John Young, affectionately known as the “King of Wings,” was a pioneering restaurateur in Buffalo, New York, whose contributions in the 1960s significantly shaped the city’s culinary landscape. In 1961, he opened “Wings ‘n Things,” a restaurant where he introduced his signature dish: whole, breaded, deep-fried chicken wings smothered in his unique tomato-based “mumbo sauce.” This innovative approach to chicken wings predated the more widely recognized Buffalo wings from the Anchor Bar.
Young’s inspiration came from a conversation with a traveling boxer who mentioned a Washington, D.C., restaurant thriving on chicken wing dishes. Motivated by this insight, Young decided to specialize in chicken wings, leading to the creation of his distinctive mumbo wings.
Despite his early influence, Young’s contributions were overshadowed as the Buffalo wing gained national fame. However, in 2013, his impact was formally recognized with his induction into the National Buffalo Wing Festival’s Hall of Flame.
To honor his legacy, a mural was unveiled in 2022 on Buffalo’s East Side at the site of his original restaurant. This artwork celebrates Young’s role in introducing chicken wings to Buffalo’s culinary scene.
For a deeper exploration of John Young’s story and his influence on Buffalo’s culinary heritage, you might find the following video insightful
