When millions of Americans settle in to watch the Super Bowl, the game isn't the only thing they're focused on. The wings matter just as much as the kickoff.
DoorDash analyzed ordering data from Super Bowl Sundays across the country and found that classic Buffalo sauce—that spicy, salty combination that's been a sports bar staple since the 1980s—wins decisively. Thirty-nine states, from New York to Hawaii, order Buffalo wings when the big game rolls around. It's a striking show of consensus in a country that rarely agrees on much.
But not everyone follows the crowd. Nine states, including California and Texas, prefer their wings plain, which tells its own story. These diners aren't looking for a predetermined flavor experience. They want control—the freedom to dip, season, and customize each bite exactly as they like it.
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Start Your News DetoxGeorgia holds out for lemon pepper, a regional favorite that speaks to local taste preferences. And New Mexico stands alone as the only state where ranch-flavored wings take the top spot. Restaurant-made ranch, it turns out, carries a reputation: people consistently say it tastes richer and creamier than anything you can buy in a bottle.
The bone-in question
There's another Super Bowl wing debate that DoorDash's data helps settle: bone-in versus boneless. The answer is clear. Forty-four out of 50 states order more bone-in wings on game day. Whether it's texture, tradition, or the simple fact that bones make wings taste better, America has spoken.
Wings aren't the only thing driving Super Bowl food orders, though. Pepperoni pizza dominates in 39 states, though the Northeast shows its own loyalty: Maine, New York, Vermont, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey all prefer plain cheese. And when it comes to beer, the preferences scatter across brands like Michelob Ultra, Corona, Coors Light, and Modelo, with 12 states—Texas, Florida, and Arizona among them—showing a particular preference for Michelob Ultra.
What emerges from all this data is a portrait of how Americans celebrate together: mostly traditional, but with just enough regional variation to keep things interesting.
