Why Are They Called Buffalo Wings The Origin Story Explained

The crispy, saucy, finger-licking chicken wing has become a staple at sports bars, backyard cookouts, and game-day gatherings across America. But despite their global popularity, one question lingers: why are they called *buffalo* wings? The answer isn’t about bison or Western ranches—it’s rooted in a small city in upstate New York and a spontaneous kitchen decision that changed American food culture forever.

Buffalo wings aren’t named for the animal but for the city of Buffalo, New York. This culinary invention emerged not in a corporate test kitchen, but in a family-run tavern during a slow night in 1964. What began as a practical solution to an overstocked poultry delivery turned into a phenomenon that redefined how Americans eat chicken.

The Birth of the Buffalo Wing at Anchor Bar

The story begins at the Anchor Bar, a modest Italian-American restaurant founded by Teressa Bellissimo and her husband Frank in Buffalo’s historic First Ward. On a quiet Wednesday evening in May 1964, their son Dominic—a college student—stopped by with a group of friends. With little prepared for a late-night crowd, Teressa turned to the back of the kitchen, where a case of chicken wings sat unused.

At the time, chicken wings were considered a byproduct of butchering. Most restaurants discarded them or used them for stock. But Teressa saw potential. She deep-fried the wings until golden and crispy, then tossed them in a sauce made from cayenne pepper, butter, vinegar, and a few secret spices. She served them with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing—a cooling contrast to the heat.

According to Dominic Bellissimo, who confirmed the account decades later, the guests devoured them. Word spread quickly. Locals started asking for “those hot wings” from the Anchor Bar. Within months, the dish was added to the menu permanently.

Tip: Authentic buffalo wings are fried, not baked—the high heat creates the crisp texture essential for proper sauce adhesion.

A Local Dish Goes National

For years, buffalo wings remained a regional specialty. Travelers visiting Buffalo would stop by the Anchor Bar specifically for the wings, often calling them “Buffalo-style” to distinguish them from other spicy chicken dishes. By the 1970s, local newspapers and radio stations began featuring the recipe, and food journalists took notice.

The national breakthrough came in the 1980s. As chain sports bars like Hooters and Buffalo Wild Wings expanded across the country, they adopted variations of the original recipe. ESPN and televised football helped too—wings became synonymous with game-day eating. The term “buffalo wings” entered the mainstream lexicon, even though most people outside New York had never visited Buffalo.

“Teressa didn’t invent fried chicken, but she reinvented what we do with the humble wing. That moment in 1964 sparked a cultural shift.” — John T. Edge, Director, Southern Foodways Alliance

Debunking Common Myths About the Name

Despite the clear origin, several myths persist about why they’re called buffalo wings. Let’s set the record straight.

• Myth: They contain meat from buffalo (bison). False. The dish uses chicken wings exclusively. The name refers only to the city.
• Myth: The sauce was inspired by Western frontier flavors. No connection. The sauce is based on Louisiana-style hot sauces, adapted with butter for richness.
• Myth: The Bellissimos invented hot chicken wings. While they popularized the specific Buffalo style, spicy fried chicken existed in Southern U.S. cuisine long before. Their innovation was the butter-based cayenne sauce and serving format.

How Buffalo Wings Differ From Other Spicy Wings

Not all hot wings are buffalo wings. The authentic version follows specific criteria. Here's how it compares to similar dishes:

Feature	Buffalo Wings (Authentic)	General Hot Wings	Buffalo Chicken (Imitations)
Base Sauce	Cayenne pepper hot sauce + melted butter	Any hot sauce (e.g., sriracha, chipotle)	Mayonnaise or yogurt-based \"buffalo\" dip
Cooking Method	Deep-fried	Fried, baked, or grilled	Rarely whole wings; often shredded chicken
Serving Style	With celery and blue cheese dressing	Varies widely	In sandwiches, salads, dips
Origin	Anchor Bar, Buffalo, NY (1964)	Global variations	Commercial reinterpretations

The Cultural Impact of Buffalo Wings

What started as a last-minute meal grew into a billion-dollar industry. Today, the National Chicken Council estimates that over 1.5 billion wings are consumed during the Super Bowl alone. Buffalo, NY, embraces its culinary legacy with an annual Wing Festival that draws tens of thousands each summer.

The dish also influenced restaurant trends. The success of Buffalo Wild Wings—which opened in Ohio in 1988 and now operates globally—proved that a single regional dish could fuel a national chain. Other cities have since tried to claim their own “signature” wings, but none have matched the cultural footprint of the original.

In 2001, the Anchor Bar was designated a historical landmark by the state of New York. Though Teressa Bellissimo passed away in 2015, her recipe remains largely unchanged, still served with pride to tourists and locals alike.

Tip: For the best homemade buffalo wings, dry the wings thoroughly before frying—this ensures maximum crispiness.

Step-by-Step: Recreating the Original Buffalo Wing Experience

If you want to taste history at home, follow this timeline-inspired guide based on the original method:

1. Source fresh chicken wings (split into drumettes and flats, tips removed).
2. Pat wings dry and refrigerate uncovered for 4–6 hours to dehydrate skin.
3. Deep-fry at 375°F (190°C) for 10–12 minutes until golden and crispy.
4. Prepare sauce: Mix 1 part butter with 2 parts Frank’s RedHot (the brand Teressa reportedly used) and simmer gently.
5. Toss wings in sauce immediately after frying.
6. Serve hot with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing on the side.

Real-Life Example: A Wing Lover’s Pilgrimage

James Carter, a software developer from Austin, Texas, planned a road trip in 2019 centered around one goal: eating authentic buffalo wings at the source. “I’d had wings everywhere—sports bars, restaurants, even gourmet versions—but I wanted to know what started it all,” he said.

He visited the Anchor Bar, ordered the classic medium-hot wings, and described the experience as “a revelation.” The crisp skin, the tangy heat, the cool blue cheese—it wasn’t just food, it was context. “You realize you’re not just eating wings. You’re tasting a piece of American food history,” he later wrote in a blog post that went viral among food enthusiasts.

FAQ

Are buffalo wings always spicy?

No. While traditionally served with a spicy sauce, the level of heat can be adjusted. Mild versions use more butter and less hot sauce, while extra hot varieties add cayenne or habanero infusions. The defining feature is the flavor profile, not the intensity.

Can buffalo wings be made without frying?

Yes, but with trade-offs. Baking or air-frying produces a healthier option, but rarely achieves the same crispness. For closest results, bake on a rack at 400°F (200°C) for 40–45 minutes, flipping halfway.

Is Frank’s RedHot the only authentic sauce?

It’s the original, according to the Bellissimo family. Frank’s was commonly available in Buffalo at the time and balanced heat with tang. While substitutions exist, purists argue that Frank’s unique vinegar-to-cayenne ratio is irreplaceable.

Conclusion

The name “buffalo wings” is more than a geographic label—it’s a tribute to ingenuity, resourcefulness, and the unexpected ways food evolves. Born from surplus chicken parts and a mother’s quick thinking, this dish transcended its humble origins to become a symbol of American comfort food.

Understanding the origin story adds depth to every bite. Whether you’re enjoying them at a packed stadium or making them at home, you’re participating in a tradition that began in a small kitchen in Buffalo, New York, with nothing more than oil, butter, and bold flavor.

💬 Did you know the real story behind buffalo wings? Share your favorite wing memory or recipe in the comments below—we’d love to hear how this iconic dish shows up in your life!