Why Do They Call Them Buffalo Chicken Wings?

Buffalo chicken wings are a beloved appetizer and game day snack across America. These spicy, saucy chicken wings are practically synonymous with Super Bowl Sunday – over 1.4 billion wings are consumed during the big game alone! But if you’ve ever ordered buffalo wings at a restaurant or made them at home, you may have wondered – why are they called buffalo wings when they’re made with chicken? And what’s the connection to the city of Buffalo, New York? There’s a fascinating history behind how buffalo wings got their name, so let’s dive in.

The Contested Origins of Buffalo Wings

While Buffalo wings are now ubiquitous bar food, their creation is shrouded in mystery Most food historians trace buffalo wings back to the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York in 1964 According to the owner Teressa Bellissimo, she spontaneously invented the dish one Friday night when her son Dominic showed up with friends late at night looking for a snack. She deep fried some chicken wings, tossed them in a spicy cayenne pepper sauce, and served them with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks. They were an instant hit.

However there are many competing origin stories that challenge the Anchor Bar’s claim. Other Buffalo restaurants like Duff’s argue they were selling breaded and fried chicken wings before the Anchor Bar. There’s also evidence a Black chef named John Young was serving chicken wings coated in tangy “mumbo” sauce in Buffalo 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”?

So if Buffalo wings were invented in Buffalo, New York, why are they named after the animal? Simply because of their connection to the city of Buffalo. Yes, it’s confusing that the dish contains chicken 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.