DC Legend: Chicken Wings & Mumbo Sauce
Noun. 1. Confusing or incomprehensible language or activity. 2. An obscure ritual or incantation. [Mandingo origin.]
American Heritage Dictionary
Of the English Language
Mumbo sauce? Anyone who has ever traveled east of the Anacostia River has heard the term, Mumbo Sauce. What do I mean by east of the river? I mean if you have ventured anywhere near Benning Road, Wheeler Road, Southern Avenue, or Minnesota Avenue in North/Southeast Washington, D.C. There is no way that you can go into any Korean owned and operated “Kerry-Out” [trans. Carry-Out food] in DC and not hear someone order french fries with chicken wings and Mumbo Sauce. Impossible! Some like it on the chicken and others (like me) like it on the side. I’ve always thought of Mumbo Sauce as a DC thang, but where did it really come from? Actually, Mumbo Sauce originated on Chicago's Southside in the early 1950s by a man named Argia B. Collins, who was known for his famous ribs and barbeque Mumbo Sauce. Now, somehow the name (Mumbo) made its way to the District of Columbia. Perhaps Ishmael Reed's "Jes Grew" brought it here after passing through Harold's Chicken Shack on Stony Island. