National Chicken Wing Day

National Chicken Wing Day, observed on July 29, is a delicious celebration of one of America’s favorite comfort foods. Whether they’re spicy, smoky, tangy, crispy, or sweet, chicken wings bring people together over shared plates, creative flavors, and plenty of enthusiastic conversation.

Celebrate by visiting a favorite wing spot, trying a new sauce, or preparing a batch at home with friends and family. From classic Buffalo wings to inventive seasonings and dipping sauces, July 29 is the perfect occasion to enjoy this versatile dish and appreciate the creativity behind every flavorful bite.

National Chicken Wing Day is observed annually on **July 29**. The observance is closely associated with Buffalo, New York, a city that gave its name to one of the world’s best-known preparations of chicken wings. Its history is tied to the broader development of Buffalo-style wings: deep-fried wings served with a spicy sauce and commonly accompanied by celery and blue-cheese dressing.

The modern Buffalo wing is generally credited to **Anchor Bar in Buffalo**, where Teressa Bellissimo is widely said to have prepared fried chicken wings with hot sauce in 1964. At the time, wings were often treated as an inexpensive or less desirable part of the chicken. The popularity of the sauced wings helped change that perception, turning them into a distinctive restaurant food and, eventually, a major part of American casual dining.

The observance itself dates to **July 29, 1977**, when Buffalo mayor Stan Makowski issued a proclamation recognizing the day as Chicken Wing Day. What began as a local celebration gained broader attention as Buffalo wings spread through restaurants, sports bars, takeout establishments, and national food chains. Over time, the name “chicken wing” came to encompass many styles, including barbecue, garlic-parmesan, honey-based, and extremely hot varieties, while the Buffalo preparation remains the historical reference point.

National Chicken Wing Day also reflects the food’s cultural significance. Wings are strongly associated with communal occasions such as sporting events, parties, barbecues, and informal gatherings, where they are ordered in large quantities and shared. The day celebrates both the culinary identity of Buffalo and the transformation of an inexpensive cut of meat into a widely recognized American food. Today, July 29 provides an annual occasion for restaurants and diners to highlight traditional Buffalo wings as well as the many regional and international variations that have developed from them.