
Fire Wings
Outstanding, authentic Buffalo wings and multiple gourmet-class alternative flavors
Over the past 20 years, chicken wings grew from regional obscurity to national ubiquity, largely thanks to entrepreneurs who exported and built upon Buffalo’s traditional hot sauce and butter recipe by offering alternate flavors. Few chains cared as much about getting the traditional sauce “right” as finding marketable alternatives to draw people in, so there’s a lot more variability in “Buffalo wings” outside Buffalo than within it. At the same time, the multiplication of wing chains and increasing demand for wings worked together to drive up wing prices, despite the fact that much of what was now being served was not particularly good.
Fire Wings is one of only two chains we’ve found in Orange County that offers truly authentic Buffalo wing sauces, a feat that’s even more impressive because its other flavors are equally compelling in flavor. Bone in or boneless, its spicy satay-like Peanut Butter wings manage to have just enough true peanut flavor without tasting gloopy or gross, Saigon Street is a scallion, honey, and fish sauce bomb, and Thai Chili wings similarly evoke the best sweet and spicy elements of Thai chicken dishes. While not every flavor is a hit, these (and others) are so delicious that even a former Buffalonian can order them alongside authentic wings without complaints. We aren’t as enthusiastic about the chain’s uninspired dry rub wings, but they’re only 1/3 of the 21-flavor menu.
Between the wings, good garlic fries, an atypically high-quality soda selection, and a nice collection of beer taps, Fire Wings does a good job of rounding out the “pub food” experience. Additionally, after a brief swap of dressings that didn’t work as well with the greens or the breaded chicken pieces, Fire Wings also does a very good job with salads, which provide great, healthier options for those who don’t want wing-focused meals. While we’ve also enjoyed their garlic noodles and chicken sandwiches on multiple occasions, each could benefit from a little more recipe and execution TLC to become equal or superior to top local alternatives.
Having visited many of the “choose your own sauce” wing chains that have popped up over the years, we have fairly high expectations for “great wings,” and that’s where Fire Wings excels – whether we’re ordering classic Buffalo or Asian fusion flavors, we know we’ll love whatever we get here. Along with Epic Wings, it’s one of the only wing chains we’d strongly recommend in the Orange County area.
Stats
Price: $$
Service: Counter
Open Since: 2015
Addresses
14376 Culver Dr.
Irvine, CA 92604
949.932.0033
Additional locations in Brea and Fountain Valley
Instagram: @firewings