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Celebrate Super Bowl Sunday, the second biggest eating day of the year (after Thanksgiving) with any of our top picks for wings at bars and restaurants across Philadelphia. (Credit: iStockPhoto)

So the Super Bowl is this weekend. And we thought it made for an appropriate time to bring you a new roundup of places to go for great wings around the city.

Also, in case you didn’t hear, today, February 3, marks the 20th anniversary of a little event called the Wing Bowl, the annual competitive eating competition at the Wells Fargo Center.

And the greatest competitive eater of all time, the legendary Takeru Kobayashi, competed at this morning’s Wing Bowl (the clock started at 6 a.m.; these people are serious about their wings). Not surprisingly, he won, ingesting an unbelievable 337 wings, and in so doing, demolished the previous record by more than 80 wings.

Now on to the roundup. There are simply too many places serving great wings in Philadelphia for us to include in a single roundup, so instead we’ve tried to provide a selection of places to go for some amazing wings. This list is not limited to traditional Buffalo wings; we also wanted to include some upscale takes on wings, a few options for rotisserie wings, and even a few places to go for Korean-style wings.

In honor of Kobayashi’s incredible performance earlier today (and the 20th Annual Wing Bowl itself) as well as the Super Bowl this Sunday, we present to you our top picks for delicious wings in Philadelphia.

As always, let us know your favorite spot for wings in the comments below. Happy eating!

• Pub and Kitchen: Pub & Kitchen is a restaurant/bar/gastropub located on the south side of the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. P&K sources their chicken wings locally from Eberly Farm (near Lancaster) and serves two kinds of very popular wings: a traditional Buffalo-style wing and an awesome honey whiskey variation. The actual wings are smaller than most but the quality of the wing more than makes up for it.

• Union Jack’s: The sign outside reads “World’s Best Wings” and the regulars inside agree. Bring your appetite because with sauces ranging from traditional “Hot” to “Raspberry Jalapeño,” you’ll want to try them all. Two locations: Manayunk and Glenside.

• Byrne’s Tavern: A Port Richmond favorite, Byrne’s Tavern serves up tender, fall-off-the-bone wings that have kept the crowds coming for nearly 35 years. Available for eat-in or take-out, the wings come in servings of 12 to 100 and are best accompanied by an order of the Irish bar’s popular potato logs.

• Cafe Soho: The wings at Cafe Soho are (urban) legendary. They’ve been endorsed by the likes of James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Solomonov (whose wings at Federal Donuts also grace this list, below) in the New York Times. Cafe Soho’s twice-fried Korean-style chicken wings come in two varieties: spicy and a special garlic and soy sauce. Order both. You won’t regret it. (215)224-6800

• Curran’s Irish Inn: At Curran’s Irish Inn, located in Northeast Philly, the Best of Philly wings come in a variety of temperatures and seasonings: hot, mild, medium, Cajun, garlic, barbecue or plain. Those who want to try more than one kind of the mouthwatering wonders (and who wouldn’t?) can opt for Pudgy’s Wing Sampler, which gives you 15 wings in three styles.

• R2L: Chef Daniel Stern dishes up pan-roasted wings covered with a spicy sauce, scallions and served with long hots that are just as vibrant as R2L’s breathtaking views of the Philadelphia skyline. Tip: plan appropriately and stop by in the early evening to catch a sunset.

• Federal Donuts: Fried chicken and donuts. An uncommon but undeniably delicious combination. And Federal Donuts nails both. So well in fact, that they received a huge write-up in The New York Times. Federal has introduced whole wings into their offerings on the weekends. Available in the two glazed flavors: chile-garlic and honey-ginger; as well as the three crispy varieties: ranch, Harissa and Za’atar.

• Percy Street: Wings? Tails? Whatever. Gobble down Percy Street’s Turkey Tails tossed in Sweet Thangs BBQ sauce and wash them down with a Hillybilly Gatorade.

We’ve got many more recommendations below.
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Percy Street Barbecue is just one of many Philadelphia bars and restaurants offering delicious Super Bowl deals this Sunday. (Photo courtesy Percy Street)

Just because our beloved Eagles didn’t make it to the big game this year is no excuse not to enjoy it.

This Sunday’s Super Bowl will be especially festive thanks to so many of Philly’s favorite restaurants offering incredible specials either at the bar or at your door.

Whether you watch for the sport, the commercials or the half-time act, you’ll be sure to have good eats to get you through the game.

