I promised myself I would never step foot in Anchor Bar.
Absolutely nothing against the lively bar or the friendly staff, but it has everything to do with two words:
Josh Allen.
I have history with Josh and the rest of the Buffalo Bills team.
They are the bane of my existence.
Year after year, I sit on my couch, seething as I listen to Cris Collinsworth talk about how amazing Josh and the rest of the team are.
So when news came that Anchor Bar, the birthplace of the ubiquitous buffalo wings and a Buffalo institution since 1935, opened its first Arizona location in Tucson, I took a vow I wouldnโt go in.
But on Wednesday, I sat in the Anchor Bar parking lot at 7080 E. 22nd St.,ย proudly wearing my New York Jets jersey and bracing myself for a meal alongside the biggest Buffalo Bills fan I know: Cathy Burch.
Jamie Donnelly, food writer, shows her displeasure for Jim Kelly at Anchor Bar on March 19.
My history with football goes all the way back to 1976.
At 7 years old, my dad, Bill Donnelly, along with my grandparents sat at Hofstra University on Long Island, watching the New York Jets summer camp. He got the whole teamโs autographs, except for one very special quarterback.
So, he waited and waited and waited, eventually falling asleep in my Naniโs arms.
When he awoke, there he was: Joe Namath.
Joe signed my dadโs autograph book, put his arm around him and walked with him. It is a moment my dad will never forget.
Since then, it has been nothing but heartbreak and pain.
Being a New York Jets fan isnโt for the weak. I remember watching my dad put on his Keyshawn Johnson jersey every Sunday, yell at the TV and eventually move on to some household chore to blow off steam.
I watched all that and for some reason decided I, too, wanted to take on the trauma of becoming a Jets fan.
I learned all the playersโ names, followed various Jets reporters to get the scoop and watched along with my dad, absorbing all of his football knowledge.
Before I knew it, I had turned into him: yelling at the TV every Sunday, angrily scrolling through Twitter and reading about what out-of-this-world predicament happened to us this time. (Remember when Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles within like three minutes of the opening game against the Bills?)
In true New York Jets fashion, I hate Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, the Miami Dolphins and, of course, Aaron Rodgers.
But for some reason, the Buffalo Bills really grind my gears.
Now, I really canโt go to Anchor Bar during the NFL season because I think I would be leaving the bar in either a cop car or an ambulance. But in the spirit of personal growth, I put my ego aside and went to lunch with Cathy.
I think Cathy would defend Josh Allen at all costs, especially when it comes to the Bills biggest nemesis Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Sheโs also been to the original Anchor Bar in Buffalo, making her the perfect lunch date.
On the drive to the east side, I calmed myself down by imagining a crying Josh after his playoff loss to the Broncos last season.
License plates decorate the walls at Anchor Bar.
I was amazed when I walked in and saw the vast dining areas with giant flat-screen TVs on every inch of the walls alongside framed memorabilia of Buffalo Bills players over the years. They even have a corner dedicated to Bills merch, featuring t-shirts with cartoon buffaloes wearing their โiconicโ blue and white uniforms.
The menu was also just as big: cauliflower wing bites, fried pickles, burgers, pizza, pasta and all kinds of wings doused in sauces ranging from mild to extreme heat.
Arizona Daily Star community sports editor Elvia Verdugo and UA Wildcats football writer Justin Spears tagged along. We decided to go with the traditional wings in original medium buffalo sauce, buffalo chicken nachos and garlic Parmesan cauliflower wing bites.
One thing that I thought was cool about Anchor Bar was that you have the choice of making all your wings either all flats or all drums. As a flats enthusiast, I liked the idea that I could have a basket full of juicy, crispy flats with no pesky drums getting in the way.
As we waited for our food, Cathy got complimented by another patron on her Josh Allen shirt. I, on the other hand, got NO compliments on my custom Jets jersey that has my dog Boozerโs name on the back.
(Fun fact: Boozer is named after Emerson Boozer, a former Jets running back)
Anchor Bar was packed for lunch, with groups of friends and coworkers gathering to watch the Duke basketball game. Despite the crowd, our waitress was very attentive, and our food came out pretty fast!
Traditional Buffalo wings at Anchor Bar, 7080 E 22nd St.
We all took a wing and dug in. Obviously, we ordered our wings with a side of bleu cheese, which is a necessity for true Buffalo wings. When Justin ordered his meal with a side of ranch, Cathy shot him a disappointed look.
The buffalo wing sauce was slightly spicy with a good tangy flavor, complementing the juicy, fat chicken wings. Next time, Iโll order them extra crispy for that nice, crunchy skin.
The cheese on the nachos was smooth and velvety, not like the weird bright yellow cheese you get at gas stations, and the buffalo chicken on top was standout, but I would've liked if the chips were thinner with more crunch and a corny taste.
The cauliflower bites were also a great alternative for those who donโt eat meat. I thought they had a great crispy exterior, no sogginess was found here!
Overall, I actually really enjoyed Anchor Barโs atmosphere. The staff was kind and the vibes were infectious; it was nearly impossible to not crack a smile when listening to the boos that filled the restaurant whenever Duke made a basket. Itโs definitely a good place to go watch March Madness or the NFL draft next month.
I feel like I owe Anchor Bar an apology.
Dear Anchor Bar,
Iโm sorry for judging you. I like your bar and wings, but not your team. I canโt wait to watch the Jets here when we play in next yearโs Super Bowl!
Sincerely,
A very delusional Jets fan.
