Grab some extra napkins and join us on a saucy journey through the best wing joints in Greater Des Moines, as voted by locals. Whether you’re a buffalo loyalist, a dry rub purist, or a fan of exotic flavors, come discover the wing kings of the region!

Gerri’s Bar & Grill
When it came to the final tally, Gerri's Bar & Grill, located right across from the Iowa State Fairgrounds, is the consensus people’s champion. Their renowned buffalo wings (don’t expect fancy sauces) are the epitome of wing perfection. These “hammers” are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and smothered with a sauce that has just the right amount of heat. Pair with a pitcher of cold beer, some fried mushrooms, and a game of pool, and you’re an honorary Des Moines East Sider.

Wing tip: On Mondays and Tuesdays, get five pounds of wings and a pitcher of beer for $25.
Boneless wings: No 

Sully’s Irish Pub
The other top vote getter was Sully’s Irish Pub in West Des Moines, the oldest Irish bar in the region. Their wings fly to the top of the list thanks to sauce options like Tullamore Dew BBQ and Irish Hot. Pair these crispy delights with an order or Irish nachos and local Picket Fence cheese curds and you’re in for some craic!

Wing tip: Mondays $12 wings, Wednesdays and Sundays $14 wings.
Boneless: Chicken strips and “chicken shots”

Felix and Oscar’s
Crispy is the name of the game when it comes to the wings at Felix & Oscar's on Merle Hay.  Mostly known for its Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, don't sleep on the buffalo wings, which are served with your choice of dipping sauce, including BBQ, ranch, chipotle ranch, bleu cheese, or honey mustard. Can’t decide between wings and pizza? Try their buffalo chicken ranch deep dish pizza, with chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch, topped with pepper jack cheese and jalapeno peppers.   

Boneless: Chicken tenders 

Basic Bird
There’s nothing basic about the wings at Basic Bird, the fast-casual brainchild of Harbinger super chef Joe Tripp. This buzzy Beaverdale spot specializes in Korean fried chicken, with chicken wings that feature a crispy crunchy batter and a variety of flavorful sauces, including sweet honey butter and spicy gochujang. The bone-in or boneless wings (there’s also a sandwich option) come in quantities of five, nine, or 18 pieces, along with three sides (the Korean potato salad is our fave) and rice. Bird is definitely the word.

Wing tip: Wednesdays they offer a $1 wing special.
Boneless: Yes

Gameday
Attached to Merle Hay Mall, Gameday is a lot of things. Sports bar. Family restaurant. Bowling alley. Arcade. Wing heaven. Choose between 1.5 pounds of fresh and brined wings or four buttermilk soaked, hand breaded tenders. Bring extra wet naps and quarters.  

Wing tip: Sundays are pizza and wings day, with deals on a 10-inch one topping pizza and 1.5 pounds of wings.
Boneless: Chicken tenders 

85 Bar West
While the original version in the East Village is the perfect dive bar to catch a Chicago Bears game on Sunday, it’s their bigger, full-service sports bar in Waukee that offers some of the best wings around without sacrificing the Chicago swagger. These baked, then fried chicken delights come 10 to an order, with the choice of nine different sauces, including lemon pepper, Asian zing, and the popular honey garlic. Their menu of “Halftime Handhelds” is equally great, but how can you go to a Bears bar and not try Da Coach’s Italian beef, as described by Ditka on the menu?  

Wing tip: Stop by Tuesdays for $10 boneless wings and fries.
Boneless wings: Yes 

Francie’s Bar & Grill
Everyone’s favorite southside comfort food spot, Francie's Bar & Grill does just about everything right, from their French dip to their perfectly crispy crinkle cut fries (get extra ranch). But we’re here to talk about their wings, featuring chicken drumettes smothered in their signature buffalo sauce, served with celery and ranch, naturally. The interior of Francie’s is dark (in a great way), but your disposition will be decidedly sunny after you try the best wings on the southside.   

Boneless: Yes 

Chicken Coop
With locations in Urbandale, West Des Moines, and Ankeny, you don’t have to go far to find some of the best (and arguably biggest) wings in the metro. Renowned for its award-winning jumbo chicken wings, these always fresh, never frozen wings are marinated in a special recipe, and slow roasted until juicy and tender. They are served with a selection of signature sauces, including honey BBQ, Jack Daniels parmesan garlic, Jamaican jerk,  kicked Bourbon, jalapeño garlic, buffalo, and buck nasty. With ample space, a robust menu, and TVs lining every wall, there’s a reason it was also named one of the best sports bars too.  

