If lemon pepper wings have an official hometown, it is Atlanta. It was there where their hip-hop culture and strip clubs gave birth to this cult favorite.
The story goes that folks at strip joints would sprinkle lemon pepper seasoning to deaden the heat from the buffalo sauce. It’s an interesting story that begs the question: Who carries lemon pepper seasoning in their pocket?
According to a poll from the National Chicken Council, the three most popular sauces for dipping chicken wings are buffalo, BBQ, and ranch. Dry rubs aren’t a big deal in the world of wings unless we’re talking lemon pepper.
Lemon pepper was initially used to season fish but has found new life as a crispy wing enhancer. The seasoning mix features granulated lemon zest and black pepper as its two main components.
The lemon pepper wing‘s creator will probably never be known, much like the history of my beloved hamburger. It’s okay, though; look how well-ground beef patties on a bun have done for themselves.
Let’s EAT Lemon Pepper Wings
Snappers Fish and Chicken
Snappers Fish and Chicken has lemon pepper wings on its menu. The best part is that you don’t need to get out of your vehicle. Instead, after a short, unintelligible conversation at the drive-thru, you pull around, pay at the window, and then park in the front for what is a regular thing: the waiting game.
Everything is fried to order, and when the wings finally arrive, they are super hot. After lifting the container’s lid, my eyes take in the beauties. These are whole wings, so you must do a little work.
Here’s a tip: wait until they cool down enough to separate the flats from the drums or vice versa. I burned my fingers trying to separate them, but it was worth it.
They come with a side of hot sauce and french fries, which is pretty much the standard in the 305.
Crispy AND Dusted
The wings are super crispy and dusted with lemon pepper seasoning. The salty, tart flavor isn’t overpowering, and with each successive bite, you want more. Other nuances in the taste include onion, garlic, and a light touch of salt. This combination would work nicely on some freshly popped popcorn, too.
A heavy-handed salt could have easily tanked the delicate blend and possibly had you scrambling for blood pressure medication. But, of course, no one needs that in their life, am I right?
The lid of the little hot sauce container was never unearthed, so it doesn’t need it. And the fries? Well, they’re of the standard variety with that crispy coating that adds texture but not much flavor.
They’re also better at holding their temperature than their nude counterparts and perfect for dipping since the sauce adheres to them better. Of course, you’re not going to run home and start an Instagram fan page about these fries, but they do their job.
Snappers Fish and Chicken
5330 NW 17th Street
Miami, FL
(305) 691-8540
Website – https://snappers17.com
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/Snappers54
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069247460713
Monday 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Tuesday 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Wednesday 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Thursday 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 12:00 am
Saturday 10:00 am – 12:00 am
Sunday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Is One Lemon Pepper Wing Better?
After visiting Supreme Sharks Fish and Chicken, Lemon Peppers, and Wings on Fire drive-thru spots for lemon pepper wings over the following week, Snapper’s still held up relatively well.
Was there one that outshined the others?
All four restos serve their food similarly, which holds the heat well but could cause some steaming and, in turn, sogginess of the breading. Each was sampled while still in the restaurant’s parking lot to get an authentic, just-out-of-the-fryer experience.
The prices at all the drive-thrus for six whole wings with french fries range between $6.99 and $8.99 plus tax. After the recent chicken wing drought, you can expect the prices to go up a little unless something changes.
Supreme Sharks Fish and Chicken
Supreme Sharks Fish and Chips is CLOSED5351 NW 27th Avenue
Miami, FL
Lemon Peppers
Lemon Peppers
2701 NW 54th Street
Miami, FL
(305) 634-3900
Website – https://lemonpeppers.com
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/lemon_peppers
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/lemonpeppersmiami
Monday 10:00 am – 1:00 am
Tuesday 10:00 am – 1:00 am
Wednesday 10:00 am – 1:00 am
Thursday 10:00 am – 1:00 am
Friday 10:00 am – 2:00 am
Saturday 10:00 am – 2:00 am
Sunday 11:00 am – 1:00 am
Wings On Fire
Wings on Fire edged out the others with crispier and better-coated wings. Their lemon pepper blend was more lemony and slightly less peppery than the others. Plus, who knew Wings on Fire had a killer cheesesteak?
Cause I sure didn’t!
Wings on Fire
6580 NW 22nd Avenue
Miami, FL
(786) 703-5071
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/miamiwingsonfire
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/Wingsonfire305
Monday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Tuesday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Wednesday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Thursday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Friday 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Saturday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sunday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm