By: Dan I. Cook
After all these years, it’s still one of my favorite wing joints. Call me sentimental, nostalgic, or a softy at heart but I just love Wings Plus. Why? Because I’ve been going here since they were the only wing place in town. Before Bru’s Room, Bokampers, Hooters Wing Stop, and the now-closed Wings and Things in Wilton Manors, there was Wings Plus.
The Past
Being a City of Oakland Park boy, I went to the Prospect Road location for years before I moved west. The owner of that one was Joe Walsh, Brian Walsh’s brother. He was a great guy and a huge Dolfan. They used to tailgate for the games and would cook deep fried turkeys way before they became vogue. This may have been in the late 80’s – early 90’s. I had the pleasure of attending some of these tailgates and they were a lot of fun. RIP Joe Walsh you were a good dude and you and your family did fantastic things for the City of Oakland Park and your customers. Sorry folks, I had to pay homage to Mr Joe Walsh.
The Present
Wings Plus Bacon Cheeseburger
So, fast forward to me moving out west maybe 20 years ago. I knew Joe had a brother Brian Walsh who owned the Wings Plus in Coral Springs. I just never met the guy. So, needing my Wings Plus fix and not wanting to drive to Oakland Park, I went here.
Same recipes, same hometown friendly service, and great wings. After years of going here, I finally met Brian and his wife. It was easy to recognize that him and Joe were brothers because they both had all same great qualities that you need to run a great business. Plus, I’m half Irish, so he gets extra points for that. His wife is really nice and is a joy to chat with. Again, these owners are here a lot so you know they care about their business and their customers.
Food
Wings Plus wings with garlic
I always get my wings hot with garlic: drums only. I also ask them to cook them well done. I get a side order of celery and blue cheese and start chowing down. The blue cheese dressing they serve is nothing short of outstanding. It’s the best in Coral Springs and a perfect marriage with the wings. I think it has poppy seeds in it too, I’m really not sure, but it tastes damn good. Nothing like having their wings with a cold pitcher of beer. Which reminds me, they have craft beers on draught too. I also love the Potato Tips Appetizer with extra parmesan cheese and sour cream. I love dousing these things with malt vinegar. The fried mushrooms are another favorite with that lovely horseradish dipping sauce on the side. I’m the condiment king! I tell my wife I’m eating healthy every time I plop one of those bad boys in my mouth. She just looks at me and just shakes her head in disgust. Talking about my bride, she always gets the French Dip Sandwich pressed with provolone cheese and she absolutely loves it. She loves the curly fries and can’t get enough of them. I prefer the steak fries. My kids love the cheeseburgers and curly fries here.
Brian Walsh with Charlie Crist
Politics
I would be a fraud if I didn’t mention that Mr Walsh and his family weren’t heavily involved in politics. For goodness sake a President of the United States, who I’m not a fan of, stopped his whole motorcade and ordered wings from here. He has posters of political people he supports and pictures with them on the walls.
Now to some people, it may rub them the wrong way. To me it doesn’t, and I’m a Democrat. He is exercising is right to freedom of speech and I love it. It’s the American way. So, if you don’t support a local business like this because of politics then shame on you. Mr Walsh has done so much for the City of Coral Springs, from sponsoring youth teams and raising monies for families in need. Stuff like that supersedes politics.
Complaint I’ve Heard
The only complaint I have heard is the wings have gotten smaller and the price of them larger. Listen, I’ve been going to Wings Plus longer that most of you have been alive, and I haven’t noticed anything. Then again, I leave my wings measuring kit at home when I go here.
Upgrades
To stay fair with all my other reviews, I think the place should be remodeled/updated and the new little bar with liquor, which I love, should be made bigger.
I was there recently and the server Jackie, who’s folks I know, had a group of customers filling up the whole area. I think a bigger bar in the back of the main restaurant or directly to the right when you walk in would be a winner.
Overall, I just love this place. It’s a mainstay in our community, the food is good, the service is friendly and fast. What else can the guy asked for?
Well, maybe more blue cheese dressing for my wings please.
Four frosty cold beers for this joint. Remember to tell Mr and Mrs Walsh and all the crew at Wings Plus that Dan and Coral Springs Talk sent you and Stay Hungry!
Author Profile
- A native of Broward, Half-Samoan Half-Irish or Afa Tasi, Food Warrior, Beer Ninja, United States Marine, owner/talent of danicookeatdrink.com. Retired Oakland Park Police Department/BSO Sergeant, DLE.
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8 comments
I love Wings Plus food, but most of all I appreciate their support of community programs. Brian Walsh and his family have hosted numerous fundraisers and events to benefit Special Olympics, Turtle Power for James Edwards and most recently, for retired K9’s. For that dedication, I will always frequent Wings Plus.
Well said Lynne. Lots of people don’t know all the great things Mr. Walsh does for the community. We need more business owners like him.
A little over a year ago, my wife and I were looking at relocating to Coral Springs. As a former Buffalo area resident, wings are life and moving to an area with mediocre wings simply isn’t done. We stumbled into Wings Plus and two bites into our meal, we sighed a breath of relieft. They have good wings… we could do this. Here we are now, homeowners and residents and every couple of weeks we returns, drawn by the ‘wing special’ and the friendly folks at Wings Plus.
Brian Walsh is and Joe Walsh was a GREAT & caring person & GREAT businessmen! The wings cannot be beat! I am partial since I am their sister. I worked with Joe at the Prospect Road location for 23+ years and attended all of those tailgate parties you referred to! Thank you for your kind words about these 2 GREAT men! :)
Shoot Mary I wish I could of wrote more about Joe. Lots of people in Coral Springs never met him so I had to pay my respects to your brother. I’ve meet you before at the Prospect Location and you were always pleasant too. Great family.
Thanks again Dan! Joe was a GREAT guy & I miss him EVERY DAY! I am very blessed to be part of such a wonderful family. I’ll have to find your picture to see if it rings a bell! :)
I used to work in that building when it was an italian restaurant called ” Giovani’s ” back in the late 70’s early 80’s …. as for Wings Plus , I think their prices are too high for the puny sized wings they need to be bigger like Shenanigan’s or even Hooters for that matter…. but still glad to see a family restuarant around rather than all this corporate joints …..
My wife, who is disabled, called the Wings plus at 9880 Sample Road and placed a delivery order. She paid by credit card. When she got the food, the fries were cold and just thrown in the bag along with the chili. She called the Wings Plus location and spoke to the manager. She asked him to refund her money or deliver the food the right way. Instead, the manager told her they don’t promise the fries to be hot and there was nothing he could do. He told her to microwave it. If she wanted microwaved food, she could buy food at the supermarket. He offered to refund $5, but they should stand behind their food and replace it. The “Manager’s” attitude, assuming he was the manager was pathetic and unprofessional. Needless to say I hope a lot of people read this and have their deliveries from other restaurants. Wing’s Plus obviously does not care what their customers say. If you go to their website, there is no way to contact anybody other than calling the individual locations. For this they should change their name to Wings Minus!