This is a surprising little place - a hole in the wall bar/restaurant that from the outside looks like the type of place that someone could come flying through the front door - or window - of at any moment, followed by a large group of people punching each other. Once inside, it kinda reminded me of Archie's place on Happy Days. Nice little jukebox in the corner, a bar in the back, two dartboards on the wall. Cozy. Hospitable. Smells like... wings.
The wings at Wendell's are very reminiscent of those found at Quaker Steak & Lube, with an interesting fresh pepper flavor and different texture to the sauce. This isn't just Frank's Red Hot and margarine tossed together (not that there's anything wrong with that...), but a real home-made tasting sauce.
Like many other wing-focused menus, they offer a selection of sauces, ranging from "Sissy" which is a garlic and butter sauce that had a lot of flavor from what I tasted, all the way up to a "Suicide." Apparently there's an even hotter one that isn't on the menu. In between there you have "Sassy" (classic) and "3.5" which I still can't figure out what it means. You can also get a 3.25 which is the Sassy and 3.5 sauces mixed to tone it down a bit. I got the 3.5 sauce and while it had a really good kick (by the end of the plate I needed a break to let things cool down a bit) they weren't overpoweringly spicy to the point of ruining the flavor. There's a lot going on in the sauce and you don't want to miss it.
One hint for the Wendell virgins - the wings arrive in a bowl, with a second empty bowl turned on top. They shake the wings to coat them like this and if you want some extra sauce, give them a shake yourself so that it all doesn't go to the bottom.
Overall, the wings were cooked really well, the flavor was great and the atmosphere isn't fancy at all. But for wings and a beer, it is a great place - and is close to the Tweeter Center (Great Woods!) in Mansfield, which means it could be a new favorite destination pre (or maybe even post) concert.
RATING: 5 OUT OF 5 STARS!!
P.S. We were there for a friend's birthday, so here's a shout-out: Happy Birthday Austin!
Wendells has the best wings EVER and I have been eating wings everywhere I go for the past 18 years. Wendells is mine and my husband's special place. We even bought the sauce and made our own wings at our wedding in Maine.
Posted by: Alice Andrews | March 01, 2007 at 06:33 PM
My father an i visit wendell's for a weekend treat. We usually get wings to go, but once in a while eat inside. I LOVE the 3.5 wings and also the jalapeno poppers. They are a great combination for football games or a friday night. I highly recomend Wendell's to anyone looking for great wings!
Posted by: evan | April 02, 2007 at 12:38 PM
i thought the wings were terrible worth a drive from anywhere noy unless you live in norton and then only maybe!!!! chix.bone #rt.135 framingham now your talking worth the drive!after you pass milford the people after that dont know wings at all!!!!
Posted by: dennis aleff | January 13, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Ya wow..Chicken bone is the place to be...Im there with Big dennis any chance i get
Posted by: john aleff | August 23, 2008 at 09:04 PM
i grew up in framingham and was a regular @ the chicken bone before they sold out. i've only been there once since then and i have to say its gone WAY downhill. the regulars no longer go there, the conditions have deteriorated, and there were ROACHES crawling across the bar. no joke. the wings are still great, but the place is gross, and no longer has the cast of regulars that we went there for. dont hate on wendells, cause the bone isn't any better
Posted by: matt | April 19, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Wendell's is not great at all. I have been twice and both times the wings were just ok. after waiting 2 hours and paying too much for beer, it is difficult to make up for it. and paying 1.50 for the blue cheese is a little redicilous. ill never recommend Wendell's to anyone
Posted by: Michael Barron | August 12, 2009 at 07:52 AM
hmm... good one :)
Posted by: Chicas De Sinaloa | October 19, 2009 at 10:34 PM
I agree w/ Michael Barron. Wings were "ok", not the greatest ever. And charging for the blue cheese was awful. I think I got 9 scrawny wing pieces for something like $10 (w/ blue cheese). Awful.
Posted by: John J | January 31, 2010 at 09:13 PM
Best wings I haveever had.
Posted by: Katie | April 02, 2010 at 12:20 PM
katie i feel sorry for you if these are the best wings you ever have had??? get yourself out of that norton area and try the bone or tennesees in framingham!!! ps. i have been going to the bone since they opened in 1994 and have never seen a roach or any other bug not even a mosquito or house fly!!! lol
Posted by: Dbostondennis | July 24, 2010 at 11:37 AM