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By JOHN D. GONZALEZ and AMY SHERMAN | @mlive.com

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- On July 26, 2017 we announced our next Michigan's Best search:

Best Wings!

The reaction has been great! So far we have received more than 100 nominations and they're still coming in. Make sure to comment on our rececent story at:

Michigan's Best wings: We will find them and you can help

Or email us:

Amy Sherman is at asherma2@mlive.com.

John Gonzalez is at gonzo@mlive.com.

The deadline is 3 p.m. Monday, July 31.

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Edith Adams/used with permission

The Judges

Before we get to our ranking, let's meet the judges:

George Aquino, aka the Asian Sensation: He is the Vice President/Managing Director Amway Hotel Collection, and a popular food blogger, restaurant critic and general, all-around cool guy!

Ben Darcie, aka Chocolate Muscle: He is a craft beer educator, home brewer, and great fun to have at a party. He works at Gravel Bottom Brewery and Supply in Ada.

Freddy Shier, aka Chick Magnet: He is a business solutions specialist at Grand Rapids-based food supplier Gordon Food Service. And well-versed on Wings!

Amber Stokosa, aka Just Amber: She is the marketing manager at 20 Monroe Live in downtown Grand Rapids. She just moved to Grand Rapids in October, and she's loving it.

Amy Sherman, aka The Shermanator: Works at at MLive on the Michigan's Best team; she's not shy.

John Gonzalez, aka Gonzo: He also works at MLive, and on the Michigan's Best team. His job is to keep Amy in check. (He doesn't do a good job of it.)

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Who has the best Chain Chicken Wings? The taste test begins! Posted by MLive.com on Wednesday, July 26, 2017

The Judge's room.

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

Criteria

We scored the wings on Appearance, Aroma, Sauce, Meatiness, Greasiness and Overall Taste.

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

The Contenders

In Alphabetical Order:

Applebee's

Buffalo Wild Wings

Chili's

Domino's

Jet's Pizza

Kentucky Fried Chicken

Pizza Hut

Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

9. Chili's

Overall, the Chili's smokey wings scored at the bottom. George Aquinio and Amy Sherman said they left a lot to be desired. Not meaty at all and it tasted like liquid smoke. "Forget about it," George said.

On the flip side, Freddy Shier and Ben Darcie said they loved the smoked flavor.

Amber Stokosa and Gonzo both said: "Um, gross."

We also tried the regular Chili's Wings, which were much better.

Pictured: Chili's Wings far right; one regular, one with sauce and smokey.

Cost: 8 wings $9.99.

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

8. KFC

George Aquino summed it up best: "Will do, but nothing fancy."

Cost: $10.60 for 10 wings.

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

7. Popeye's

"Very generic," "good for the road," was the general consensus. "A little dry."

Cost: 5 whole wings, $7.69.

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

6. Jet's Pizza

A little too fatty, but some overall nice flavors.

Freddy Shier called it the "Dutch Boy of Wings."

We tried both regular and hot wings.

Cost: $7.99 for 8 wings

Pictured: Jet's wings on the far left.

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

5. Papa John's

Overall, our judges loved Papa John's, but it wasn't unanimous. Amber Stokosa said: Who decided this was a flavor?

Pictured: Papa John's at the top.

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

4. Domino's

"Tender and awesome."

"Fatty and hot."

"Yummy."

Pictured: Domino's at the bottom.

Cost: 14 wings for $11.

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

3. Buffalo Wild Wings

Overall, it scored well, but George Aquino noted: "Nice piece of meat, but lacking of memorable characteristics."

Freddy Shier said it was "well seasoned" and Ben Darcie said "flavorful and not too greasy."

We had them with a medium sauce.

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

2. Pizza Hut

We ordered them medium, but they had a big kick, which most of the judges loved!

Cost: $12.44 for 10 wings..

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

1. Applebee's

Surprise!

George Aquino said "I would order this at 3 a.m."

Jeff Shier said "This wing is what caused addiction."

All the judges agreed the flavor, meatiness and sauce all reminded us of what wings should taste like when you need a fix. Give them a try, folks.

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Blazin' Wings Challenge

Ben Darcie, Amy Sherman and Amber Stokosa test Buffalo Wild Wings' "blazin," wings, the hottest on the menu.

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