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
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