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Local GuideJanuary 15, 20268 min read

10 Best Chicken Wing Spots in Austin (2026 Guide)

From crispy Nashville hot to tangy lemon pepper, discover where locals go for the best wings in Austin. Our insider guide covers hidden gems and beloved favorites.

Austin may be famous for BBQ and tacos, but the city's chicken wing scene is seriously underrated. Whether you're craving fiery Nashville hot, classic buffalo, or creative Asian fusion flavors, Austin has a spot for you. We've eaten our way through the city to bring you this definitive guide to Austin's best wings.

What Makes Austin Wings Special?

Austin's diverse food culture means our wing scene pulls from multiple traditions. You'll find Southern influence in our fried chicken techniques, Texas BBQ methods applied to smoked wings, and innovative fusion flavors from our creative chef community. Many of these spots will be competing at the Austin Chicken Wing Festival, so consider this your preview.

Our Top 10 Wing Spots

#1

Hattie B's Hot Chicken

4.8
South CongressNashville Hot Wings

Nashville's famous hot chicken joint brought their legendary heat to Austin. Their wings come in heat levels from Southern (no heat) to Shut the Cluck Up. The dry rub is perfectly balanced with heat and flavor.

Must Try: Medium Hot with ranch and pickles

#2

The Pub at Triangle

4.7
Triangle/North AustinTraditional Buffalo Wings

A neighborhood sports bar that takes wings seriously. Their traditional buffalo sauce is tangy and buttery, made in-house daily. The wings are crispy without being dry.

Must Try: Buffalo wings with blue cheese

#3

Gossip Shack

4.6
East AustinKorean-Style Wings

This Korean-inspired spot serves up crispy double-fried wings with creative sauces. Their gochujang glaze is the perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and savory.

Must Try: Gochujang glazed wings

#4

Gus's Fried Chicken

4.7
Downtown AustinSouthern Fried Wings

Memphis-style fried chicken that's been perfected over 60 years. Their wings are spicy, crispy, and juicy with a proprietary seasoning blend that keeps people coming back.

Must Try: Spicy fried wings with beans and slaw

#5

Green Mesquite BBQ

4.5
South LamarSmoked Wings

An Austin institution since 1988, Green Mesquite brings BBQ expertise to wings. Their smoked wings have a beautiful bark and deep smoky flavor before getting tossed in sauce.

Must Try: Smoked wings with house BBQ sauce

#6

The Heights Pizzeria

4.4
MuellerBaked Parmesan Wings

This neighborhood pizza joint surprises with excellent wings. Their garlic parmesan wings are baked to crispy perfection and loaded with flavor.

Must Try: Garlic parmesan wings

#7

Oasis Texas Brewing Co

4.5
Lake TravisCraft Beer Wings

Enjoy wings with stunning lake views. Their wings are brined in craft beer before frying, creating an incredibly tender and flavorful result.

Must Try: Beer-brined wings with sunset views

#8

Vincent's Sports Pub

4.4
North AustinGame Day Wings

A true sports bar experience with wings that hold their own. Huge portions, multiple sauce options, and great prices make this a local favorite for game day.

Must Try: Mix-and-match wing combo

#9

Ruthie's Food Trailer

4.6
Various locationsFood Truck Wings

This roaming food trailer has developed a cult following for their juicy, perfectly seasoned wings. Follow their social media to find out where they'll be next.

Must Try: Signature dry rub wings

#10

Big Girl on Wheels

4.5
Food truck parksComfort Food Wings

Chef-driven food truck serving up elevated comfort food including some of the best wings in Austin's mobile food scene. Creative flavors you won't find elsewhere.

Must Try: Weekly special wings

Wing Ordering Tips

  • Order crispy: Most Austin spots will make your wings extra crispy on request
  • Sauce on the side: Keep wings crispier longer by dipping instead of tossing
  • Go at off-peak: Wings take time to cook right. Avoid the lunch and dinner rush for fresher wings
  • Ask about specials: Many spots have wing night deals or secret sauces

Try Them All at Once

Can't decide which spots to visit? Many of these restaurants and food trucks participate in the annual Austin Chicken Wing Festival, where you can sample wings from multiple vendors with a single ticket. It's the perfect way to discover your new favorite wing spot.

Taste All These Wings in One Day

Join us at the Austin Chicken Wing Festival for unlimited tastings from Austin's best wing makers.

Get Festival Tickets