If you’ve got plans to make it up to the Buffalo River for a float trip this summer, do yourself a favor and check out Big Springs Trading Company, a restaurant right on Highway 65 between the river bridge and St. Joe (the address is 14237 North Highway 65, but Google puts it in the wrong place). Some friends and I stopped in here last year after a float and made it a point to return when this year’s excursion got rained out. The food was as good as we remembered, but a new try this year really caught my attention: the Buffalo River Wings.
I’m not a huge buffalo wing fan. They usually come so slathered that the sauce takes over. Maybe traditionalists like it this way, but I don‘t. Enter Big Springs’ wings. According to the menu, they’re marinated in Louisiana Hot Sauce, then smoked and barbecued. Though the menu doesn’t mention it, they’re also massive — almost twice the size of the wings and drumsticks you’ll find at most places. All I can say is “wow.” If you like wings drenched in sauce hot enough to fire a nuclear reactor, move along. If you want wings with a complex, multilayered flavor then check these out. I’m already regretting not bringing home an order to enjoy later. I guess there’s always next year.

Didn’t get a picture of them, but this is from the restaurant’s website: