Editor’s Note: Last year, Michael and Nicole Borrell began reviewing Lebanon Valley’s restaurants and eating attractions as the Lebanon Valley Food Critics. Since then, the couple has aimed to offer unbiased reviews of the eating and drinking establishments the Lebanon Valley has to offer. LebTown is pleased to be partnering with LVFC to share these reviews with our readers. Bon appétit!
Welcome to the first season of our highly anticipated Lebanon Valley “Wing Wars.” Eight entrants from four regions of the Valley will compete, bracket style, to be declared the winner of Best Wing in The Valley.
Our judgment will be based upon several factors, including wing sauce/rub flavor, size of wing, how they’re cooked, presentation, and critic impression.
We begin in the east region pitting the Union House in Richland against The Blue Bird in Cornwall.
Located along East Main Street, The Union House has wing specials every Thursday and Sunday, $8 for a dozen or $15 for two dozen. You can get two different wing sauces per order. Inside, the bar and dining area are in a single large area. Reservations are recommended on wing nights as it can get busy.
It took me back to my college days where my friends and I would go out for 10-cent wings, fries, and pints on Thursday night to the bar off campus.
Union House Taproom & Livery
Address
12 E. Main St.
Richland, PA 17087
Phone: (717) 866-9394
Website
theoldunion.com
Hours
Mon: 3 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Tue: 3 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Wed: 3 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Thu: 3 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Fri: 3 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Sat: 3 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Sun: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Tonight, we ordered two dozen wings and got four sauces: Old Union, Pineapple Teriyaki, Sweet Fire, and Jamaican-Me-Hot. Each order was had ample amount of wing sauce for the given number of wings.
The wings themselves varied in size, but overall were pretty average. I had one wing that was the smallest, but it had more meat than some of the larger wings. Like I always say, the larger wing is not always the best. The wings were fried well. They had a level of crispiness and were juicy on the inside.
Our second impression, the wing sauces were a little lacking on the heat. The Sweet Fire, a BBQ and hot mix, was mostly sweet BBQ. The Pineapple Teriyaki had little to no teriyaki flavor and towards the end was a mush of pineapple.
The Old Union, on the other hand, was a great sauce flavor. A mix of Old Bay, honey, and hot sauce, this stood out as an amazing flavor of wing. While not strong on the heat, the honey flavor was a nice subtle touch to complement the wing.
Our final impression:
- Wings were average size, fried very well.
- Sauces with heat, lacked the heat aspect.
- The Old Union was a standout on wing flavor.
- A good value wing night special at a pretty nice place.
Be on the lookout as we will head on over to our other contestant in the east region and see how they compare. After which we will announce the winner.
If you have a restaurant you would like us to visit or review, whether a place you like or are nervous to try, please message us on Facebook or email lvfoodcritics@outlook.com and let us know. We thank everyone for the recommendations and the kind words we have received.