Lemon pepper wings

Lemon pepper wings were invented in Miami, Florida, where people began adding lemon pepper to buffalo wings to reduce their spiciness.[1][2] Wings which came dressed in lemon pepper seasoning later became popular at the city's restaurants.[3] Another reason for the popularity of lemon pepper wings in the early 2000s may have been the fact that they were less likely to stain clothes than buffalo wings, and were preferred by rappers who commonly wore white t-shirts at the time.[4]

The dish is strongly associated with Atlanta cuisine.[5][6] Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms commented that "Lemon pepper wings are Atlanta" in 2017.[7] In 2022, Eric Kim of The New York Times wrote that "in Atlanta, lemon pepper is queen" and described the wings as "central to [the city's] social fabric."[8]

The wings have inspired various items such as lemon pepper tacos,[9] french fries, pierogies,[10] pizza,[11] beer,[12] and soda.[13]

Lemon pepper wings are frequently served in the city's strip clubs.[7][8][14] Chris Kirschner of The Athletic observed that high-quality food was often a hallmark of Atlanta strip clubs, particularly wings,[4] and their food was known to draw celebrity guests.[15] It is also served throughout the United States by chain restaurants.[16][17]

The dish is prepared by frying or roasting unbreaded chicken wings. After cooking, they are tossed in lemon pepper, a seasoning made with lemon zest and black pepper as well as other ingredients such as sugar.[18][19][8] Many recipes use premade lemon pepper.[20]

A platter of lemon pepper wings, buffalo wings, and sliced vegetables

Lemon pepper wings are commonly referenced in music and television related to Atlanta.[24] The 2 Chainz song "Hot Wings" (2018) includes the verse "She just want her 20-piece/ All flesh with the lemon pepper".[25] They are mentioned in the Drake song "Lemon Pepper Freestyle" (2021) featuring Rick Ross. Ross, who owns several Wingstop locations, has mentioned them in numerous other songs including "Buy Back the Block", "Dope Dick", "U.O.E.N.O." and "Thug Cry".[26] They have also been mentioned in songs by rappers like Gucci Mane and the group Migos.[27]

They appeared in the second episode of the television series Atlanta,[28] in which a character receives "lemon pepper wet" wings from the real life restaurant J.R. Crickets.[23] The scene went viral on social media and popularized the dish online.[29] At the time, "lemon pepper wet" wings were not on the restaurant's menu although they had a similar dish called "Fester" wings which customers frequently referred to as "lemon pepper wet". The "lemon pepper wet" depicted in the show was actually inspired by a dish served at the American Deli, a different restaurant in Atlanta.[23] Writer Stephen Glover explained that he wanted the character to be "hooked up" by receiving an item that was not on the menu at J.R. Crickets. In 2017, J.R. Crickets added "lemon pepper wet" to the menu in honor of the show.[30] Mike Jordan of Eater Atlanta claimed that the episode had popularized the dish.[28]

In 2020, Lou Williams of the Los Angeles Clippers was nicknamed "Lemon Pepper Lou" on social media when it was reported that he ordered lemon pepper wings with Jack Harlow at the Magic City strip club during a trip outside the NBA Bubble.[31][32] Williams was previously known for frequenting the club to purchase its wings,[4] where the dish "Louwill Lemon Pepper BBQ Wings" was named after him.[33][34] He objected to the nickname but later trademarked it.[35]

• Hot chicken