From the outside, it may not look like much and some of us have passed it a dozen times, a tiny blue building that has been there since 1990 with a sign welcoming “Indiana Friends & Family” located in Ormond Beach.
The atmosphere is friendly and bustling with a dive bar feel and plenty of regulars. Dusty old 80’s bar signs and even Tony Stewart’s signature framed on the wall. A touch-tunes jukebox is always playing a diverse playlist, and the staff is so friendly it makes you feel like a regular.
After a dozen or so times eating at Babe’s Blue Room, I will not eat wings anywhere else. Babe’s has Volusia County’s Best Wings based on consistency, crispiness, and cost.
Consistent wings are a challenging find. It doesn’t help that I am a picky-wing eater. I can’t have them too slimy, too sauced, or too dry. I have experienced wing places where the wings are only good on Wednesdays, after 6 pm when that one cook is working the fryer. You know the place. But Babe’s is spot on every time.
I order them the same way every time, a dozen, extra crispy, medium. Every – single – time, without fail, perfection! No matter who is serving, or who is cooking, the wings are the same. I always know that my level of crispiness is exactly what I will get. The wings arrive hot, crispy, and perfectly sauced. The level of medium buffalo is just the right amount of heat with a tiny hint of sweetness on the back end.
In recent years, the pandemic has changed the supply chain which has resulted in restaurants having to increase prices. As expected, the price of wings skyrocketed. Recently, just in time for the Super Bowl, wing prices were falling across the country. On a recent visit to a local restaurant, I was surprised to see that for just 10 wings, they were charging $16.95! Another local spot was charging $14.49 for 10.
When Babe’s reopened after the pandemic, the price of a dozen wings was still $12.95. Babe’s stands alone with keeping the price consistent still to this day. Another reason the price of their wings is so great is the quality. Their big wings do not disappoint.
Babe’s does have some cons. It is a tiny old building, and when we are craving their wings and only their wings, it is sometimes hard to find a seat. They only have a few tables and limited bar seating. I may have told too many of my friends and family how great Babe’s wings are, and that may have something to do with how packed it is. Is it worth waiting for a seat? Yes.
It is somewhat of a dive bar that does allow smoking. Smoking may be a turnoff, but they do offer take-out, and what better way to watch some basketball with friends, than with a bunch of wings?
There are other wing spots in Volusia County, and I have tried almost all take-out, dine-in, bummed a wing from a friend, and I can still say, give Babe’s Blue Room a chance, your tastebuds, your stomach, and your wallet will thank you.
Lindsay Jones
Contributor