Rekindling the Flame: Flaming Wings

During my one-year sojourn in Singapore, one of the comfort food that I really missed and craved for was the good old buffalo wings.  Although the fried chicken wings of hawker fare had its own charm (even the wings at Ikea were good), nothing could replace the distinct tangy taste of buffalo wings.  

I am really so fortunate (or unfortunate, at times, because of traffic congestion) to live just behind the now famous foodie street of Aguirre.  A long-time resident of this street has been serving buffalo wings since time immemorial, keeping its cozy nook despite expanding all over the metro.  Flaming Wings, a favorite of budget conscious foodies, was a 5 minute walk away.

My last visit at Flaming Wings at their White Plains branch was a bit deflating.  So much so that I didn't visit this next-door branch.  But on this particular night, my craving for buffalo wings was overwhelming.  So off we strolled just behind our street.

The place is really small compared to their other branches, accommodating perhaps only about 20 people max.  They do have an extension next door, but it seems lonely to stay there.  Flaming Wings does offer other items such as pasta and even salad, for the health conscious.  But the wings are kings.

Mild N' Sweet, 3 Wings, P150

Mom was intolerable of spicy food, so we picked a lesser evil, the Mild N' Sweet flavor variety.  Of note, the joint serves their famous wings by the number - and three wings really mean three FULL wings, not just three pieces.  Again, some people prefer wings served by weight so they get more heft, but then, the weight of the bones has to be factored in.  In contrast, serving by the number seems more reassuring, but then some joints can cheat by serving minuscule, frog-leg sized wings.  

Consistently though, Flaming Wings serves wings of adequate proportions.  It does pale in comparison to the heftier portions of Wingman, but of course, this one is cheaper.  Nevertheless, the milder toned sauce draped every nook and cranny of each wing.  The exterior was crisp and perfectly deep fried.  The sauce seeped into the meat within, which was tender and juicy on its own.  Each order of a 3-wing set comes with a free dip (hooray!), and this honey-mustard further enhanced the hints of honey of this wing variety.

Wild, 3 wings, P150 and Wing Meal, P130

My tongue was longing for the heat, so sister and I ordered the Wild variety.  This was their hottest flavor, unlike other wing joints that offer much more.  Still, it was quite a daunting challenge.  The heat level was higher than I expected, but I managed to devour my 3-piece set.  Of course, my teary eyes and runny nose had to absorb all its effects.  What was strikingly different from my first foray in Flaming Wings was that the sauce here was so generous!  A pool of zesty buffalo wing sauce collected at the bottom of the basket, perfect for scraping up with each bite of wing.  The skin was crisp, as always, and the meat tender.  The dips we picked (bleu cheese and balsamic mayo) complemented the wings well.

Wicked Oreos, P80

To dissipate the heat, we ended our meal with the much sought after Wicked Oreos.  Three piece of Oreos were draped in buttermilk batter and deep-fried, topped with a large scoop of vanilla ice cream.

The batter was a tad too thick.  I would have preferred a thin, more crunchy texture.  Still, it was sweet and sinful enough.  The ice cream was not overwhelmingly sweet, but partnered with the cookies well.  A dash of chocolate powder and powdered sugar added some more saccharine goodness, as if the cookies itself weren't enough.  I wished they would serve more cookies though.

My return trip to Flaming Wings was redemption.  Perhaps this long-standing branch rewards its loyal customers by being more generous with the sauce and servings.  Or maybe back then, when I tried the White Plains branch, it had just recently opened and were ironing out some kinks.  Prices are dirt-cheap, easily one of the more affordable wing joints without sacrificing quality.  Needless to say, this more convenient location has reaffirmed the comforting goodness of their buffalo wings such that I would soon go back.  Frequently.

Jones

Flaming Wings (multiple branches)

302-A Aguirre Avenue

BF Homes, Paranaque City

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Flaming-Wings/265052803521204

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Light It Up! Flaming Wings

If there's something that I can't ever get enough of, it has to be fried chicken wings.  Korean, buffalo, or just plain fried, these pocket-sized dynamites are the surest way to perk up my otherwise ordinary day.  I could nibble on these members down to the bone that Bantay no longer has anything to chew on.  Maybe someday I'll grow my own wings!

