by Bottom Line: The Habanero Honey and Ghost Pepper Dust Wings from Revolutionary Wings deliver on the heat and really stand out.
Wings are everywhere these days, from fast food joints to casual sit-down restaurants to fine-dining establishments. There is almost no place selling food of late that does not have some wings to offer. So it is certainly nice when once in a while you find a place that delivers a unique twist on the poultry pieces.
Revolutionary Wings in San Antonio got its start as a food truck in 2016 and moved into a permanent location near San Pedro and 281 in 2023. They offer “upscale” wings, which include intriguing concoctions such as Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, Black Garlic and Butter, Cubano Pork, and Peanut Butter & Jelly (!). This is definitely not your typical wings joint, and I finally made it by to give the place a try this past week.
I was tempted by their unique creations but decided I would start with their two hottest offerings, and I also went the boneless route. Here is the description of each from their menu:
Honey Habanero: Extra spicy and sweet with a hint of vinegar and garlic.
Ghost Pepper Wing Dust: Extra spicy and hot with undertones of sweet honey and tangy vinegar.
The very friendly person taking my order asked for confirmation that I really wanted their two hottest wings, and I assured her that I had experience with spicy food!
I started with the Honey Habanero wings, and right off I discovered that this place is doing things a little differently. I have had habanero wings and sweet habanero wings at quite a number of places, but these definitely delivered an interesting twist. That came from the parsley that they add to the sauce, which gives it a nice herby flavor along with some earthiness. There is also a good sweetness that emphasizes the honey but does not go overboard, and I swear I could detect some Sriracha funkiness in there. The wings have a good crust, and while it does not hold up much crunch under the sauce, it still delivers good texture. And these are meaty pieces of chicken that are cooked through perfectly.
The heat from these wings does not hit right away, but as is typical of anything with the habanero chili added, it creeps up on you. After a few bites, I could really feel the sting, and they ultimately went beyond Hot on my scale. But it is a good heat that is balanced well by the sweet and earthy flavors, and these definitely deliver that next-level wing experience.
Next up was the Ghost Pepper Wings, and they are a little closer to traditional wings, though with a nice kick. These have the dry rub and a good, crispy crust covering the sizeable chicken chunks. They are well-seasoned with notable saltiness, but they don’t quite go overboard. They also have that deep, peppery taste of ghost chili spice, and it packs a punch. There is just a little bit of sweetness there as well that offers a nice counterbalance to the heat.
And speaking of that heat, these definitely deliver on that! The first bite or two is deceptive, but the burn shows up shortly after that. I would put these above Fiery on my scale, but not to the point that they reach Insane. You are definitely feeling the heat, but you can still taste what you are eating. I have tried the Reaper Tenders at Dave’s Hot Chicken (more on that here) and the DNA sandwich from Krazy Katsu (more on that here), and those are heat for the sake of pain. However, the Ghost Pepper Wings at Revolutionary Wings pass through that perfect junction where fire meets flavor, and these are some of the best I have encountered in the city.
I plan a return visit pretty soon where I will try some of the more unique wings, so watch for an upcoming post on those. And if you are looking to spice up your holidays, I certainly recommend this place as they offer large platters that can add a kick to any celebration. Revolutionary Wings has been struggling in the current economy, and they have asked for help from their customers (more on that here). This is certainly the type of local establishment that deserves support, and I was heartened by the fact that when I stopped by at lunchtime, they had a decent crowd. You can get wings just about any place these days, but if you are looking for really, really good wings with some unique selections, I highly suggest giving this place a try.
Revolutionary Wings
427 E. Ramsey Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78216
Phone: 210-620-3657
Website: https://revolutionarywings.com/
Hours:
Mon – Thu: 11 AM to 9 PM
Fri – Sat: 11 AM to 10 PM
