Wing Review: J&B's Sports Bar & Blue Ribbon Taproom

Name: J&B's Sports Bar & Blue Ribbon Taproom

Where: 5230 W Bluemound Rd, Milwaukee

MKE Wings Crew Present: Frank, Amber, Ross, Molly

Review Date: January 29, 2025

Wing Special (as of date published): Tuesday and Thursday $5 off wing orders (bone-in and boneless)

The Review:

J&B’s Blue Ribbon Pub sits along the Bluemound Rod corridor of bars, an area long known for its dense stretch of neighborhood taverns and its role as a pregame hotspot for Brewers fans heading to the game. For as far as I can remember, bars along this strip have served as gathering places for locals, office crowds, and sports fans alike, and J&B’s fits squarely into that tradition. A longtime fixture in the area, J&B’s has built a reputation as a casual, welcoming pub with a loyal following. It’s the kind of bar that feels familiar the moment you walk in—comfortable, lively, and unpretentious. That atmosphere makes it an appealing destination for drinks and socializing, but tonight's visit was all about the wings

We visited on a Thursday evening, which is their wing special night (the same special is also run on Tuesdays!). Regular pricing is $14 per pound, which equates to roughly 10 wings, the wing night special takes $5 off per order, applicable to both bone-in and boneless wings. As always, prices/availability of menu items/prices and/or specials are subject to change at the sole discretion of the bar without the knowledge of Milwaukeewings.com and may not be updated accordingly.

We grabbed a beer and ordered our wings which arrived quite quickly. The wings themselves were well cooked and flavorful, though they could have benefited from a bit more crispness. Texture-wise, they were tender, and juicy—but lacked the pronounced exterior crunch that elevates great wings. The biggest detriment to these wings was size. These were small wings, bordering on one-bite pieces. While the quality was there, the small portion size noticeably impacted overall satisfaction. I knocked back 10 wings and was still a bit hungry at the end, I was happy we ordered a side of Cajun fries.

J&B’s offers a relatively modest sauce selection, but large enough that there should be something for most people. Their sauces are: Buffalo (Insane, Hot, Medium, or Mild),

Caribbean Jerk, Asian Ginger, Sweet Chili, Honey Garlic, Teriyaki, and BBQ. While we didn't try everything, notes on what we had below:

A basket of boneless wings served with celery, carrot sticks, and a side of creamy ranch dip.

Hot Buffalo -  was the strongest performer. It delivered a balanced blend of vinegar tang, cayenne heat, and peppery bite, with just enough buttery richness to smooth things out. While labeled “hot,” it leaned closer to medium in overall heat (in my opinion), but remained flavorful and enjoyable. This is a solid, classic buffalo execution and one most wing fans would appreciate.

Caribbean Jerk - was pleasant, though somewhat sweeter than expected. Traditional jerk profiles lean heavily into savory heat and earthy spice, and while this sauce included recognizable cinnamon and allspice notes, the sweetness softened the overall impact. It was enjoyable, but lacked the bold punch that defines standout jerk sauces.

Honey Garlic - surprised in a good way. Not typically a go-to flavor for me, this version was sticky, sweet, and garlicky, hitting its intended flavor target cleanly. It didn’t convert me into a honey garlic enthusiast, but for fans of the style, it’s a well-executed option.

Overall, the sauces were competent and enjoyable, but none stood out as exceptional. A slightly broader lineup or more distinctive house flavors could significantly elevate the menu.

Milwaukee Wings Crew Favorites:

Frank: Hot Buffalo

Ross: Medium Buffalo

Molly: Mild Buffalo

Amber: Medium Buffalo

Overall:

J&B’s remains a fun, comfortable neighborhood bar with a lively crowd and welcoming energy. It’s easy to see why it continues to thrive, especially as a gathering spot before games or for casual nights out. The bar atmosphere is one of its strongest assets. From a wing perspective, J&B’s delivers solid, reliable wings, but not destination-level ones, nor wings I'd seek out for a wing night. The small wing size, limited flavor selection, and lack of standout sauces ultimately keep it from reaching Certified Wing Joint status. As it stands, J&B’s is a great neighborhood bar that happens to serve decent wings, a dependable stop for a fun night out, even if it isn’t a must-visit wing destination.

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