Wing Wars: Big Daddy’s (Lebanon Valley Food Critics)

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 judgement 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 central region by pitting the Big Daddy’s Ribs & Wings in Lebanon against The Red-Headed League in Lebanon.

Located at 2nd and Cumberland streets, Big Daddy’s is a mini sports bars and known wing joint. They boast a large variety of sauce flavors. They have wing specials Tuesday ($15.99/doz + 8oz draft), Wednesday ($13.99/doz boneless + 12oz draft), and Thursday ($10.99/doz).

Tonight, we ordered two dozen wings and got two sauces: Zesty Orange and Triple Play. It was hard to choose just two. On first bite, the Zesty Orange was lacking in the flavor. But after a couple of wings, that flavor jumped out and I loved it. This sauce appeared to be made in house but may have had too much cornstarch as the sauce was very sticky. Made for messy fingers.

The wings themselves were large. They took some time to come out, but they were fried with a little crisp on the skin and the inside of the wing was moist.

Another impression, Big Dady’s offers a wide variety of wing sauces. It would be hard to not find a flavor you like. They might even do some custom sauces if you ask nicely.

Our final impression:

• Large wings.
• Zesty Orange had good flavor, too sticky.
• Plenty of flavor options.
• They run several wing specials throughout the week.

Be on the lookout as we will head on over to our other contestant in the central region, The Red-Headed League, 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.