From tangy lemon to blow your head off hot it's all about the flavour at Nottingham's newest restaurant Wingstop. The chicken wings specialist will be opening its doors at the Cornerhouse next week.
The US chain, which has more than 1,100 outlets worldwide, has chosen the city for its 22nd site as it expands across the UK. Located in the former Pizza Hut restaurant that closed last year, Wingstop has been given a striking dark green and black makeover with seating for 75 inside. A further 30 outside adds to the Forman Street strip of alfresco eating and drinking at Bella Italia, Revolution, Slug & Lettuce and Nando's.
Whether you're a bit peckish after a few drinks or full-blown starving, the menu has it covered. Wings and boneless pieces (in portions of eight, ten, 12 or platters of 24) are brought to life with sauces and rubs in ten different flavours on a scale of no heat to all the heat. And customers can expect to get their hands dirty.
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Chicken tenders are also on the menu - three or five or have them in a brioche bun with slaw, making the Big Flavour Burger. Lemon Pepper and Cajun seasonings liven up the fries, and the sweet potato version or they can be loaded with cheese sauce or buffalo ranch
Izabela Wosinska, whose role is helping new stores to set up, said: "The concept is very simple. It's all about the flavour. There's ten different sauces and everyone can find something they like. The flavour speaks for itself when you try the food. Our chicken and wings are high quality and everything is cooked fresh to order."
Original and Lemon Pepper are the most popular. Garlic Parmesan, Hawaiian and Hickory Smoked BBQ are mild but punchy. Spicy Korean and Louisiana Rub and Brazilian Citrus Pepper ramp up the heat. Mango Habanero is deceptively sweet at first but then the spice hits.
Finally the hottest of them all, Atomic, comes a warning - and anyone who can eat more than one of the fiery bites deserves a medal. Eight really would be pushing it... unless you're a sadist. The signature ranch dip is a must for softening the blow.
Most Wingstop branches are based in London, with others in Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham and Edinburgh. The location and the demographic in Nottingham made it an attractive proposition. Manager Lisa Wheat said: "Nottingham is a big student city and that's our target audience."
Prices range from three tenders for £4.95 to 12 wings for £10.95 and £22.50 for a 24-piece platter. For something sweet there's one option which is good news for churros fans.
Drinks-wise the Coca Cola freestyle machine offers around 100 different flavour combinations. If you want a beer there's Camden Hells or Camden Pale Ale.
The venture has created 50 new jobs and while there's a nationwide shortage of hospitality staff, Wingstop has had no trouble filling the roles after more than 1,000 applications. "We have a young staff. The average age is 20-something," said Izabela.
Wingstop will open its doors at 12pm on Wednesday June 22. It will stay open until 11pm Monday to Thursday, midnight Friday and Saturday, and 10pm Sunday.
"Delivery is expected to start in three or four weeks. Mostly we want customers to have the experience in-store," added Izabella.
