Domino's Pizza - Re-Review

Our Dominos Pizza Wing review is by far the most popular page on this site.  It seems many people
are curious enough about Domino's wing offering to google reviews...and a portion of those seekers end up here reading our thoughts on the popular pizza chain's attempt at serving up buffalo wings.

With that in mind, I wanted to revisit my previous review and see if the last couple years of Domino's overall brand revamping did anything to improve the quality of the wings.  

Short answer....."blah"  Read on!

Roosters Wing Review

So, Roosters is a pretty popular casual bar chain in and around Ohio.  Practically synonymous with the Columbus area, Roosters is part of the wing-eating fabric of Ohio.

I've visited Roosters a few times in the past and this time I decided to put a small taste test together.

You see, Roosters wings are "lightly breaded." I know....tragic, right??? Or, maybe not.

Little Caesar's Pizza - Caesar Wings

50813 Valley Plaza Dr

St Clairsville, OH 43950
(740) 695-1858

Hot n Ready isn't just for pizza anymore.  Little Caesar's now offers wings in eight different varieties.  And they're available just as easily as walking in, forking over $5 (Now $6) and walking out. Just like their pizza.  I personally like Little Caesar's Pizza.  It's not just convenient...it's actually good.  And what a value at $5 each.   You can't beat that.  Good, Fast AND Cheap is an unbelievably rare thing in this world...particularly in food service.  The question becomes...can Caesar Wings maintain the triad set forth by the pizza????

Denny's

68296 Red Roof Ln
Saint Clairsville, OH 43950

Do I really need to describe Denny's in this blog? In a few words...in case you live under a rock...Denny's is a nationally franchised diner. (in a good way) It's a greasy spoon. (but in a good way) It's a heart attack just waiting to happen.  (again, in a good way)   It's also delicious.  It's affordable.  It's open 24 hours.  What more could you want?   Oh yeah...and they have wings on the menu.  

I can say with certainty that I've never had wings at Denny's before.  I got them solely for the sake of writing a review.  I can also say with certainty that I will be ordering them again...from time to time.

Dave & Buster's - Pittsburgh's Waterfront

180 E Waterfront Dr

Homestead, PA 15120

(412) 685-4626

If there was ever a place where the food and menu was secondary to a different, all-together separate attraction…that place has to be Dave & Buster’s.  Commonly known as “the adult version of Chuck E. Cheese’s,” Dave & Buster’s boasts a lot of fun under one roof.  There’s a lot going on at Dave & Busters, unfortunately, the food aspect of things lacks the flash and excitement of the arcade side.

“But isn’t it just glorified bar food?” one might say.  “With a line-up of deep-fried-favorites, what do you expect?” 

You’re right. There are lots of appetizers masquerading as entrées… and vice versa.  The menu is mostly like a Friday’s or an Applebee’s.  Trouble is, the prices are too high, the portions are too small, and frankly, it seems like no one in the kitchen at Dave & Buster’s cares all that much.  That attitude shows in the lackluster food.  Wings included.

Buffalo Wild Wings – Grill & Bar

50633 Valley Frontage Rd

St. Clairsville, OH 43950 
(740) 695-2800

Is Buffalo Wild Wings the largest national wing franchise?  I’m not sure.  A quick google search yielded a lot of info on franchises…but nothing that answered my question.  It doesn’t matter anyway.  The point is that Buffalo Wild Wings seems to be the largest national wing franchise.  They are constantly expanding, building new restaurants, and their publicly traded stock has gone through the roof in the last year.  If you spend even just a little bit of time online reading about hot, chicken, or buffalo wings…you eventually arrive at someone raving and recommending Buffalo Wild Wings.  You’ll also see stories about people who don’t live near one wishing that they did.  And you’ll hear tales of people road-tripping far from home just to try Buffalo Wild Wings.  Well, I've finally got around to reviewing the big wing chain that's practically in my backyard. 

KFC - Sauceless Hot Wings

Saint Clairsville

68733 Mall Ring Rd

Saint Clairsville, OH 43950

The KFC Sauceless Hot Wings commercials have been relentless as of late.  They first came on and I scoffed.  Out loud.  But after seeing them over and over….and over…while watching the NFL playoffs, I decided to give in and try the “New” KFC Sauceless Hot Wings.  YUM! Brands…your unrelenting advertising got the best of me.

