Have you heard the chicken wing sauce stereotype?
Spoiler: Because it’s basically true.
Let’s just get one thing straight—Uticans don’t mess around when it comes to food. We’ve got Chicken Riggies, Tomato Pie, Half Moons, Greens… and yes, the holy grail: chicken wings.
And if you're from Utica—or have ever been within ten feet of a Cavallo’s wing night (RIP)—you already know the uniform. It’s not designer. It’s not fancy. It’s a hoodie. Preferably dark-colored. Definitely well-loved. And usually, somewhere on it: a suspicious reddish-orange stain that could only mean one thing.
Buffalo sauce.
The Hoodie: Utica’s Unofficial Jacket
Let’s be honest, hoodies are the perfect Central New York attire. They’re warm, cozy, and ideal for a region where it snows in April and sometimes October. You can dress them up (hello, nice jeans) or down (sweatpants, obviously).
But in Utica, a hoodie is more than just comfort—it’s armor. When you’re going elbow-deep into a plate of extra hot wings, you don’t want to be wearing your Sunday best. You want your “wing hoodie”—the one that’s seen things. The one that knows you, and the one you’re not afraid to ruin because, let’s face it, it’s already ruined.
The Sauce Stain: A Badge of Honor
Outsiders may call it a stain. We call it a statement. That smudge of wing sauce on the sleeve or chest? That’s not a mess. That’s a memory. A memory of that one time you tried the “suicide” wings and couldn’t feel your face for three days. Or that epic Bills game where your nervous eating hit new records.
That orange mark says: “I’ve been to Francos and survived.”
It says: “I eat my wings with my hands like nature intended.”
It says: “I’m from Utica, and I’m not here to impress you—I’m here for the food.”
A Cultural Staple
You know how New Yorkers wear black and Californians wear flip-flops? In Utica, it’s all about the hoodie. And if it’s got a wing stain on it? Even better. You’re one of us. A local. A sauce-slinger. A proud ambassador of Upstate flavor.
Final Thoughts: Wear It Proudly
So the next time someone raises an eyebrow at your slightly stained sweatshirt, don’t apologize. Smile. Nod. Offer them a wing. Because in Utica, we know what’s really important: good food, good people, and hoodies that tell a story.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with a dozen garlic parm and my favorite hoodie.