Secret Menu Spotlight: Hoggy's Special Wings

Hoggy’s Top Secret Wings

By Jack McLaughlin / Story Design by Bryce Patterson

After 30 years in Columbus, Hoggy’s is well known for being one of the most established BBQ restaurants in town. Offering a classic assortment of smoked meats like pork and brisket, along with a wide variety of sides, toppings and condiments that are all made in-house, the location at 830 Bethel Rd has stood the test of time.

Wings, however, are not necessarily known for being part of the lineup at standard BBQ joints - especially not secret wings.

“We’re unique because we offer 10 different wing sauces, and every wing is smoked and then fried,” shared owner Kyle Turner, son of Hoggy’s co-founder Mark Turner. “With the secret wings, they are is coated in a glazy sweet sauce, then we re-fry it so it carmelizes on the outside, then toss it in a savory hot sauce. So you end up with a delicious sweet-salty-spicy wing.”

There’s no official name for this off-menu option, and getting your hands on some isn’t guaranteed. But here’s how you can try:

Start with an in-person visit (they aren’t listed for online ordering) and ask for the secret wings for either dine-in or carryout. Then cross your fingers that someone is available to cook you up a batch, since only a few employees know how to make them. “We try not to make tons of them because they absolutely destroy the fryers,” laughed Turner.

And while the sticky, savory wings provide plenty of flavor on their own, since you’re already there you may as well pair them with a made-from-scratch side like potato salad, mac and cheese or cheesy potatoes.

“Hoggy’s is distinctive because our meats and wings are good enough to stand by themselves, and they’re going to be some of the best you’ll ever have,” said Turner. “The plethora of flavors we offer and how you can experiment with them is definitely different from other restaurants.”

To learn more, visit Hoggys.com