So once upon a time, I used to travel to Chicago quite often for work. Enjoyed many an establishment in the Windy City, but the one we’re talking about today is Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap. I originally went to try their Chicken Wing challenge (you know me, I gotta have that super hot in my life), but I didn’t even try their hottest. Read on, figure out what changed my mind.
The Prep Table
I asked the bartender how hot the hot was, and she said it was definitely hot – but it wasn’t their best. She bragged about something called the “Firecracker” wing and admitted it wasn’t spicy, but award winning. So I changed my plans and tried the firecracker. It was so good, I replicate here. Now, I haven’t been back to Chicago for about 6-8 months or so, but this is pretty close to what I remember. Melnick purists can prove me wrong, but let’s try it.
So my Chicago tradition was taking the Blue from O’Hare to the city. Jump to Red and head north and it takes me to Superior/Chicago Streets. My pilgramage included two stops: Streeter’s and Jake’s. I’d get my Malört in the form of a Chicago Handshake and then grab a bone-in order of Firecracker Wings. I know.. no Italian beef, no hot dog. The wings were that good.
Now I made this mix and I thought it was pretty heavy on the mayo, but the rave reviews I’ve received thought otherwise. When I make it again, I’ll definitely knock it back some and add some hot. The reason: I successfully duplicated, so let’s enhance.
The Process
Read back on one of my 2025 successes: Perfecting the Chicken Wing on a Pellet Smoker. I won’t rehash it all here, but trim and smoke.
Finish ’em off and get that bite-through skin. You came to see that sauce, let’s make ’em saucy.
The Result
Throw the wings in a bowl and give ’em a toss. Plate ’em great and you’ll find out a mayo-based sauce on a wing is actually pretty damn good.
Yeah, these ones hit the spot. Thank you Jake Melnick’s! I don’t know when the next time I’ll be back, but you’ll know when I am.