shallot • Cilantro • House-Made Blue Corn Tortilla

THIRD COURSE: 
Juniper Ridge
Juniper-Smoked Pork Belly • Charred Corn Succotash • Prickly Pear Gastrique • Dehydrated Jalapeños

PALATE CLEANSER:
Aspen Breeze
House-Made Lemon Sorbet • Candied Lemon • Fresh Mint

FOURTH COURSE: 
Granite Peak
Mesquite-Grilled Vera Earl Beef • Smoked Tomato Chimichurri • Charred Heirloom Tomato • Crispy Shallot

DESSERT: 
Summer on Mount Lemmon
Arizona Honeycomb Ice Cream • Roasted Willcox Peaches • Huckleberry Compote • Almond Streusel • Honey Tuile

#tucsonevents #tucsonfoodie #mtlemmonJoin the Tucson Foodie team for a very special dinner at @sawmillrun. A culinary journey from the Sonoran Desert to the summit of Mount Lemmon. TOMORROW! Aug 15, 6-8pm.❤️ Tickets in bio. MENU👇🌲 AMUSE: Forest Floor Hazelnut Soil • Whipped Goat Cheese • Black Garlic • Pickled Mushroom • Crispy Mushroom • Mountain Herbs FIRST COURSE: Desert Oasis Compressed Melon • Whipped Feta • Chiltepin Vinaigrette • Pickled Cucumber • Toasted Pepitas • Mint SECOND COURSE: Campfire Embers Roasted Bone Marrow • House Chorizo • Pickled Shallot • Cilantro • House-Made Blue Corn Tortilla THIRD COURSE: Juniper Ridge Juniper-Smoked Pork Belly • Charred Corn Succotash • Prickly Pear Gastrique • Dehydrated Jalapeños PALATE CLEANSER: Aspen Breeze House-Made Lemon Sorbet • Candied Lemon • Fresh Mint FOURTH COURSE: Granite Peak Mesquite-Grilled Vera Earl Beef • Smoked Tomato Chimichurri • Charred Heirloom Tomato • Crispy Shallot DESSERT: Summer on Mount Lemmon Arizona Honeycomb Ice Cream • Roasted Willcox Peaches • Huckleberry Compote • Almond Streusel • Honey Tuile #tucsonevents #tucsonfoodie #mtlemmon
LE BUZZ IS CELEBRATING 30 YEARS!🎉☕️

Tucson staple @lebuzzcaffeplaza celebrates 30 years of business on August 22, and we stopped by their Plaza Palomino location to try some of the August specials created just for this location.

🍒Tiki Cold Brew
Cherry-infused cold brew topped with cream of coconut cold foam

🥣Oatmeal Creme Pie Latte
Espresso, milk of choice, house-made oatmeal syrup and oatmeal creme pie cold foam

🎂Birthday Cake Latte
Espresso, milk of choice, house-made birthday cake syrup and birthday cake cold foam

And the food specials are just as tempting:

• Flan French Toast with flan caramel, house-made flan cream, whipped cream and fresh berries

• Croissant Croque Madame with Black Forest ham, Gruyère, mornay, chives and a sunny-side-up egg

Plus, we got to try some favorites from the main menu, including the quiche and soup, Summer Cobb Salad, LeVeggie Burger and Blueberry Brisket Burger.

2930 N. Swan Rd., Suite 130

Don’t wait too long to try the August specials!❤️

Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com 
#tucsonfoodie #tucsonfoodLE BUZZ IS CELEBRATING 30 YEARS!🎉☕️ Tucson staple @lebuzzcaffeplaza celebrates 30 years of business on August 22, and we stopped by their Plaza Palomino location to try some of the August specials created just for this location. 🍒Tiki Cold Brew Cherry-infused cold brew topped with cream of coconut cold foam 🥣Oatmeal Creme Pie Latte Espresso, milk of choice, house-made oatmeal syrup and oatmeal creme pie cold foam 🎂Birthday Cake Latte Espresso, milk of choice, house-made birthday cake syrup and birthday cake cold foam And the food specials are just as tempting: • Flan French Toast with flan caramel, house-made flan cream, whipped cream and fresh berries • Croissant Croque Madame with Black Forest ham, Gruyère, mornay, chives and a sunny-side-up egg Plus, we got to try some favorites from the main menu, including the quiche and soup, Summer Cobb Salad, LeVeggie Burger and Blueberry Brisket Burger. 2930 N. Swan Rd., Suite 130 Don’t wait too long to try the August specials!❤️ Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com #tucsonfoodie #tucsonfood
Sonoran Restaurant Week is back for its 8th year!🎉

❤️Restaurant owners: Applications close August 14. There is no cost to participate, and you’ll be included in Tucson Foodie’s biggest marketing campaign of the year, featuring print, online, social, radio, TV, menu previews, chef interviews, and more.

From September 4 to 13, local restaurants across Southern Arizona will come together for 10 days of incredible fixed-price menus, giving diners the perfect excuse to explore Tucson’s amazing food scene. 

#sonoranrestaurantweek #srw2026 
#tucsonfoodie #tucsonarizonaSonoran Restaurant Week is back for its 8th year!🎉 ❤️Restaurant owners: Applications close August 14. There is no cost to participate, and you’ll be included in Tucson Foodie’s biggest marketing campaign of the year, featuring print, online, social, radio, TV, menu previews, chef interviews, and more. From September 4 to 13, local restaurants across Southern Arizona will come together for 10 days of incredible fixed-price menus, giving diners the perfect excuse to explore Tucson’s amazing food scene. #sonoranrestaurantweek #srw2026 #tucsonfoodie #tucsonarizona