South Mouth Wings: A refreshing addition to the Boulder food scene

It’s not quinoa or tofu. It’s not certified 100% organic. And any vegetable on the menu will have been battered and deep fried before it reaches your table. The place is South Mouth Wings and as owner Larry Thompson says they’re “looking to put some pounds on Boulder.”

South Mouth Wings (Courtesy Larry Thompson)

South Mouth opened its doors on March 17^th, providing Boulder with its first specialty chicken wing establishment. Located on the corner of Arapahoe and Broadway, it ironically took the place of VG Burger, a vegetarian fast food restaurant.

Relocating from Memphis, Tennessee, co-owners Larry Thompson, Jonas Gibbs, Tim Harmon, and Justin Walker are working long hours to get the fledgling business off the ground.

“We’re not McDonalds, we don’t have this down to a science. There’s a million things we’ve had to tweak since we’ve opened,” says Thompson over a plate of French fries.

But looking at the menu and watching orders go smoothly in and out, you’d think they did have it down to a science.

“We’re frying food, it isn’t that difficult,” he says. “It’ just about keeping up with the orders.”

The menu is simple, yet unique. When it comes to wings, patrons have the choice of Memphis Style or Party Wings. Memphis style are ordered by the pound and come with the drumstick and wing in one big piece. Party wings are ordered by number of pieces and are of the traditional individual drumstick and actual wing variety. Match that with a choice of ten different sauces—ranging from wet sauces to dry rubs, and sweet and tangy to mouth blistering—and you have your decision making cut out for you.

“Wings sell themselves,” Thompson says. “It’s not like you have to convince anyone to eat a chicken wing,”

Aside from the perfectly done wings, South Mouth also offers a variety of distinctive sides. Pickles, corn on the cob, macaroni and cheese, mushrooms, jalapenos and okra all come deep fried. If you really need your non fried veggies fix, they offer a Memphis style salad, too. And to Thompson, that’s the southern style that he’s trying to bring to Boulder.

“Everything is fried down there, that’s why we’re all so big,” chuckles Thompson.

If anything, South Mouth Wings works to break the monotony of the late night pizza and sandwich shops that the Hill Shopping District seems exclusive to. Open until 3 A.M., South Mouth is the perfect place for that late night snack.

“We’re real strong late night, but we’re trying to work on the lunch time,” as he says that, outside a scissor lift started hoisting a brand new sign up towards the roof. “I think the sign will help a lot.”

Thompson’s got other ideas, too.

“You can bank on an eating challenge. Right now I’m just trying to think of something so hot you’ll have to sign a waiver before you do it.”

The hottest sauce South Mouth currently features is called the “Better Not.” When they first opened a few weeks ago it contained 40-50 habanero peppers. But now it contains only four “ghost peppers,” which are definitely not for a weak stomach. 

Not only is South Mouth trying to introduce Boulder to a new deep fried cuisine, but the term “southern hospitality” is being introduced as well. Thompson works on trying to remember all of his customer’s names and making the quaint establishment’s atmosphere friendly and inviting. During the interview a few kids at the table next to us finished their meal, but before leaving shook Thomspon’s hand and said they’d definitely be back.

They employees even spent part of last week calling back every Hungry Buffs order and asking them if they enjoyed their meal, and inquired what they could do better in the future.

“We’re just down to earth people that are trying to provide great customer service and awesome wings,” Thompson says.

If you haven’t checked out South Mouth Wings yet, be sure you do. It won’t do anything for your waistline, but your taste buds will thank you. Located at 1650 Broadway, they’re open from 10:30am-3am seven days a week, and are available through Hungry Buffs for takeout and delivery.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Ryan Sterner at Ryan.sterner@colorado.edu.