We Tried Every Wingstop Flavor: Here’s Our Ranking

Sometimes having options is a plus. But there is inevitably a point with which an abundance of choice becomes more of a hinderance than a boon. At Wingstop, I believe, it has reached that point. Too many options and still no desire to be disappointed. If you wanted someone to let you know which flavors are great and which ones to skip, you’re in the right place. Here are all 12 flavors of Wingstop―ranked from best to worst.  

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Louisiana Rub

YUM! The dry rub on these is super delicious and balanced. It’s warm, zesty, not too spicy, and herby, bringing out all the best in the chicken. And, best of all, the texture of the crispy fried chicken skin isn’t drowned in a wet, sticky sauce, so you’re actually able to get a good juxtaposition of textures in each bite.

Rating:

10/10

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Spicy Korean Q

This is a truly stand-out flavor in the Wingstop flavor lineup. It is distinct from all other flavors with its rich Korean umami flavor and is balanced by the sweet smokiness like a true barbecue sauce. It’s got some heat to it, but I hope you don’t shy away from this flavor due to its indicated spiciness―it’s worth every bite.

Rating:

10/10

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Cajun

The only reason these wings aren’t a 10 is because they are pretty spicy. Not terribly so where you need a glass of milk or anything, but enough to not be universally appreciated. The flavor is very similar to the Louisiana rub wings, just with more punch. If that’s your cup of tea, then you will love these wings. Personally, this is what I’ll be ordering next time I’m at a Wingstop.

Rating:

9/10

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Mild

It’s always nice to have something available that’s just easy to eat and that’s what these are. The buffalo is great―bright and tangy, just as you’d want it. They aren’t really spicy so anyone at the table could pick one up and enjoy it just as much as the next person. And, overall, they’re just simple and classic. They’re not reinventing the wheel, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less worthy of ordering. It’s what we know and that’s why I kept coming back to them.

Rating:

8/10

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Hot Honey Rub

At this point in the taste test, I was fully convinced that the best thing you can get at Wingstop is the dry-rubbed wings. The texture of the wing never misses and each rub has a super fail-safe flavor. These wings were definitely hot, but in a way that feels good and makes you want to keep eating―the touch of sweetness made that all the more possible. They were still deeply savory and made the chicken stand out. I would order again if the other dry-rub options weren’t so jam packed with flavor in comparison to these.

Rating:

8/10

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Hickory Smoked BBQ

These wings were nice, polite, and pleasant. They weren’t terribly interesting, but I understand why they’re a fan favorite. They had a good flavor and weren’t very spicy. They’re an easy yes and would nicely juxtapose some of the spicier wings on this ranking with its sweet smokiness.

Rating:

7/10

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Original Hot 

I anticipated that these would have the same flavor as the mild wings, so I was very surprised when they had a significantly duller flavor. They were definitely a step up in spice though. They weren’t bad by any means, so if it’s more important for your wings to be spicy than super punchy with flavor, these would be the buffalo flavor for you to reach for.

Rating:

7/10

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Lemon Pepper

These wings are pretty decent. The lemon has a nice zing to it and the black pepper has a nice warm flavor. My issue with these wings lies in the processed, slightly artificial taste of the lemon. The first wing was great, but I couldn’t imagine eating more than one or two after that. I’d consider it a pretty okay option for someone who really doesn’t like spice, at least. But if you’re a more adventurous eater, then there are much better options available to you.

Rating:

6/10

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Garlic Parmesan 

I know there is supposed to be garlic in the sauce for these wings, but its flavor is entirely undetectable. They taste like plain wings with some parmesan on top, which isn’t bad at all. But it doesn’t taste like what is advertised and isn’t interesting enough to order again. If I wanted plain wings, I’d order them instead. At least then I wouldn’t be so disappointed.

Rating:

5/10

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Mango Habanero

The sauce on these wings was so gloopy and gelatinous. There was a kind-of fruity flavor… but mango? I couldn’t taste it. The spice level was pretty nice―certainly not mild―and the flavor of the chili was good. But it just tasted like sweet chili, not mango. Between the texture and the flavor, it was a disappointing wing.

Rating:

3/10

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Hawaiian

I couldn’t get over the jelly-like texture of the sauce on these wings. It was very off-putting and uncomfortable to eat―and the flavor was not compensating enough for the texture to be tolerable. The flavor was flat and tasted like an unseasoned savory pineapple jello. It was very strange and not delicious.

Rating:

2/10

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Atomic

These wings are supposed to be the spiciest wings on the menu and typically that is something I am drawn toward. But the flavor of the extra-spicy sauce was actively bad. It tasted like it was trying to be the famous “Da Bomb” hot sauce, but it was not nearly spicy enough to be a true challenge. The flavor didn’t make it something you’d ever want to snack on. It was bitter and unpleasant.

Rating:

1/10

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