The Motherlode July 2025

All photo credits: Danielle Lawrance of DANIE Photography

🐔 West End Grill 📍 2049 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401 Flavors: Spicy Bourbon, Honey Old Bay, Grilled Thai West End Grill came in hot with a flavor-packed punch! Spicy Bourbon had a light glaze that was like a good Southern drama…spicy and sweet, with a hint of bourbon. Honey Old Bay was sticky (but not messy) and had a candid honey glaze with a kick at the end from the Old Bay. And Grilled Thai brought a smoky, charred edge to Thai- inspired ingredients. They literally had grill marks on the wings and were bold, beautiful, and grilled to perfection. From a Judge: Kevin Devine, Owner of Crave Catering, describes the Grilled Thai in three words: “A beautiful wing.” Winning Flavor: Grilled Thai for the best grill marks.

🐔 The Hideaway 📍 1439 Odenton Road, Odenton, MD 21113 Flavors: Blackberry Chipotle, Dry Hot, Naked

The Hideaway certainly didn’t hide their wing game. Their wings are smoked over pecan wood for three hours, then flash-fried. The Blackberry Chipotle is a dark horse winner on all accounts on appearance and flavor. They were sweet, smoky, and savory with a flavor plot twist, worthy of an HBO finale. The wings had actual blackberries on them! Dry Hot came in guns blazing and seasoned with seven peppers. And Naked? Boldly bare, for those who like to taste the chicken, not the costume. The group agreed it was the most flavorful naked wing they’ve had. From a Judge: John Frenaye, Publisher of Eye on Annapolis , gave the Blackberry Chipotle his only 5/5 for the night and says it has “unique, incredible flavor.”. Winning Flavor: BlackBerry Chipotle for the best wing of the night.

🐔 Rams Head Tavern * 📍 33 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401 Flavors: 33, Asian BBQ, Maple Bourbon

Rams Head Tavern knows how to headline its wings. Their 33 (named after the 33 different types of peppers used and their address) had a mystery mix of heat that kept us guessing. Note that 33 is only available at their Rams Head Tavern location on West Street. Asian BBQ brought hibachi flavors into a wing with umami taste notes, while Maple Bourbon was sticky and sweet, bringing brunch energy to a wing night. From a Judge: Irene, the daughter of the Annapolis Moms Media Facebook Page Moderator Hannah Gee, says, “Maple Bourbon is the perfect breakfast wing, excellent for brunch at 11 am.” Winning Flavor: Maple Bourbon for the best brunch wing.

🏆 Final Thoughts So, who rules the roost? That’s for you to decide, dear reader. All six contestants brought serious flavor and feather-ruffling creativity to the chicken coop. Whether you're a foodie searching for unique flavor combos, a BBQ boss, or an Old Bay loyalist, Anne Arundel’s wing scene is clucking incredible. We’ll be back next quarter with another food fight! A special shoutout to Crave Catering Co .* for hosting us in your space to devour wing after wing!

JULY 2025 | 85

* denotes Annapolis Moms Media Community Supporters.

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