The Aviator wings at McGarvey's are the best wings in Annapolis, and I've been ordering them for years. They're high quality and saucy, not dry, with hardly any fat and a lot of meat on every wing. One order can be a meal.
I'm a native Annapolitan who bartended and waited tables around town in my early 20s, so I know a lot of places fry wings ahead of time and reheat them when you order, which dries them out. McGarvey's makes them to order, so they take about 20 minutes from order to table, and that's why they aren't dry.
Buffalo is my favorite. It's a traditional buffalo sauce with a spicy kick on the end, so you'll be glad you have a creamy dip. I'm a ranch girl, and theirs tastes fresh and is to die for. I once got the blue cheese by accident and ate it anyway, and it was great too. They come with celery and carrots, so technically they're health food.
I was vegetarian in college because meat was expensive, but I couldn't resist an occasional platter of McGarvey's wings when I was home, and my friends made fun of me for it. When Tiki Tuesday and Big Beer Wednesday were epic weekly events there, my standard order was wings with a side of ranch and an Aviator lager. I hosted my family reunion happy hour in the private room upstairs, and the wings were a hit. They're on the late night menu too.
When tourists or out-of-towners ask me where to eat in Annapolis, I send them to McGarvey's. I called it the Cheers of Annapolis back when I worked downtown, because the drinks are strong, the crowd is eclectic, and the food is delicious. Martin "Beans" Gardner is a legend at the back bar and has been my favorite bartender for over 15 years. Depending on the season, he makes a killer grapefruit crush, mule, or Irish coffee. Order the wings, sit at the bar, and go introduce yourself to Beans. You'll leave with some new friends and a love for McGarvey's that will make you a loyal customer for years to come. Trust me.
