If you’ve ever been burned by bad wings, a much-loved micropub on Chesterfield Road is serving up a redemption arc to savour.
At The Boston Arms in Woodseats, a new food menu has landed and it’s putting wings back in the spotlight. Known for its welcoming vibe, craft beer selection and strong sense of community, this independent micropub is adding another string to its bow – seriously good chicken wings, made with care.
“We got a lot of great feedback on the pizzas we do,” says owner Robbie Macdonald, “but people seemed to want smaller, more shareable things too. I’ve always thought wings deserved a better reputation – they’re a bit retro, sure, but they’re the perfect pub food when done well, and it felt like their time to shine again.”
Not content with just slinging out any old wing, Robbie enlisted the help of his pal Patrick Bond – a chef with experience in top-rated street food kitchens – to get things just right. He researched how to make the perfect sauces, the cooking techniques and, most importantly, how to make wings that are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside and full of flavour.
“These aren’t your standard wings,” Robbie explains. “We slow cook them for over an hour, then they’re quick roasted at a high heat followed by a few minutes in the fryer to crisp up the skin. It’s all about that double-cooked crunch, done properly.”
The sauces are a big part of the story too – with flavours like Korean, buffalo and house barbecue all made from scratch (well, mostly – “we start with Frank’s for the buffalo and build from there,” Robbie admits). There’s even a plain option for purists, but it’s the saucy ones that have been turning heads.
The wings are available Wednesday to Sunday from 5-9pm, and on Wednesdays, they’re 2-for-1. “Yeah, we know Wing Wednesdays are a bit of a cliché,” he laughs. “But it fits the slightly retro diner vibe of the menu – a little throwback, a bit tongue-in-cheek. We just want people to give them a go because the feedback has been really positive.”
It’s a labour of love, like much of what The Boston Arms does. It’s got the charm of your local, the beer of your favourite taproom and the vibe of a place that knows what its community wants. From serving a decent cup of coffee late into the evening to hosting book clubs, community meetups and Sheffield’s first ever crisp festival (returning this April), it’s a spot that cares about the details – and the people.
The rest of the menu includes loaded fries, Boston’s Slice pizza, sweet treats from Doughboy and other small plates, all perfect for sharing over a pint or two.
So if you’ve been let down by limp, lifeless wings before, this might just restore your faith. Head down, grab a drink and see what all the fuss is about. As Robbie puts it, “For too long, wings have been overlooked as a pub food. We’re trying to change that.”
