Candlelight Inn
519 Central Park Ave, Westchester, NY
Without Candlelight, there is no Immaculate Infatuation. It’s as simple as that. The Candlelight has profoundly impacted my life. As a youngster, food was never something I lusted after. Up until a decade ago, I was an insanely picky eater. Yet Candlelight wings made me realize that it was possible to be infatuated with food in the same way that I was enamored with music and sports. And so, without realizing it at the time, my romance with eating had begun. Thank you, Candlelight.
As you might imagine, I’m not alone in my love for this place. My fellow Westchester brethren know what I’m talking about. Most of us who grew up coming here have never let go. In high school, it was a mandatory stop every Friday and Saturday night. In college, when your friends were all home for the holidays, it was Candlelight runs that we most looked forward to. Only then it tasted even better because it was 2AM and we were (a little) better at drinking. What’s that? A half hour wait? Sweet, that means plenty of time to play naked lady photo hunt. Even now, years removed from when it was routine, we still go back whenever we can. We take trips home to see Mom, but also to eat wings.
So wing deprived people of NYC, it’s time to listen up. What would you do if someone told you that, only a half hour north of the city, in an unassuming dive bar on the side of the street, a quick cab ride from either the Hartsdale or Scarsdale Metro North stations, you could get better wings than those at Anchor Bar in Buffalo? You’d be on the next train, we hope. And that’s precisely what I am telling you right now. These are the best chicken wings I’ve ever had. A good batch of their hot-teriyaki or hot buffalo with a side of waffle fries brings me about as close to heaven as I can get without actually having to die. It’s consistent, it’s cheap and it’s ridiculously delicious. If I had to choose one last meal, it would be Candlelight. To the owner, “coach” Jay Tracy, it’s time to bring “The Light” to Manhattan. The people of NYC need it badly. Open up right around Washington Square Park, and you’ll be rolling in orange stained money. We’d happily invest the full worth of our young company in such a venture. Just tell us where to mail this cashier’s check for $321.
Food Rundown:
Chicken Wings
There are plenty of ways to order your wings, but our move is always to get one order of hot and one order of hot-teriyaki and one regular hot. Extra sloppy and extra wet, which is Candlelight speak for swimming in wing sauce. The wings come attached, piping hot and smothered in their butter heavy, magical wing sauce. Outside, the skin is perfectly crispy and inside the wings are meaty and juicy. Welcome to wing perfection.
Waffle Fries
The ultimate compliment for big a steaming serving of wings, the Candlelight waffle fry is a thing of beauty. Honestly, they’re everything you want out of a crispy, spice waffle fry and a mandatory Candlelight order. Get an extra side of your wing sauce of choice for dunking purposes.
Buffalo Chicken Sandwich/Chicken Sandwich
If you don’t want to get all dirty or are just totally winged out, the buffalo chicken sandwich is another solid option. It’s pretty standard and not nearly as good as the wings, but it gets the job done. Also, my Mom digs the basic chicken sandwich. She orders it every time.
Burger
There are people out there who believe this is the best burger in Westchester. We’re not looking to declare that, but it is definitely a delicious pub burger. Pick from any number of different toppings and load up your ten ounce patty with goodness.
Tacos
The thing about the tacos here is that all of the ingredients are bulk generic variety/ The cheddar, ground beef, taco shell, tomato, lettuce and salsa are all straight off the frozen food truck, but that greasy combo makes a perfect palate cleanser and appetizer for a extra sloppy, wet bowl of wings.
Freedom Fries
If plain waffle fries don’t do it for you, go find yourself some freedom. Compliment an order of hot teriyakis with waffle fries smothered in your choice of gravy, chili, mozz and melted cheese. Then apologize to yourself.
Mozzerella Sticks
The mozz sticks have the perfect consistency and are a big fan favorite at The Light. Order them.
Gyros
While the gyro can sometimes be a bit dry, it’s a clean, quality choice if you’re not feeling the greasy stuff. And we’re big fans of the dill dressing.
