Though upscale salad toppings such as ginger-miso dressing and Dijon vinaigrette are popular at area eateries, the enduring ranch dressing—a rich blend of buttermilk, sour cream, mayonnaise, herbs, and spices—somehow remains both classic and trendy.

Lovers of the creamy dressing owe it all to a cowboy named Steve Henson. While working as a contract plumber in Alaska in the early ’50s, Henson started serving ranch dressing to his crew. In 1954, he and his wife, Gayle, opened the Hidden Valley dude ranch near Santa Barbara, where they began selling the sauce. By the end of the ’60s, orders were being shipped to all 50 states—and around the world.

On a local level, Essex-based dressing company Tessemae’s continues Henson’s legacy with a healthy twist. Tessemae’s ranch dressings are organic and dairy-free and come in a variety of one-of-a-kind flavor profiles, from spicy habañero to the citrusy cilantro lime—and even everything bagel.

“We typically develop flavors based on what’s inspiring us, what we want to eat, and what we want to feed our families at home,” says Kristen Dittami, Tessemae’s executive chef and executive vice president of research and development. And while their fastest- growing flavor is avocado ranch, their most popular flavor, by far, is their classic, creamy version.

“Everyone grew up with some kind of ranch dressing,” Dittami says. “With our ranch dressing, we’re able to provide that same a flavor profile people love, but with organic, better-for-you ingredients.”

Head to these local hotspots to sample the delectable dressing on wings and other things:

BRD: Located inside R. House and in Federal Hill, this snack shop serves all things chicken, including tasty Alabama White and Sweet Thai Chili wings. 301 W. 29th St.

Ale Mary’s: Ale Mary’s offers a pound of grilled wings with your choice of ranch or blue cheese on the side. For something smaller, try the cheesy tots, which are also served with ranch dressing. 1939 Fleet St.

Joe Squared: This popular Station North eatery offers everything from sweet pineapple jerk wings to “extremely hot” 18 pepper wings. 33 W. North St.

Kislings Tavern: For a dizzying selection of wing flavors, including mango habañero, buffalo Thai peanut, and chipotle BBQ, stop into this Canton favorite. 2100 Fleet St.

The Local Fry: This Hampden restaurant serves international eats and a variety of flavors of wings, like Kansas City BBQ and Carribbean Citrus, as well as ranch-topped chicken bacon fries. 711 W. 40th St.

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In other ranch news: Last March, about 8,000 bottles of ranch dressing spilled from a truck after it crashed near Hagerstown. The product fell into the Little Conococheague Creek, where it floated downstream. At one point, workers cleaned up about 3,000 bottles of the creamy sauce that were pooled in a single area along the creek.

If there is a bright side to saying goodbye to summer, it’s that football season is officially around the corner. There’s no better way to cheer on the Ravens than by gathering with other die-hards around the big screens at your neighborhood bar. This season, throw on a jersey and head to these local watering holes to enjoy discounted food and drink deals while watching the birds duke it out.

Ale Mary’s: Known for its beer list and collection of vintage knick-knacks (be sure to check out Christmas Story-style leg lamp at the bar), this corner dive in Fells Point is a great place to showcase your purple pride. During all Ravens games throughout the season, enjoy specials including $3 Bud Lights and Henry’s Hard Sodas, $4 Pollock Johnny’s sausages, $5 punch, $5 bombs, and a $7 deal on one pound of grilled wings paired with a domestic bottle of your choice. 1939 Fleet St., 410-276-2044

Alexander’s Tavern: At this popular Fells Point hangout, fans throw back free shooters whenever the Ravens score a touchdown. Don your most festive purple garb to watch the game while enjoying half-priced nachos and tots, as well as $3 Miller Lites, $4 Blue Moons, and $10 Miller Lite pitchers. 710 S. Broadway., 410-522-0000

Bmore Around Town: You can’t go wrong attending a pregame party hosted by this group of local tailgating experts. This season, Bmore Around Town has moved its tailgates to the brand new Stadium Square lot on the corner of West Ostend and Leadenhall streets near Lot H. Tickets to the all-inclusive events include a full open bar, bottomless buffet of stadium fare, live DJ entertainment, and games like corn hole, flip cup, Kan Jam, and jumbo Connect Four. Aside from its home-game celebrations, Bmore Around Town also offers fans road trip packages for away games. 443-865-5935

Claddagh Pub: If you haven’t had the chance to check out this Canton staple’s new outdoor bar, football season is the perfect opportunity. Dubbed “The Cork Yard Bar” the new space features four outdoor screens and heaters so that fans can keep warm during the chillier months. Sunday specials to look out for (offered both inside and outside) include $3 pints, $6 bombs and Crushes, one pound of jumbo shrimp for $16.95, and a deal on 30 wings paired with a pitcher of beer for $19.95. 2918 O’Donnell St., 410-522-4220

Dogwatch Tavern: Equipped with comfy couches, pool tables, and group games like Bear Pong, this Fells Point hangout has a relaxed vibe that mimics catching the game in the comfort of your own living room. Grab a group of friends and head to the bar to enjoy 22-oz. Miller Lite drafts for $5, an order of wings for $7, and Miller and Coors Light buckets for $15. If you’re feeling particularly festive, order one of the bar’s signature 100-oz. beer towers for $20. 709 S. Broadway, 410-276-6030

El Bufalo: Post up in front of any one of the 13 screens at this multi-level Canton Square favorite to watch all of the action unfold this season. Though it might not be the most traditional sporting-event sip, El Bufalo offers $7-off all of its mega margaritas on game days. Other specials include $8 orders of disco fries, $10 flatbreads, $15 Bud Light Buckets, and group deals like a case of Bud Light and 25 wings for $100. 2921 O’Donnell St., 410-814-0594

