To celebrate school’s start, try winging it

That jubilant scream reverberating through the city last Wednesday

morning was my knee-jerk reaction to the boys’ return to school. It

was impossible to contain my excitement with the smell of freedom (my

freedom!) permeating the air. It was cause for celebration -- but

where?

In the absence of any Wednesday morning champagne brunches, the

festivities were delayed until dinnertime. But by the time the

well-oiled machine of Ron, Beth and I had picked up two kids from

baseball, two kids from soccer and one teenager from home, dining out

was as much a time management necessity as a celebration.

With everyone accounted for, the eight of us descended upon

Buffalo Wings ‘n’ Things for a fun-filled dinner. “Wings” refers to

Buffalo-style chicken wings, and “Things” refers to dogs, burgers,

ribs, fries, sandwiches and finger foods.

Ordering the Wednesday night special was a no-brainer. For $19.99,

you get two large baskets of wings, a large order of curly fries and

a pitcher of any beverage. It took a nanosecond to decide our pitcher

should be filled with Coors Light. As far as I was concerned, the

kids could drink whatever Gatorade was left in their sports bottles.

At Wings ‘n’ Things, you can get authentic or garlic wings in an

array of spiciness, starting at mild (no spice) and medium (tangy for

kids, tame for adults) and progressing to hot, x-hot and beyond hot.

What their wings lacked in meatiness, they made up for in flavor --

especially the crispy garlic wings.

Cooling celery sticks and blue cheese dressing accompany the

wings, but Ron (a mucho macho muchacho) believes a fiery mouth is

best soothed by cold beer.

We sidestepped the baby back ribs, the bratwurst with sauerkraut

and the sausage sandwiches (Polish and Italian) to partake in a

variety of finger foods and specialty sandwiches.

All three sandwiches we tried were yummy. The original “beef on

weck” had lean roast beef piled high on a thick and salty Kummelweck

bun. In case a week’s worth of sodium isn’t enough, this sandwich

also comes with a cup of au jus and house-made potato chips.

The garlic steak sandwich had thinly sliced steak sauteed in

garlic butter and draped with melted cheddar cheese on a sub roll.

The homemade potato salad accompanying it was great.

Our country western chicken sandwich (anyone thinking Carl’s Jr.?)

featured a thin, grilled chicken breast coated with barbecue sauce

and topped with bacon, cheese and a small onion ring.

Wings ‘n’ Things, a home away from home for Buffalo Bills

boosters, shows every Bills game on the big screen. I’ve never been a

big Bills fan, although I remember the “Electric Company” Bills back

when defensive linemen where the only thing O.J. was running from.

I loved the popcorn chicken bites made from breast meat. I also

dug the jalapeno poppers.

A couple of the more interesting finger foods are the Rachel

rooster rinds (deep-fried chicken “coverings” dipped in Buffalo wing

sauce) and the Buffalo rolls (rolled chicken breast dipped in hot

sauce).

For dessert, the kids relished some freshly baked chocolate chip

cookies.

The adults finished with “Buffalo chips” -- chocolate-covered

macaroons, which are good but pale in comparison to the homemade

batch my friend Alison gives me every Christmas.

A month from now, when I’m lamenting the loss of sleeping in and

complaining about homework loads, I’ll head back to Wings ‘n’ Things

and pacify myself with some garlic wings and a beer.

* JOHN VOLO is the Independent restaurant critic. If you have

comments or suggestions, e-mail [email protected].

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