Wellman’s Pub in Des Moines provides the perfect atmosphere for Thursday Night Football with their “All-You-Can-Eat” wings deal.
Thursday, the best day of the week. You’ve worked your tail off Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday enduring long days of class and strenuous football practices. But today is different. Today you wake up with a smile on your face and an extra pep in your step because you know it’s wing night.
Wing Night has been a tradition with my roommates and I for about two years now. There is no better way to reward yourself for a hard-fought week than by pigging out at Wing Night.
Wellman’s Pub is a fine establishment located just a couple blocks south of the Drake campus. Wellman’s is a great spot for burgers, beers, and of course, wings. Every Thursday from 5-9 p.m. they offer unlimited chicken wings with the purchase of a drink for a total of $12.99. Not only is it the best deal in town, but they are quality wings with a variety of sauces to choose from.
You can’t just go into Wing Night unprepared. It takes preparation and strategy to go in and successfully dominate Wing Night. In order to get the most out of your Wing Night, you have to plan out your meals earlier in the day to maximize your appetite when game time comes around. That means a good, hearty breakfast when you wake up and a light lunch in the early afternoon.
After practice and class end around 6:30, it go time. The moment you’ve been waiting for all day. You hop in the car with your roommates and head over to Wellman’s. Everyone’s in a great mood, serotonin is at a high, and rumbling stomachs are ready to be filled.
The atmosphere at Wellman’s on a Wing Night is unmatched. People come from all over to enjoy delicious drinks and wings with their friends. The motorcycle gangs, college students, families, couples, all join together in harmony for the perfect night that is Wing Night.
You grab a table with your buddies as the aroma of old wood, bourbon, and wings fills the air. Everyone orders a drink as the waitress comes to the table and it’s time to put in the first order of wings. This is where strategy becomes key. As I mentioned, there’s a variety of delicious sauces to choose from, and you need to pick your sauce with intent to get the best experience possible. After nearly 40 weeks of trail and error, I have put together an order for the best Wing Night possible.
Round 1 – Mild Buffalo: Start yourself off with a classic. Wellman’s uses Frank’s Red Hot for their buffalo wings which provides for a great buffalo taste with just the right amount of kick. The perfect way to get your taste-buds going.
Round 2 – Teriyaki: After devouring a round of buffalo, you need a sweet taste to follow up the spicy buffalo. Teriyaki is the perfect segway from buffalo to your next sauce and has a delicious teriyaki barbecue taste.
Round 3 – Sweet Chili: You have to save the best for last. You can’t go to Wing Night without getting at least one round of Sweet Chili. With a blend of sweet, tang, and heat, it makes for a party in your mouth.
Honorable Mentions – Sriracha Bourbon, Honey BBQ, Garlic Parmesan
This is just a guideline to achieve a successful night at Wellman’s, but there’s no right or wrong answer. It’s hard to put the magic of Wing Night into words so you just have to experience it for yourself. One thing that remains consistent is the delicious food and the unforgettable memories made each Thursday.
