UYE!!! Time for some wangz!!!!

When Phillip said he was having a UYE at Wingzup, I knew I had to be there because of ohmigod delicious fried mac ‘n cheese. Somehow, I didn’t even eat any wings.
Instead, I got to try different appetizers that the manager, Merrill, is thinking of adding to the menu. That’s pretty darn cool and the potato skin was most definitely my favorite. We also got to sample beers from Firestone Walker Brewery and take home a neato pint glass if we got a beer.
Of course, my favorite part was seeing all your lovely faces and meeting new ones! Welcome to the group, LaDonne!
Five stars all around for everyone involved — this was awesome and I’m looking forward to the next one!

There are many good reasons for attending a UYE and an event created by the one-​and-​only Phillip is a good enough reason for me. Wingzup is located in a strip mall at W. 41^st and Red River. From the outside it looks insignificant, but once inside you quickly notice a sizeable clean establishment (important info for sports bars) with a friendly staff, good food and vibe. This is definitely the perfect place to go to catch your favorite game, otherwise grab some lunch or dinner during the weekday.

This is so funny. I couldn’t check into my own event! WTF? Thanks to all of you for coming out. It was great chilling with you, and, I got to meet some new Unilocalers! That’s always a plus! Special thanks to Merrill, Kate, and crew at Wingzup! When I first approached Merrill and told him what I wanted to do, he, without any hesitation pulled out his pad of orders and started bouncing ideas. This lead to what became an awesome event. He picked seven items for us to sample that will or will not be on their new menu. He also gave us a scoring card and begged for our feedback. I was thoroughly impressed with the perfect timing of the sampling’s, and, the presentation with the explanation. Merrill is on to something good with the new additions to the appetizers. We got to sample veggie and chicken quesadillas, asparagus tempura (yum), bruschetta, grilled potato skins, and, Firestone Brewery was giving out free samples of two of their beers. They actually have a hop that I liked. I am not big on hops, but, these guys put just the right amount of hop so that it’s not overwhelming, yet, smooth and tasty. I also liked their double head ale. Good stuff. I ended up getting out of there with four commemorative glasses only to break one on my kitchen floor! :(. I like to put a little extra effort into my UYE’s and try to get the business involved because I think it’s more pleasurable and a great way to get people’s attention. So, for those of you that were first timers at Wingzup, I hope you will return. They are a true gem. ****Special thanks to L Dubs for the photography!** He is now the official photographer for all events! :)

Well, everyone looks forward to the end of Awards Season, and right after the Oscars, all attention goes to the «Wangies» (© 2012 — 2014), which always kicks off South By. This year was no exception. As the buffalo-​sauce covered carpet got rolled out, the crowd of Unilocalers descended on Wingzup.
Best supporting actor: Phillip B, for supporting all us Unilocalers looking for something to do on a Saturday, by setting up cool UYEs.
Best supporting actress: Marilee M, who is always at the ready to relieve any non-​drinking Unilocaler of their beer samples.
Best Newcomer: A tie between Bill G and LaDonne L, both of whom are a pleasure to speak with, and hopefully will be less shy and come out to more of these things.
Best smile: Another tie, between Alex H and Courtney W.
Best impression of a ghost (chili pepper): Tony B, who failed to show up to do the Ghost Pepper Wing challenge with Phillip. Honorable mention goes to Madi F.
Best impression of a ghost (buster): Catherine T’s car parked outside.
Easiest to please Unilocaler: Larry W. Enjoy your new pint glass in good health, sir!
Best Good Samaritan: The kind lass from Birds Barbershop across the parking lot, who noticed LaDonne left her purse outside and brought it in to her.
Person not getting an award to avoid a shanking if she didn’t like it: The lovely ChiQui B.
Best Urinal: An easy win, for the Wingzup mensroom.
Most Valuable Player: You would think that Wingzup manager, Merrill, who offered us 6 bites of items they are thinking of putting on the menu (the mixed greens/​apple salad, and the quesadilla with pineapple were among my favorites), and brought in a rep from Firestone Walker Brewing Co. with a couple beer samples and a «free pint glass with purchase», would be a slam dunk. But, this definitely has to go our lovely waitress, Kate, who never missed a beat, and kept all our wing, fry, mushroom, beer, and wine (and tequila shot, for those that stayed later) orders straight, and kept the tea glasses from going empty.
I’d like to add thanks to all the little people out there: Melissa Z and Erica V, and their ever-​present +1s; Jeff and Carl; the late arriving Mark E and his brother; Derek M and his son; Errol M, Karen N, We…
*music plays*
THANKS MOM, FOR TAKING ME TO 5AM SKATING PRACTICE ALL THOSE YEARS! I LOVE Y… *gets escorted off the stage*

