Well, Thornton to be exact. But for the first time in its 22-year history, the beloved and growing place for all things chicken, Wing Shack, has come to roost in the Denver Metro.
Lots of people from the city already knew about Wing Shack. So when it opened its 16th store on the corner of Washington and 102nd Avenue, there was no shortage of excited customers to fill out the space. And since its debut just about a month ago, the newly-minted addition to Brian Seifried’s growing poultry empire has continued to churn out plates of wings, nuggets and fries at a nearly blistering pace. “It’s been awesome to see these fans come out of the woodwork,” said Seifried.
But something must account for the long lines, visible throughout the day, other than just nostalgia. The menu is short and sweet, and despite the presence of the perfectly solid green chili pollo asado fries, Wing Shack truly is about the wings. So why all the fuss?
It boils down to the sauce. Each option has been carefully concocted and field tested across many a munchie. The teriyaki is a standout, as is the spicy orange. The bear hot, the menu’s spiciest option, has a good kick, but won’t deter real heat freaks. Don’t leave without trying the garlic hot, the sauce that started it all. “That’s the one that put us on the map,” said Seifried.
There’s also an undeniable sense of community that comes when people engage in the ceremonial act of partaking in wings. “There’s something about sharing from the same pile,” said Seifried. “It’s food to eat when you’re having fun.”
While decidedly working on the faster end of fast casual, Wing Shack is a great place to sit down and eat. “I want to fill out that niche that Pizza Hut had in the 90s,” laughed Seifried. “Minus the parents chainsmoking.”
Even as the business grows, Seifried stays committed to running the operation ethically, seemingly guided by the principle of no harm and plenty of fowl. “I have this paranoia of becoming corporate and cookie-cutter,” he said. Despite the rapid expansion, Wing Shack still has a viable personality. Wings hit the table at breakneck speed, and the staff are legitimately welcoming. “We want to keep who we are,” continued the restaurateur. Guests can always count on their wings never having been frozen. Plates arrive noticeably free of gargantuan frankenwings.
Seifried has also stressed that even with rising costs, he’s committed to keeping his restaurants affordable. There’s a permanent dine-in special that comes with 25 wings, a regular fries and four sodas for $30.99, with an option to upgrade to a pitcher of beer for five bucks more. “It’s important for us that this is a place that everyone can come and enjoy,” said Seifried. “Dining shouldn’t be a privilege, it shouldn’t be exclusive. It should be for everybody.”
With nearly 20 stores, there’s a variety of ways to experience Wing Shack, from the express version in Boulder to the more downhome spot on 8th Avenue in Greeley. But Seifried says that the Thornton model, with its inviting bar and nearly 100 seats, is set to become the ideal. “I like a place where families can pull a few tables together,” he said.
Seifried says that this is just the beginning of Wing Shack’s presence in and around the city. “We’re aggressive with getting new Denver locations,” he said. “We want to cement ourselves as Colorado’s wing joint.”
Wing Shack Thornton is located at 10280 Washington Street, Thornton. It is open every day from 10:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Photos courtesy of Wing Shack.
