Not worth the stop.
As a person who greatly enjoys wings, beer and sports, I have long been curious about a little place called Wingstop in Pasco, WA. After little deliberation my fiancee and I headed there to finally see what all the fuss was about.
Right off the bat two things stood out to me. The attitudes and uniforms of the staff reminded me of the time I coached a women's team in the New Mexican Prison Softball League, except for the fact that my players had better attitudes and more uplifting attire. The uniforms were ugly combination of sand color and black, and were memorable because of how awful and depressing they were. It's just a small detail, but small details make up the big picture. The cashiers weren't rude or dismissive but everything about their body language and demeanor led me to believe that they were kept at that place against their will and were not receiving any compensation for their efforts. Of course there is a chance that half of the staff happened to be having a "bad day" but as they say, you only have one chance to make a good first impression. The irony of the situation was the fact that the napkins at Wingstop said something along the lines of, "you will always be greeted with a smile." I am by no means implying that I deserve to be greeted like a long lost relative, but I wish they would try a little harder to conceal the misery that they were so obviously experiencing, especially at the time when so many people would be joyous to have any kind of work.
On the lighter side of things, the music at Wingstop was atrociously unbearable. It was country, the whole time, and not a list of great or even good country hits. No, it was a generic sloth of mainstream radio country that had me looking for a bottle of Jack, just so I could pour the contents in my ears, and achieve, if ever so briefly, a moment of tranquility. I understand that people have different tastes and opinions regarding various art forms, of which music is one, but can anyone, explain to me why country? This was not a country or cowboy themed establishment and there was no indication that things were going to take such a depressing and swift turn for the worst.
The interior design was well thought-out and equally well done. It was aero exploration themed. It was a nice touch. Planes have wings, and this was a wings joint.
The service was prompt and we did not have to wait for our wings too long. I did not know it at the time, but this would be the last positive thing that occurred at that establishment.
I ordered a ten piece basket of original and lemon pepper wings.
The wings were small. Their underwhelming size made them appear more like dog treats than food for humans. They were dry, and the sauce was very watery, not thick at all. If I ever struggle to finish wings, it is because I have eaten an abundant amount of them. On that day, I struggled to finish the wings because of how poor their quality was.
Even as I am writing these words now, I feel a little resentment but even more pity for a wings joint that does not know how to make quality wings.
Among other highlights were small flat screens, that no self-respecting sports enthusiast will spend hours watching. A limited selection of bottled beer with no pitcher options to be seen, which would ensure no inebriated fun was to ever occur at Wingstop. Finally, as an added bonus, one of those fancy soda machines, with lots of buttons and options, that make your soft drink taste like the combination of the three previous drinks selected by other customers.
All in all, Wingstop was a very disappointing combination of good ideas and bad execution. I sincerely hope that the people who are in charge of that place will read this, and take even a brief moment to think of the validity of my comments. There is nowhere to go but up Wingstop. I wish you the best of luck, and thank you for making me appreciate my wing spots even more. read more