Wings with a winning kick

If chicken wings had a season, it might be now: Football playoffs are in full drama, and the Super Bowl is just weeks away. Wings make for one of the best party appetizers because they’re easy to serve, fun to eat and lots of places will cook them in big batches. Here are six of the best wings we’ve found, ranging from mild to super spicy. It might be best to order large quantities in advance.

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Lots of substance

Red curry, fish sauce and sugar blend in the thick, fiery red sauce that coats the wings at this Thai restaurant. The five pieces that we bought weighed well over a pound.

Although they’re not on the menu, the wings are usually in the buffet. Five pieces are $5.50 at Indra Thai restaurant, 517 S. Verdugo Road, Glendale. (818) 247-3176.

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Flutes optional

The fanciest wings -- are you ready -- come from Hooters. That’s because you can order 20 with a bottle of Dom Perignon champagne for $149.99. Leave out the champagne and the price drops considerably. The red sauce with which they are shaken ranges from mild to strictly-for-the-asbestos-tongued.

Prices start at $6.49 for 10 wings. Hooters has seven locations from Santa Monica to San Diego; www.hooters.com.

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Full party platters

Imagine counting out 950 chicken wings. Seems daunting, but this casual cafe will do it (and you’ll pay $372.24.) Party plates start at 50 pieces. These are Buffalo-style wings, dipped in a vinegary red sauce that ranges from mild to hot.

Party plates start at $21.25; 12 pieces, $6.84. Hot Wings Cafe, 7011 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 930-1233, and other locations in Glendale and Pasadena.

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On the sweet side

A sweet, tomatoey katsu sauce accompanies plain fried wings at this new Westside spot. The wings come on a bed of shredded lettuce.

Pack of six wings, $2.99. Hawaii B.B.Q. is in a corner mall at 12117 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 571-2388.

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Subtly Sichuan

Sichuan food has a reputation for spicy heat, but the wings at this stand are mild enough to please anyone. The wings are marinated with ginger, soy sauce and garlic, then fried and seasoned with a fresh red chile paste. If you want them spicy, just ask for more chile paste.

Sichuan chicken wings are five for $3 at China Depot, stall 744 in the Farmers Market, 6333 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles. (323) 937-6868.

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Flavors from 1 to 10

How about chicken wings in 10 flavors, ranging from mild to intensely hot? Lemon pepper wings are a safe choice at this fast-food place; they’re citrusy and peppery but not spicy-hot. At the other extreme, jalapeno wings are thickly coated with a molten red sauce. Other options include teriyaki, garlic and Buffalo-style hot wings.

Prices range from 10 pieces for $5.99 to 200 pieces for $85.99 at Wings Land, 12925 Sherman Way, North Hollywood. (818) 765-4424.