Quick Answer
Is Anchor Bar buffalo sauce good?Yes, and it's meaningfully different from Frank's. Anchor Bar Original Buffalo Wing Sauce is slightly milder, slightly richer in texture, and more buttery-forward than Frank's — which makes sense given that the original Anchor Bar recipe used more butter in the ratio. The commercial product is worth trying if you want the most 'original' commercial approximation of the 1964 recipe. It's harder to find and more expensive than Frank's, which is the main practical limitation.
The Anchor Bar's claim to fame is being the birthplace of buffalo wings in 1964. The restaurant's co-owner Teressa Bellissimo created the dish that became one of the most consumed foods in America. Anchor Bar now sells a line of commercial buffalo wing sauces based on their house recipe — a direct claim to the "original" formula.
The question worth answering: does the commercial product actually deliver on that heritage claim, and is it better than what you can get from Frank's RedHot? This review is as objective as possible — the history is interesting but the sauce needs to stand on its own merits.
Overall Rating
The Anchor Bar's Position in Buffalo Sauce History
The Anchor Bar at 1047 Main Street in Buffalo, NY has been serving what it calls the original buffalo wing recipe since 1964. The original formula, as the Bellissimo family has described it, was a combination of Frank's RedHot and butter at what amounts to a milder ratio than the commonly used 2:1 (more butter relative to hot sauce, producing a richer, less aggressive sauce).
The commercial product launched in the late 1990s/early 2000s as the Anchor Bar expanded into retail. The restaurant-made sauce and the commercial product are not identical — the commercial version has been adapted for shelf stability and is not exactly what you'd get at the restaurant. But it's a reasonable commercial approximation of the house flavor profile. For the full history context, the buffalo wings history guide covers the Anchor Bar's role.
The Anchor Bar Product Line
- Anchor Bar Original Buffalo Wing Sauce: Medium heat, the reference product
- Anchor Bar Medium Buffalo Wing Sauce: Milder variation, more butter-forward
- Anchor Bar Hot Buffalo Wing Sauce: Higher heat — closer to the Frank's heat profile
- Anchor Bar Garlic Buffalo Wing Sauce: Garlic-forward variation
- Anchor Bar Hot Garlic Buffalo Wing Sauce: Combined hot and garlic
This review focuses on the Original, which is the relevant comparison to Frank's RedHot Buffalo Wing Sauce.
Ingredients Analysis
Anchor Bar Original Buffalo Wing Sauce ingredients: Aged Cayenne Red Peppers, Distilled Vinegar, Water, Salt, Butter, Natural Flavor, Xanthan Gum, Garlic Powder.
Notable differences from Frank's:
- Real butter listed. Anchor Bar lists "butter" as an ingredient, while Frank's lists "natural butter and other natural flavors." Whether the distinction is meaningful in terms of the actual formula is unclear — both may be using similar forms of butter flavor — but the ingredient label suggests a closer connection to real dairy butter.
- Xanthan gum also present. Same stabilizer as Frank's, giving both sauces their shelf stability.
- No canola or other oil listed. Frank's contains canola oil; Anchor Bar's label does not. This may explain the slightly different texture.
Flavor and Texture Profile
Anchor Bar Original Buffalo Wing Sauce has a noticeably different character from Frank's RedHot:
Heat: Measurably milder. Estimated 350–400 SHU vs. Frank's 300–450 SHU — similar range, but the Anchor Bar version tastes milder in practice because the higher butter-to-hot-sauce balance dampens the heat perception.
Texture: Slightly thicker and more cohesive than Frank's. Not dramatically different, but the Anchor Bar sauce coats a spoon with more body. It clings to wing surfaces with slightly better adhesion than the Frank's version.
Flavor: More butter-forward. Less sharp, less acidic, with a rounder flavor profile. The vinegar tang is present but not the first note you taste — it comes behind the richness. For those who find Frank's too sharp or vinegary, the Anchor Bar version reads as more refined.
Sweetness: A very slight sweetness that Frank's doesn't have. Not enough to call it sweet, but enough to round the flavor profile.
Anchor Bar vs. Frank's RedHot: Head-to-Head
Anchor Bar Original vs. Frank's RedHot Buffalo Wing Sauce
| Attribute | Anchor Bar Original | Frank's RedHot Buffalo Wing |
|---|---|---|
| Heat (SHU approx.) | 350–400 | 300–450 |
| Texture | Thicker, more cohesive | Thinner, more fluid |
| Dominant flavor | Butter, mild cayenne | Cayenne, sharp vinegar |
| Availability | Specialty stores, online | Every grocery store |
| Price per oz | $0.50–0.75/oz | $0.25–0.40/oz |
| Sodium per 2 tbsp | ~390mg | ~460mg |
| Best use | Wings, dipping, richer applications | Wings, dip, versatile |
Frank's wins on availability and price. Anchor Bar wins on texture and milder, richer flavor. For most practical purposes, Frank's is the right choice simply because it's available everywhere and performs excellently. Anchor Bar is worth seeking out if you specifically want the original character or prefer a milder, butter-forward sauce.
💡 The Better Comparison
Both commercial products are approximations of the real thing. For the closest experience to what you'd get at the actual Anchor Bar restaurant, make a 1:2 hot sauce to butter ratio sauce at home (1/4 cup Frank's RedHot Original + 4 tablespoons butter), which produces a richer, milder sauce that closely resembles both the Anchor Bar commercial product and the original recipe character.
Verdict
Anchor Bar Original Buffalo Wing Sauce is genuinely good and worth trying — the richer, milder character is distinct from Frank's and represents a legitimate variation on the classic buffalo profile. If you prefer less heat and more buttery richness, Anchor Bar may become your preferred sauce.
The limitations are practical: it's harder to find (specialty food stores, Amazon, or the Anchor Bar's website) and costs more per ounce. If you want the best buffalo sauce regardless of price or availability, buy Anchor Bar. If you need it from your local grocery store, Frank's remains the correct choice.