The best lemon pepper wings in Atlanta
Marinated turkey wings, a Korean barbecue sauce combo and an off-menu staple

"No food better symbolizes Atlanta's spirit than lemon pepper wings," said Mike Jordan in Bon Appétit. Like San Francisco's burritos, the dish is a go-to for locals that has become part of the city's identity. Whether they're serving the wings "dry" (seasoned) or "wet" (sauced), restaurants at all levels offer creative riffs on the theme. Below, five of the best.
Apt. 4B
This scene-y Buckhead lounge bypasses chicken to feature turkey wings, each "the size of a large pork rib." They're marinated for 24 hours, "confited until fall-apart tender," fried to “a delectable crunch,” then tossed in a Caribbean-inspired combo of lemon pepper and Scotch bonnet. 2293 Peachtree Road.
The Local
A "vibey dive bar," the Local has long been considered one of the best places for wings. The wings are not available for takeout and not served on Mondays but are "absolutely worth the trouble." Go traditional here or try "the unexpectedly awesome mashup of lemon pepper and Korean barbecue sauce." 758 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
J.R. Crickets
Since Donald Glover's Atlanta featured Crickets' off-menu wing marriage of Buffalo sauce and lemon pepper, "lemon pepper wet" has taken over the city. "Fried hard yet more chewy than crisp, these originals remain the blueprint." Multiple locations.
Magic City Kitchen
Yes, it's housed in Magic City, a storied strip club. Yet the wings made by this woman-owned business "aren't just good for a strip club, but some of Atlanta's finest." Try the wet, tossed with honey barbecue sauce. 241 Forsyth St. SW.
Dhaba Wings
This low-key Bangladeshi restaurant has "some of the most delectable wings in the city." Marinated in crushed garlic and chaat masala, they're fried and coated in "a savory citrus dressing, leaving a sticky surface for additional lemon pepper seasoning." 5953 Buford Highway NE.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
5 tinfoil-covered cartoons about Tylenol and autism
Cartoons Artists take on the toys in RFK Jr's attic, the war on autism, and more
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide cybercrime crackdown
IN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
How to ditch ‘buy now, pay later’ debt
the explainer Recent changes mean BNPL will soon affect your credit score
-
6 rustic homes on ranches
Feature Featuring copper kitchen counters in Colorado and a 380-acre property in California
-
Steve: a ‘gripping’ drama starring Cillian Murphy
The Week Recommends Murphy plays the frazzled headmaster of a boarding school for ‘delinquent’ boys in this bold Indie film
-
The Lady from the Sea: a ‘thrillingly contemporary’ Ibsen adaptation
The Week Recommends ‘Luminous’ cast dazzle in Simon Stone’s ‘hugely enjoyable’ production
-
Black Rabbit: slick crime thriller set in a high-end New York restaurant
The Week Recommends Two Manhattan brothers resort to ‘ever-more high-stakes’ schemes to tackle ‘huge’ gambling debts in the ‘glossy’ series
-
One Battle After Another: a ‘terrifically entertaining’ watch
The Week Recommends Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest release is a ‘high-octane action thriller’ and a ‘surefire Oscar frontrunner’
-
The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny: a novel of ‘undeniable power’
The Week Recommends Kiran Desai’s first novel in nearly 20 years is an ‘enthralling love story’ set across India and the US
-
Color Theories: Julio Torres’ one-man show
Performance Space New York Performance Space New York
-
The 2025 Emmys: A big night for newcomers
Feature The 77th Emmys were full of surprises, from shocking wins and moving speeches to a host’s charity stunt that backfired