Dale Boerboom felt Park City was missing something, so he built it: Wing Nutz at Kimball Junction.

Boerboom said he loves living in Utah, but has always missed the small-town bars in the Midwest. Each one is like the television show “Cheers.” Friends meet up after work; people push chairs together and introduce themselves or catch up on old times. It’s the nucleus of small-town life, he said.

When he walked into Wing Nutz in Draper three years ago, Boerboom said it had that feel. Then he tasted the wings. They were moister, crispier and healthier than any he’d had before, he said. Even though his career is in construction, Boerboom said he was sold. This fall he created two new stores in the franchise, opening the doors to the second near Newpark last week.

“It’s probably the healthiest place to eat in town,” he added.

That’s because of the cooking style. According to corporate trainer Brooke Miller, high-speed, steam-pressurized convection ovens bake the chicken legs, wings and breasts. Because of the steam, the baking doesn’t dry it out. As far as they know, Wing Nutz is the only company in Utah that uses this method, she said.

As a result, 10 baked wings have 1,000 fewer calories than 10 deep-fried pieces anywhere else. The crisp comes from the ovens instead of the fryers. In fact, Boerboom pointed out, there’s not a drop of oil in the kitchen. Go in the back and you’ll see chicken, ovens, fresh vegetables and sauces.

“Grease is for your car; not your wings” is one of the company’s tag lines.

But health isn’t really even a factor, said manager Yianna Severson. It’s great-tasting chicken in a sports-pub atmosphere.

There are 18 gourmet sauces available like Mango Pom Chipotle, Parmesan Curry and Jalapeno Honey BBQ. There are four levels of spiciness. That makes for 72 possible combinations Miller said.

There are also close to 40 different beers on tap, Boerboom said. Nine large-screen televisions, including a projector, can show several different sporting events at once, or accommodate a huge party for a big game.

Currently the restaurant seats 94, and outside seating will be introduced when the weather warms. Wing Nutz is open until at least midnight every evening, and until 1 a.m. on weekends.

It’s exactly the kind of bar atmosphere Boerboom said he missed and that Park City needs at Kimball Junction. His two sons living in the Park City area will run the business. They talked him into starting something up here, and after finishing a construction project at Newpark, Boerboom said he was convinced it’s an up-and-coming neighborhood.

The location couldn’t be better, he said. Suite E-3 is where Bajio used to be. He is surrounded by anchor tenants and across the street from the Newpark Towne Center.

“It’s so fun and casual,” Severson added.

Wing Nutz has the NFL Sunday Ticket and all the Jazz basketball games.

Besides chicken, Wing Nutz has pork ribs cooked in the same oven, chicken wraps, quesadillas and salads featuring the sauces and chicken. There’s something for everyone, Boerboom said.

Wing Nutz Park City

6400 N. Newpark Blvd. Ste. E-3

435-647-9464

Bakedwingsarebetter.com


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