The Takeout Highlights 5 Top U.S. Wing Spots From Oregon to New York

Q: What secret spice blend makes a 1982 Indiana wing recipe so legendary that it outshines modern culinary trends today?

It isn’t publicly identified. What makes Ale Emporium’s 1982-era Hermanaki wings legendary is not a named spice mix, but the combination of a secret spice blend, the restaurant’s house sauce, and teriyaki. The news roundup and supporting web material both point to Ale Emporium in Indianapolis as a long-running standout. Founded in 1982, it is best known for Hermanaki wings, described as sweet, spicy jumbo wings built around that undisclosed seasoning formula. Neither the restaurant nor the cited coverage reveals the ingredients of the blend, so there is no verified public recipe to name. What is clear is why the wings remain so prominent despite changing food trends: they have decades of local loyalty, broad recognition beyond Indiana, and a signature flavor profile that customers and reviewers continue to single out. Recent coverage also noted praise for Ale Emporium’s Buffalo wings in 2024, reinforcing that its reputation is not just nostalgic but still current. So the direct answer is that the “secret spice blend” remains secret; the legendary status comes from the Hermanaki preparation itself rather than any disclosed ingredient list.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 12

Five restaurants made The Takeout’s featured wing roundup: Fire on the Mountain in Portland, Scovilles in Salt Lake City, Wings, Etc. in Topeka, Ale Emporium in Indianapolis and Bar-Bill Tavern in Buffalo.
The list draws on customer reviews, reader polls, local news coverage and wing competitions, reflecting how Buffalo-born wings have spread into a nationwide restaurant staple.
Several picks came with recent accolades: Fire on the Mountain won a 2018 National Buffalo Wing Festival category, Scovilles was named Salt Lake City Weekly’s 2025 Best Wings, and Wings, Etc. won Topeka’s community vote from 2020 to 2024.
The selections also showcase range in style, from Fire on the Mountain’s Raspberry Habanero and vegan wings to Ale Emporium’s Hermanaki jumbo wings and Bar-Bill Tavern’s standing as a Buffalo favorite.