By A new franchise of the popular restaurant chain Wingstop opened near the Cal State Long Beach campus in July, and is packing in swarms of people hungry for their favorite type of chicken wing.
Wingstop serves its wings either bone-in or boneless, and they come in nine flavors, including Original Hot, Cajun, Atomic, Mild, Teriyaki, Lemon Pepper, Hawaiian Barbeque, Garlic Parmesan and Hickory Smoked BBQ.
When I stopped in for a bite, my favorites were the Hickory Smoked BBQ, which were tangy and hit the spot, along with the delicious Lemon Pepper.
I got talked into trying a tiny bite of an Atomic chicken wing, despite the fact I am not a big fan of real spicy foods, and it was so hot I thought my mouth was on fire. If you love spicy foods, then the Atomic is the wing I suggest. I was told that Lemon Pepper and Original Hot are two of the most popular flavors at this location.
They prepare all of their chicken wings fresh, and serve them piping hot without the use of microwaves or heating lamps. There are a variety of combo meals you can order, each including various kinds of wings or dipping sauces, sides and a drink, all for a bargain price.
Wingstop has a rustic aviation theme, including photos of famous pilots such as Amelia Earhart and the Wright brothers, along with large pieces of real airplanes and related memorabilia from the ’30s and ’40s. Wingstop has two television screens broadcasting sports and music for customers to enjoy while satisfying their hunger.
In addition to amazing food, they also offer a variety of beer, wine and sodas to wash everything down.
According to its Web site, Wingstop is the fastest growing chicken wing franchise in the United States, and it has over 550 locations, including the newest location here in Long Beach at 1806 Ximeno Ave. The new location set a Wingstop sales record the first week of classes at CSULB, which shows how popular the chain is to students.
Wingstop is busiest after about 6:30 p.m. everyday, with Thursday through Saturday being the most popular days students crowd in to the small eatery. During my visit, the place was practically vacant around 5 p.m., but in about an hour the place completely filled up and had a line out the door.
“It’s the most vibrant place in the neighborhood,” said Kaelen Allen, Wingstop employee. “The music is always upbeat, the customers are lively and the service is good.”
The restaurant definitely has customers coming back for more.
“I come in about once every few weeks,” said Scott Downey, Long Beach resident. “It’s now part of my routine. They have good food, and even when there is a long wait, it’s still worth it.”
Wingstop has indoor and outdoor seating available and is open daily from 11 a.m. to midnight.
