Welcome back, Polk County.
Mike here.
We haven't had a list covering wings since we took a look at the best wings in Lakeland a few months back, so I thought it was time to revisit some wings, but this time specific to Winter Haven.
Katie and I reviewed Fully Loaded Bar & Grill a couple weeks back and it prompted this list, and the desire to start reviewing more wing spots throughout Polk County.
With that, I obviously want to know which spots I need to try first to have "the standard" to base the rest of my reviews on — and this gave me a pretty clear 2-3 spots we need to hit.
We've done the same thing for burgers, pizza, sandwiches, and other categories we review, so this should bring us up to speed for wings as well.
And I want to lead you guys off with this: this was actually a landslide. It wasn't even close. The top pick just took it and ran with it.
Which brings us to...
The Best Wings in Winter Haven, Florida.
And, as always, this isn’t just a list I’ve put together based on my own preferences…
This list was built from HUNDREDS of votes, from locals just like you.
Let’s go 
Special Author’s Note:
Katie and I are excited to make it to a handful of these top choices (and the best wings in Lakeland) to learn "the standard" for Polk wings that we'll need to compare for our future reviews.
First Place: Apple Lounge & Grill
The Best Wings In Winter Haven, Florida
Apple Lounge & Grill — 2803 Recker Hwy, Winter Haven
I need to be honest with you about something.
This was not even a competition.
Apple Lounge & Grill didn't just win this. Apple lapped the rest of the list.
More votes than the next four restaurants combined, and it still wasn't close.
Every single time someone asked "best wings in Winter Haven," this was the first answer, and most of the time it came in all caps.
Voters said things like:
- "Apple Grill is the best!"
- "Apple hands down."
- "Apple Lounge and it's not even close."
If you live in Winter Haven, like wings, and haven't had Apple's wings yet, I genuinely don't know what to tell you.
Second Place: Tipsy Hen Wings & Beer
The Second Best Wings In Winter Haven, Florida
Tipsy Hen Wings & Beer — 324 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven
Tipsey Hen Beer & Wings is the newest spot on our list, and still comes in at number two among the votes.
Who knows — maybe one day when they've been around as long as Apple Lounge they'll be able to give them a run for their money.
That said: being as new as they are, and having as many votes as they got, is still extremely impressive.
Voters said things like:
- "Tipsy Hen is the new GOAT of Winter Haven"
- "Tipsy Hen is so good."
- "Can't go wrong with Tipsy Hen."
A place that puts "wings" in its own name better have the wings to back it up. Locals say it does.
Third Place: Blackburn's BBQ
The Third Best Wings In Winter Haven, Florida
Blackburn's — 169 N 5th St, Eagle Lake
Yes, Blackburns is a BBQ joint.
And yes, it's making it into the top 3 for best wing spots in Winter Haven.
But this isn't just any BBQ spot. This is the spot that also came in as the best BBQ in both Winter Haven AND all of Polk County.
Eagle Lake is basically Winter Haven's next door neighbor, close enough that I'm counting it, and leaving Blackburn's in their rightly deserved (judging by the amount of votes) top three.
Voters said things like:
- "Blackburn's wings are amazing."
- "We love Blackburns wings"
- "Love me some Blackburn's."
Sometimes the best wings in town come from the place that isn't necessarily a "wing" place.
Fourth Place: Twisted Prop Bar & Grille
The Fourth Best Wings In Winter Haven, Florida
Twisted Prop — 615 7th St SW, Winter Haven
For a long stretch of the voting phase, Twisted Prop looked like it might actually give Apple a run for its money.
It didn't, nobody did, but it built up a serious and consistent following.
I think for this one it really comes down to the type of voter and style they're looking for when they go grab their wings — but this could have easily been in the top three depending on who decided to send in votes (we had hundreds, but we have thousands and thousands of subscribers).
Voters said things like:
- "Twisted Prop all day."
- "Twisted Prop never disappoints."
- "My favorite spot for wings."
Right on Lake May, this is a very solid pick if you want some views with your wings.
Fifth Place: Somewhere Sports Bar and Grill
The Fifth Best Wings In Winter Haven, Florida
Somewhere Sports Bar & Grill — 5688 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven
Rounding out the top five is a Cypress Gardens Blvd sports bar that kept coming up in thread after thread from people who clearly treat it as their go-to spot.
This is definitely one of those places that have die-hard fans that show up for them.
They didn't have an insane volume of overall votes, but they had loyal customers that continuously choose them over everywhere else.
Voters said things like:
- "Somewhere has great wings."
- "Always solid at Somewhere."
- "That's my spot right there."
If you want wings with your game on in the background, this is apparently where Winter Haven goes.
Other Great Wings In Winter Haven, Florida
If you’re anything like me, you want to try all the best wings in Winter Haven, Florida so you can be the judge for yourself.
So here is the rest of the top ten best wings spots in Winter Haven, Florida (in order 6-10):
- #6 — Floridino's (Lake Hamilton)
- #7 — Rockin' Ricks (In Winter Haven Moose Lodge)
- #8 — Duke's Brewhouse (Winter Haven)
- #9 — Happenings Sports Pub (Winter Haven)
- #10 — Jazzy's Diner (Winter Haven)
Which gives us the full top wing spots in Winter Haven.
And brings us to the moment you’ve all been waiting for…
My personal opinion (that no one asked for 
).
Here are the top spots I'm excited to try:
- Apple Lounge
- Tipsy Hen
- Saving This Spot
I haven't tried enough of this list to give an opinion here so I'm reverting to the top spots I'm excited to try.
And ... I really want to put Apple Lounge and Tipsy Hen head to head and find out which one I like better!
THANKS!
Thanks for reading this edition of The Polk Squeeze today.
Share this with a friend who's been looking for the best wings in Winter Haven.
- Mike Romaine
Never Miss An Event Or Story