The Dish - 20 standout wings to order for takeout and delivery
Photo courtesy of Hanmoto.
đź•’ 6.5. min read
Wings are a quintessential part of any game-watching event, big or small. Popular for laid-back lockdown weekend eats, they’re a perfect pairing for whenever you’re binge-watching these days.
Go beyond the usual suspects and wing-centric joints and discover bars and restaurants across the GTA with inventive, lip-smacking, mouth-watering, finger-licking options available for takeout and delivery.
Bonus: You don’t have to wait for a national sports event to enjoy these tantalizing, pile-o-napkins-required bites.
Dyno Wings, on the menu at since the get-go in 2015, have received countless accolades over the year, achieving iconic status. Dishes don’t always stand the test of time, but the lavish concoction - gyoza stuffed wings lacquered in a spicy-sweet soy glaze, drizzled with kewpie mayo, finished with julienned nori and pickled chilies – is still notable six years on.
The Dundas West sports bar offers Chicken Wings and Crispy Cauliflower with sauces you’re likely to see elsewhere - Honey Garlic, Franks, Jerk - alongside significant others Char Sui and Dry Pastrami Rub.
ISO intense heat? May I suggest Throat Puncher and Tonawanda Hot. Just don’t touch your eyes when the tears emerge.
Chef specialties shouldn’t be overlooked or passed over for crowd-pleasers. Case in point: Chef's Fried Rice & Wings at Davielle Rose’s popular destination for immensely comforting fare.
She also pairs her wings with decadent Alfredo Pasta, Mac & Cheese and inserts six buffalo wings in the Fully Loaded Mac, boasting cheese-laden elbow pasta, four jumbo Cajun shrimp, and Dav's Secret Spicy Sauce for a feast that’s sure to end up in an unscheduled slumber.
Capons - larger than chickens and prized for their rich flavour and tender, juicy meat - might just ruin you for the more common day-to-day variety.
Thus, Manhattan Capon Wings, a staple on the menu at the Danforth haunt for roughly 25 years, smothered in a sauce with a slight kick and served with blue cheese dressing, should definitely be on your radar.
Chen Chen’s Nashville Hot Chicken
Nashville Hot Chicken isn’t just having a moment - it’s a whole movement. Get in on the craze with CC’s Nashville Hot Wings marinated in buttermilk, dredged in a secret blend of spices, tossed in your choice of heat, and served atop a slice white bread with pickles.
Veg counterpart - Nashville Kung Pao Cauliflower Wings - features the cruciferous veg slathered in sweet and spicy chili garlic sauce, sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds and green onions.
The new ghost kitchen inside Hapa Izakaya dedicated solely to crispy, crunchy fried chicken, douses fried drums and flats in your choice of 13 varieties of sauce, including rarely seen Garlic Parmesan, Adobo, and Banana Ketchup.
Butter Chicken Wings by the Canadian chain feature the intensely rich tomato, butter and cream sauce you can’t get enough of.
Lovers of Jamaican staple jerk chicken will want to get in on paradise on a plate by way of Jerk Wings from the Caribbean spot at the edge of Regent Park and Cabbagetown.
Thai street style Shaken Wings – fried then tossed with a medley of spices – are a specialty of the Toronto chain. Fans of Thai hot and sour soup should hit up the Tom Yum, boasting fragrant lemongrass, Makrut lime leaves and chilies. Other out-of-the-box flavours include Cheese, Super Cheese, Sour Cream, Pizza, Larb, Seaweed, Wazabi, Truffle, Grilled Squid, and Salted Egg Yolk. Intense heat-lovers should look to the Spicy Mala for an exhilarating lip-tingling, mouth-numbing experience.
Prefer Saucy Wings? Pick from an intriguing lineup including Pad Thai, Green Curry, and Coconut Bean Paste.
If you like your meat infused with serious smoke, Smoqued Chicken Wings are for you: Marinated for 48 hours in fresh herbs and seasonings, dry rubbed, treated to a smoke-filled sauna courtesy of red oak and sugar maple, and accompanied by veg and creamy dill sauce.
Satiating your need for something fiery with flavourful depth can be difficult. Sticky Suya Hot Wings with hot honey and Yaaji spice peanut rub checks all the boxes.
"Pok Pok" Wings at the Bloor and Ossington Vietnamese eatery possess a tangy sweet and sour profile thanks to tamarind and kho quet - a sticky caramelized fish sauce normally reserved for dipping steamed vegetables into or found at the bottom of a pot of crunchy rice. The gluten-free dish is finished with a dusting of roasted peanuts, fried shallots and garlic, and lime.
Botham’s | The Hole In The Wall
The new resto and adjacent stalwart bar in The Junction boast Buffalo Confit Duck Wings on the menu.
Duck offers a more robust flavour than chicken, and confit results in rich, tender meat. Tossed in a classic Buffalo sauce and served with crudités and ranch dressing, the dish is elevated while still delivering a sporty vibe.
Tandoori Wings from the Jane and Bloor resto are marinated, intensely seasoned with aromatic spices, and cooked “Indian style.” Select your heat level: medium or spicy.
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Note: Menu items, ingredients, and availability all subject to change.
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