A maintenance man at my first job out of college rushed into my office back in 2001 to tell me that I had to try the buffalo wings at Clay’s Sports Cafe on Roswell Road. I had never heard of Clay’s but the maintenance man knew I loved wings. I went to Clay’s the next day and the maintenance guy was right…they were the best wings I had ever had in Atlanta. And they remain my favorite wings to this day.

Clay’s Sports Café opened back in 1991. The décor doesn’t look like it has changed much since the day it opened but people don’t go here for the interior design. It’s all about the wings.

“I’ve been eating at Clay’s since it first opened,” said Chase D’Anella, manager at Clay’s Sports Café.  I was just a kid back then and now I manage the place.”

The restaurant only has 13 tables and went through a period of time where they didn’t even have a sign but word of mouth has attracted new customers and the quality of food along with great prices keeps bringing back the loyal customers.

The chicken wings, which are jumbo size, come in several flavors including mild, medium, hot, X-hot, jalapeno, lemon pepper, hot lemon pepper, teriyaki, hot teriyaki bbq, hot bbq, honey bbq, hot honey bbq, jerk, honey mustard, hot honey mustard, and ranch. Prices start at just $4.25 for 5 wings and $7.49 for 10 wings.

The pizza is also popular at Clay’s. “People love the buffalo chicken pizza,” said Chase D’Anella. “All of our chicken dishes are really popular.”

I recommend take-out or delivery (free) at Clay’s if you live in the area but there are TV’s to watch sports and great beer specials if you dine in. Pitchers are just $7.99 for most domestic beers and they have a few craft beers in bottles including Dogfish Head 60 Minute and Heavy Seas Loose Cannon.

Clay’s Sports Café is located at 6518 Roswell Road in Sandy Springs. Check out the menu and hours of operation at www.clayssportscafe.com.