With the excitement of a new school year already underway, another buzz has been growing around town: the opening of a brand-new Wingstop. Students have been quick to check it out, eager to taste their favorite wings, fries, and sides while comparing notes on the newest hangout spot.
From the very first week, the restaurant was packed. Students could be seen coming in groups, ordering their go-to meals, and debating which wing style reigns supreme. The smell of Cajun fries, hot honey rub, and garlic parmesan filled the air, making it feel like more than just dinner- it felt like a community gathering.
Much like the tradition of seniors painting their parking spots each year to leave their mark, Wingstop has quickly become a place where students come together not just to eat, but to connect. And just as parking spot designs reveal personal style, Wingstop orders reveal a lot about students’ flavor preferences.
Senior Hayvn Wright shared that their go-to order is a four piece chicken tender with hot honey rub, Cajun fries, and a drink. “The first time I went, they kind of lost my order,” Haven said. “I waited 20 minutes, and it had been ready the whole time. The service was a little iffy, but that wouldn’t stop me from going back. The inside is really nice, and I think the service will get better as they get going.”
Another senior, Mackenzie Sutton, is a little more adventurous with sauces. “I get a five-piece tender meal, three mango habanero, two chipotle rub, corn on the side, and two ranch,” she explained. “Out of the options, tenders are the best, juicy and flavorful. My top three rubs are chipotle, hot honey, and Louisiana rub. The service was really good when I went. I’d definitely go back. Hell yeah.”
Not everyone is team tenders, though. Angelina Reed, a sophomore, prefers the boneless route. “My go-to order is garlic parmesan boneless wings. Sometimes I get barbecue too, but that’s it. The service was a little slow, probably because they make everything fresh. But no, that wouldn’t stop me from going back, I’d recommend it to other people for sure.”
Fellow sophomore Caleb Hand agreed that boneless can be a solid choice. “I usually get boneless wings with hot honey rub and garlic parm. Last time I tried Cajun corn, but they burned it. I’d give the service a 6 out of 10. It was crowded, but not too bad. I’d definitely go back, though.”
Meanwhile, Reese Chapman, a junior, was firm in his opinion. “My go-to order is traditional barbecue wings.” Chapman said. “My favorite sauces are chipotle, barbecue, and mango habanero. The service was okay, but the lines were too long. I’d recommend it, but just be ready to wait.”
These strong opinions reflect what we found in a student survey of wing preferences. Traditional wings came out on top with 45.7% of students choosing them, followed by boneless at 37.1%, and tenders at 17.1%.
Despite some early bumps in service, the overwhelming takeaway is clear: students love the food, the atmosphere, and the new spot in town. Just as painted parking spots let seniors leave their mark on campus, the orders at Wingstop are quickly becoming part of the school’s shared story. Whether you’re team tenders, boneless, or traditional, Wingstop has already become a place where students can come together, laugh over long lines, and bond over flavor.
