(Photo: Dan and John’s Wings on Facebook)
Just in time for the Amazin’s World Series flameout, the East Village has a new purveyor of game-day grub. Dan and John’s Wings is the latest Smorgasburg vendor to follow Mighty Quinn’s, Schnitz, BaoHaus and others in going brick-and-mortar in the neighborhood. After an extended “coming soon” period, they’re finally open in the former home of JoeDough sandwich shop, at 135 First Avenue.
As if the neon WINGS sign in the window leaves any doubt, their specialty is Buffalo wings — and we mean Buffalo literally. Owners Dan Borowski and John Henninger were born and raised there, and they learned all the saucing secrets while working at local bars and pizzerias. They remain dedicated to the craft: they are, after all, the guys who sport those giant Styrofoam Buffalo-wing hats at Smorg.
Their new takeout nook, off of long-suffering St. Marks Place, has already been declared a “bro mecca” by David “King of the Bros” Covucci. Which is good news for the fine patrons of Coyote Ugly, just a block away. As for the wings, they’re available in quantities ranging from five ($7.35) to 50 ($55.11), and can be ordered as boneless breast pieces, traditional wingettes and drumettes, and vegetarian seitan pieces. The spice level ranges from mild (using the traditional cayenne pepper) to “Insane!” (using ghost peppers).
Dan and John’s Wings, 135 First Ave., East Village; 212-858-9935