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 second season of our highly anticipated Lebanon Valley “Wing Wars.” This season will feature four locations fighting 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.
Our second stop this season is over on the east end of Lebanon at a spot popular with the locals, the Gin Mill. Today’s offering came via a takeout order as our day and weekend was busy and we needed to grab and go.
Lebanon Gin Mill
Address
324 E. Cumberland St.
Lebanon, PA 17042
Phone: (717) 273-2729
Website
lebanonginmill.com
Kitchen Hours
Mon: 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Tue: 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Wed: 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Thu: 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Fri: 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Sat: 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Sun: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Today, we ordered four half-dozen orders: roasted garlic hot, sweet fire, garlic honey BBQ, and the flavor of the month, chimichurri. This place does not have a wing night special but does offer a wing flavor of the month. The wings are $7 for half a dozen and $14 for a dozen, celery and dressing included.
The traditional wings were a good size and came tossed in their sauce. The wings came crispy and seemed to have had flour added to the outside before frying to give that crispy fried texture.
They do have some different sauces beyond the norm here. The roasted garlic hot was a great combination of flavors. Garlic honey was more honey BBQ than garlic.
The chimichurri was a dry rub that was that surprise flavor here. I was not expecting this to be a great flavor. I was wrong. And the dry rub allows you to have that great crunch of the wing. The sweet fire sauce is a house made special sauce that today was on the sweeter side.
Our final impression:
- Great crispy edge to the wing
- Rotating flavor of the month for the wings
- No wing night specials.
- Traditional sauce flavors as well as some unique flavors
How will these rank amongst the others? Be on the lookout as we will head on over to our other two contestants, Frog’s Hollow and The Wetlands. Our first stop was at the K-Ville Hotel & Tavern. 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.