Northeast Indiana’s affinity for wings has attracted a Michigan-based company into setting up shop in Fort Wayne. Detroit Wing Company recently announced it will probably open before the end of the year on Illinois Road.
Gus Malliaras, founder and owner of the chain, says they’ve been eyeing an expansion to Indiana for a while, adding to its 29 locations in Michigan and one each in Ohio and Florida.
According to the chain’s website, they specialize in lemon pepper, Creole Parmesan, and Asian orange wings. In all, they have 18 sauces, ranging in heat from hot garlic all the way down to butter cheese.
They also offer shareables, sandwiches, chicken tenders, poutine, salad, and sweets.
The store and drive-thru will be part of the Shell gas station on Illinois Road and Grand National Drive, near Menards.
According to Detroit Wing Company’s website, the business has earned “Best Wings in Michigan” by multiple media outlets.
Days running out for Zesto ice cream
If you needed another reminder that summer is quickly turning to fall, a local summer favorite’s 2023 days are numbered.
Zesto on Broadway closed for the season Sept. 17, but you can still enjoy Zesto treats through Sunday, Sept. 24, at the St. Joe Road location. That day, they’ll send summer out with a bang with a block party from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
The day includes live music from HomeBy10 from 4-6 p.m.
Bring a blanket or a chair and savor one last blast of summer.
Auburn welcomes in Champ’s chicken
There’s a fresh taste in Auburn … and it is a bit on the fiery side.
Champ’s Nashville Hot Chicken 2 opened this month on the city’s west side at Lassus Handy Dandy, 1114 W. 7th St., across from McDonald’s.
The restaurant features Nashville chicken sandwiches, tenders, wings, pork tenderloins, and breakfast.
Early web reviews rave about the sauce and the seasoning. There are also comments about the large portions, fair prices, and doughnuts.
While other places boast about chicken and waffles, — and to be fair, Champ’s has chicken and waffles — they also have chicken and doughnuts … lots of doughnuts, an entire section devoted to those treats.
Champ’s is open daily from 5 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.
Hot dogs in spotlight at Clean Drains Fest
Some will say it is just a hot dog, but you won’t hear that Saturday, Sept. 23, at teds snack+bar at Promenade Park. Instead, they will celebrate the hot dog at the Grand Glizzy Games from 1-7 p.m. (A glizzy is another name for a hot dog.)
Occurring during Clean Drains Fest, it will be a day of games, activities, and music on the riverfront. The schedule includes several hot-dog eating contests and hot-dog races with cash prizes available. The deadline for the hot-dog eating contest is Sept. 22.
To learn more and register for games, go online to tedssnackbar.com/glizzy. Some events have an entry fee, and proceeds benefit Friends of the Rivers.
Get a Taste of Italy at Three Rivers Distilling
Three Rivers Distilling’s Encourage & Engage Dinner Series returns Thursday, Sept. 21, with A Taste of Italy theme.
The event is an educational “intimate but casual” evening of interaction over great dishes and cocktails.
The event starts at 6 p.m., and tickets are $75.
Three Rivers Distilling is at 224 E. Wallace St., between S. Clinton and Barr Streets.
Chimney Cakes welcomes Lu Garden
Chimney Cakes has reopened with a partner in their space at 1202 W. Main St.
Lu Garden Sugarcane Juice and Tea is now also operating in the space, specializing in blended teas and pressed sugar cane juice.
The building itself has fresh signage and a spruced-up entrance with guardrails.
Off the Eaten Path is the Whatzup weekly column that covers Northeast Indiana’s restaurant and food news. Send your news items to info@whatzup.com.
