Table Hopping with Morris Gut: Winging It!
Like finger foods? Here is a short list spots where good plump chicken wings fly out of the kitchen in a variety of flavors…
BEECHMONT TAVERN, NEW ROCHELLE
I like vintage pubs and taverns. They have so many stories to tell. They are a living history of the communities they serve often filled with nostalgia and memorabilia. Also enjoy a good pour from the bar, hearty finger foods, wings, big juicy burgers and fries. Recently got back to the Beechmont, across from IONA University. It has been around since 1928, they say, and proprietor Rob Hayes, a former IONA student, has had it since 2018. He has been upgrading the premises and has added more TVs for your sporting enjoyment. And the wings coming out of this kitchen are legendary. www.beechmonttavern.com
JACK’S BAR & RESTAURANT, EASTCHESTER
Always finding more ways to enjoy Jack’s. I sometimes like to sit at the woodfired pizza station along the bar and watch Hermosinda, their intrepid and talented ‘pizzaioli’ do her work. The pizzas coming out of that oven are wonderful and rival anyone in Westchester. I also discovered Jack’s woodfired chicken wings, roasted in that oven right in front of you. They are meaty, moist and super flavorful. Of course, their regular menu of elevated tavern specialties is also available. www.jackseastchester.com
TUCK’D AWAY, TUCKAHOE
Michael Cuozzo operates a friendly tavern on Yonkers Ave. that offers delightful comfort foods and reasonably priced Happy Hours. Tuck’d Away Wings fly out of the kitchen here in a variety of styles: Buffalo-style, BBQ, spicy peanut, Thai chili, Tequila lime, teriayaki, honey chipotle, sweet jerk, garlic parmesan, or plain fried. There are salads, burgers and assorted main courses. Special promo days throughout the week. www.tuckedaway90.com
THE CANDELITE INN, SCARSDALE
The ongoing debate about who serves the ‘best chicken wings’ rages in all corners of the Hudson Valley to say the least, but when it comes to taste and popularity, the long-running Candlelight Inn operating since 1955 out of a vintage free standing red wood tavern on Central Park Ave. in Scarsdale, always shows up among the finalists. I can see where their legendary status comes from. The wings are served attached, the flats and drumsticks spread out with all the fixings on the side. Easy to pull apart, dip in the sauce, and chomp away. Plump, meaty and crisp. www.candlelightwings.com
(Morris Gut is a restaurant marketing consultant and former restaurant trade magazine editor. He has been tracking and writing about the food and dining scene in greater Westchester for 30 years. He may be reached at: 914-235-6591. E-mail: gutreactions@optonline.net)