Dish & Drink KC: Wing Café’s saucy wings & Exclusive Jerk’s bold Caribbean bites

Wing Cafe Northland // Photo By Tiffany Watts

Wing Cafe

As a dedicated wing enthusiast and firm believer that the saucier the wing, the better, I recently found myself at Wing Cafe’s Northland location on a quick lunch break with my mom. I went all in, ordering a 12-piece wing combo ($23.00): six Cajun Buffalo and six Durango, because, let’s be honest, picking just one flavor is impossible.

One of the standout perks at Wing Cafe is that they offer sauce tastings before you commit. I took full advantage, sampling both sauces beforehand to ensure I’d love what I ordered. At first taste, I leaned toward the Cajun Buffalo—a fiery blend of heat and Cajun spices that packed a serious punch. The Durango, on the other hand, was bold and spicy with a smoky depth that lingered.

When my wings arrived, they were drenched in sauce—just how I like them. Both flavors were still delicious, though the heat mellowed a bit after cooking. But that didn’t stop me from enjoying them. Surprisingly, while Cajun Buffalo had my heart in the sauce-tasting round, the Durango wings stole the show once they were cooked. The deep, rich spice worked perfectly with the crispy, juicy chicken, and even after reheating them for lunch the next day, they held up incredibly well.

Since I over-ordered (zero regrets), I skipped sides this time. But I did steal a piece of my mom’s fried okra, and let’s just say, I might have to get my own next time.

I’m always a fan of a good lunch special, and Wing Café serves them daily until 3 p.m. While the options may vary, when I visited, they offered: Four chicken strips with a side and drink for $12.99, six wings with a side and drink for $14.99, and eight boneless wings with a side and drink for $13.69.

Wings Cafe has two locations at 516 Northwest Englewood Rd Kansas City, MO 64118 and 3927 Broadway Blvd Kansas City, MO 64111.

Exclusive Jerk Bar Grill // Photo By Tiffany Watts

Exclusive Jerk Bar & Grill

Some restaurants have a way of pulling you in before you even see the menu. Exclusive Jerk Bar & Grill is one of them. The moment I walked through the door, the aroma of slow-cooked spices, smoky heat, and rich seasonings let me know I was in for something special.

I visited with my best friend, and we came prepared to indulge. I ordered Curry Chicken with collard greens and plantains ($11.50), while she opted for the Jerk Oxtails with mashed potatoes and cabbage ($15.50). But first, we had one important question: Do you have pepper sauce? Caribbean cuisine is best enjoyed with a bit of heat, and thankfully, they had just what we needed.

Since everything is made to order, we expected our plates to arrive piping hot, but they were slightly cooler than anticipated. When we mentioned it, the staff responded immediately, graciously bringing out fresh, hot plates to ensure we had the best experience. Their attentiveness and commitment to quality made an already enjoyable meal even better.

The Curry Chicken was rich and flavorful, coated in a thick, aromatic sauce that complemented the perfectly seasoned collard greens. The plantains, already delicious on their own, became even better when dipped into the velvety curry sauce that pooled around the chicken. 

My best friend’s Jerk Oxtails were smoky, bold, and packed with depth—she added extra gravy for an even richer bite, resulting in a messy but utterly satisfying experience. They weren’t quite “falling off the bone” as she’d hoped, but still delicious. The creamy mashed potatoes and crisp, fresh cabbage made for excellent sides, but in the end, we both agreed—the plantains stole the show.

By the time I finished my meal, there wasn’t a single bite left on my plate—a true testament to how satisfying and flavorful every dish was. From the bold spices to the thoughtful service, this spot is absolutely worth a visit.

Exclusive Jerk Bar & Grill is located at 1128 W 103rd St, Kansas City, MO 64114.