Haywood Lounge Best wings AVL. — Restaurant in Asheville

I have a no-repeats rule, but I'd promised my friends wings ahead of my first visit and they took me up on my offer last night. Two visits in one week. And the first wasn't great.

Since I was ordering for five people, I called at 4 and asked if I could make an order for pickup at 5:30 or 5:45. They said yes and took my order.

I arrived at 5:45. I told them I was there for a pickup order. They asked for my order, which fortunately I'd written down in my phone. They wrote it down, no big, I thought they were going to verify it against what they'd already made. I asked how long it would be and they told me a few minutes.

At 630, they called me up for my order. For those following along at home, they weren't verifying, they were putting it in for the first time. I'd waited 45 minutes on a pickup order.

As they were packing the bag I made sure to ask them to add the ranch and blue cheese, since I didn't see it go in. They asked if I'd been charged for the sauces. I had no idea. The person taking my order when I'd arrived had ONLY written down the wing and fries part on the pad. And also wasn't dipping sauce included?

Since my first visit had been veggie-free, I'd made sure to request carrots and celery when I ordered over the phone at 4. I asked again when they wrote my order down when I arrived at 5:45. When they were packing up my order at 6:30, they told me they were out of carrots and were only putting in celery. Maybe they did. I don't recall seeing celery when we unpacked the bag later.

They had so many chances to set expectations with me by just saying words (we don't take advance orders; we're running low on carrots; we actually just put your order in; you only get dipping sauce if you ask when we're filling the bag), but instead I was left disappointed at every turn.

The wings are good, but the service isn't.

The menu is unhelpful. If you get the 7 piece you can do 1 sauce 10-under 24, you can do 2 sauces Over 24 pieces you can do 3 sauces

The sauces on the menu aren't described and don't list the level of heat, but they'll walk you through your options if you ask. The sauce list also doesn't include all available sauces - ie the "crack" sauce referenced in other reviews. It's garlicy, sour & sweet, and sticky.

The wings were beautifully cooked - not crispy,  but with a bite - while still being moist in the inside. Good size, not too big, not too small. I got a variety of flats and drums. You can pay extra to get all flats.

I got a 10 piece so I got to pick two sauces; I got Jamaican Jerk and crack. The crack sauce was the better of the two, since the Jerk was underwhelming.

The fries are like classic McDonald's fries before they changed the recipe. Perfect when hot, so eat them before they get cold. The portion is generous.

They gave me one ranch, despite me asking for both ranch and blue cheese when I ordered. They didn't put in either celery or carrots, despite me requesting...

Calling this place the "best wings in AVL" is laughable. I ordered a 7 piece and a 14 piece, and the man at the counter took my number to notify me when it was ready. After waiting 30 minutes, I walked in and saw my order sitting on the table. When I went to get it, another person at the counter tried to charge me again for the wings I'd already paid for.

The wings themselves were mediocre at best. I got the ranch buffalo rub, lemon pepper, and garlic Parm wet, which is one the man taking my order recommended. I split the meal with a friend, and we both agree about the lack of taste. The only wing with a "hint" of flavor was the lemon pepper, and that's being generous. I couldn't taste the ranch or buffalo seasoning, though the heat was decent. The garlic Parm had ZERO flavor, which genuinely shocked me. Even the ranch was tasteless—how do you make a condiment flavorless? I didn't expect to need Hidden Valley with the "best wings in Asheville." I will note that all the workers I interacted with were very nice. However, I wasted $30 on wings that were an...

After a seriously debauched attempt at wing night a BWW, my boyfriend and I decided to try another wing place in Asheville and Haywood Lounge just happened to be it. Upon first glance my boyfriend was not impressed, but the reviews kept my hopes up. I was in the mood for good food. The restaurant is on the cozy side, but the smell was enticing; so intrigued we took a seat where the hostess put us. Upon talking with her we discovered it is the only African American owned bar in Asheville and not only does he own the store but the kitchen too. I mean the man can throw down some wings. Definitely a hole in the wall to be reckoned with!!! Not to mention the prices, which I can definitely afford despite it being Asheville. I will be back for more food and as well as recommending it to anyone that will hear. Great job you guys and...