Huck’s American Craft: This Brewers Hill beer bar gets creative with its football specials, which include $5 “Raven-ade” drinks and purple bombs, as well as free shots whenever the birds score a touchdown. Fans can also pair $2 Natty Bohs with snacks like wings, sliders, onion rings, and pretzel-dough pizzas. 3728 Hudson St., 443-438-3380

Mother’s Grille: Nothing says Ravens season like an afternoon spent downing drafts on Mother’s Purple Patio, which features live DJ entertainment and a radio broadcast of the game. During all Sunday games, the Federal Hill football headquarters offers fans all-you-can-eat boneless wings paired with Miller Lite for $35. At Mother’s Baltimore County location in Timonium, take advantage of specials including $5 Fireball shots, $6 Purple Crushes, $15 Yuengling buckets, and $3 hot dogs. Multiple locations including 1113 S. Charles St., 410-244-8686

Mt. Washington Tavern: This Mt. Washington neighborhood haunt celebrates football season in style. In addition to its Purple Friday lunch menu (think discounted burgers, quesadillas, beers, and Tito’s vodka drinks), the tavern also features an lengthy list of specials whenever the birds take the field. Get comfortable at the bar to enjoy $8 slow-roasted Buffalo wings, $10 queso fundido dip, and $15 loaded nachos topped with chili, cheeses, and Applewood bacon. Wash down all of the eats with $2 Narraganset Lager cans, $4 Old Hilltop drafts, and $6 vodka drinks. 5700 Newbury St., 410-367-6903

JD’s Smokehouse: We were stoked when this former O’Donnell Square mainstay announced that it would be returning to Canton last year. Now stationed at the corner of South Luzerne and Foster avenues in the space previously occupied by American Harry’s, JD’s is back with its selection of imported beers and finger-licking barbecue. Throughout football season, swing by the new digs to enjoy $2 Natty Bohs, $5 Ravens Crushes, $5 domestic buckets, and $12 Union Craft buckets. Food specials of note include “The Tucker Long” (a smoked sausage hoagie with onions and peppers) for $7.95, and the “A-5 Burger” topped with onions, mushrooms, and provolone with two sides for $9.95. 623 S. Luzerne Ave., 410-522-2266

Wicked Sisters: If you’re looking for a spot to tune in from North Baltimore, this Hampden hangout highlights plenty of flat screens. Gather with other fans to chow down on $2-off select appetizers (think meatballs and sriracha honey Brussels sprouts), $3 Natty Boh drafts, and $4 pours of “Old Man Gjerde”—an ode to owner Charlie Gjerde crafted by The Brewer’s Art. 3845 Falls Road, 410-878-0884

Jimmy’s Seafood: Throughout the years, this Dundalk restaurant has become a go-to for sports fans and local athletes alike. To celebrate the return of the birds, Jimmy’s is debuting a new “Sunday Funday” deal featuring two-for-one drinks during Sunday games. Also new this season, happy hour specials (think $3 Summer Shandy and $7 Crushes) will run until midnight for all Monday-night matchups. 6526 Holabird Ave, Dundalk, 410-633-4040

As folks gather around the tube and table, there’s hardly a spread in town that doesn’t include chicken wings. We decided to sample carryout wings from area bars and see what might work for our next football get-together—and yours. Our in-house panel of tasters—Jess Blumberg, Janelle Erlichman Diamond, Amy Mulvihill, Evan Serpick, and myself—didn’t find a bad one in the bunch, although we did have a favorite. Here’s the lineup:

Where

Kisling’s Tavern & Grill, 2100 Fleet St.,
410-327-5477.

(Touchdown!)

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Ale Mary’s, 1939 Fleet St.,
410-276-2044.

(Field Goal!)

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Bill Bateman’s Bistro, 7800 York Rd., Towson, 410-296-2727
(and other locations).

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MaGerks Pub & Grill, 1061 S. Charles St., 410-576-9230 (also in Bel Air).

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Mothers Federal Hill Grille, 1113 S. Charles St., 410-244-8686.

Replay

They are fat, meaty, and nicely spicy with a boost from a Parmesan coating—our idea of a perfect Buffalo wing.

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They’re flavorful, slightly charred morsels with a grilled flavor. One taster thought they tasted like rotisserie chicken; another said they were a little chewy.

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They’re smaller than the others sampled, but the “original” wings have a great zippy flavor and texture.

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They’re wonderfully crispy and chunky, but more like fried chicken. We asked for hot, but these had a tame flavor.

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They’re hot and zingy, though a little greasy. Have extra napkins on hand.

Cost

10 wings for $8.59; 50 wings, $40.

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1 pound (about eight wings) for $7.95.

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12 wings for $8.49 (other options, flavors available).

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20 wings for $12 (smaller orders available).

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20 wings for $17.99 (smaller orders available).

Extra Points

Celery and blue-cheese dressing. Kisling’s has 15 flavors (from Sriracha to PB&J), but the original is our favorite.

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Celery and blue-cheese dressing. They’re also wrapped in foil in a Styrofoam box, which keeps them extra hot for the ride home.

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Celery and blue-cheese dressing. Look for the celery hidden under the wings, separated by paper. We didn’t see the stalks at first.

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Blue-cheese dressing but, alas, no celery.

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We love the name: Brother Don’s Big Phat Hot Wings. Comes with celery and blue-cheese dressing.