Charlene LaskyFinding great chicken wing spots in the city is part of the fun of exploring the city’s food scene. From classic Buffalo wings to crispy Korean-style favorites, there’s no shortage of flavorful options.
If you’re spending the day checking out local breweries, a basket of wings is the perfect companion to a cold pint. And if wine tasting spots are more your speed, wings still make a great way to kick off the adventure before moving on to the next stop.
To help you decide where to go, we’ve rounded up the chicken wing spots in San Diego that locals and visitors keep coming back to.
How much do chicken wings cost in San Diego?
In San Diego, you can expect to pay around $12 to $16 for an order of chicken wings at a restaurant. A full dozen wings typically costs $22 to $25, while fresh raw wings at grocery stores average $4 to $6 per pound.
| Item | Average Cost |
| Standard 6-piece or 8-piece meal | $12 – $16 |
| Dozen wings | $22 – $25 |
| Raw, fresh chicken wings (per pound) | $4 – $6 |
1. Dirty Birds Pacific Beach
Website: https://www.dirtybirdsbarandgrill.com/
Address: 4656 Mission Blvd
Contact: 858-274-2473
Hours:
- Monday – Thursday & Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Friday & Saturday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Catching a big game feels a lot better when the vibe is right, and Dirty Birds Pacific Beach really leans into that. It’s right near the beach boardwalk, which already gives the place a laid-back, easygoing feel before you even walk in.
We like that the serving size here is large, and every order feels more like a full meal than just a snack. They’ve got a solid lineup of house-crafted sauces too, so you’re not limited to just the usual spicy or sweet options.
On top of that, the rotating craft beer selection at the bar makes it easy to find something that pairs nicely with your plate.
Just keep in mind that it can get pretty busy on big game nights. As a result, the kitchen sometimes struggles to keep things consistent, with a few wings coming out a bit dry or uneven on the sauce.
Customer Reviews:
Crispy on the outside and tender and moist on the inside
You wants good chicken wings, don’t go to any of the big chains. These guys cook their wings right: crispy on the outside and tender and moist on the inside. A wide variety of flavors. I had a dry rub Jerk Chicken and it was very tasty. Should have been spicier though. I also got their hottest wing. Sweet and savory with good heat. Nothing you’re going to die over.
Support your local wing joint!
- Daniel Sturman | Google Review
Absolutely tasty chicken wings
Absolutely tasty chicken wings. It was spicy and full of flavours. Can’t wait to go there again. Best food I ate in San Diego. We ordered 20 pieces with 4 types and Habanero Chicken Wings and they were absolutely fantastic.
Enjoyed the happy hour there… I will visit this place whenever I came to San Diego for sure…
- Naveen Kumar | Google Review
2. Liberty Wing Co
Website: https://libertywingco.com/
Address: 2820 Historic Decatur Rd
Contact: 619-782-9276
Hours:
- Sunday – Thursday: 10:30 AM – 8:00 PM
- Friday & Saturday: 10:30 PM – 9:00 PM
A visit to Liberty Public Market usually builds up a solid appetite, and Liberty Wing Co is a great stop when that craving kicks in. It’s located right inside the busy market and focuses on all things chicken, from traditional to boneless baskets.
You can switch things up with seasonings like Lemon Pepper or classic Buffalo, depending on what you’re in the mood for.
We stopped by after wandering the market and honestly liked that their wings had a great crunch. My personal favorite dip was their blue cheese dressing, so while you’re there, don’t miss out on that one.
If you’re grabbing a quick solo lunch, the combo meals make things simple. They also serve wraps and loaded fries, which is handy if you’re with a group and not everyone wants wings.
Do take note, though, that there have been occasional reports of undercooked chicken.
Customer Reviews:
So delicious
Had to come in and try this new edition to Liberty Public Market. We ordered the mild buffalo and house-made BBQ boneless wings and made it a combo. They were so delicious and the ranch and blue cheese dipping was great. Service was good and friendly. I am excited to come back already as I saw many other things I would like to try on the menu! I definitely recommend to anyone and friends and family.
- Gabby Gonzalez | Google Review
The wings were juicy and seasoned very well
I ate here last night and it was great. I didn’t know what to expect but they were a winner for me. The fries were crispy, the wings were juicy and seasoned very well. I got a side of blue cheese and ranch, which were both homemade. Only downside was the blue cheese was watery. Other than that 10/10! I’d absolutely recommend
- Chele Dom | Google Review
3. Pelicana Chicken SD
Website: https://www.pelicanausa.com/
Address: 7767 Balboa Ave
Contact: 858-278-2167
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
A craving for sweet, super crunchy comfort food is a totally valid reason to switch up your dinner plans. Pelicana Chicken SD brings over 40 years of Korean fried chicken heritage, so there’s a lot of real experience behind every bite.
