Editor’s Note: Last year, Michael and Nicole Borrell began reviewing Lebanon Valley’s restaurants and eating attractions as the Lebanon Valley Food Critics. Since then, the couple has aimed to offer unbiased reviews of the eating and drinking establishments the Lebanon Valley has to offer. LebTown is pleased to be partnering with LVFC to share these reviews with our readers. Bon appétit!
Welcome to the first season of our highly anticipated Lebanon Valley “Wing Wars.” Eight entrants from four regions of the Valley will compete, bracket style, to be declared the winner of Best Wing in The Valley.
Our judgement will be based upon several factors including: wing sauce/rub flavor, size of wing, how they’re cooked, presentation, and critic impression.
We finish up in the central region pitting the Red-Headed League Public House in Lebanon against Big Daddy’s in Lebanon. And with me tonight I had a special guest, Fireman Bob, who recently retired after 20+ years of service, to help me judge the wings.
The Red Headed League Public House
Address
33 S. 8th Street
Lebanon, PA 17042
Phone: (717) 708-2964
Website
fb.com/RedHeadedLeaguePub/
Hours
Mon: 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Tue: 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Wed: 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Thu: 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Fri: 11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sat: 12 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Sun: 12 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Located on the third floor of the Lebanon Farmers Market, located on S. 8th Street in Lebanon, this restaurant offers wing night specials on Thursdays. Small order is $5 and a large order is $9. Normally the wings are $6 & $11, respectively.
Tonight, we ordered two large orders of wings and got two sauces: Sweet & Spicy and Old Bay. At the suggestion of our bartender, we got the Old Bay mixed with mild sauce. There aren’t too many options for wing sauces, but we didn’t feel like we settled on a flavor.
The wings were a good above average size. They smoke their wings, and it makes a difference. The meat just fell off the bone. No struggle in getting all the meat. We were both impressed.
The Sweet & Spicy had a slight kick on the backside. The Old Bay as a dry rub will dry out on the wing. The addition of the mild sauce kept the wing wet while maintaining the Old Bay flavor.
A large order is nine wings. We are not sure what a small order size entails. Paired with our Old Bay fries appetizer, it was a nice dinner at the bar.
Our final impression:
- Good size wing.
- Smoked and the meat was fall off the bone.
- Lacking on flavor options.
- A single night wing special during the week.
Winner: Congratulations to Red-Headed League Public House for coming out of the Central Region. The Red Headed League was selected for its fall off the bone smoked wing. While they don’t have a wide selection of sauces, we were pleased with the sauces we got and can’t wait to go back for more wings. It was the closest match up so far.
If you have a restaurant you would like us to visit or review, whether a place you like or are nervous to try, please message us on Facebook or email lvfoodcritics@outlook.com and let us know. We thank everyone for the recommendations and the kind words we have received.
