Last Updated on January 30, 2024, 10:12 AM | Published: January 30, 2024
They didn’t name it Wing Okay or Wing Just Fine. They skipped over Wing Good and Wing Great, not even stopping at Wing Delicious or Wing Wowee Zowee. And one has to assume that, having tasted their own product, they knew instinctively that the chicken wings served at Wing Supreme were, in fact, the best in the city.
And they were right. At least so far as I’m concerned. As someone who loves hot wings, there’s no place I’d rather get them than at Wing Supreme.
Owner Eric Johnson first started the business in 1989 while he was a student at Howard University, but as far as Oklahomans are concerned, it really started in 2015 when the restaurant opened on Lincoln Boulevard, just north of the State Capitol.
If your experience with hot wings largely centers on Buffalo Wild Wings, prepare yourself for a very welcome change. These wings are smaller and more flavorful thanks to a season-then-fry method that builds a deeper, more satisfying taste into every bite.
But what sets Wing Supreme apart for me is the size of the wings. Okies living in the shadow of Texas know this well already, but bigger is not always better. In some cases, it’s actually measurably worse. And in the culinary world, that’s especially true of wings.
Jumbo wings are quite popular with local hot wing purveyors, but not with me, and here’s why: chicken wings are great because of a delicate balance of meat, fat, and skin. Larger wings screw up that balance because of a thicker layer of fat between the skin and the meat.
There are ways to address it, but it takes work, and it’s clearly not work that other restaurants are interested in doing. When cooked, the fat layer in the wings is supposed to melt into the meat, giving it juicy, unctuous flavor. But larger wings have a thicker layer that doesn’t render as quickly, so the end result is a crispy exterior and a wall of gummy, chewy fat that ruins the texture and feels gross.
That doesn’t happen with smaller wings, which are what you’ll find at Wing Supreme. And while I cannot guarantee anything, as I do not work there and am not an owner, I can tell you in my experience that Wing Supreme always tosses in a few more wings than you order to make sure that diners are getting their money’s worth.
Just cooking the wings correctly would be enough for me, but Wing Supreme shines because of the excellent lineup of flavors. For every 10 wings, you get to choose a flavor, and they range from the standard mild, medium, and hot Buffalo flavor to a variety of sweet and spicy options.
Honey Love probably only trails behind Buffalo for the most ordered. It’s got a sticky sweet flavor built on honey with a lovely little pop of heat that will get taste buds tingling without sending anyone into a panting fit. It’s my go-to recommendation for any first-time guests.
For lots of savory flavor without an overabundance of heat, both the Jerk and Old Bay are excellent choices. The floral seasoning of Jamaican Jerk might have a reputation as being hot, but what diners get here is much more about the taste rather than the temperature. Old Bay tastes like that classic New England spice which is warm and woodsy on the palate.
If you want to bump up the heat a little without getting too crazy, I’ve recently become enamored with Wing Supreme’s Cajun sauce. It’s got that Louisiana pepper flavor with good bit of vinegar tang that keeps the sizzle without turning into a raging inferno.
That said, if you’re looking to challenge your taste buds to a fight, get the KO’s flavor wings. These will light you up like an episode of Hot Ones, so grab a few napkins to wipe your brow. And maybe a side of potato salad, to help tamp down on some of the heat.
Wings are a must, but if you’re looking for something a little lighter, the fried shrimp at Wing Supreme should not be overlooked. The home-style breaded shrimp are buttery and light, with a crust that’s not as puffy or sweet as tempura, but still feels like it is melting on your tongue.
Or go a little bolder with the Boom Boom Shrimp, which bring more of an Asian zing. The shrimp seem to be fried a little harder, so the crust has enough oomph to hold up to the heavy cream sauce. For my money, the home-style are superior, but your mileage may vary.
One thing to note, especially with the NFL getting ready to wrap up its season: Wing Supreme is only open one Sunday of the year. Super Bowl Sunday, which is coming on Feb. 11, 2024. Regardless of how you feel about the teams facing off or whether any of the players are dating any generation-transforming musicians, if you’re looking to take the day from Super to Supreme, you’ll want these wings. But maybe order in advance, if you know what’s good for you.
- Wing Supreme
- 3925 North Lincoln Boulevard in Oklahoma City
- Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. (and Super Bowl Sunday)
- (405) 702-5464
- wingsupreme.com
Long-time food enjoyer Greg Elwell writes about food, restaurants, and trends. He has his own blog "I Ate Oklahoma" and has written for The Oklahoman, The Oklahoma Gazette, and others.
