C.J. Sparrow (CJS) in Cheshire is known as a Top Tier CT wing place. I've been visiting a lot of those top tier spots in the last year. Although I thought CJS was a cool place, service was friendly and accommodating, and I liked aspects of the two wing types I tried, I didn't connect with the CJS wings in the way that I connect with the wings at other CT Top Tier wings spots
CJS is a bar/restaurant with inside and outside seating. Although they have some cool local sports decor, the physical part of the atmosphere isn't really a selling point. The small outside area is cool. CJS is known in wing circles, but they have a robust menu that would satisfy the tastes of most people.
I arrived slightly before they opened at 11:30, and one of the bartender/servers was nice enough to seat me. She was friendly and efficient.
The beer selection was at best average for a place known for having great wings. Usually there's a number of cool CT and national craft selections at places. I ordered a Bad Sons DIPA since I was looking for something new, but the bartender realized the keg had tapped after I ordered. I went with a Counterwieght Headway, which I like, but I've had many times. None of the other choices were a big draw for me.
Since I was early in the day, it's possible that CJS didn't quite have the oil temperature on cruise yet. The wings were more lightly colored than I'm used to from great spots. Also, some of the wings were a bit rough looking. There were at least a couple of wings with bald bones where you would expect meat. The chicken meat tasted good though.
For Top Tier Wing places, CJS has fewer flavors than some of the greats. I didn't count, but I bet they have a bit fewer than 20 sauces and rubs. One of the reasons I visited CJS is that somebody had brought the Thai Peanut wings to an event and I loved them. I loved the sauce again in this visit. It's more of a wet peanut flavored sauce with some chopped peanuts, than the thicker peanut butter sauce you get in a lot of places. Good peanut flavor. Mild Thai Spice.
I've heard people praise the CJS wet Jerk sauce.
It was pretty good, but I wouldn't order it order again. The wet in this case was very liquidy. In addition, neither the liquid nor the seasoning on the wing was strong enough to evoke any sort of Jerk Flavors. The wings just tasted vaguely Caribbean.
I'm sure I'll head back to CJS to see if this was a bit of an off day. And don't get me wrong, this was an above average wing experience. But from this visit, I couldn't put C.J. Sparrow in the Top Tier of CT wings spots. read more