Outside view of Atomic Wings on High Street. Credit: Natalie Boggs | Arts and Life Photo Editor

Atomic Wings, a national chicken wing chain, opened its first Columbus location — filling a previously vacant spot on High Street — to offer fresh, made-daily entrees and late-night hours.?

The restaurant opened Oct. 20, according to an Instagram post, and is located at 2112 N. High St. The chain currently operates one other Ohio location based in Cleveland, which opened in Aug., according to an Instagram post. The High Street location is open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 4 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.?

“I don’t see many good options where they are selling fresh chicken wings, made-to-order, or homemade sauces,” said Arpit Patel, owner and general manager of the High Street location. “That’s the reason I said, ‘Yeah, we’re going to open late because the students will definitely need some chicken wings right after the clubs and bars.’”

Patel said the decision to stay open late into the night was intended to address the limited late-night dining options available to Ohio State students.?

“After the club closes and the bar closes at 1 a.m., there’s mostly students looking for food,” Patel said. “There are very few options on North High Street, especially nearby the undergrad dorms.”?

Patel said he also hopes to appeal to workers who do not get off until late at night or those who work night shifts.?

Inside view of Atomic Wings on High Street. Credit: Natalie Boggs | Arts and Life Photo Editor

The restaurant serves traditional and boneless chicken wings, chicken sandwiches, waffle fries and more, Patel said. In addition to these standard menu items, Atomic Wings also offers a selection of more than 15 house-made sauces.?

“Everything’s fresh,” Patel said. “We don’t have anything frozen, except the waffle fries and mozzarella sticks.”

Patel said standout menu items and bestsellers include the Nashville Chicken Sandwich, chicken wings with honey barbecue, mango habanero, buffalo or garlic parmesan sauce, loaded fries and deep-fried Oreos.?

“[Deep-fried Oreos] is one of the bestsellers,” Patel said. “We have sampled them right up at the front door, and students loved it.”?

All menu items, including the chicken sandwiches, are customizable, Patel said. Customers are able to add or remove ingredients and choose their own sauces.?

In introducing a new business to High Street, Patel said he does not see other local restaurants as competition, but as important members of his community.?

“My focus is on my restaurant,” Patel said. “Whoever’s coming in from that front door, I make sure, whatever they order, they get the same order. If they order [a] ranch, I make sure they get the ranch.”?

Patel said he also prioritizes quick customer service, even during late-night rush hours, as well as fresh, quality ingredients.?

Atomic Wings is open at 2112 N. High St. and accepts BuckID as a form of payment.