2025 Free Press Chicken Wing Challenge bracket is set: Vote in the first round now!
The bracket is set, and it's game on for the 2025 Detroit Free Press Chicken Wing Challenge.
On March 7, we asked readers to nominate their favorite independent restaurants serving the best chicken wings in metro Detroit. Hundreds of submissions later, we put together the 16-restaurant bracket, which will determine who will become the Chicken Wing Challenge champion on April 5.
Judging by the submissions we got, we know this is going to be well-fought bracket. Many southeast Michigan bars and restaurants are known for mighty fine and tasty chicken wings, from Shelby Township to Ann Arbor.
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First-round voting runs through Thursday.
Here are the matchups:
Sweetwater Tavern, originating out of downtown Detroit, has long been noted for its award-winning wings. The wings are marinated in their specially seasoned marinade for 24 hours, then deep-fried and seasoned again, according to its menu.
Brewligans Public House in Trenton offers its wings as drums and flats tossed in a choice of sauces or served naked with sauce on the side. There are ten sauces to choose from, including Brewligans Buffalo and Threat Level Midnight.
Anita's Kitchen started in Ferndale more than 40 years ago. It's wings are close to true Buffalo wing style, a reader wrote. But they also have crispness and the addition of garlic can sumac.
Noted as a classic bar and grill, the wings at Fairway Bar and Grill in Easpointe are juicy, deep-fried chicken wings covered in a choice of sauces.
Woodpile BBQ Shack in Clawson has smoked wings sprinkled with what one reader described as a 'magic seasoning.'
At The Oxford Tap, an Irish pub in Oxford, wings are a house specialty. A reader described its wings 'prepared just right and served with their tap sauce.'
Mavrix in Shelby Township got nods from readers for its huge wings. The wings are also described as extra crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. More than a dozen sauces are offered.A popular spot in Corktown, Batch Brewing Co. wings are smoked on site and tossed in a sauce. Szechuan Chili Crisp or Buffalo are two sauces listed on Batch's online menu.
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Ann Arbor's Side Biscuit is described as a 'cozy chicken wing and scratch biscuit spot.' It was noted for its perfectly cooked wings and array of sauces.
Brown Iron Brewhouse in Washington Township was nominated for its wings that are first smoked, then fried and sauced.
In Detroit, Zeeks Wings is a take-out spot only. Its noted for its crispy and jumbo wings described as 'premium' and offered with mild or hot barbecue sauce, Bourbon Cajun and Buffalo sauce.
One Under Craft Beer + Eats is a family-owned craft bar and restaurant in Livonia, and our 2023 Chicken Wing Challenge winner. Its wings got nods again for their size and sauce.
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Bugsy's in Warren was nominated for wings, first fried and then sauced. Once sauced, the wings are slightly charred on a grill.
Located in midtown Detroit, The Block's chicken wings are known as Woodward Wings, which are dry-rubbed and oven-roasted. The whole wings are served with barbecue, Buffalo or sweet chili sauce.
The Charlevoix's wings are one of the main choices on the menu of this neighborhood Grosse Pointe Park restaurant and bar. More than a half dozen styles are listed, including salt and vinegar and Thai.
Flowers of Vietnam's wings put this southwest Detroit spot on the map. The caramel chicken wings are whole wings that are fried Korean style and dipped in a savory caramel seasoned with fish sauce, chili and hard spice, and served with a herb mayo.
Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on X. Subscribe to the Free Press.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2025 Free Press Chicken Wing Challenge: Vote in first round!
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