STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Fantasy football has transformed how fans watch NFL games—and how they order wings—reshaping business patterns at Wing World, a Staten Island restaurant now celebrating its 10th anniversary.
Wing World
After 10 years in business, Wing World's Deanna Raiolo has seen how fantasy football transformed not just how fans watch games, but how they order their favorite game day food.(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
“Everyone used to watch just their teams, but now they have players on all different teams,” said Deanna Raiolo, co-owner of Wing World in Castleton Corners. “If you’re a New Yorker and a Giants fan, now you might have a fantasy team and be watching the Eagles or Cowboys too.”
This shift in viewing habits has had a direct impact on Raiolo’s business. The NFL season creates distinct patterns in wing orders, with the first few weeks being “insane,” as fantasy football drafts wrap up and Thursday Night Football kicks off. “Everyone’s watching—whether it’s for fantasy football or just rooting for their team,” she said.
Wing World
Gyros at the restaurant take a salubrious spin with grilled chicken strips made from herb-marinated chicken breast. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
Mid-season can bring a lull, depending on how teams are performing, but business surges again during the playoffs and Wild Card Weekend. “Those are super, super busy weekends,” Raiolo added. “Then we get a break for a week, and of course, the Super Bowl is huge.”
Wing World
Potato skins can be stuffed with bacon, hamburger crumbles, cheddar and jack, served with a side of sour cream. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
Super Bowl: The Wing World Holiday
Super Bowl Sunday remains the pinnacle of the wing season. “It’s nonstop all day,” Raiolo said. “We’ve perfected Super Bowl Sunday. It’s my favorite day of the year—it’s like the Christmas of the wing world.”
Wing World has developed specialized systems to handle the football season rush, offering both pickup and delivery options. The restaurant, located at 876 Manor Road, is known for its 30 wing sauces and unique preparation method—poaching fresh wings before seasoning them, rather than relying on pre-packaged products.
“We’ve built a rhythm around football season,” Raiolo said. “Our staff knows what to expect, and our customers know they can count on us for game day.”
Wing World
The Wing World owners recall the pandemic as an "insane" period that solidified the restaurant's reputation as reliable game-day destination for pickup and delivery. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
Pandemic Pivot and Peak Demand
Raiolo also reflected on how the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the business. “COVID was insane. Everyone was home, ordering takeout and delivery. Bars were closed, so people were watching from home—and those Super Bowls were by far the busiest we’ve ever seen,” she recalled.
The restaurant’s ability to pivot during that time helped solidify its reputation as a reliable game-day destination. “We were incredibly grateful,” she said. “It was nonstop, but it showed us how important wings are to people’s football traditions.”
Wing World
Student specials are for high schoolers with proper school IDs. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
A Neighborhood Staple
Beyond traditional wings, Wing World’s menu includes chicken gyros, burgers, fried pickles, and other appetizers. The restaurant also offers family meal deals and a $10 student special for Wagner High School students and other local kids with ID.
For heat seekers, Wing World maintains its infamous “Hellfire” challenge, which requires participants to sign a waiver before attempting the spiciest sauce on the menu. “Most people can’t handle it—they run next door to ANC for a container of milk,” Raiolo joked.
Wing World
The restaurant is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. with extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays until 11 p.m.(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
Wing World delivers within a 3 to 5 mile radius and is part of Castleton Corners’ laid-back, football-friendly food scene—an ideal destination for game-day pickups. Its neighbors include Donut World, known for freshly fried doughnuts; GiGi’s American Grill, offering burgers and classic diner fare; Tack’s Chinese Food; and Italian Touch Pizza. Just steps away, A&C Superette serves as a local hub for Boar’s Head products, sandwiches, and Italian specialties.
As Wing World enters its second decade, Raiolo remains focused on keeping the business responsive to customer habits—especially as fantasy football continues to evolve. “It’s not just about wings anymore,” she said. “It’s about being part of people’s game-day experience.”
Wing World is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with extended hours until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. It can be reached via 718-370-9464 or via wingworldsi.com.
Wing World
The Staten Island restaurant celebrating its 10th anniversary has developed specialized systems to handle football season rush, with fantasy football changing how customers watch games.(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
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