Applebee's

Saint Clairsville

50655 Valley Frontage Rd

(740) 695-8440

Applebee’s is a default kind of place.  You know what you like, and you know exactly what to expect.   You’ve probably got a few favorites on the menu that you get each time, rarely straying off the path.  That’s the good thing…and the bad thing…about Applebee’s.  And what may be worse…you don’t really expect much from Applebee’s.  Well…if you’re thinking about mixing up the same old routine with an appetizer or two…or if you’re just stopping in for some beers and a bite…I think you’ll be surprised by the wings. 

The Boston Beanery

Downtown Morgantown, WV

321 High Street

Morgantown, WV, 26505

Phone (304) 292-0165

http://www.bostonbeanery.com/

The Boston Beanery is a pretty famous local restaurant in and around Morgantown, WV.  In some ways, the Beanery is synonymous with Morgantown and WVU.  People talk about the Beanery and love to grab food and drinks there while they’re in town.   The High Street location in this review is the original location that has spawned a pretty successful regional chain of six locations in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Virginia.   

The Boston Beanery is modeled in tribute of the pubs of old town Boston.  This being the original location and at the mercy of a constant barrage of college kids, signs of wear are showing all around.  The place feels small, cramped, and frankly a little dingy.  But…also frankly…all that contributes to a certain irresistible charm.

I’ve enjoyed each of my visits and I’ve almost always been happy with my meals.  The menu is vast and sure to please anyone.   But enough about the place…what about the wings, you may ask.  Well….you saw the “almost always” a few  sentences ago, right?  The wings I had on this night were not up to par with the rest of the Beaneries quality menu…and more importantly…they were no where close to what a good wing should be!  What went wrong?

Quaker Steak and Lube - PNC Park

115 Federal St

Pittsburgh, PA 15275

(412) 323-5000

In the arena, behind sections 109 and 322. Open during all sporting events and most special events. Limited menu   available.

I know. It’s a little backward reviewing the Quaker Steak inside PNC Park before reviewing a brick and mortar QS&L proper. But that’s just the way it’s gonna be.

My past experiences with QS&L inside PNC Park have not been exactly stellar. As a rule, the wings are usually barely warm, sometimes chilly, without enough sauce or with too much sauce, and never crispy. If it weren’t for the sake of writing this review…I probably wouldn’t have bothered to get wings on this night. However, if I had opted for some other ballpark fair then I would have missed out on the best PNC/QS&L wings possible. Tonight, they nailed it!

Vocelli Pizza

740-695-4005

165 W Main St

St. Clairsville, OH 43950
http://www.vocellipizza.com/stclairsville_oh 

With a pretty good coupon burning a hole in my pocket I reluctantly decided to add an order of wings to my most recent request from Vocelli Pizza in St. Clairsville.   I say “reluctantly” because throughout my years of wing-eating, I’ve been let down again and again by take out, delivery and oven-baked wings.  I’ve discussed it before on this blog.  Takeout and delivery wings always end up a damp, soggy and lukewarm disappointment.  Plus these are oven-baked.  Sounds like a recipe for disaster.  Well, I can no longer say “always.”  Because this time I had a really good order of delivery wings. 

FROM THE NEWS DESK: Indigo Joe's Closes

Another one bites the dust.  The Highlands isn't looking so hot.  First Wings to Go..now Indigo Joes. 

Although I had yet to review their wings...I'd been there a few times and had fine meals with good service.  

I guess it all comes back to  "Location. Location. Location."

Sad news. 

A link to a news source that provide ZERO DETAILS.  Actually it doesn't even seem like reporting.  Anyway here's the link.  Indigo Joe's Closes at the Highlands in Ohio County

Has anyone tried their wings?  What did you think of them and Indigo Joe's in general?

Garfield's Restaurant and Pub

67800 Mall Road
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
(740) 699-4778

Garfield’s is the kinda place that’s not on the top of anybody’s list.  Good lists. Bad lists.  They just don’t seem to be on anyone’s radar.  Grabbing a meal at Garfield’s is usually more influenced by convenience than true craving.  Located inside the Ohio Valley Mall, Garfield’s anchors the wannabe-food court at the main entrance, along with Osaka Japanese Steakhouse and Fabio’s Pizza.  They’re not known for wings.  …or steaks …or burgers …er, wait a minute…they’re not really “known” for anything in particular. Are they?   But to be honest (and why wouldn’t I be?) I really enjoy the food every time I eat there.  Come to think of it, they used to have a kinda Mexican influence.  American food punctuated with enchiladas and quesadillas was the “thing”. Yeah, that’s it.  Well, that “thing” is gone as of my most recent visit.  Seems like an Applebees clone.  There is nothing particularly standout-ish about Garfield’s now…except a very surprising and pretty good order of wings.  

