Guide · Madison, WI
Top 5 Wing Places in Madison
My ranked countdown of the best chicken wings in and around Madison, plus two honorable mentions worth the drive.
I have been to every notable wing place in and around Madison. Some were fine. A few were great. And a handful made me want to tell strangers about them in parking lots.
This is my current top five, ranked from number five to number one, plus two honorable mentions that sit a little farther out but are absolutely worth the trip. The full breakdown is also on video if you want to watch me eat instead of read.
- 1
Waypoint Public House
Waypoint Public House· Monona, WI
Number five is the definition of a solid, reliable wing. The spicy garlic buffalo and the house made dry rub are both really good, and everything comes out consistent. It never blew me away, but it also never let me down, which is more than I can say for a lot of places. A great Monona option when you want wings without drama.
- 2
5th Quarter Bar and Grill
5th Quarter Bar and Grill· Verona, WI
The spicy peach and the boom boom sauce are the stars here. The boom boom sauce in particular is one of the best flavor wings I have ever had. Pro tip: ask if they can hit the wings with the Cajun dry rub first, then toss them in boom boom sauce. It makes a world of difference.
Read Troy's full take on 5th Quarter Bar and Grill - 3
Alchemy Cafe
Alchemy Cafe· Madison, WI
Some of the best buffalo wings I have had, period. The bourbon cacao buffalo is a unique flavor you have to genuinely enjoy buffalo to appreciate. The flavor is consistently unreal. My only caveat: every now and then they can come out a little overcooked, so the meat does not fall off the bone quite as cleanly. When they are on, though, they are on.
- 4
Madison's
Madison's· Downtown Madison, WI
The signature dry rub here is hands down one of the best dry rubs in the entire state. That alone puts Madison's at number two. The catch is the price per wing, which is ridiculous at $2.20 each. Ten wings ran me $22. Great flavor, great rub, just be ready to pay for it.
- 5
Chicken Licks
Chicken Licks· Sun Prairie, WI
The best wing place in or around Madison, and it is not close. This is a complete dive bar in Sun Prairie with wings that are out of this world. The dry rub is incredible, the sauce is incredible, and you can get that dry rub on the sides too. Order them extra sexy if you want heat. My only knock is the wings run a little smaller than I would like, but the flavor and vibe more than make up for it.
Read Troy's full take on Chicken Licks - 6
Barrel Inn
Barrel Inn· Marshall, WI
Honorable mention number one. This is a classic Wisconsin joint out in Marshall with all you can eat wings on Wednesday and Thursday. Big open room, bar wrapping the middle of the building, and a dry rub that puts them among my favorite wings in the entire state. About 45 minutes to an hour from Madison.
- 7
The Dump
The Dump· Cambria, WI
Honorable mention number two. They only do wings on Wednesday, but they do them right. Hand breaded, light and flaky, with a perfect crunch to meat ratio. The garlic parm is one of the top five flavors I have had in my entire life, and I typically do not even order garlic parm. Worth planning a Wednesday around.
Read Troy's full take on The Dump