This past weekend, we found ourselves on a quest to find casual and tasty foods to serve at our Super bowl gathering. As we began to look,(basically, we just did a google search) , Wings and Rice showed up on our, "food radar" . After noting the high number of 5-star ratings that were consistently being given to WINGS & RICE by my fellow Tucsonians, my wife asked if I would stop by and grab some wings to bring home to share with our honored guests.
Upon arriving home, the wings were quickly decimated by our guests. The fact that they were gobbled up so fast and raved about, is probably the best and most-honest evidence that the numerous five-stars ratings given to WINGS & RICE are "spot-on" in their assessments.
The place is "kind-of unassuming"--as it sits on the south-east corner of Pima and Craycroft in Tucson. Despite the fact that I have passed it numerous times-- wondering about it, and even considered giving it a go, I ultimately have never stopped in. Shame on me, as i we came to really enjoy the food here! This does then beg the question... "How many other hidden gems like this have I been passing by?"
But then, in the bigger view of it all, isn't this the primary reason that YELP exists?! I think YELP got its name from the sound a dog makes after being kicked--which is what should have happened to me for passing this place so many times. ( *That origin story is not true--I just made that up for comedic effect.)
So anyways, in my humble opinion (*for what that is worth), the place is the culinary equivalent of Duncan the Tall--a simple, but honorable hedge-knight in the HBO series, "A Knight of the 7 Kingdoms." (It's not my place to recommend TV shows here, but this one is a good 'un).
And, if you are thinking that my saying this restaurant is like a lowly knight roaming the country-side seeking justice and honor is a criticism against W&R, you are so-so-so wrong! My comparison is intended as a compliment in the highest of regards. For, like Dunk, this place embodies the true ideals of what it means to serve. WINGS & RICE does not adorn itself with fancy-pantsy decorations and art. Instead, it strives to modestly, and without "pomp and circumstance" follow the noble ideals of serving up high quality and tasty chow (at reasonable prices) to the tired, huddled masses--yearning to breath free and fill their bellies.
So, my lords and me ladies, pray, allow me to express my final thoughts on the matter of sustenance and refined beverages that can be had-ith at WINGS and RICE... If one be-ith in the moodith for-ith some tastely victuals, this be-ith the place.
I probably just lost all shreds of any "street cred" that I may have had-- with my, "playing the fool" by comparing the W&R to a character in a show. (*not to mention my attempt to use the language of the middle ages and falling short). Despite all that, don't pass this place up. It really is, "the good stuff". Make yee way, post-haste and full-tilt to-ith WINGS & RICE!!! Anon!
Post script. We opted for the buffalo wings and the lemon and pepper wing flavors from their menu. The lemon and pepper offerings went first and were demolished in seconds...but the buffalo flavored ones did not last long either. Our guests nearly came to "unshielded swords" over who would get the last of these tasty morsels of delectable meats.
*And, an added bonus was the side of rice, which, while I was waiting for my order to be completed, I over-heard two different patrons rave about. Cah-ching! They were not wrong... "food-ith of the gods" were those starchy seasoned soft and sticky white grains of heaven--bathing in spicy buttery flavor! read more