Tracking down truly great chicken wings in Midland, TX, can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack of chain restaurants. But they exist—those saucy, crispy, finger-licking havens that haven’t been swallowed by something a lot bigger. This guide finds those gems and more, from classic buffalo joints to a special spot with a secret dry rub that’ll make you forget all about the corporate giants.
Midland Pizza Factory
$ | (432) 682-4440 | WEBSITE
This pizza spot is not a place for big groups—even a party of four is going to feel slightly cramped in here. But a lack of elbow room is a small price to pay for pizza like this. They only have a few tables for dine-in, serving up things like hand-tossed pizza with homemade ranch and marinara you should absolutely try. It’s very impressive, but it also means you might be waiting a little longer than normal if you dine in, so don’t come in a rush.
Little Caesars Pizza
$ | (432) 218-8389 | WEBSITE
Little Caesars Pizza is a straightforward pizza joint that makes pies perfect for grabbing on the way home or devouring in the car after a long day. This takeout spot has some really reliable pizza, topped with all sorts of classic pepperoni and cheese.
But if you’re just getting a quick bite for yourself, focus on the thin crust options and the classic ‘pizza pizza.’ They make pepperoni pizza that’s hot and ready, really affordable slices big enough to satisfy a craving, and also one of our favorite thin crust pies in town, which comes with a generous layer of cheese that’s almost as thick as the crust itself.
Pizza Hut
$ | (432) 683-2240 | WEBSITE
This pizza chain’s pepperoni pies, cheesy breadsticks, and baskets of chicken wings bring a reliable comfort to Midland’s suburban sprawl. Just know that they’re underestimating when they tell you the large pizza feeds four—it actually feeds three plus a teenager after football practice. Still, it’s a welcome sight when the steaming box of wings, garlic knots, and perfectly golden pizza arrives at your door and you can already envision your lunch leftovers for the next day.
Despite being surrounded by fancy steakhouses and chain restaurants, Pizza Hut serves family-sized pizzas for $18, and buckets of wings for $16. Midland consistently appreciates a place like this.
Crisp Garden
$ | (432) 262-0356 | WEBSITE
While Crisp Garden might not be the flashiest spot in Midland, it’s absolutely the neighborhood’s best bet for satisfying Korean comfort food. It’s the kind of place where you can show up in jeans after a long day and still feel perfectly welcome. Try to ignore the simple, no-frills décor and focus instead on the made-to-order dishes, the kind service, and the cozy, clean environment.
The BBQ Korean fried chicken wings are a must-order—juicy, crispy, and served in generous portions that make the (potentially) $25 check feel completely worth it.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
$ | (432) 689-4500 | WEBSITE
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is a barbecue joint in Midland that everyone seems to know. With its prominent roadside location and familiar yellow signage, this place feels like it was built during the golden age of Texas barbecue, which actually was briefly a thing in the mid-20th century. Thankfully, barbecue makes up pretty much the entire menu here. They have pulled pork sandwiches and combo platters under $15 for brisket, ribs, and sausage.
To start, order the pulled pork sandwich, which comes with a side of spicy barbecue sauce, a few pickle chips, and coleslaw–an unexpectedly satisfying combination right up there with classic comfort food. Then please, for the love of all things smoked, order at least one combo platter. You’ll be fork fighting with your friends for the last rib. This is the place to go if you’re looking for that sweet spot within the fast-casual to traditional barbecue spectrum.
Buffalo Jo’s
$ | (432) 247-1601 | WEBSITE
Midland has plenty of casual spots serving very good things to eat, and Buffalo Jo’s is at the top of that list. The local restaurant has excellent chicken wings, and makes some of the best lemon pepper and Korean BBQ wings in town, all of which cost somewhere from $13-16. There are also bigger platters that come with different sauce options like garlic and buffalo, as well as choices like flats or drums only that you should always consider.
All of the above tastes significantly better when paired with the friendly service from staff like Chelsea, by the way.
The Half Acre
$ | (432) 218-7735 | WEBSITE
To find The Half Acre, you’ll need to embrace that classic west Texas spirit: a no-frills spot with picnic tables and the sweet scent of hickory smoke. Thankfully, this barbecue joint keeps things modern with a spacious new patio where families can play corn hole. They serve some really good sides. But the reason we’d hitch up the wagon and come back to The Half Acre is for their meats, specifically the pork ribs and chopped beef that practically melt in your mouth.
Order the full rack of ribs (which easily feeds two) and watch as the bark glistens when they slice it fresh. The meat is tender, slightly smoky, and served with a generous portion of green chili mac and cheese, potato salad, and their signature sweet BBQ sauce.
Crude Food BBQ
$ | (432) 262-0172 | WEBSITE
There’s often a steady stream of cars at the drive-thru of this friendly spot, which serves straightforward, satisfying BBQ at a reasonable price. Fortunately, the service is genuinely quick here and, before long, you should have your brisket grilled cheese or the loaded Trinity plate in front of you before the hunger really sets in. It’s a solid choice for lunch or a relaxed weeknight meal.
Curb Side Bistro II
$ | (432) 218-8291 | WEBSITE
Curb Side Bistro II is one of Midland’s best slider spots—no matter if you’re in the mood for a really good Bad Momma Jamma or just a few Simpson Sliders and some Swine Divine fries. The casual diner has been around a lot longer than most of the new developments that are sprouting up around it and the space looks like it hasn’t changed much over the last decade. The menu is varied, with well over a dozen sliders, salads, and other entrees that won’t cost you more than $15.
Fat Birds Wing Bar
$ | (432) 218-7390 | WEBSITE
The chicken wings at Fat Birds are pretty spectacular, but nothing else about this place matches their splendor. The food is solid. They have enough safe dishes like BBQ tenders, satay wings, and garlic noodles to please your picky family. Yet nothing on the wing-heavy menu feels worthy of a celebration, which happens so much here that the restaurant actually has a family gathering atmosphere you can enjoy.
Instead, keep the expectations simple and just enjoy the uninterrupted flavor of those perfectly cooked wings. Make a visit for dinner, and request a table near the bar. Make the visit a little earlier than you think. The tables tend to fill up and you may have to wait. You don’t want to be stuck outside in the warmth while the wings get cold without you.