Saws Bbq 2 — Saw’s BBQ in Birmingham. (The Bama Buzz)

Southern Living has attempted the impossible task of distinguishing the South’s best spots for chicken wings and two Alabama restaurants have made the list.

The outlet dwindled down their finalists to the top 20 across the region which includes two of the most popular spots from our state including:

Keep reading to learn more about why each spot was selected + how you can try the wings for yourself.

SAW’s Juke Joint

The list was compiled by Southern Living food and lifestyle expert Matt Moore, based on his personal experience tasting wings around the region.

Why did he choose SAW’s? It’s all about SAW’s signature sauce, a drizzle of Alabama white sauce and cooking smoked wings just right, according to the Southern Living author.

Below is Moore’s description:

“At SAW’s restaurants in the Birmingham area, it’s irresistible paired with wings. The local favorite was founded by the late Mike Wilson, a native North Carolinian and University of Alabama alum, who helped push the barbecue envelope with his unique mix of Carolina tang and Alabama soul.

“My go-to location is SAW’s Juke Joint in the Crestline neighborhood, featuring live music and smoked wings, which are not on the menu at all of their six outposts. The freshly cut meat is dry rubbed and smoked over hickory wood until it’s tender and has a pink hue. After a quick flash fry, the cooks dole out a one-two punch: a toss in SAW’s signature sauce (which is a marriage of Carolina vinegar and Alabama piquant) plus a drizzle of the pepper-laden white sauce that makes ranch or blue cheese seem irrelevant.

“This meal is one of the best representations of barbecue translated into a wing format—rich in both soul and flavor and unapologetically messy.”

Here’s how you can try them for yourself:

📍Location: 1115 Dunston Ave, Birmingham, AL 35213
🕕 Hours: 11AM-9PM daily

Cricket’s Burgers & Wings

The article’s author, food and lifestyle expert Matt Moore, used “a combination of personal experience, trusted recommendations and award recognition” to compile his list, and visited “dive bars, food trucks, pizza places, barbecue joints and other establishments, both well known and emerging.”

Moore praised Cricket’s not only for its food, but also its hospitality.

“Expect no frills, no fuss—just crunchy fried goodness. Although the wings are a touch smaller in size, they are served with plenty of hospitality and have earned a legion of enthusiastic fans.”

Matt Moore, Southern Living magazine

Here’s how you can visit: