Ain’t No Thang

Your good friend turns 25 this year. You know, the homie who introduced you to the girls who live in orange hot pants? That’s right, it’s Hooters’ 25th Anniversary, and for the celebration of this milestone, a quiet dinner with family just won’t do. In honor of the millions of chicken wings that have flown out of its kitchens around the world, the legendary restaurant is commemorating its quarter-century with Coconut Grove’s Great Chicken Wing Cook-Off. Whether you like your drumettes breaded and fried, baked and drenched in Tabasco, or massaged with a mean spice rub, get thee to CocoWalk, where neighborhood restaurants will be throwing down the bird in every way imaginable.

From noon to 6, they’ll compete for titles in categories such as Best Traditional Wing Sauce, Most Creative Wing Sauce, and People’s Choice, hoping to earn bragging rights, cash prizes, and trophies. And you, faithful eater (and eschewer of Tyson frozen abominations), bring your iron stomach, because there will be a chicken-wing-eating contest to test your skills in sucking the meat off of those bones. But at some point, make sure to you wipe that sauce from your chin and indulge in the beer specials, surprise guests, and live music. The fun is free; food and drinks aren’t.
Sat., June 28, 2008