Toll Man Joe’s has winning wings

The popular Oregon Avenue sports bar will be handing out samples at the Best Foods of South Philly event.

By Lindsey Nolen

Named after Joe (Tollman) Paul, winner of Wing Bowl VIII in 2000, Toll Man Joe’s, 26 E. Oregon Ave., has been named the best wings in South Philly. Having been open less than a year, since Sept. 8, 2016, it’s safe to say the bar is off to a good start.

Included in the longtime Pennsylvania Turnpike worker’s pack of relatives who opened the bar in his honor after he passed away on Jan. 18, 2012, his niece, Lori Penrose, today assists in its operations and credits the homemade wing sauce recipes made by chef Arty Bermudez as what makes the wings so great. Offering both breaded and roasted wings, customers are given eight sauces from which to choose.

“Arty makes all of the sauces from scratch and believes in the perfect wing size,” Penrose said. “My uncle was always the life of the party, and that’s what we’re trying to accomplish with our bar. Because of him, we have to offer the most amazing wings.”

Included in the wing sauce options are Toll Man Joe’s sweet and spicy, buffalo (mild, hot or nuclear), general tso, chipotle cilantro, mango salsa jalapeno, garlic parmesan, thai coconut curry, golden monkey BBQ and ponzo (Asian spicy citrus). Additionally, wings can be ordered in sets of 10, 20, 30 or 50.