Because everyone knows that buffaloes do not have wings some people become confused when they enter a restaurant that lists "buffalo wings" as one of their specialties. Let it be known that traditional buffalo wings are actually chicken wings that have been treated to a spicy barbecue sauce and that the name of the dish came about because it was first made famous in the city of Buffalo, New York. Whatever, here are my nominees for the places serving the best buffalo wings in Israel.

Black Steer: Yohanan ha Sandler 3, Herziliya Pituach (Tel 09 955-7464) and at the Rosh Pina Intersection (Tel 04 6938366). Simple but pleasant dining in these South African style steak-houses. Start off with the buffalo wings and then go on to the South African boere wors sausages, spare ribs or steaks. Don't miss the fried onion rings. Open daily 12:00 - about 24:00. Prices are moderate.

Cowboy's Steakia (?????? ???????): On Rehov Flieman (??????), in the Paz Petrol Station, Haifa. Rough wood ceilings and a rustic bar, wood floors, an abundance of plastic moulded Indians in a variety of poses, plenty of plastic cacti, Tiffany-style light fixtures, bows and arrows and even horseshoes on the walls come together in an imitation of a wild-western saloon that would make Walt Disney proud. Start with the bean soup, go on to the buffalo wings and then if you like to the good entrecote steaks or hamburgers. Good crisp chips and coleslaw. Skip the desserts. Open daily 12:00 - 24:00. Prices are moderate.

Stanleys, Horkenos 3, Jerusalem. Tel 02 6259459. A friendly and popular place at which to acquaint yourself or make a first acquaintance with the foods of South Africa. The buffalo wings here go by the South African name of oranje vlerkies and come with an appealing bitter orange sauce. Also worth trying are the country style goose liver terrine, the spare ribs and the Huguenot salad with mullard breast, anchovies and capers. Open daily 12:00 - 24:00. Prices are moderate.

Auberge Shulamit (????? ??????): Rehov David Shuv, Rosh Pina Tel (04) 6931485. Country style dining in a very pleasant ambiance. Start with the spicy buffalo wings and then go on to the shrimps in Roquefort cheese sauce, the Hungarian style goose liver or any of the smoked meats that are offered.
Open daily 12:30 - 23:00. Prices are moderate to high.

Zuzobra: Shenkar 7, Herzliya Pituach. Tel (09) 9577077. The modern interpretations of Far Eastern dishes at this exciting restaurant include buffalo wings in a tantalizing sauce of sour blood oranges and Szechuan pepper. Also recommended are the noodles with shrimps, calamari and vegetables; Cambodian curry with chicken pork and shrimps; and any of the noodle dishes. Open daily 12:00 - 24:00. No smoking in the restaurant. Moderate prices.

© Daniel Rogov