After a long day at the beach, there’s only one thing on our minds. Pizza slices and saltwater taffy have their place, but we need something more. Something the whole family loves, and pairs great with an ice cold drink. We’re talking a massive platter of crispy, sauce-drenched wings from one of The 10 Best Restaurants for Jersey Shore Chicken Wings.
Whether you are searching for the best wings NJ has to offer to fuel a late-night hangout, or you’re specifically hunting for top wing spots on Long Beach Island after a long day on the water, this list has you covered. This year’s list features craft smokehouses serving up incredible jumbo smoked wings; historic pubs finishing their wings on the grill for that perfect char; and legendary (even historic) spots tossing drums and flats in dozens of homemade, wildly inventive sauces. If you want the absolute best buffalo wings New Jersey can fry up, these are the Jersey’s Shore Top 10 Wing Spots.
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The 10 Best
Jersey Shore Chicken Wings
Anchorage Tavern
Where: Somers Point
Details: The Anchorage Tavern is a legacy institution and an officially registered historic landmark in town. Fun Fact: It’s actually the oldest, continuously operated business establishment n Somers Point, first built in 1874. Which means the Victorian-styled restaurant has had over 150 years to perfect their wings and sauces. All buffalo wings come with the traditional side of celery and blue cheese, and a choice of three different sauces. The available options are Easy (mild), Spicy (hot), and Blistering (very hot).
Charlie’s Bar & Restaurant
Where: Somers Point
Details: No bar better captures the spirit of Cheers than Charlie’s Bar. The Somers Point landmark has been in operation since 1944, when Charlie Thomas first opened the doors. Today, it’s the fourth generation of the Thomas family carrying on the legacy. Their popular wings and BBTs (boneless breast tenders) are the stars of the menu. Wings come in orders of 10, 30, or 50, or go for the Wings & BBTs combo. Their curated selection of sauces include Tailgun (mild), Southwest (stealth BBQ), and Stinger (Tangy Sweet Honey Garlic).
The Chicken or the Egg
Where: Beach Haven
Details: The CHEGG on Long Beach Island is renowned for its wings. They hand-toss their menu of bone-in wings, veggie wings, tenders, and buffalo shrimp in 18 unique, homemade sauces. The selection ranges from traditional flavors like garlic parm and “MediYUMMM,” to more daring options like the infamous “Ludicrous” sauce. For those looking for something different, the “Santos” (spicy BBQ) and “Beesting” (honey sweet & spicy) are crowd favorites. Additionally, dry rubs like “Old Bay” and “Cajun Spice” provide bold flavors without added sauce.
The Court Jester
Where: Aberdeen | Freehold
Details: A perennial contender for Monmouth County’s best wings, The Court Jester is serious about chicken wings. Locals love that they have wings for the whole family, including boneless, crispy, drums only, or flats only orders. Their signature sauces range from classic BBQ or Teriyaki to Jack Daniels and Mango Habanero. Wing lovers should also take note that both the Aberdeen and Freehold locations offer weekly wing specials every Monday evening. Pair your favorite wings with a Monster Mug of your favorite beer for the ultimate combo.
Doyle’s Pour House
Where: Barnegat | Tuckerton
Details: Doyle’s Pour House famously allows patrons to ask for their wings to be served “back on the grill”. This gives them an extra crispy char. Whether you order them the traditional way or back on the grill, these jumbo wings come in 10 flavors. Longtime favorites include Old Bay, Bee Sting, Captain Morgan, Spicy Garlic, and their signature “Soccer” sauce. The latter combines their Captain Morgan & Spicy Garlic sauces into one explosion of flavor. Plan to visit on Thursday evenings to take advantage of Wing Night deals.
Frankie’s Bar & Grill
Where: Point Pleasant
Details: While Frankie’s is admittedly famous for their enormous char-grilled burgers, they are no slouch in the wings department. They offer their signature jumbo “Frankie’s Wings” either grilled or fried in their homemade, tangy buffalo sauce. Frankie’s take a “master of one” approach to their sauce, and though there isn’t a variety to choose from, every wing is well-sauced and perfectly cooked to give it that crispy crunch. The fried wings are great, but we recommend going for the grilled wings since that is Frankie’s signature method.
