Why Do They Call Them Buffalo Chicken Wings?

People all over the United States love buffalo chicken wings as an appetizer or as a snack on game days. These sour and spicy chicken wings are almost always served on Super Bowl Sunday—over 1 4 billion wings are eaten during the Super Bowl alone! But if you’ve ever had buffalo wings at a restaurant or made them at home, you may have wondered why they’re called buffalo wings when they’re made with chicken? And what does the name have to do with Buffalo, New York? Let’s find out.

The Contested Origins of Buffalo Wings

Buffalo wings are a common bar food now, but no one knows how they came to be. Most food historians say they were created at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, in 1964. The owner, Teressa Bellissimo, said she made the dish up on the spot when her son Dominic came in late at night with friends looking for a snack. She tossed some chicken wings in a spicy cayenne pepper sauce and fried them. Then she served them with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing. They were an instant hit.

There are, however, many other origin stories that disagree with the Anchor Bar’s claim. Some Buffalo restaurants, like Duff’s, say they sold fried and breaded chicken wings before the Anchor Bar opened. It is also known that a Black chef in Buffalo named John Young served chicken wings with a sour “mumbo” sauce as early as the 1950s. He may have inspired Teressa Bellissimo’s idea.

Ultimately it was the Anchor Bar’s specific preparation of deep frying plain wings tossing them in hot sauce and butter, and serving with blue cheese that created the “Buffalo wing” style we recognize today. But the true inventor may forever remain ambiguous. Buffalo wings seem to have evolved from a combination of ideas circulating around the city at the time.

Why the Name “Buffalo”?

If buffalo wings were created in Buffalo, New York, then why are they named after the animal? It’s just because they have a link to the city of Buffalo. Yes, it is strange that the dish has chicken in it instead of buffalo meat!

The name “Buffalo wing” first emerged to associate the wings with Anchor Bar and Buffalo. But Buffalo, New York itself is named after the nearby Buffalo River, not the animal. The city got its name in the early 1800s, apparently because the river reminded settlers of the buffalo herds that once populated the region.

So while neither buffalo nor Buffalo wings contain any actual buffalo, the name pays homage to the city where these addictively spicy, buttery fried wings were born. It also differentiates buffalo chicken wings from other seasoned chicken wing recipes.

When Buffalo Wings Went National

For the first decade or so, Buffalo wings remained a local niche dish in western New York. They started gaining national attention in the 1970s after Anchor Bar began promoting the story of their invention. The concept of boneless chicken wings coated in Buffalo sauce emerged as an easier, less messy alternative.

But Buffalo wings didn’t really take off across the US until the 1980s. Franchises like Buffalo Wild Wings brought buffalo wings to the masses. The dish fit the growing trend of bold flavored finger foods and shareable appetizers. And Buffalo’s coincidence of being the birthplace of the spicy wings and the home of the Buffalo Bills football team certainly helped them surge in popularity.

By the 1990s, Buffalo wings became a full-on sensation. Chains like Domino’s, Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, and Hooters started putting them on menus. Suddenly, buffalo sauce was not just for wings – it was drizzled on everything from wraps to popcorn chicken. The Super Bowl became one of the biggest days for Buffalo wing consumption. An order of wings tossed in Buffalo sauce even became a game day tradition up there with chips and guacamole.

Why We Love Buffalo Wings

There are lots of theories on why Buffalo wings have an almost cult-like following today. Here are some of the top reasons these saucy, spicy chicken wings are so addictive:

The Portability

Unlike other chicken dishes, wings are perfectly handheld. You don’t need plates or silverware – just grab and dip them in sauce. This makes them ideal for snacking and sharing at parties or bars. Their portability also appeals to our fun-loving, caveman instincts.

The Messiness

Wings are deliciously messy. The experience of licking sauce off your fingers enhances the sensory pleasure and fun. The mess also adds a rebellious, “devil may care” vibe to chowing down on wings.

The Flavor Profile

By combining the savory umami taste of chicken with the sweet heat of Buffalo sauce and the cool, creamy contrast of blue cheese dressing, wings deliver layers of flavor in each bite. The crunch of the coating and chicken skin also adds textural appeal.

The Spice Factor

The signature cayenne pepper hot sauce gives wings their addictive bite. The spiciness triggers endorphins which give us a natural high. It also adds an element of risk and thrill seeking to the eating experience.

The Customization

With all the different Buffalo wing recipes and the ability to choose your spice level, you can customize your wings however you like. This personalization makes eating wings feel special and individual.

The Indulgence

Wings have an underlying naughty, indulgent appeal because they consist almost entirely of skin, fat and sauce. So scarfing down a plate of wings satisfies cravings for crispy, greasy, comfort foods.

The Americana Nostalgia

For many Americans, wings are powerfully linked to game days, bars, and fun times with friends. Eating them brings a sense of tradition and nostalgia.

So the name “buffalo wings” may not totally make sense. But however they came to be called that, these chicken wings spiced up with cayenne pepper and dunked in blue cheese dressing have become an iconic All-American snack with an undeniably addictive flavor and appeal. The outsized role Buffalo wings play in our country’s food culture proves that this dish earned its somewhat odd name. Next time you’re munching on Buffalo wings, you’ll have this tasty backstory to chew on as well.