A week or so ago, my buddy Andy who I worked with at Century College, said he had been craving wings and wanted to get together for dinner and eat them. Not knowing any good wings places downtown (no, Hooters is not an option), I did what I do best and consulted the Internet:
1. First I checked this dumb website I heard of called Lazy Lightning:
Back in July there was a post asking where you could find the best hot wings in Minnesota. A bunch of people responded and gave me some great ideas. One respondent offered the suggestion of the “nuclear” wings at Runyon’s downtown.
2. Second I checked The Google and came across various reviews suggesting that Runyon’s had the best wings around. While not every review was glowing, I figured it was good enough.
3. I consulted with a few foodie friends, MSPD in particular, and while there were several options offered, every single one mentioned Ruynon’s.
—
We arrived on Thursday at around 4:45 and found only a few people in the bar, including my old pal Andy. We sat down in a very roomy booth which could seat about 100 people and looked at the menu on the table. There was only one option for wings, thus no “nuclear”, and they had three size options (not by a number of wings mind you) and we ordered the largest plate (which the waitress said numbered 36) for $25.95. It came with two containers of bleu cheese and celery sticks
We waited quite a while for the wings but our server was quite attentive and, in general, awesome. I don’t think any of us ever had a drink go empty without her being there to refill it. While the place wasn’t busy, it was still nice to have someone take such good care of us.
Eventually our ginormous plate of wings arrived with the huge containers of bleu cheese and the pile of celery. These are not your BW3 shot glass sized containers of watered down dressing. Nope, these are chunky, thick, and fairly sharp bleu cheese high ball glasses filled with gooey goodness. The wings were what I would expect when you’re talking straight up Buffalo wings. Bright orange, soaked in sauce–so much so that it was pooling at the bottom of the pile–and smelling like vinegar, chilies, and salt.
While the wings were normal sized, the drummies were a bit larger than what I’ve come to expect at your typical wing place. They were fried well and had a nice crunch as I bit in. The sauce was your typical Frank’s and butter type and certainly wasn’t overpowering in the least but man did they taste good. A nice chicken flavor as well as a great Buffalo sauce to boot. My sole complaint is the fact that after eating 11 of them, I noticed the heavy overtone of salt. Now, anyone else would have said, “you just ate 11 wings with Buffalo sauce, of course they were salty,” but you have to remember that I drink Frank’s for breakfast as a pick me up. This had to be something in the breading.
Other than that, this was one helluva pile of wings and well worth the price. I can’t remember the last time I sat down to eat 11 wings on an empty stomach and ended up pleasantly full as I got up to leave. This experience was quite reminiscent of my experiences out East with other places serving traditional wings. Very tasty and very memorable. My wife agreed.
We will be back and we both suggest that if you’re looking for some really good, straight up, wings that you head over to Runyon’s and order up a pile. You will not be disappointed.
Address:
Runyon’s
107 N Washington Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Phone::
612-332-7158
See all the pictures on Flickr here.
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January 22nd, 2010 at 10:51 am
That is a dumb website! All this food blogging and never once a mention of Tater Tots. Thats dumb. :)
But, nice coverage of suburban mayors and their antics. Love that.
January 22nd, 2010 at 11:04 am
Wow, that picture made me crave wings.
We have been going to Shamrocks on W 7th in St Paul quite a bit lately, they have pretty good wings, and they do offer a hot wing challenge where you get a free t shirt if you can eat them. Might be right up your alley.
Maybe weather permitting I will have to journey to Runyons this weekend.
Thanks for the review.
January 22nd, 2010 at 11:11 am
C H A L L E N G E? Nice. UPWTM you in?
January 22nd, 2010 at 11:15 am
I also just noticed that the website says Casper’s and Runyon’s Nook and Casper and Runyons Shamrocks. Not sure if they are the same people who own Runyons?
Perhaps MSPD or someone knows the answer?
Regardless, I think thier next location should be in the empty space overlooking Nicollet Commons Park.
http://www.crnook.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=94&Itemid=102
January 22nd, 2010 at 12:43 pm
I think I’ll pay Shamrocks a visit. First, I’ll check out their website for the challenge rules.
January 22nd, 2010 at 12:54 pm
too bad tracaderos (or however it’s spelled) is closed. they had an awesome “southern style” buffalo wing. REALLY good. clearly marinated in buttermilk.
January 22nd, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Of course I do. Yes, same people. The Nook is always packed and unless you get there immediately after they open, the wait can be extremely long. I don’t recommend ever going in there if you’re in a hurry.
Shamrock’s is much larger, and while it can also be crowded, it’s generally quicker.
I’ve had many, many visits to both and haven’t noticed any difference in the food, but there is one person I know that claims there is (based on very few visits). Also, originally, they had a menu item or two from the Nook that they wouldn’t serve at Shamrock’s for some reason, but that is no longer the case.
Now…I have tasted the wings at The Nook, but I didn’t know they offered different kinds. Honestly, I don’t go there for wings. The kind I tasted were an Asian-type and were outstanding. They served them in a beer pitcher which ended up being pretty generous I think. I’d say give it a try.
99% of the time, I’m there for my Nookie Supreme and fries. My #1 burger in MSP.
January 22nd, 2010 at 1:46 pm
Sorry, I actually was wondering if there was a relationship between the Nook, Shamrocks, and Runyons? I only ask because on the website the name of both the Nook and Shamrocks is Casper’s and Runyon’s Nook and Casper and Runyons Shamrocks.
I did not know if the referenced Runyon is a partner in all three places?
January 22nd, 2010 at 2:08 pm
Ah. I’m fairly certain the Nook guys have no involvement in the Minneapolis place.
January 22nd, 2010 at 2:55 pm
…and as good as Frank’s Hot Sauce is (and I buy it in bulk from Costco) these restaurants that claim to have great wings and use Franks. Boring. Come on. Be innovative and come up with your own recipe.
January 22nd, 2010 at 2:59 pm
matt, I’m not quite sure why you’d bother if you’re going to make traditional wings. I mean the recipe is so straight forward that you’d be wasting your time.
January 22nd, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Oh hell yeah
January 22nd, 2010 at 6:03 pm
I don’t know how many times I’ve passed that place, and have never eaten there. I am always looking for the best buffalo wings, and I haven’t found any yet, so I must try! I love Frank’s, though it may be unpopular of me to say so!
January 22nd, 2010 at 6:21 pm
sorry folks, that pic looks like something with a 1/2 life of 205 years that should be sealed in concrete/lead lined 55 gal barrels and sent to the moon! or new jersey:)
bb
January 22nd, 2010 at 8:47 pm
bb, please elaborate.
January 22nd, 2010 at 8:54 pm
I’m probably wrong about this now, but previously you could order your wings “nuclear”, it wasn’t listed as a choice on the menu at that time either. It’s also been a couple years since I’ve been there so who knows, did you ask your server?
January 23rd, 2010 at 11:11 am
I think bb’s comment might be based off the unnatural orange color of the wings. And yes, I know that’s how they are supposed to look, but it makes more of an impression when it is photographed at such close range. :)
January 23rd, 2010 at 11:13 am
P-Funk, no, I didn’t ask. I was with two other people who don’t have the refined palate that I do so I was fine leaving it where it is. I’ll ask next time though.
January 23rd, 2010 at 12:37 pm
tim is correct! i’ll bet they glow in the dark too:)
bb
January 23rd, 2010 at 8:36 pm
I want to go to there.
December 2nd, 2011 at 8:17 am
Bill,
The Nook and Runyon’s in the same week. It appears you are a better man than me. Hats off.
lefty