Local Eats: Enter a world of flavor at this walk-up wing spot in Sparta

SPARTA, MI - Wing World of Sparta owner Nick Reyburn is like NBA legend Michael Jordan in one specific way.

Jordan is well-known for using slights - spoken and unspoken - as motivation to rise to the next level on the basketball court.

When Reyburn first opened his restaurant, patrons would come with suggestions for other chicken places, sometimes large chains. That drove him and nephew Justin Bogner to develop award-winning wings and homemade sauces that surpass competition.

Wing World of Sparta, located at 460 S State St., is a local walk-up spot that specializes in homemade flavor combinations. It started as a food truck in 2019 and transitioned into its current location during the pandemic.

"It was slow during COVID, but that was normal for us at the time. We made lots of friends selling chicken," Reyburn said. "Business is growing, and people that'd come and suggest us try another place have started making us their suggestion."

At opening time, the restaurant's crew preps for a busy day of feeding the masses. Energy drinks are cracked open. Fryers, burners and the flattop are fired up, and the guys start crafting 15 gallons of sauce as online orders roll in.

"We start with a quality product, make it better and try not to mess it up. That's the No. 1 rule anywhere," Reyburn said. "Other places are looking to save a dollar and cut corners. We want people to leave here and never be short-changed."

At any given time, Wing World offers seven sauce options: Habanero Bliss, Buffalo, Wasabi Ginger, Lemon Pepper, Garlic Parmesan and Honey BBQ. An eighth "featured flavor" rotates on a biweekly or sometimes monthly basis.

Boneless and traditional wings come in pieces of 6 or 8 if you want a single flavor and 10, 12 or 20 pieces if you want 2 flavors. Want to try four flavors? You'll need help eating a 40 or 50 piece order.

Wings also come in combos paired with fries and a drink.

A cup of homemade ranch comes with most menu items.

It took months of taste testing and small tweaks. Bogner, who was first inspired to craft the dressing, said he has trouble eating other bottled ranches.

While its mostly about chicken at Wing World, sandwich wraps come highly recommended. Reyburn describes them as a "compact salad."

Prices for wrap combos range from $11 to $12.50.

The menu also includes chicken salads, award-winning macaroni and cheese and "mini" and "mega" sides.

Wing World is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. It's closed Sunday and Monday.

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