The 13 Best Wing Spots In Atlanta, Ranked

Good wings and great beer always rope in a crowd, so we're never surprised when see everyone from suits to artsy types in the booths of this O4W dive bar. Yes, it's also a lively scene with loud music, karaoke, and darts, but everyone is here for the crispy wings—arguably the best wings in ATL and one of the best in the nation. The place doesn't do to-go orders, so you just gotta come and hang out, which isn't really a problem when you put a local brew on the table and a combo of lemon pepper and Korean buffalo wings.

This unassuming spot has become a favorite among the true connoisseurs of our lemon pepper province. To find it, you'll need to ride down Campbellton Road in Southwest Atlanta and stop when you eye a tiny red hut at the edge of a shopping plaza because that means you've found the home of some of the crispiest, most well-seasoned lemon pepper wings in the city. They're fried just right with a crunchy exterior that doesn't overly dry out the meat. And their LP seasoning is a nicely blended mix of savory and tang that most ATL places wish they did as skillfully. Order from the Depot's small walk-up window, then stand around or wait in your car for your wings, which are served piping hot.

The lemon peppers at Magic City Kitchen are legendary for a reason—they’re darn good. And two things immediately stand out: one, they nail their rubs and sauces (we'll get back to that). And two, they’re deliberately small, which means the wings cook more evenly. Plus, the size almost guarantees that every bite will have come into contact with your sauce, which will be excellent. There’s an entire section of the menu dedicated to their signature sauce blends. Our favorite is the Louwill Lemon Pepper BBQ, which mixes vinegary BBQ with a nicely balanced citrus-spice rub. Since this isn't your average takeout joint, you'll have to bring ID and be prepared to wait outside the Downtown club if your online order isn't ready yet.

Pit Boss BBQ in Hapeville makes lemon pepper wings with a smoky twist. This spot is already known for smoking meats very, very well, so much so they’re on our Best BBQ list, and their drums and flats are no exception. Those pit flavors really shine on these beauties, and the seasoning leans heavier on the peppery heat than tartness, which further enhances the smokiness. Even when we hit this fast-casual joint by ourselves, we usually get a big 20-piece order. Since they're nice and plump, they're perfect for tossing in the air fryer to reheat as leftovers.

There are few places that do smoked wings as well as Tom, Dick, and Hank in College Park. They're tender and crispy, and flavored down to the bone. Order them with their signature dry rub, which tastes a lot like lemon pepper, just without quite as much citrus kick. They're great for takeout or for when you want to post up inside the small dining room for a casual weeknight dinner—our preference since we like to fill out table with TDH's sides (collard greens, baked beans, and bouncy-sweet cornbread), which are delicious too.

You can’t rightly talk about great Atlanta wings without shouting out American Deli. In fact, a very credible scientific Atlanta study says that at least 80% of the chicken bones found around town come from this spot. OK, there is no research study. But with more than 20 locations in the city, American Deli has been an incredibly reliable spot for all things wings, but especially lemon pepper wet, which they played a huge role in popularizing throughout the city in the early 2000s. They’ve led the lemon pepper charge with their crisp, perfectly tangy handhelds.

You wouldn’t necessarily expect this popular Persian restaurant to have incredible wings but Delbar, which is also on our best restaurants list, is known to exceed expectations. It’s one of our favorite appetizers on a menu full of excellent choices (mocktails, salads, etc). The wings here are grilled, and they’re seasoned with slightly citrusy za’atar and garlic, which soaks through the meat. These are the wings to get with a great cocktail or a glass of wine, and chill on the sunken patio or in the Inman Park sunroom.

The breaded wings at B&L Wings in Midtown are like really good fried chicken in wing form—think itty-bitty drumsticks. They’re perfectly fried without feeling like grease sponges, which is a win. The takeout-only spot keeps it simple—order online, park in a designated spot outside the building, and they’ll bring your order out. And their stand-out lemon pepper wings land high on our Best LP Wings, Ranked list. The breading has a subtle lemon pepper flavor and gets a second dusting of seasoning for that extra punch of zing.

You’re here for the wings, so ignore the entirely forgettable room with well-worn booths lining the walls and TVs playing a wide array of whatever sporting event is in season. After a bite of a plump sauce-covered flat, we don’t really care about the semi-shabby digs or the other mediocre pub food on the menu. And there are 19 flavors to choose from, including honey mustard, jerk, and jalapeño. Dry-rub fans should opt for the lemon pepper staple or the more mild garlic parmesan. But we like to go sauce-y here with the fiery buffalo (just avoid getting it on your lips).

The Original JR Crickets on North Ave. in Midtown is like that one cousin you have—hella loud and a little unkempt, but you two always have a good time. Though some of our starch-collared friends have wanted no part of the place for the past decade, we still love the taste of a good 10-piece Dirty Bird (a wild mix of mild, BBQ, and lemon pepper sauces) and fries after a long, hard night of celebrating. Yeah, the wings are itsy-bitsy and are sometimes fried a little hard, but Crickets is family (so much so, we ranked the metro Crickets locations. You love ’em. You hate ’em. You douse ’em in ranch, and keep it pushin’.

These plump flats and drums are packed with deep, smoky flavor that doesn’t dry out the meat. Plus, there’s plenty of space to spread out to enjoy these perfectly seasoned smoked wings at Das BBQ in Grant Park. The expansive, string-lit patio is ideal for hanging out, playing cornhole, or catching the occasional live show. The spacious setup also means you can bring your tailgating crew on weekends and gather around a wood barrel table to watch the game on one of the many big screens.

Gene's is a BBQ joint in Kirkwood with dive bar energy. There are no TVs playing sports, but there is a gigantic red alligator hanging from the ceiling, multicolored lights, and jello shots. So when you want to sprinkle some life into another dreary weekday night, head here. And while this spot has a mashup of great smoked meats that dabble in Viet-Cajun flavors, make the lemon pepper wings a priority. They’re plump and fried to crackly levels with snappy skin, and the balance of citrus and spice is just right.

Expect to feel the love for Atlanta if you stop by one of Hungry AF's locations. The entire counter-service spot is an ode to the city, which means great wings are a requirement. You get mid-sized wings, fried crispy (you don't have to ask for them to be fried hard). Plus, they have a truckload of sauces—from spicy, to tangy, to sweet, with names like Zone 6, Trae Young, and Mike Vick (our favorite because we like the citrus-sweet of the lemon pepper and teriyaki). Order these for takeout before the game or when you want a fast, casual dinner at home.