Top 10 Best Chicken Wings in Minnesota

Minnesota’s chicken-wing scene is far more diverse than many diners realize. Across the state, wing lovers can find classic Buffalo wings in downtown Minneapolis, enormous sauce selections in Oakdale, applewood-smoked wings at a neighborhood brewpub, Beijing-style dry-rub wings, Chinese-style fried wings, and small-town favorites worth leaving the Twin Cities to try. This Discovery Matt Food Map ranking highlights Minnesota restaurants that stand out for crispness, meat quality, signature sauces, consistency, originality, local reputation, and overall wing experience.

1. 1

   Runyon’s

   Minneapolis

   Runyon’s takes the top spot as Minnesota’s benchmark destination for traditional Buffalo wings. The downtown Minneapolis tavern has served its signature recipe for more than four decades, focusing on crisp wings coated in a tangy, buttery Buffalo sauce. Its simplicity, consistency, and deep local following make it the safest overall choice for No. 1.

   Known for: Classic Buffalo wings, signature sauce, extra-crispy preparation, downtown tavern atmosphere

2. 2

   D-Spot

   Oakdale

   D-Spot is a true destination for diners who want almost unlimited wing variety. Its extensive menu covers sweet, savory, spicy, fruit-based, curry-inspired, and extremely hot sauces, with unusual combinations that are difficult to find anywhere else in Minnesota. The creativity and sheer number of options have helped D-Spot build a statewide following.

   Known for: Extensive sauce selection, creative flavors, extreme heat levels, wing-focused menu

3. 3

   Ray J’s American Grill

   Minneapolis

   Ray J’s American Grill is known for serving some of the largest and meatiest wings in the Twin Cities. Diners can choose from Buffalo, homestyle, Asian, barbecue, habanero, and other preparations, often paired with the restaurant’s house-made garlic or blue-cheese sauces. The substantial size and consistent execution have made Ray J’s a longtime Minneapolis favorite.

   Known for: Jumbo wings, Buffalo sauce, homestyle seasoning, house-made garlic dip

4. 4

   The Monte Carlo

   Minneapolis

   The Monte Carlo serves one of Minnesota’s most recognizable nontraditional wing preparations. Its Beijing-style wings arrive dry rather than heavily sauced, with a crisp exterior and a savory seasoning blend that has developed a following of its own. The distinctive flavor and historic restaurant setting make them unlike almost any other wings in the state.

   Known for: Beijing-style wings, dry seasoning, crispy exterior, historic Minneapolis atmosphere

5. 5

   Cedar Inn

   Minneapolis

   Cedar Inn has built decades of neighborhood loyalty around its unusually large chicken wings. Often nicknamed “pterodactyl wings,” they are coated in classic Buffalo sauce or one of several alternative flavors and served with ranch or blue cheese. Their massive size and long-running reputation make Cedar Inn one of Minnesota’s essential old-school wing stops.

   Known for: Jumbo “pterodactyl” wings, Buffalo sauce, multiple flavors, neighborhood-bar setting

6. 6

   Northbound Smokehouse & Brewpub

   Minneapolis

   Northbound Smokehouse & Brewpub offers one of Minnesota’s strongest smoked-wing experiences. Its jumbo wings are smoked over applewood before being finished with options such as Buffalo sauce, jerk seasoning, barbecue, Alabama white sauce, or a dry rub. The smoking process creates a deeper flavor than a standard fried wing while preserving a tender interior.

   Known for: Applewood-smoked wings, jerk rub, Alabama white sauce, house-brewed beer

7. 7

   Skinner’s Pub

   Saint Paul

   Skinner’s Pub is a classic Saint Paul neighborhood restaurant with a loyal following for affordable, straightforward wings. Its bone-in wings are available plain or coated in flavors such as Buffalo, Cajun, honey spice, bourbon teriyaki, and barbecue. Crisp preparation, variety, and an unpretentious pub atmosphere make Skinner’s a dependable local favorite.

   Known for: Crispy bone-in wings, honey spice, bourbon teriyaki, neighborhood-pub value

8. 8

   Hickory Hut and Art Song’s Wings

   Saint Paul

   Hickory Hut carries on the Saint Paul wing tradition associated with Art Song’s famous recipe. The wings lean toward a barbecue-style preparation, offering a seasoned, flavorful alternative to the Buffalo wings found at many other restaurants. Its long-running local support and connection to a recognizable Twin Cities wing name earn it a place in the statewide Top 10.

   Known for: Art Song’s wing recipe, barbecue-style wings, bucket orders, longtime Saint Paul following

9. 9

   Choo Choo Restaurant & Bar

   Loretto

   Choo Choo Restaurant & Bar gives the ranking a true small-town destination outside the core Twin Cities. Its famous Choo Choo wings are offered in several sauces and seasonings, including Buffalo, dry-rub jerk, sweet chili, and honey mustard. The family-owned atmosphere and enthusiastic local following make the drive to Loretto worthwhile for serious wing fans.

   Known for: Choo Choo wings, dry-rub jerk, sweet chili sauce, small-town hospitality

10. 10

    Ho Ho Gourmet

    Saint Paul

    Ho Ho Gourmet rounds out the ranking with a Chinese-style wing experience that differs from Minnesota’s sports-bar favorites. Its wings are fried until crisp and seasoned with savory, garlic-forward flavors rather than being covered in traditional Buffalo sauce. Their popularity as both an individual order and a large party-tray option has made them a longtime Saint Paul favorite.

    Known for: Crispy Chinese-style wings, savory seasoning, garlic flavor, large party trays