5 Incredible Chicken Wings in Portland Oregon: Kay’s Favorites!
I am a participant in affiliate programs, so basically I earn a small commission if you use any of the affiliate links on this post - at no extra cost to you! Dope right?
I love wings. Chicken wings. Well, cooked chicken wings – I don’t have a fascination with the functional wings of a living animal. I would even go as far to say wings are probably one of my five favorite casual American dishes (along with burgers, Sloppy Joe’s, and American pizza). And as someone who lives in Oregon, you best bet your bottom dollar that I have my favorite spots to get chicken wings in Portland.
Of course, you could always get them from your favorite fast casual spot (my family’s choice would be as an add-on from Pizza Hut lol), but this is PORTLAND. Whether you agree or not with the…particulars of the city, Portland is in my humble opinion one of the best foodie cities in the country. And also outside of my opinion, as large publications had said the same thing! There are very few cities in America whose community is so heavily fueled by the food scene. Yes, New York, LA, Chicago, etc etc have incredible chefs and restaurants and food events, but…they also have so much more.
Portland has FOOD.
Well, and outdoor activities, but in any other foodie city in the USA, I have never seen a line wrap around the block in a neighborhood many residents consider “super sketchy” just for a chance to make a reservation at a restaurant (shoutout to Kann). A city where local chefs are gossiped about just as much (if not more) than local politicians and celebrities. There are LITERALLY at least 5-10 new restaurants opening and closing every month. The biggest influencers here are all food accounts.
Portland = food.
Table of Contents
Thank You For the Memories
Before I get into my current favorite chicken wings in Portland, I wanted to take a second to remember places (and people) who have paved the chicken wing way for me in this city. First, my old TOP TOP TOP TOP favorite chicken wings in Portland, Thicc Boi. And of course, the literally famous, PokPok. Thank you for your years serving the city some of the best and doing it with a smile. Y’all truly made a mark.
Best Wings in Portland
Alright, now on with the main event. In no particular order, these following restaurants and food carts have my absolute favorite wings in Portland. They all cook their chicken BEAUTIFULLY, which is an art in and of itself, but in addition they offer unique and mind-blowing flavors that you can’t get anywhere else in Portland.
They’re the best for a REASON.
Now before y’all light your pitchforks, there are great wings in Portland that are not included in this list. That doesn’t mean they’re bad!! In fact, they’re probably very tasty, but in terms of uniqueness and quality…they can’t beat my top five and I will die on that hill.
ALSO- I am not a full time blogger or influencer (this post is not paid and none of my experiences at the following restaurants were comped), so if it’s new, I might not have gone there yet. IM ON A BUDGET OKAY?!?!? Or I’d like to go there again just to verify consistency. Or, maybe…it’s just not that good idk idk idk. But anyways, enough disclaimers.
Let’s eat.
Wingstop
Wingstop has the best wings in Portland because they—LOLLLL I’m just playin. But can you believe there was actually an official “Best of Portland” contest and for the wing category they included WINGSTOP???
Absolutely wild lol
Erica’s Soul Food
location: 101 SE 12th Ave, Portland OR 97214
hours: Tues-Sat 5pm-10pm
*vegan wing options!
Not to get distracted by backstory, but my good friend Amanda from PT Passages is from Atlanta, and EVERY TIME she goes home, she gets chicken wings. Specifically from American Deli. And every time, they look as amazing as ever. Naturally, when I visited Atlanta, I had to get some for myself and BY JOVE they lived up to the hype.
Erica’s Soul Food brings that delicious goodness to Portland.
Aside from being an amazing human all around, Erica’s Soul Food is one of my favorite food carts in Portland and has some of THE BEST soul food in Portland as well. I mean…the name LIVES UP! But since we’re talking about wings, Erica’s has the BEST lemon pepper wings in Portland. And I mean THE best. #1. If you’re feeling extra spicy, get the ATL hot extra wet lemon pepper!!There’s also an excellent peach Sriracha and maple BBQ flavor, and for all you classic lovers, and incredible mild sauce! Like…it’s hard to impress me with a mild sauce, but then again, we’re talking about Erica’s Soul Food.
LoRell’s Chicken Shack
location: 5235 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland OR 97213
hours: Wed-Sat 12pm-7pm; Sun 12pm-6pm
Another spot serving up the best wings in Portland – and a new fav of mine – LoRell’s Chicken Shack. BAY-BEEEEEE, this place will do you right. Now they ONLY serve chicken (and fries), and the focus is laser sharp. I’m literally drooling just thinking about these freakin wings. They also have my favorite style of fries, so they match perfectly together.
You can get bone-in or boneless (tender lovers unite!!), but the flavor to get here that you can’t get nowhere else in this city is their HOT HONEY. It is phenomenal. So good that I just looked up how to spell phenomenal. Even if you’re not a spice lover, the honey balances it out so perfectly that the blend of flavors swirls in your mouth. Truly a delight.
The LoRell crew is super friendly and helpful, and I’ve always had a good time whenever I visit. And don’t let the sizes fool you, these are FULL wings so you will leave stuffed AND have some left over for home.
FRYBABY
location: 1015 SE Stark St, Portland OR 97214
hours: Thurs 11:30am-8pm; Fri-Sat 11:30am-10pm; Sun 12pm-8pm
Fry Baby is a spot I probably frequent the most, along with the other carts in the Lil America food cart pod, just because I live nearby so it’s both convenient AND incredibly delicious. FRYBABY has flavors you won’t find ANYWHERE else in Portland, and along with their super kind customer service and outstanding quality, they really do serve up some of the best wings in Portland.
Don’t believe me?
They just won food cart of the YEAR. In PORTLAND.
And trust me, they live up to the hype and more. My all-time favorite flavor of theirs is the snow cheese, a sweet topping of parmesan cheese on a perfectly cooked chicken wing. It’s a knockout. However, if you’re craving more spicy or savory, they also have spicy gochujang and soy garlic to satisfy your cravings. Along with the wings, you’ll definitely want to pick up one of their drizzy sides like KIMCHI MAC AND CHEESE holy cow!! Though on the every day, I’m more of a pickle gal so I usually opt for their cucumber salad and their homemade plum soda, but you really can’t go wrong.
Also shoutout because they give you gloves <3
Hunny Beez
location: 1434 SW Park Ave, Portland OR 97201
hours: Wed-Mon 11am-9pm (Sun close at 7pm)
*vegan wing options!
In 2020, my good friend Millette from The Next Somewhere took me out to my first Filipino restaurant. And to that, I will forever be in her debt because SHE CHANGED MY LIFEEEEEE. I had eaten Filipino food before, but only in a home setting and I didn’t know the names for any of the dishes. It is now one of my favorite cuisines. And the fact that I live in Portland where there are so many amazing Filipino restaurants in Portland and chefs bringing Filipino flavors to the front of the culinary scene…I am truly blessed in that aspect.
ANYWAYS, Hunny Beez has all the ube, lumpia, and pancit your heart desires, AND they also have some of the best chicken wings in Portland. Their adobe wings are glazed to purrfaction, but they also have a range of sauces like garlic umami (love) and their special hunny beez sauce (spicy version available)!
They are a sit-down restaurant, so rain or shine you’ll be comfy! Grab one of their milk teas and a dessert (or four) and settle in for a good meal. Bonus: you get a whole paper towel roll at each table AND unlimited hand wipes. Feel free to get messy.
Big’s Chicken
location: 4606 NE Glisan St, Portland OR 97213
hours: everyday 11:30am-9pm
I lived three years in Alabama, so white BBQ sauce has a SPECIAL place in my heart. And honestly, you don’t get much farther away than Alabama than Oregon, but Big’s Chicken brings Bama-style right to Rose City! They are another sit-down spot, and its a large space so feel free to bring the whole fam.
All of their chicken is good, but what gives them the crown for some of the best wings in Portland is their delicious dry spice rub. Sauce is my kryptonite, but if you’re not in the mood for a buffalo facial, then Big’s Chicken’s got you. And for happy hour lovers….yes, the wings are on the menu.
This is a newer spot to me, I’ve been a handful of times now (about three times), so while I’m still getting to know their full menu, they’ve earned the best wings in Portland spot already. They also have bigger whole birds if you’re looking to take some home!
Chicken Wings in Portland: Conclusion
Alrighty folks, I’ve said my piece. In my opinion, these are the five chicken best wings in Portland…and I’ve eaten A LOT OF WINGS. I will say that there are some bars in Portland that have pretty good wings too, buuuut honestly, I’m not much of a bar vibe girl, so I don’t frequent those too often. I have also yet to try Daddy’s Vegan Wangz, which I’ve heard SO much about. They’re currently operating at pop-ups, so one of these days imma get my mitts on their food!!
If you live in the area or plan on visiting, let me know which of these wings in Portland are calling to you! If you live in the area and disagree…feel free to fight in the comments 🙂
Now, there’s plenty of food in Portland, so after you get your fill of the best wings in Portland, check out my other food posts featuring incredible Black owned restaurants in Portland and workplace cafes (WITH food)!
Pin these Wings in Portland
