14 years and counting

Tue, 10/18/2005 - 3:43pm
By: Kristine Loughman

Wings & Things still the place to go in Fayetteville

Some restaurants choose to employ fancy décor or exotic-sounding ingredients to lure their customers in. Wings & Things uses a different tactic to impress customers. It’s simply called great food and great service. This basic plan seems to be working, as the Fayetteville restaurant celebrates its 14th anniversary this weekend.

As its name implies, Wings & Things serves wings and a full array of other things. The buffalo wings are served up “the way wings should be,” and come in a choice of eight different flavors, from teriyaki to scorcher.

Owner Scott Haygood admits to being addicted to the hot wings with blue cheese. “I’ve eaten them for 10 years,” he said. He also recommends the lemon pepper wings as another favorite.

Haygood is quick to point out there are plenty of other menu options for customers, as well, including salads, burgers and sandwiches. The chicken finger salad is a popular choice, and comes with the option of making it a “screamin’” chicken finger salad for those who are brave enough. If you are looking for even more vegetables, try the Veggie Wrap, packed full of lettuce, tomatoes, grilled onions and mushrooms and cheese.

In a seafood mood? You don't have to go all the way to Florida for great tasting shrimp. Just sample the popcorn shrimp in the menu's "Munchies" section.

The sandwich and burger portion of the menu has over 25 different options, ranging from grilled chicken to the Cheesy Cheese Burger, made with three different types of cheese. The burgers come thick and juicy and loaded with lettuce, tomatoes, onions and pickles. Side items include fries, onion rings, slaw, pasta salad, cucumber salad or veggies and dressing. Prices are very reasonable, running from $3.25 for a grilled cheese sandwich to $6.95 a few of the burgers.

Lunch specials are available Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., ranging in price from $4.85 for the Big Dog, two items, a large order of onion ring and a drink on Thursdays, to "all you can eat" wings w/salad or fries for $8.75, served Monday thru Friday.

Haygood said he has been receiving compliments on the food for years, the biggest compliment of all being perhaps that customers have kept the restaurant successful for so many years.

“Some of our customers come in every week, more than once a week. Some of our regulars, used to ordering wings all the time, are surprised to discover that everything we offer on the menu is so tasty and delicious,” he said. “We always use fresh ground beef for our hamburgers and we try to have a varied selection of side items so there is something for everyone.”

One such customer helping to keep Wings & Things in business is Media Mays of Fayetteville. She and her husband eat at the restaurant every week, and whenever her sister comes into town, Wings & Things is their first stop. Media’s favorite meal is the Hickory Burger, which comes topped with cheddar cheese, barbecue sauce and bacon.

“I like the atmosphere and nice servers,” she said of the restaurant. “If you want more tea, they are always there.”

Making sure everyone feels comfortable in the restaurant is something Haygood takes pride in. “We offer something for the whole family,” he explained. Taking a look through the restaurant during the lunch rush will reveal just as many business men in suits as it will people in flip-flops and cut-offs.

Televisions tuned to sports games and cold beers will bring in the crowd during the evenings. There's trivia Monday evenings and The game room will keep the kids occupied while their parents unwind after a long day. Haygood describes the décor as “warm, casual, rustic,” and this all adds up to a comfortable place to eat.

The good food and welcoming atmosphere is a winning formula that has been so successful its owner has decided to take his show on the road. Wings & Things has turned into a franchise with operations in Tyrone, Eagle’s Landing, Griffin, McDonough and the newest location in SummerGrove.

As for the flagship location in Fayetteville, the original Wings & Things will celebrate its 14th anniversary this Saturday, Oct. 22, with a kids carnival during the day and live entertainment at night.

Wings & Things is located at 389 Fayette Place in Fayetteville, just behind the Michaels shopping center off Ga. Highway 85. Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday 11 am to 9:30 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Saturday noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday take-out menu only from noon to 7 p.m. during the NFL season through Super Bowl Sunday.

Visit www.homeofthescorchers.com for a full menu and coupons or call 770-460-6151 for more information.

login to post comments