And so, on a hungry drive home, there was absolutely no question when she suggested to try out another wing joint.  Flaming Wings had long stood amidst the restaurants that came and go along Aguirre Avenue, near my home.  But surprisingly, in more than 10 years that they have developed a loyal following, I had never set foot on their BF Homes branch even if it was just a stone's throw away.  Destiny dictated that I experience my first Flaming Wing encounter in a relatively newer and hipper branch along Katipunan Extension.  And so it was.

The picture says it all.

The shop was larger than the one in BF Homes, with tables also arranged out front for an al fresco feel.  The place was nearly packed that night, but luckily we found a comfortable spot near the glass panel windows.  The interiors were brightly lit and cozy, exuding a neighborhood diner vibe.  It felt a little cramped though, with the wash area literally beside a dining table.  Too bad for those seated there.

Surprisingly, they had a full-board menu, replete with pasta choice, rice combos, and even salad!  But we were here for one thing alone of course.  We quickly ordered two sets of 3 wings, with different flavors.  There were 6 flavors to choose from, rivaling that of Buffalo's Wings and Things.  Naturally, we opted for the spicier versions.

Original, 3 pieces, P147

After we placed our orders, I thought the 3 pieces were too few and too shabby.  It might not even tickle my stomach.  But when it arrived, I was delightfully surprised.  These were 3 whole pieces of wings - not the chopped up versions (the pointed part and the mini-drumstick) cooked up in some wing joints.  Although, these wings were a tad smaller than those I have tried in B.Wings and Ritchie's Diner.  The wings were perfectly deep-fried to a crisp, with the breading thin and light.  The meat was soft but rather dry.  The sauce which draped these was flawlessly tangy and had a slight kick, staying true to the original buffalo wing flavor.  Sadly though, the wings were coated too sparingly with the signature sauce.  By the time you get to the meat inside, the flavor was no longer there.  The only saving grace was that the garlic aioli dip I ordered with this was enough to rescue the lost quintessence.  Perhaps that's why the dip comes free with each order.

Wild, 3 pieces, P147

On the other hand, the Wild version amped up the flavor a few notches higher.  It had a bolder flavor, a stronger and spicier kick that tends to slowly release the pain with each successive bite.  The tangy overtones of the buffalo recipe was still present, although the spice level was overpowering.  Nevertheless, the kick was nowhere near the level of Buffalo's Wings and Things' Nuclear.  Again though, it seems they scrimped on the sauce.  I could barely taste it once I got to the meat inside.  The chicken itself was firm and thoroughly cooked, although a bit dry.  The ranch dressing we requested again rescued the wings from my total lambasting.

Flaming Wings was spot-on in its flavor, staying true to the Original buffalo tangy sensation while leveling up with its Wild version.  Strangely enough, at first bite of the Wild flavor, it tasted nearly the same as the Original, until you bite in succession and then that's when the spunk bursts forth.  I hoped that their thrifty sauce was just an aberration that night, rather than their usual mix.  It leaves me to wonder why would they scrimp on flavor when they actually have the right blend.  A few scoops of more sauce wouldn't hurt.  Some people just love licking the sauce off their fingers.  Like me.

Sipping the night away.

Nonetheless, the big 3-piece serving is enough to keep me coming back and craving for more. What with their nearest branch just a hop and skip from my home.  Hopefully, that branch serves  more sauce than the one along Katipunan Extension, which is relatively new.  Still, the latter branch deserves praise with a larger shop, more parking space, and a quieter atmosphere.  Service was prompt too.

Through the years, Flaming Wings has remained atop the battle for the best wings in the metro.  With its strategic locations across schools (rivals DLSU and Ateneo) and within swanky subdivisions, it has developed a die-hard following.  Rivals have arisen though, challenging for the top spots.  But with its refined original buffalo wing flavor and just a few minor tweaks, devoted fans are likely to still pick Flaming Wings over the others.  I, however, am more adventurous and would love to try a broader range of flavors and more creative concoctions.  Still, for that no-nonsense straight-up buffalo wing experience, Flaming Wings will surely light me up.

Flaming Wings

Katipunan Avenue Extension (right past Pinesville Road in White Plains)

Quezon City

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Flaming-Wings/265052803521204

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