I've known about Shwings for about four years now. Back when I worked nearby, it was one of my…read moreregular lunch stops whenever a craving for wings kicked in. I'd grab an order, enjoy my lunch, and get back to my day. Once I stopped working in the area, those visits naturally came to an end, especially with the restaurant being about 40 minutes from where I live. Recently, I finally made the drive back. I wondered whether it would be as good as I remembered, but the moment the food arrived, I had a familiar feeling. The wings looked crispy, with plenty of sauce coating them. It was the kind of first impression that makes you eager to dig in. I remember having that same reaction years ago, and it was nice to see that some things hadn't changed.
This time I ordered two BBQ tenders and five Buffalo wings. I came back with the wings in mind, but decided to try the tenders first. And wow, I'm glad I did. The chicken was incredibly juicy, flavorful, and so tender it almost melted in my mouth. The outside had a light crisp, just enough to give each bite some texture without getting in the way of the chicken itself. I don't think a thick, heavy coating would have improved them. The BBQ sauce was sweet and savory, adding another layer of flavor while allowing the chicken to stand on its own. Everything complemented each other nicely, from the tenderness of the meat to the sweetness of the sauce. I expected to enjoy the tenders, but I didn't expect them to make me question which part of my order I'd like more.
Then I moved on to the wings, and they were just as good as I remembered. They were medium-sized, with a light, satisfying crisp on the outside and juicy chicken underneath. I've had wings where the crunch takes over or the sauce has to do all the work, but these had a nice balance. The Buffalo sauce was mild, with subtle hints of butter that gave it a little richness. It still tasted unmistakably like Buffalo, though, and that's what I appreciated most. It didn't try to overwhelm you with heat or hide the flavor of the chicken. It was familiar, straightforward, and done well. Sometimes restaurants try to do too much with their Buffalo sauce, when all I really want is that recognizable flavor executed properly. Shwings understands that. Every wing was consistently cooked, too. I never found myself reaching for one that was noticeably better than the others. The crispiness, tenderness, and sauce worked together in every bite, making the entire order enjoyable from beginning to end.
What surprised me most was how hard it was to choose between the tenders and the wings. I'd take a bite of a BBQ tender, go back to a Buffalo wing, then find myself reaching for the tender again. The BBQ brought that sweetness and savory depth, while the Buffalo wings offered the classic flavor and texture I remembered from my old lunch visits. Neither felt like a side attraction. I went in thinking I knew exactly what I was coming back for, and left with two things I'd happily order again. It's not every day that tenders manage to compete with wings for my attention, especially when wings were the whole reason I made the trip. If anything, this visit made me appreciate that Shwings has more to offer than what originally brought me through its doors.
Returning to a restaurant after a few years can be a gamble. Sometimes you realize you've been remembering the experience more fondly than the food deserves. I've tried plenty of wings since I first discovered Shwings, so I was curious whether my opinion would change. It didn't. I enjoyed this visit every bit as much as those lunches years ago, and I appreciate that the quality still feels familiar. I'm already thinking about bringing my cousins next time so they can try it for themselves. The 40-minute drive might keep Shwings from being a casual lunch stop these days, but it certainly won't keep me away. I'm glad I finally returned, and this time I won't be waiting another few years before making my way back.