Check out our quick-and-dirty guide to top picks for where to eat in or take out some great game-day grub this Sunday:

Super Bowl Take-Out

• Percy Street Barbecue: Take 20% off take-out and catering on Super Bowl Sunday. Also, take advantage of Percy Street’s brand-new Craft Beer Take-Out Program, with packs of craft beer cans available to take home in pre-selected assortments.

• City Tap House: Toast the New England Patriots or the New York Giants with beer from their home breweries including Harpoon, Brooklyn and Sixpoint: any for $4. For those who prefer to watch the game at home, the restaurant will offer a take-out only party package with two pizzas, 25 wings, and two growlers of beer for $75.

• Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant: All nine Iron Hill locations will offer their popular daily take-out deal: any two pizzas and one growler of house beer for just $25. Seasonal and Belgian-style beers can be substituted for an additional charge.

• Federal Donuts: Pick up donuts and fried chicken to chow down on at home. Order in advance by emailing info@federaldonuts.com.

Super Bowl In-House Specials

• Lemon Hill: Chef Mitch Prensky’s latest endeavor, Lemon Hill, is hosting a “Supper Bowl,” a culinary match-up to mirror the geographical battle on the football field. Lemon Hill will pit classic New York and New England foods agains each other.

• Distrito: Enjoy endless tacos and enchiladas, served with refried beans, black beans, rice, and Chilango chopped salad for $25 in the first-floor tequila lounge from 6-9 p.m. Dos Equis Lager and Dos Equis Amber draughts will be offered for $2.

• London Grill: Watch the game while devouring an all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ for $20. They’ll also offer a “Citywide Special,” a shot of Powers Irish whiskey and a PBR pounder. What’s more, a variety of craft beers will be available for purchase on draught.

• Frankford Hall: Frankford Hall will be showing the big game on their 60″ flat screen as well as the 8′ projection screen. Plus all burgers, sausages and beers will be half price during the game. That’s outrageous.

Continue reading, below.

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Draft Magazine has released its list of the 100 Best Beer Bars in America and good news: Philadelphia is well represented. Included in the list are six Philadelphia bars: the Grey Lodge Pub in Northeast Philadelphia, Memphis Taproom in Fishtown, Monk’s and Tria in Center City, Eulogy in Old City and Standard Tap in Northern Liberties. It’s a good start. What would make your list of the best beer bars in Philadelphia? There are clearly plenty of choices. Let us know in the comments. Post Updated. [Draft Magazine]

Set your alarm clock for Grey Lodge Pub’s annual Groundhog Day Hawaiian Shirt Beer Breakfast.

Chase away the winter blahs with this annual event, which starts off at 7 a.m.

Cheer on Punxsutawney Phil as he makes his official announcement at 7:20 a.m., and enjoy 10 great beers on tap (mostly local: think Yards, Sly Fox, Philadelphia, Ommegang and Sierra Nevada) specially for little Phil’s moment of glory.

There will be special events with a different brewery every hour, including a Hawaiian shirt contest, a hula hoop contest and more.

Need even more incentive? Grey Lodge will break out a case of Founders CBS that they’ve been saving for almost a whole year for the occasion.

The brew will be first come, first serve, and there are only twelve 25 oz. bottles. Game on!

Groundhog Day at Grey Lodge Pub
When: Thursday, February 2, starting at 7 a.m.
Where: 6235 Frankford Avenue
Cost: Pay as you go
More info: www.greylodge.com

There's nothing better than a delicious, warming, hearty meal during the winter. (Photo by Ryan Lavine courtesy City Tap House)

This winter at City Tap House, Executive Chef Ralph Kane is dishing up special cold-weather-perfect hearty Suppers, a range of themed specials for every night, Monday through Saturday.

Featured specials include:

• Monday’s “Southern Cooking,” a mix of Cajun and Creole stews and braises as well as batter-dipped and pan-fried dishes
• Tuesday’s “Game Night,” featuring local wild game such as rabbit saddle, roast squab and venison sausage
• Wednesday’s “Weekly Roast,” delicious whole roasts, such as lamb legs, suckling pig and prime rib
• Thursday’s “Homesick Texans” for barbecue lovers, boasting Kane’s sweet and smoky specialties
• Friday’s “On the Hook,” the fresh catch of the day, featuring whole fish from local fisheries
• Saturday’s “CTH Steak,” a night of classic steakhouse fare such as butcher-selected prime steaks and chops and traditional sides.

Suppers range in price from $24 to $36, and pair nicely with City Tap House’s 60 taps.