Wing tip: Ask for them extra crispy to get that delightful crunch on the skin.
Boneless wings: Yes

G. Mig’s
Historic Valley Junction in West Des Moines is an underrated foodie paradise, and G. Mig’s is one of the stalwarts of their burgeoning food scene. You could call it a sports bar, but it’s far homier with less sensory overload than most of its contemporaries. But you will get sensory overload (in a good way) from their chicken wings, served with sauces like BBQ, sweet Thai chili, garlic parmesan, and mango jalapeno. Just make sure to save room for that epic Pride of Iowa wrap.  

Boneless: No 

Smokey D’s
Like your wings smoked? The appropriately named Smokey D's BBQ in Des Moines is the winner of more BBQ competitions than you can count on both hands, but their smoked wings are game for your discerning judgement as well. Featured on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," host Guy Fieri highlighted these wings, which made his frosted tips stand on end. Get a pound of wings on their own or get the rib and wing basket with 4 bones and 5 wings.  

Boneless: Chicken Fingers

Cactus Bob’s BBQ Corral
Cactus Bob's in Johnston earns raves for their hickory smoked wings, which are golden fried to a crispy finish and tossed in your choice of wing sauce or dusted with rub. Choose from sauces like sweet & smokey, Asian wing sauce, and their house made buffalo sauce. They also have Papa’s boneless wings, served plain or tossed in sauce, or if you’re feeling saucy you can get the fingers & wings, with four chicken fingers and six smoked wings. The best of both feathered worlds.  

Boneless: Yes 

The Station on Ingersoll
When you go to The Station, you’re going to be tempted to get the nacho Graziano. Or maybe the crab Rangoon nachos. But stick to the plan here and get the wings and a side, available in quantities of six or 12, served over a bed of crispy crinkle cut fries with your choice of ranch or bleu cheese. Sauce options include buffalo, hot buffalo, BBQ, chili lime, honey garlic, lemon pepper, and 10 spice rub. You know what? On second thought, just order all those nachos with the wings and call it a meal.  

Boneless: Chicken strips

What Dak
What is What Dak? Glad you asked. This delicious Korean fried chicken spot in West Des Moines has wings that are double fried for extra crispiness and then hand-brushed in either soy garlic, spicy or half and half sauce combinations. Get them as wings, wings and drums, drumsticks, or even strips. Try them with some loaded bulgogi fries and a Korean corn dog and open your tastebuds to a whole world of flavor.  

Boneless: Chicken strips 

Maggie’s Rumble Room
Although it’s only been around since 2022, Maggie’s Rumble Room has already established a reputation as a top spot for wing (and pizza) connoisseurs. The retro ambience, courtesy of music and motorcycle memorabilia lining the walls, plenty of neon, and even a vintage jukebox with 45rpm vinyl, pairs perfectly with their overnight-brined wings and seven different sauces, including the namesake Rumble Sauce.  

Boneless: No 

Court Avenue Brewing Co.
A staple of the Court Avenue District downtown, CABCo has been brewing craft beers since 1996, way before it was cool. Pair a cold pint with some of their famous chicken wings that have never gone out of style. Nab a 10-, 15-, or 20-piece wing basket. Big enough to share, but delicious enough that you might not want to.  

Wing tip: 99 cent wings every Sunday from 3 p.m. to close.
Boneless: No 

Jethro’s
The epitome of “go big or go home” (those portion sizes, oh my), Jethro’s six metro locations offer a whopping 15 different housemade sauces for their hardwood smoked, flash fried wings, which were voted the best wings in the state by Inside Edition. The lowkey fan favorite here are boneless wings, which are soaked in buttermilk and then flash fried or seared (your choice). There’s a lot of decisions to be made here, but we’ll make one for you. Order copious amounts of ranch.  

Wing tip: Enjoy Wing Tuesday (buy one pound of slow-smoked bone-in wings, get one pound free) and Boneless Thursday (buy one pound of Bubba's boneless wings for $8).
Boneless: Yes