he Co-Owner of , Karen Blair Pabon, is always amazed at the divesity of customers who love chicken wings. From children as young as five to men as old as 80, Karen and her husband Rockeem Magbie have served all kinds. Originally a food truck, the business has now expanded to include a brick-and-mortar location in Rockaway.
Chick Wings & Things serves fast-food casual meals as well as healthier comfort food options. Their most popular item is of course their chicken wings (which Karen herself loves). Wings come with homemade sauces such as the fan-favorite hot honey garlic butter, buffalo garlic Parmesan, and barbecue. Their chicken is all-natural, with no artificial ingredients and no artificial hormones.
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Their food truck travels across the state, frequently attending food festivals throughout the spring and summer. But their brick-and-mortar is now a home base, offering a few signature items not found on the truck. Exclusive items at the restaurant include mac n cheese, grilled cheese, grilled chicken, pulled pork items, and ice cream floats. They even serve a slow-cooked brisket that cooks for eight to 10 hours until tender. In addition, restaurant-exclusive wing sauces include hot honey garlic butter and cilantro lime.
They also offer brisket or pulled pork mac n cheese, shrimp Po Boys, and crispy chicken Po Boys. Stop by every Wednesday for their 10 for $10 wing special.
Fans of their food truck have nothing to worry about. Karen and Rockeem will continue to offer their food truck catering services. They can cater any event, including weddings, school functions, car shows, festivals, holiday parties, family gatherings, and Super Bowl parties. Chick Wings & Things also caters corporate events and of course attends food truck festivals.
The 1,900-square-foot brick-and-mortar space is built to resemble the Chick Wings & Things food truck. Karen and Rockeem have lived in the area for over 20 years, though Karen is originally from Scotland. Prior to focusing on wings, the couple sold everything from burgers to cheesesteaks to gyros. But narrowing their focus allowed them to take their success to new heights.
Karen says opening a restaurant was always their ultimate goal. While operating their food truck, they waited and saved until the perfect location in their hometown opened up. Karen says she prefers working at the restaurant over the food truck; meanwhile, Rockeem is more partial to the truck.
Future plans include opening additional restaurants and also acquiring a fleet of food trucks to expand their reach.
Visit Chick Wings and Things at 25 West Main St in Rockaway. (.) To learn more:
Do you accept Reservations?
No, they do not accept reservations.
Are there Gluten-free options?
Yes, there are gluten-free options.
Are there Vegetarian options?
Yes, they offer vegetarian options.
Do you offer Takeout?
Chick Wings & Things offers Takeout, yes.
Can you offer Delivery?
Yes, they offer delivery through Uber Eats and DoorDash.
Do you have a Liquor license?
No, they do not serve Alcohol.
Is there a Kids’ menu?
Yes, they have a kids’ menu.
Photos: © Chick Wings N Things