Be sure to also try the restaurant/bar’s delicious Saturday and Sunday brunch, featuring everything from Country-Fried Brisket Hash to Homemade Belgian Waffles.

City Tap House
3925 Walnut Street
www.citytaphouse.com

Yahtzee! Philadelphia's food and drink scene truly has it all, including delicious eats, one of the nation's best beer scenes and award-winning chefs and bartenders, not to mention a ton of bars and restaurants offering extracurricular activities of all types. (Photo credits: top right courtesy Frankford Hall, remainder by G. Widman for GPTMC)

Sometimes your vision of an ideal night out includes a few great beers for a solid price, delicious eats, an energized, friendly vibe and… games.

Good thing a sizable handful of Philadelphia bar and restaurants offer games and other means of entertainment in the form of everything from ping pong and foosball to darts and vintage arcade games.

If this sounds like something you’d be into for an evening out on the town, we’ve put together a complete guide to the restaurants and bars in Philadelphia that offer such a wide range of extracurricular activities.

Check it below, and then use it to plan your next game night.

• Barcade: For fun and games of the 25-cent variety, head to Barcade, a grown-up (but not too grown-up) arcade in Fishtown. Enjoy classic 80s arcade games — the lineup includes classics like Frogger, Ms. Pac-Man, Tron and Donkey Kong — and a rotating line-up of American craft beer. Happy hour takes place each weeknight from 4-7 p.m. and includes a dollar off all beers. And the kitchen puts out a menu of solid sandwiches for under $10 until midnight daily.

• Buffalo Billiards: Skee ball alert. At Old City’s Buffalo Billiards, there’s a game for just about everyone’s taste, from pool and shuffleboard to darts, foosball and skee ball. For those who prefer to watch a game, there are 17 TVs. Happy hour is Monday through Friday, 6-8 p.m. and includes half-priced appetizers.

• Frankford Hall: Jenga! Besides delicious burgers, beers to no end, 18+ heat lamps and a bunch of fire pits, Stephen Starr’s Fishtown beer garden boasts ping pong tables and perfect-for-groups card and table games like Jenga, dominoes and Uno. Happy Hour hits every Tuesday through Friday, from 4-7 p.m., when you can pair any half liter of beer with any sausage for the ridiculous deal of $8. Other happy hour deals include $3 fries and $10 liter drafts.

• The Twisted Tail: Shuffleboard, anyone? Head to this new spot on Headhouse Square for live music, bourbon, Southern food and a round of shuffleboard.

• Sugar Mom’s: Have a seat in a (stationary) bumper car, play some pinball, play some arcade-style hockey, or try your hand at Galaga. All while enjoying some of the cheapest beer in the city (which isn’t to say the worst quality).

• Druid’s Keep: Head to Northern Liberties for Golden Tee, board games like Trivial Pursuit and the obligatory pool table and dart board. Awesome bonus: they have cornhole in the back yard during the summer.

Lots more, below.

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A favorite at McNally’s Tavern in Chestnut Hill for more than 40 years, The Schmitter® is packed with sliced beef, extra cheese, fried onions, tomato, grilled salami and special sauce all onto a flash-broiled Kaiser roll. (Photo by J. Varney for GPTMC)

[This is the latest installment in our ongoing post series "Amuse Bouche Philadelphia," in which we highlight must-try menu items at restaurants and eateries around the city. We're calling the post series "Amuse Bouche" because, like a traditional amuse bouche that you might receive before a meal, these posts are intended to tease and excite your taste buds. Only we'll have to try to do it visually. Hope you enjoy.]

Amuse Bouche is back for 2012 and we’re starting it off by highlighting some of Philadelphia’s most iconic foods. Next up is the uniquely delicious Schmitter® Sandwich from McNally’s Tavern in Chestnut Hill. (So good, in fact, it has actually been copyrighted.)

McNally’s is a Chestnut Hill landmark, however it’s one without a big sign. Instead, there’s just a small plaque on the door and a green flag hanging above. But locals know how to find it just fine — it’s been located here near the top of Germantown Avenue for more than 80 years.

McNally’s, of course, is famous for its signature sandwich, the Schmitter®, which is a variation of Philadelphia’s famous cheesesteak sandwich. The Schmitter® includes the traditional grilled steak, fried onions and melted cheese but adds grilled salami, grilled tomatoes and a special sauce and comes on a toasted Kaiser roll instead of a long hoagie roll.

While the combination might sound strange, it’s famous for a reason — it’s frighteningly delicious. Go ahead and put it on your Philadelphia bucket list.

