Ep 3. The Flight of the Buffalo Wing

In season 4 episode 3 of The Food That Built America, titled "The Flight of the Buffalo Wing," we are taken on a journey through the world of buffalo wings. Buffalo wings are one of America's most popular foods, and in this episode, we learn about the history and evolution of this iconic dish.

The episode begins with the creation of buffalo wings in the 1960s in Buffalo, New York. We see how two bar owners, Teressa Bellissimo and her husband, Frank, came up with the idea for buffalo wings when they accidentally created them while experimenting with chicken parts that were originally intended for soup. They deep-fried the wings and tossed them in a spicy sauce made with hot sauce and butter. The dish quickly became popular with their patrons and soon spread to other bars and restaurants in the area.

As the popularity of buffalo wings grew, so did the competition between restaurants. The episode shows us how different restaurants put their own spin on the dish, creating new flavors and variations. We see how the Anchor Bar, the original home of buffalo wings, struggled to keep up with the demand and how other restaurants entered the market, creating a fiercely competitive environment.

The episode also delves into the cultural significance of buffalo wings. We learn about the popularity of buffalo wings during football games and how they became a staple at Super Bowl parties. We see how the dish has become synonymous with American culture and how it has been embraced by people all over the world.

But the popularity of buffalo wings did not come without challenges. The episode explores the conflict between Teressa Bellissimo and her son, Dominic, over the rights to the Anchor Bar's original recipe. We see how this conflict created a rift between mother and son and threatened to tear apart their family and their business.

Overall, "The Flight of the Buffalo Wing" gives us an in-depth look at one of America's most beloved foods. We see how this simple dish, created by accident, grew into a cultural phenomenon and changed the face of the restaurant industry. The episode is filled with interesting facts, stories, and interviews with restaurant owners, chefs, and food experts. It is a must-watch for anyone who loves food and the history of American cuisine.