Today (July 29) is National Chicken Wing Day here in the US of A. Even though we recognize this is a totally made up “holiday” (that is also shared with such not-actually-real happenings as National Lipstick Day, National Lasagna Day, and National Get Gnarly Day), National Chicken Wing Day is a great excuse to celebrate some of the downright exceptional wing purveyors in and around Milwaukee.
No, this isn’t a list of Milwaukee’s best wings or a ranking of my favorites (though I’m sure the usually level-headed Facebook commenters will be happy to offer their unsolicited buffalo wing opinions). Instead, this article should simply serve as a call to celebrate National Chicken Wing Day with your favorite poultry preparation. That’s exactly what I did last Monday in advance of this dumb internet holiday. Last week, I decided to get in the Wing Day spirit a little early by indulging in my two favorite Milwaukee wings in the same afternoon. This is my story.
Vanguard
If you find yourself saying, “Wait! Vanguard has wings?” Allow me to answer with a resounding “SOMETIMES!” Yes, the Bay View sausage purveyor serves up its should-be famous Smitty Wings—based on the beloved recipe from the now-closed Smitty’s Bar in South Buffalo—on Mondays only.
I, accompanied by Milwaukee Record‘s own Matt Wild and local musician/sound engineer/recent wing appreciator Ian Olvera on this adventure, started this one-two-lunch at Vanguard for a few reasons. 1. With the status of this article on the line, we wanted to make sure we got Smitty Wings before they ran out. 2. Starting at Vanguard was everybody’s preference. 3. (Most importantly) Vanguard has Gatorade on its soda gun, which really hit the spot at, like, 2 p.m. on a Monday.
Gatorade in hand, I placed our order (20 wings for $25) and we took a seat out on Vanguard’s spacious rear patio. Within a few minutes, they arrived!
Meaty and liberally coated in the distinctly buttery and spice-laden Smitty Sauce, the wings—an even mix of flats and drumsticks—were exceptional like always. The rich, impossibly thick blue cheese dressing Vanguard makes in house added even more depth to the already outstanding order. Though I could’ve taken down an order of 10 wings to serve as a full-fledged meal, I had my allotment of seven (Matt also had seven and Ian generously only had six) to save room for stop number two.
Club Garibaldi
Unlike Vanguard’s Smitty Wings, the wings at Club Garibaldi aren’t a secret in the slightest. These wings are the stuff of local legend and, when they’re really hitting, my favorite wings in the world. They’re marinated for days, then grilled to order on the Bay View bar’s tiny range.
These iconic wings are available daily (though the kitchen typically shuts down late at night and during concerts in Garibaldi’s back room). Within five minutes of leaving Vanguard, I was placing our order for 15 wings ($18) and taking advantage of the bar’s Monday drink special of $3 Pabst tallboys. Mexican beers are also on special on Mondays, so I had a $3 Estrella Jalisco for round two.
While slightly sweeter and a little less spicy than usual, they still ruled. We each had five (which were a pretty even mix of flats and drummies) that, while less plump than Vanguard’s wings, were still of a respectable size. Unlike, Vanguard’s dressing, the ranch and blue cheese dressings at Club Garibaldi are not made in-house. However, the accompanying celery was far larger, fresher, and more substantial than Vanguard’s celery offering.
But this isn’t about comparison or declaring a “best wing.” This is all about living it up and enjoying TWO of your favorite wing places on the same day because you’re an adult and that’s something you’re allowed to do. If you like TomKen’s, swear by Points East Pub, frequent Fixture, crave Camino, report to Buffalo Boss, or have a hankering for wings from anywhere else in town, pay them a visit! Hell, if you’re feeling up to it, use this article as inspiration and go to two wing places consecutively.
Getting wings from Club Garibaldi and Vanguard on the same day: 12 out of 12 wings.
I’ve done this wing-focused lunch adventure before and I plan to do it again. It’s a great way to support two area establishments while also spending time with friends and sampling the flavorful and diverse buffalo wing bounty that’s at our fingertips in Milwaukee. My only regret was not incorporating a third place into the mix this time around. We’re looping you in next time, TODD I Believe I Can Fry!
