Sliders' Famous Wings Soar Into West Hartford

Fans of Sliders' "famous chicken wings" will no longer have to drive to Plainville, Southington, Berlin, or Wallingford now that the long-awaited Elmwood location is cooking up its specialty wings and 21 sauces in West Hartford.

Sliders announced plans to open a West Hartford location back in October, and originally hoped to be ready for March Madness, but construction and other delays got in the way. The fifth Sliders had its soft opening on July 2, in the Elmwood shopping plaza that is also home to Stop & Shop and Crazy Bruce's.

The West Hartford Sliders is similar to the others in the state, said Manager Alicia Aiudi, who has worked in the Wallingford and Berlin locations. "The wings are really good, we have lots [20] of beers on draft, and some really good happy hour specials," she said.

Unlike many other sports-themed "grill and bar" restaurants, Sliders opens for lunch at 11 a.m. every day, Aiudi said. The kitchen stays open until midnight (11 p.m. on Sundays) and the lounge is open until 1 a.m. daily and 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. 

Sliders is much more than a bar, and according to the company's website has been ranked in the top five sports bars in the country by ESPN. It's also a family-friendly restaurant, with 54 TVs showing every sports program imaginable. The West Hartford location seats between 230 and 240 people, and also has a private party room which can be used for celebrations. 

In addition to its signature wings, the menu includes hog wings, appetizers such as chili cheese fries and fried pickle chips, burgers like “The Big Papi” (two half-pound Angus beef burgers topped with applewood smoked bacon, ham and barbecue sauce), and ribs, as well as salads, sandwiches and wraps and sliders. (According to a previous article on Patch, owner Fred Marcantonio named his first restaurant in Plainville years before “sliders” years became a popular name for mini-hamburgers.)

Aiudi said that Sliders has a reputation for giving back to the community, and plans to continue that tradition in West Hartford.

Sliders is located at 176 Newington Rd., West Hartford. For more information call 860-233-9000.