The Best Lemon Pepper Wings In Atlanta - Atlanta - The Infatuation (2024)

photo credit: Tabia Lisenbee-Parker

Wings in Atlanta aren't just food. They're an identity—just look at the bones littering any city parking lot. Almost every spot in town sells wings, including gas stations, upscale Mediterranean restaurants, arcades, and even the car wash. And while BBQ and buffalo are solid, in this city, lemon pepper reigns supreme—its citrusy, peppery magic is sprinkled on everything here from pizza to Bloody Marys. So it makes sense for us to rank the very best lemon pepper wings in the city.

What We Like: The smokiness, crispiness, and tanginess hit the perfect balance.

It's fitting that a place named The Local, a 25-year dive bar staple, has the best lemon pepper wings in Atlanta. They don't just dump on seasoning. Instead, there's just enough to give a tart kick without going overboard. Pair these mini masterpieces with the popular crispy tater tots for the full fried basket experience. Just know that they don't do takeout, and if you roll through later in the evening, you’ll probably need to hover around until a table or bar seat opens. (And leave the kids at home because this Old Fourth Ward hangout is 21 and up.)

What We Like: MCK nails their rubs and sauces.

The lemon peppers at Magic City Kitchen are legendary for a reason: they’re darn good. Because of their smallish size, the wings cook more evenly and almost guarantee that every bite will have come into contact with your sauce, which will be excellent. There’s an entire section of the menu dedicated to their signature sauce blends. Our favorite is the Louwill Lemon Pepper BBQ, which mixes vinegary BBQ with a nicely balanced citrus-spice rub. Since this isn't your average takeout joint, you'll have to bring ID and be prepared to wait outside the Downtown club if your online order isn't ready yet.

What We Like: The skin is very crispy, and the meat is juicy and well-seasoned.

This unassuming spot has become a favorite among the true connoisseurs of our lemon pepper province. To find it, ride down Campbellton Road in Southwest Atlanta and stop when you see a tiny red hut at the edge of a shopping plaza. The LP seasoning here is a nicely blended mix of savory and tart. Order from the Depot's small walk-up window, then you can stand around or wait in your car for your wings, which are served fresh and piping hot.

What We Like: It's like eating a really great bucket of fried chicken—but all wings, and all lemon peppery.

While breaded wings aren’t our go-to, B&L in Midtown has changed that. These wings have a nice crunch but are not overly fried, so there's not a lot of grease or crumbs. The highlight of these little poultry pieces lies in the breading, which is dusted with enough lemon pepper seasoning for a subtle zing. This is a takeout-only spot, so order online, park in one of the designated spaces in front of the plain building when you arrive, and they’ll bring your order out to you.

What We Like: The crisp, perfectly citrusy, and extra saucy handhelds are trailblazers.

You can’t rightly talk about great Atlanta wings without shouting out American Deli. In fact, a very credible scientific Atlanta study says that at least 80% of the chicken bones found around town come from this spot. OK, there is no research study. But with more than 20 locations in the city, American Deli has been an incredibly reliable spot for all things wings, but especially lemon pepper wet, which they played a huge role in popularizing throughout the city in the early 2000s.

What We Like: This veteran sports bar always gets the core components right.

The wings at Clay’s Sports Cafe in Sandy Springs prove that sometimes, nailing the basics is all you need: full-sized but not jumbo, fried well but not too hard, and lemony but not so extreme that you're reaching for your drink after every bite. So when you come in, overlook the worn booths and ignore the remainder of the just-OK pub menu—you know why you're here.

What We Like: The pit smoke flavors really enhance the peppery heat in their LP rub.

Pit Boss BBQ in Hapeville is already known for smoking meats very, very well, so much so they’re on our Best BBQ list, and their smoky, seasoned drums and flats are no exception. Even when we hit this fast-casual joint by ourselves, we usually get a big 20-piece order. Since they're nice and plump, they're perfect for tossing in the air fryer to reheat.

What We Like: You can customize your wings like a bespoke suit.

If you remember the episode from Atlanta when Paper Boi opens a J.R. Crickets takeout box and is met with a heavenly glow, then you've gotten a glimpse of what the franchise means to Atlanta’s wing game. We ranked the Cricket locations, but no matter which one you stop by, the chain is a trusted pick if you enjoy your options. Want all flats? Cooked extra-extra crispy? They even have nearly 20 sauces, where you can get them "swimming" (a.k.a. extra saucy). Get a basket and watch a weekend game at the bar of their OG Midtown location—that is unless there's a glare on the TVs from the ethereal glow of your wings.