Location: Colorado Springs
Website: https://www.redssunsetgrill.com
Red’s Sunset Grill is a newer spot on the north side of Colorado Springs, owned by the same folks behind Abby’s Irish Pub and Red’s American Grill. Because of that, you’ll notice some menu similarities — but there are also standout differences worth noting.
One of the first things you’ll notice? The wings. I think they’re smoked and then fried — I should probably confirm that — but given how they nail XTRA crispy every single time I order, that’s my best guess.
The wing menu is straightforward: smoked or fried wings, plus a small selection of sauces and dry rubs. At first glance, it doesn’t seem special — until you actually taste the sauces. It’s clear someone put real thought into them, and they seem to be made in-house. I haven’t tried them all yet, but two favorites so far are the Colorado Green Hot and the Mango Habanero.
The Colorado Green Hot is spicy, not in an instant-burn way but in a slow, satisfying build that sticks with you. Honestly, I’ve caught myself daydreaming about this sauce when eating wings elsewhere — it’s that good if you’re into bold wing or hot sauces. From the dry rub side, I’ve only had the Cajun, but it’s solid.
Pricing sits at $1.70 per wing right now, and I haven’t seen any specials yet.
I always order my wings XTRA crispy, and Red’s delivers every time. Sometimes they’re a little crispier than others, but never underdone. For reference, I’ve only had the smoked wings so far — I still need to try the purely fried version, which is on my to-do list.
The smoke level is just right — noticeable without being overpowering. The only smoked wings I’ve ever had that beat these were at some long-forgotten place in New Mexico, way before I started reviewing wings. Maybe it’s time for a road trip…
The meat pulls cleanly from the bone, is tender, and isn’t fatty. Veggies were fresh and high quality. The blue cheese was good, though not quite as good as Abby’s — which surprised me since they share ownership.
X-Factor? First, the smoked wings. Second, that incredible Colorado Green Hot sauce. Together, they make Red’s stand out.
Bottom line: A must-visit for smoked wing lovers, especially if you’re chasing the perfect crispy bite and unforgettable sauce.
