So…the streets are buzzing with talk that BP’s Wild Bean Cafe’s chicken wings are the most delicious thing to hit Mzansi in years. Seriously, we’ve heard that these wings are so lekker, they’ve got everyone from Jozi to Cape Town clucking about them.
Remember the early 2000s when the garage pie was the king of late-night/early morning snacks after a jol? Well, those pie days are kind of over. Suddenly, it’s now about the wings.
Read: Past midnight: UberEATS offline? Don’t worry fam, BP garage has got you!
It seems as if SA has become more health conscious and in trying to preserve their abs or their fantasy of one day having abs, they’re looking for more protein-heavy options. This is why many have opted for chicken wings which are available at 250 of the fuelling station’s forecourts.
But the wings’ popularity also has a lot to do with its distinct flavouring.
We’ve kind of heard that these wings have become such a hit that even the heavyweights like KFC’s Zinger, Spur’s buffalo wings, and Chicken Licken’s SoulFire wings are feeling the heat. South Africans are now claiming, “There has to be something in these wings!”
Could there be?
5 Million wings sold last year
Earlier this year, BP dropped a bombshell: in 2023 alone, they sold a jaw-dropping five million wings at their forecourts across the country. The brand also confirmed that the strong demand is currently still growing.
And so, we at Technation.news decided to check in with BP to find out what’s behind this chicken wing magic.
BP gave us the lowdown, saying it’s really just in the Portuguese flavour. “The wings are marinated in a Portuguese spice mix with distinct sweet and spicy notes, and are slowly cooked in their own juice to deliver a succulent texture and rich flavours,” they explained. And here’s the kicker: they insist that their wings are so succulent that no extra sauces were needed.
No official decider
So are they the best wings in the country? We can’t say that for sure. Infact, we really don’t know which outlet has the best wings, as there hasn’t really been an official survey to measure this amongst us.
But while there’s no official contest to crown the best wings in South Africa, there’s no shortage of opinions out there. One thing’s for sure: South Africans love their wings with just the right amount of spice—not too hot, just enough to kick the taste buds. They also fancy a bit of sweetness or tang.
But the real deal? Juiciness, wing size (looking at you, Nando’s, with those ‘pigeon-sized’ wings), and bang for your buck. South Africans want generous portions that won’t break the bank.