McNally’s Tavern
8634 Germantown Avenue
www.mcnallystavern.com

Jennifer Zavala, a former Top Chef contestant and the former chef at El Camino Real, is putting a new spin on Industry Night standards in Philadelphia with Hen’s Revenge, a monthly event aimed to place the spotlight on the skills of females in the biz.

Set to fly the coop Monday, January 23 at 10 p.m., Zavala’s first female-friendly team brings Jen Choplin of Watkins Drinkery and Molly O’Neill and Lisa Howell of Resurrection Ale House to the South Philly diner and bar, Teri’s.

While the staff is exclusively female, all industry workers are welcomed with proof of employment at the third Monday monthly series with free dishes like parsnip soup with apple butter; andouille pigs in a blanket; lamb shawarma nachos; warm quinoa salad with beets, orange, pickled onions and endive and pay as you go drink specials.

Zavala plans to keep Hen’s Revenge in South Philly where she says, “we have a few offers on the table already for next month.”

For more information on future Hen’s Revenge nights, and to stay up to date on Zavala’s upcoming mobile food project, Cherry Bomb Bus (an old mini school bus-turned-ice cream truck she’s converting into her own mobile operation), follow her on Twitter and Facebook.

Hen’s Revenge January Industry Night at Teri’s
Where: 1126 S. 9th Street
When: Monday, January 23, 10 p.m. until last call
Cost: Free food; pay as you go drink specials
More info: www.facebook.com

Whenever a Friday the 13th rolls around, Grey Lodge Pub on Frankford Avenue is the place to celebrate.

The pub celebrates its 24th “Friday The Firkinteenth” this Friday, January 13 from noon-10 p.m.

As usual, they’ll be buying as many firkins of cask ale they can get their hands on, which comes to about 26 this time around. They’ll have seven at a time on the bar until they run out. All of the beer will be served by gravity pour.

For the 24th Firkinteenth, Grey Lodge will have their first cask cider, numerous English casks, the Philly debut of Fifty Fifty Rockslide IPA, what might be the debut of Flying Fish’s newest beer: Scarlet Fever, plus a lot of the usual suspect beers.

Starting at 11 a.m., Grey Lodge’s full menu will be available. For the Firkinteenth, all food service will be second floor only.

Let the games begin.

Friday The Firkinteenth
Where: The Grey Lodge Pub, 6235 Frankford Avenue
When: Friday, January 13, noon-10 p.m.
Cost: Pay as you go
More info: www.greylodge.com

From enticing fireplaces to inviting fire pits, Philadelphia has several cozy spots to thaw out this winter, like the charming Beau Monde Creperie on Bainbridge Street. (Photo courtesy Beau Monde)

Colder weather means warmer meals, and with a little planning, fireside tables or by-the-firepit seating.

Escape the chill and snuggle up by the fire at any of the handful of bars and restaurants around the city that offer it.

Check out our top picks:

• The Dandelion: Where better to enjoy British pub fare — fish and chips, toffee pudding, Welsh rabbit — than by the fire? One of Stephen Starr’s latest restaurants offers all of the above.

• Frankford Hall: The popular Fishtown outdoor beer garden has battened down the hatches for the winter season, with 18+ heat lamps outside, complemented by an awesome new fire pit. Ping pong, delicious beer and juicy burgers by the fire? Yes, please.

• Marigold Kitchen: Nestled on a quiet, tree-lined block of Victorian houses in the Spruce Hill section of University City, this innovative American restaurant positions tables nearby the homey hearth. It’s BYOB to boot.

• Continental Midtown: Stephen Starr’s trendy Rittenhouse martini bar features a rooftop dining area complete with toe-defrosting fireplace. Partially enclosed so that it’s serviceable year-round, the deck area is one of the most popular nightspots in the Rittenhouse neighborhood.

• XIX (Nineteen) at the Bellevue: Whether enjoying an aperitif before dinner or savoring a drink in front of the soothing fireplace, the bar at Nineteen is warm and inviting.

• McGillin’s Olde Ale House: This comfortable antique, rumored to be Philadelphia’s oldest bar, features high beamed ceilings and a working fireplace, the perfect friendly spot at which to imbibe.

• Standard Tap: This beer bar in Northern Liberties is a go-to in the winter just as much as the summer. Looking for a great local draft list and hearty eats, to be enjoyed by the fireplace? You’re in luck.

Check out even more options below, including Swann Lounge, Beau Monde and Liberte.

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