Jack’s Goal Line Stand
Where: Long Branch
Details: This All-American Sports Restaurant is known far and wide for their craft beers and chicken wings. Part of the draw is in their preparation, as Jack’s offers more than just classic buffalo and boneless wings. Their menu also includes oven roasted (never fried) wings, which they slow roast then finish on the grill. Their signature Goal Line Wings are marinated overnight in Frank’s Red Hot sauce, then flash fried and oven baked. For their traditional wings, they offer sauces such as Teriyaki, Honey Mustard, Garlic, and Honey BBQ.
Jersey Shore BBQ
Where: Point Pleasant Beach
Details: Owner and founder Douglas Walsh spent a decade in Texas learning the art of smoked meats. Now, he showcases his talents here in New Jersey. Though they only appear on the starters menu, locals know the Jumbo Smoked Wings are a meal unto themselves. Available in orders of 6, 12, or 25, these smoked wings come either sauced or with a dry rub. Sauce options include Jalapeño Honey, Habanero Apricot, Korean BBQ, Texas BBQ, and the Benny. The latter combines roasted garlic and cherry pepper butter.
Mutiny BBQ
Where: Asbury Park
Details: This craft smokehouse is a go-to spot for authentic small-batch BBQ. The menu merges flavors from traditional southern barbecue found in Texas, both Carolinas, Kansas City, Louisiana, and Memphis. Of course, all of the sauces and dry rubs are housemade, and even the sides are made from scratch. Their smoker uses 100% oak to give their meats a unique flavor and appearance. In addition, their smoke fried jumbo wings are dry-brined overnight and smoked, with a deep fry finish. This gives them the perfect crunch.
Stone Fire Grille
Where: Beachwood
Details: Stone Fire Grille serves mouth-watering, juicy wings in a variety of traditional and inventive flavors. Local favorites include the Grilled Honey Chipotle, Jerk Spiced, Bacon Blue, or Scapariello. The latter is a sauce made with basil, tomatoes, and cheese. They also offer classic BBQ, Buffalo, and Garlic Parm options. All wings come in orders of 10 at a time. Besides wings, Stone Fire Grille is also noteworthy for their Mac & Cheese menu. We highly recommend trying out their BBQ Pork, Short Rib, Buffalo, or Truffle mac & cheeses.
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Jersey Shore Chicken Wings FAQs
The Chicken or the Egg (aka The CHEGG) in Beach Haven and Marlton is the undisputed king of variety. They hand-toss their wings in 18 unique, homemade sauces ranging from mild garlic parm to their infamous, ultra-spicy “Ludicrous” sauce.
Jersey Shore BBQ in Point Pleasant Beach serves incredible Jumbo Smoked Wings (available sauced or with a dry rub). Down in Asbury Park, Mutiny BBQ dry-brines their jumbo wings overnight, smokes them using 100% oak, and then gives them a deep-fry finish.
The Court Jester (Aberdeen and Freehold) is a favorite for families, offering customizable wing orders with great Monday night specials. Meanwhile, Jack’s Goal Line Stand in Long Branch is a legendary sports restaurant known for their signature Goal Line Wings.
Frankie’s Bar & Grill in Point Pleasant is famous for their jumbo wings that are perfectly char-grilled in their homemade, tangy buffalo sauce. Similarly, Doyle’s Pour House (in Barnegat and Tuckerton) famously allows patrons to ask for their wings to be served “back on the grill” to make them extra crispy.
The Anchorage Tavern is the oldest continuously operated business in Somers Point (built in 1874) and serves traditional buffalo wings. Just down the road, the Fourth Generation Charlie’s Bar & Restaurant serves up their famous wings and Boneless Breast Tenders.
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