Well done shankasaurus!
After exiting yet another of spawn’s schoolmates birthday parties, with a headache and a kid hyped up on cake. We had a few more hours before Mrs DM would be home from the jobby job so I happened to check the old Unilocal and saw way too many of you still checked in at Wingzup. After a quick message and confirmation you all were still there, we fought the rain, absurd 35 traffic, and rental cars piloted by tourists to spread some more joy with you fine people.
The wings, company and tester food was good. Getting Wes to verbally commit Franklin BBQ is very good may have been my highlight though: p
Sorry we couldn’t stay too long as the cake wore off and spawn started to get tired, but it was fun while it lasted.
My 2 pennies

There’s a reason why Phil’s become my «main mentor» regarding things Unilocal (tho I recognize the other Unilocalers who’ve also helped me in my growth). The flawless fashion Phil executed his UYE at Wingzup is a shining example of that.
I appointed myself «unofficial photographer» for the event (I wanted to give my new Nikon camera a «road test»), and I SO wanted to be the first one there, so I could have the privilege of being the first to check-​in; no such luck, several other Unilocalers were already there. So I guess I was «fashionably early», but not early enough (sniff sniff).
We were appointed «Guinea Pigs» by Merrill, the General Manager of Wingzup, and had a great time sampling and rating these potential new additions to the menu (with an emphasis on more vegetarian offerings for non «COW-​nivores». Also samplings of beers from a local brewery (I don’t drink and since Marilee was sitting next to me, she got a «double dose»; I don’t think she minded).
Our lone waitress, Katie, did a SUPER job of accommodating all. I mean, separate checks for over 20 people? She’s a great asset to Wingzup, and I’m sure they realize that.
And I know I’m gonna leave folks out, but I’ll do my best to thank all the Unilocalers who turned out; it ain’t a party without YOU folks:
Thanks to (in no particular order of importance): Aveek, Erica, Marilee, Errol, Courtney, John, Alex, LaDonne, Mark, Jay, Joe, Melissa, Catherine, Jeff («Mr. Chiqui?»), Chiqui, and the other folks I missed; you’re free to let me know, but I at least tried to get everyone in at least one picture, at least the cooperative ones (Cat) ;-) Just kidding, I luv ya, girl!
Ya know, every time I go to a UYE, there’s a Billy Joel song that pops into my head, cuz part of the lyrics seem tailor made for Unilocalers: «We might be laughin’ a bit too loud, but that never hurt no one…» That describes a Unilocal get-​together to a «T»!
Is Billy Joel secretly a Unilocaler? Hmmm…
I think a good time was had by all, and if ya didn’t, it’s your own damn fault!
GREAT JOB, PHIL-​A-​SAURUS! Best way I can think of to occupy the «shank» of the afternoon! :-D
larrythediner
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Well, Wingzup has got to be a nutritionist’s nightmare, but it’s a great place for a UYE. Incidentally, the French are correct — do everything in moderation, and you won’t have to shave your armpits. This may not affect you at all. Wow, this paragraph is pretty random.
Quite possibly the two things I couldn’t care less about are chicken wings & beer, but I am big on showing up for Unilocal friends who host a UYE, so here me be. Speaking of B’s, Phillip B accomplished a true shankster-​worthy feat of organizing wing after wing after wing, along with beer after beer after beer. Gotta thank Wingzup’s own Merrill F too. And «Shankster-​worthy» is the new black.
As for me, they have decent iced tea here (sweetened or unsweetened), and my only awkward moment was when I reintroduced myself to Alex H, even though I had just chatted with her last year at Olivia H’s ROTDC at Lick. I may finally be losing it. This was also LaDonne L’s first time attending an event, and I pointed out the 15 Unilocalers I knew there — I did enjoy her enthusiastic review, and we probably shouldn’t mention we’re not all that sweet.
This was actually not my first visit to Wingzup, it really is a cool sports bar in that Red River & 41^st St HEB complex, and they do have a creative menu with clever food combinations. It’s a great place for game day, and a better place for a UYE. When you’re taking a vote, and the «Wangz» have it, then here ya go.

A great event! I almost didn’t go, due to recent health issues, but with some arm-​twisting, I made it there three hours late. It was still a fantastic event! Kudos, to the host, Phillip B, and the Wingzup manager Merrill for putting it together. I missed Errol M and the ever cute Karen N, but I got to see Phillip, Chiqui and Mr Chiqui (aka Jeff), Joe C, Marilee, Courtney W, Larry W, Catherine, and many more too numerous to name. But a stellar event to say the least.

Perfect. Wings, all sorts of other fried stuff, and Phillip’s excellent hosting skills. Throw in a bunch of Unilocalers and Merrill from Wingzup trying to impress with new recipes and you’ve come up with a perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon…

The Unilocalers are the sweetest people! :)
Extra thanks to Merril, Joe C, Larry, & Marilee for making me feel comfy .you ROCK! :) xo… aaaand oh my gosh I forgot to thank all the other wonderful folks I met! Errol, Courtney, Karen, Mark, Qichi (sp?), and PHILLIP for hosting ! If I left someone out please forgive me, friend me, and I’ll never forget you again !!! :P