Empire Village Inn’s Ribs and Wings

Tastemaker

By Lynda Wheatley | Jan. 11, 2020

Our first thought on the Empire Village Inn’s Thursday night rib and wings special: How good can $1 ribs and $.50  wings be? Our second thought, with full mouth: Good. Very, very good. Perhaps we shouldn’t have been surprised. The EVI, our go-to stop for beer and outstanding pizza after a summer day spent at the dunes, is no less adept in its approach to winter comfort food. Its own ribs — fat, messy, saucy, and just a bit on the sweet side — and beefy chicken wings offered so much flavor and heft, we thought for a moment the inn’s Mr. Meaty pizza might have to give up its name and fame. Pair the ribs and wings with one of 14 on-tap craft brews, or, if you’re really hungry, go for the $10.99 combo basket, with three ribs, six wings, fries, and slaw. We’ll wake you in the spring. Find Empire Village Inn at 11601 S. Lacore Rd. in Empire, (231) 326-5101, www.empirevillageinn.com.