The peach has long reigned supreme as Georgia’s most famous edible icon, but a spicy challenger is ready to take the throne. Lawmakers in the Peach State are currently chewing on a bipartisan proposal to designate lemon pepper wings as an official state food. This move would cement the zesty dish’s status alongside legendary staples like Vidalia onions, pecans and grits.
The humble chicken wing has evolved into a culinary heavyweight in Atlanta and beyond.
State Representative Eric Bell, a Democrat from Jonesboro, championed the measure during a House Special Rules Committee meeting this Wednesday. He argued that the unique flavor profile is no longer just a menu option but a defining piece of Georgia’s cultural identity.
A Flavorful Proposal
This legislation aims to give credit where credit is due.
Representative Bell described lemon pepper wings as a “cultural and culinary phenomenon” that deserves state recognition. He emphasized that when people across the nation think of Georgia cuisine today, they are just as likely to picture a styrofoam container of glowing yellow wings as they are a peach cobbler.
“This is a homegrown identity,” Bell told the committee.
The proposal has already found friends across the political aisle.
Committee Chairman Mitchell Scoggins, a Republican from Cartersville, admitted that he could not resist the appeal of the dish. During the hearing, he confessed that lemon pepper is his personal favorite wing flavor, signaling strong bipartisan appetite for the bill.
This unity suggests that while politicians may disagree on policy, they can find common ground at the dinner table.
Pop Culture Phenomenon
The rise of lemon pepper wings from a local favorite to a national star is largely due to Atlanta’s booming entertainment industry.
Hip-hop heavyweights have referenced the dish in chart-topping hits for years. Artists like Gucci Mane, Quavo and Rick Ross have all lyricalized their love for the flavor. Rick Ross is perhaps the biggest evangelist. He owns several Wingstop franchises and famously collaborated with Drake on the hit song “Lemon Pepper Freestyle.”
Television has also played a massive role.
Donald Glover’s Emmy-winning series Atlanta featured a memorable scene involving “lemon pepper wet” wings. That specific variation, where the wings are tossed in sauce and then sprinkled with seasoning, became an instant viral sensation.
Why Lemon Pepper Wings Stand Out:
- Origin Story: While Buffalo wings claim New York, the specific “lemon pepper wet” style is uniquely Georgian.
- Celebrity Endorsement: endorsed by A-list rappers and actors.
- Global Reach: Tourists often make specific stops at landmarks like Magic City just to try them.
More Than Just a Snack
Proponents argue this designation is about economics as much as it is about taste.
Representative Bell pointed out that the fame of these wings attracts tourists to local restaurants. Food tourism is a massive revenue driver for the state. By making the flavor official, Georgia claims ownership of the brand before another state tries to swoop in.
It separates Georgia’s culinary scene from the traditional Buffalo style dominant in the northeast.
Local business owners stand to benefit from the marketing boost. An official seal of approval from the state legislature could appear on menus and marketing materials, drawing in curious foodies who want to taste the “official” wings of Georgia.
The Path Forward
The bill, identified in reports as House Bill 1013, has cleared its first hurdle.
Following the positive reception from Chairman Scoggins and the committee, the legislation could soon head to a vote. If it passes the committee stage, it will advance to the full House of Representatives for consideration.
If successful, lemon pepper wings will join an exclusive club of Georgia symbols.
Current Official Georgia Foods:
- State Fruit: Peach
- State Vegetable: Vidalia Sweet Onion
- State Prepared Food: Grits
- State Crop: Peanut
Residents and restaurant owners are watching closely. The vote could happen in the coming weeks. For now, the only debate remaining is whether to order them wet or dry.
“Lemon pepper is something that’s synonymous with the state of Georgia,” Bell stated.
The legislature seems ready to agree.