TJ's Sports Garden

808 National Road

Wheeling, WV 26003

(304) 232-9555
http://www.tjsportsgarden.com/

The time has come to review the wings at TJ’s Sports Garden. Sports and wings go hand in hand, so they gotta be good. TJ’s is arguably the most famous restaurant in the Wheeling, WV area.  Few others come close.  They’ve built a reputation on great food, good prices and providing a fun and safe place for every major demographic.  If it’s family friendly dining, getting your party started with friends on a weekend or gathering to cheer your favorite teams on the (what seems like a thousand) big screens…TJ’s can more than accommodate.

Background info and accolades aside…I’m here to review the wings.

The wings are tucked inconspicuously into the appetizers menu.  I’m not sure the wings are huge draw here for most people.  But that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be.  Tonight’s order was quite good. 

Domino's Pizza

105 Plaza Drive 

St. Clairsville, OH 43950

(740) 695-5500

Domino’s Pizza just recently put themselves through a major overhaul.  New pizza crust.  A new customer-friendly “tell us how we’re doing” approach. And, at least according to their website…new wings.  There aren’t a lot of details available on the new wings.  Straight from their online menu/ordering system, “Our new chicken wings are now tastier than ever.  Sauced with your choice of Hot, New Sweet Mango Habanero or BBQ Sauce.”

As you see, they make no other claims.  What about the crispiness? Are they breaded?  Oven baked?  Deep fried?  Let’s find out, shall we?

Generations Restaurant & Pub

338 National Road
Wheeling, WV 26003

http://www.generationswhg.com/

Generations has been a staple of Wheeling, WV for a loooong time. At least it seems that way. I’ve had their wings before.  But it’s been a while…and I have to admit, I don’t ever remember them being as good as they were tonight. 

Wednesday nights at Generations is Wing and Perogie night.  You read it right.  Wings.  And Perogies.  As if the Wing Night special wasn’t enough…I have  to admit, the perogie addition was quite an attractive bonus.  Both wings and perogies are 40 cents each.  Sounds good! 

Wings To Go - The Highlands

http://www.wingstogowv.com/

The first time I tried Wings To Go was shortly after they first opened.  In anticipation, I  had researched their menu online at other Wings To Go locations. I was more than excited to try the new wings in town.  They are a national chain, after all.  They must be doing something right! Right? 

West Texas Roadhouse

West Texas Roadhouse
50880 National Road
St. Clairsville, Ohio 43950

Phone: (740)695-6611

http://www.mightyfinegrub.com/

We were out n about on a Monday evening and neither one of us felt like cooking or cleaning the kitchen after cooking…so like every other American with a dime in their pocket, we opted for convenience and went out to eat.  As so often occurs, I was in the mood for wings.  I had tried the wings at West Texas Roadhouse before I started this blog, so I knew they were good enough to satisfy my craving.  And recently I had West Texas Roadhouse wings on a take out order…but it was time to review the wings properly.

Buffalo Wings and Rings

Buffalo Wings and Rings

1730 Julian R Allsbrook Hwy
Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870
http://www.buffalowingsandrings.com/

We were traveling on family matters to Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina and it so happened that right next door to our Hampton Inn was a welcoming site. ..a wing joint,  “Buffalo Wings and Rings.”  Located in a strip mall/shopping plaza, this place is has all the indications of a national sports-themed chain.  Though, among the decorations are local sports teams to give it that hometown feel.  Who cares really?  The place was cool, clean and laid back with a long bar or table service…so that’s enough for me.  Needless to say…I had to stop in and try the wings…and the rings. 

Drover's Inn

Drover's Inn
1001 Washington Pike
Wellsburg, West Virginia 26070
(304) 737-0188
http://droversinn.net/

Drover’s Inn.  Ah, Drover’s.  Quite a reputation around the area to say the least.  Their slogan sums that up.  “If you haven’t tried our wings then you don’t know what you’ve been missing.”  So, how do they rate under review?