They’re known as pioneers of seasoned Yangnyeom chicken, using a signature sauce made with roughly 20 fresh ingredients. Plus, their special frying method usually gives the chicken a really satisfying crunch that stands out right away.
We also love how the menu gets interesting with glazes like Smoky Hot and Blazing Mayo, which bring a bold flavor kick you don’t really find everywhere.
However, some diners mentioned that the sauce can be a bit thin at times. The side dishes are also pretty simple compared to the main event.
Even then, the deep history and flavor make it a solid spot worth checking out.
Customer Reviews:
The wings are still crispy even after all the time it takes to deliver
I used to only eat at Cross chicken. Now, I will never eat there again. Pelicana simply outclasses them. The quality and flavor are easily better. When i do get wings with sauce they put just the right amount too. I hate when there’s too much sauce over everything. I’ve gotten take out and delivery here and both were good. The wings are still crispy even after all the time it takes to deliver.
- David P | Google Review
VERY much enjoyed them!
Amazing!…my husband and I had the signature and garlic sauce boneless wings and VERY much enjoyed them!! They were so crispy and flavorful. We also tried the peli shaken fries and the peli cheese balls which I highly recommend ordering as well. The cheese was unlike any cheese we’ve had. We were hooked! The space is big enough to sit down and enjoy. Definitely want to come back!! Great quality food!!
- Mitch Hulderman | Google Review
4. Cross Street Chicken and Beer
Website: https://www.crossstreetcnb.com/
Address: 4403 Convoy St.
Contact: 858-430-6001
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM
If you’re looking for a spot that successfully blends different culinary traditions, Cross Street Chicken and Beer is a pretty fun surprise.
It brings together Korean fried chicken and Southern-inspired flavors, making the whole experience feel a bit more unique than your usual wing stop.
Their kitchen even double-fries everything to get that super crispy shell, taking cues from global influences across Asia. You’ll also probably enjoy choosing from their 13 signature flavors.
I had a friend basically insist we try it just to experience the Korean chimaek tradition, and honestly, pairing their spicy glazed chicken with local craft beer was a great call.
The only catch is that they have pretty basic side dishes here.
Customer Reviews:
SO good
Everything was delicious and well priced. I had the lemon pepper non battered wings and they were SO good. Pleasant outdoor seating and a couple of backyard games that our family had fun playing while we digested our food. Great choice on a Saturday afternoon.
- Melissa Faircloth | Google Review
Overall amazing experience
The food is SO SO GOOD. My partner and I split their Seoul spicy wings and soy garlic wings. Their Seoul spicy wings are mouthwatering, flavorful, and so crispy. My mouth is watering just typing this because I’m remembering the wings. Their corn poppers are also SO good. I also tried their pride month shots and they were very tasty. I didn’t have a single thing that tasted bad. Everything was flavorful and mouth watering. Their customer service was also good and everyone was very nice. Overall amazing experience.
- Daisy | Google Review
5. Wing Factory
Website: https://mywingfactory.com/
Address: 470 South Meadowbrook Dr
Contact: 619-512-1944
Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM
- Saturday & Sunday: 12:00 PM – 10:30 PM
For those who are in the mood to kick back somewhere comfortable with a messy plate of wings, Wing Factory is that kind of easygoing spot.
It’s been around since 1997, so it has that long-running neighborhood feel that doesn’t try too hard. The whole idea here is simple: big plates of wings, live games on TV, and a cold beer in hand.
As for their wings, they’re just the right size, one that’s easy to enjoy while watching a game.
The place works really well for larger groups or families who want an easy weekend hangout away from the trendier downtown spots.
It’s also a great spot for private parties and catering. This makes it handy if you ever need a lot of food for a get-together at home.
On the downside, larger group orders can sometimes come out a bit inconsistent during busy hours, with a few undercooked pieces mixed in.
Customer Reviews:
The wings were super juicy
I’m loving the wings here. I was not too impressed initially ( 2 years ago) and decided to give it a second try and I’m glad I did! The wings were super juicy and adequately seasoned, the bread was freshly baked and fluffy. I recognized that more people are here as well. Nicely done.
- Bravo Molina | Google Review
Best buffalo chicken wings I’ve had in a long time
Best buffalo chicken wings I’ve had in a long time. This place was generous on the chunks of chicken and had a variety of flavors to get such as traditional miles, garlic, Parmesan, lemon pepper, sweet-and-sour, honey, barbecue, teriyaki, chipotle, and More! They also have a mac & cheese, buffalo chicken fries, but I’m probably gonna try the next time I come!
- Javier Cota | Google Review
