Savor the Stories Behind Our Favorite Flavors

This week’s AFRO Table celebrates the flavors that tell our stories. We’re diving into The Story of Chicken Wings in Black Food Culture—a beloved staple with deep roots in our community. Then, we’re taking a trip to the nation’s capital to explore how D.C.’s signature bites, from mambo sauce to half-smokes, continue to define its culinary identity. And because no summer spread is complete without wings, we’ve included a mouthwatering recipe for Grilled Buffalo Wings by Chef Kardea Brown that’s perfect for your next cookout.

Wings, Sauce, and Soul: The Story of Chicken Wings in Black Food Culture

There’s something undeniably magical about chicken wings. Whether they’re deep-fried to a golden crisp, slow-cooked and smoked, or oven-baked and drenched in sticky sauce, wings are more than just a snack — they’re a staple of Black joy, community, and flavor.

While chicken wings gained national attention thanks to the invention of the Buffalo wing in the 1960s, the bird itself has always played a central role in African American cuisine. During slavery and Reconstruction, chickens were one of the few animals enslaved people could raise and cook for themselves. Wings, necks, and backs — the parts others often discarded — became the base for some of the most flavorful, comforting dishes in the

The wing, especially, was prized for its rich flavor and versatility. Fried hard and seasoned well, it became a Southern classic. Smothered in gravy, it was a Sunday dinner favorite. By the 1980s and '90s, chicken wings exploded in popularity at cookouts, bars, Super Bowl parties, and fish fries — often accompanied by a little heat and a lot of soul.

Where to Get the Best Wings: Black-Owned Favorites

Here are just a few Black-owned spots across the country serving up wings that are more than worth the trip:

🍗 Dat Jerk – Chicago, IL Known for their jerk wings and island-inspired sauces, this Black-owned gem blends Caribbean flavor with Chicago soul. p

🍗 Trap Kitchen – Los Angeles, CA & Portland, OR What started as a pop-up turned into a sensation. Their wings are bold, juicy, and full of West Coast swag.

🍗 Wingz Around the World – Atlanta, GA With international flair and 25+ creative sauces, this spot celebrates Black culinary innovation — and Atlanta’s love affair with wings.

🍗Two Dough Girls – Philadelphia, PA Best known for soul food platters and their sticky-sweet BBQ wings that melt in your mouth.

🍗 Souley Vegan – Oakland, CA Even vegans get in on the wing game here with their famous crispy "Southern Fried Tofu" wings — proof that flavor knows no bounds.

🍗 Chicken + Whiskey – Washington, DC Their Peruvian-inspired wings blend Latin spice and Black Southern hospitality — all with a side of bourbon.

Why We Love Them

At their core, chicken wings represent more than just good food. They’re nostalgic, communal, and endlessly adaptable. They show how Black culture takes the simplest ingredients and turns them into something iconic — something that feeds both body and soul.

So whether you like them sauced and messy or dry-rubbed and crisp, just know this: every wing tells a story — one that’s rich with flavor, history, and heart.