Best wings ever – Eli’s House of Wings
That my friends is the home of the best chicken wings I have ever had. I’ve had my fair share of wings over the years and have even traveled for some good wings so to randomly get slapped in the face by goodness is always a sign of greatness. Yeah I’ve had Hooters, Primanti’s, Wing Kings and Quaker Steak which people hold in high regard around here and honestly they pale in comparison to the flavor packed into each wing.
Last Tuesday my brother and I drove to Erie for a 1 day trip to help mom find a new car. By the end of the day we had worked up quite a hunger when our salesman Mighty Mike Maggio suggested we stop by Eli’s for, as he said, “best wings you’ll ever eat.” Yeah I’ve heard that before right? He couldn’t have been more dead on.
When we pulled up it had the facade of a Pittsburgh steel mill bar. Something to keep in mind, these are usually the best places to eat. What amazed me is that I had lived in Erie until I was 22 and never heard of the place. Eli’s boasts a variety of 47 styles and pimps a t-shirt if you finish 40 of the flavors. We ordered 4 flavors. Pegasus Cajun (horseradish and cajun), Buffalo Blues (buffalo wing with blue cheese), Jamacian Jerk (full of flavor and baked) and a golden garlic. Since there were only 3 of us we found the perfect size in 8pc orders. The price is very inexpensive and the beer is cold. If you’re a craft beer fan don’t expect a wide variety besides football beers but that’s par for the course at most bars in Erie. Pictures above were taken with my camera phone and yes they look just as good in person.
Hours of operation are Monday thru Saturday 4p – 2a and Sunday’s during football season 12p – 8p. Use Google Maps to plan your trip to 1002 W 26th, Erie PA 16508 or call them at 814.454.0713 I don’t think they take credit cards so bring cash.
This place has won my stamp of approval as best wing place in my book and yes, I’m willing to drive 2 hours just for their great wings.
cheers!
Eli’s is all kinds of awesome. I’ve had wings from all of the places you mentioned and they can’t touch some of the Erie dive bars. At work we have a wing club where once a month we get together and try a new place. It gives the married guys an opportunity to get away from the wives and the single guys the chance to get all full and drunk. Keep these places in mind next time you’re back in town and need a wing. You’ve probably heard/had most of these, but if you haven’t I’d put these guys on par with Eli’s
1.) Park Tavern – Not many flavors but how many bars give you the option of getting your wings “extra crisy sloppy”? Great title for a porn and a great way to order your wings.
2.) Coach’s – They use the same recipe as the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, birth place of the winged chicken dinner. Bonus points: They have lots of tv’s and on those tv’s are lots of sports.
3.) Chippers – They have somewhere around 2,500 flavors…or so it seems. Dive bar, excellent wings.
4.) Fiddle Inn – If you can handle the trains rumbling by while you eat, you’re in for a tasty winged treat.
5.) Bootleggers – New to the wing game, but you’d never know it. Flavor country, they name is Bootleggers.
HOF Award – The best place in my opinion is the now defunct Fat Boys. It’s memory is ruined by the fact it was replaced by an upscale wine bar.
Next time you’re in Erie and feel the need to devour bird parts, the wings are on me.
Now see, this is the information that needs to be on a tour guide! thanks loco! We’ll be up the weekend of the 17th for a brewfest at BrewErie. Hopefully the first session. I need to break sickpuppy into the Erie ways. We’ll let ya know!
“extra crispy sloppy” is how I like my wings… and porn
I used to frequent Park Tavern as a kid after playing baseball. I forgot it was still around. Bootleggers has good wings? I always went there for the cheap beer and women back in the day. I heard great things about Fat Boys and was bummed last week to see that it was replaced with a wine bar. An upscale wine bar in Erie still amazes me. If Hooters can’t make it how will this place *haha*
mighty mike sent you there because he owns it!
Well it was good advice because I have yet to taste wings better than his.
Agree. Eli’s does have some of the best wings. I don’t even bother getting wings at places like Quaker Steak, mostly because they’re overpriced and disappointing.
If you want something a little closer to the ‘burgh, I can recommend a good dive bar in New Sewickley. 5 minutes from Cranberry. Good selection (30+), and cheap on wing night (Mon & Thurs). Better in the summer when you can sit outside (away from the smoke). Still go there in the winter though, it’s that good.
Whoops, how about a name? The name of the place is Rumor’s. Been going there for 7 years now, back when it was Nicki’s Roadhouse.
Someone told me about Rumors but I always forget to go there. that’s pretty damn close to me. I’ll have to talk Lushie into going out for wings. Thanks for the heads up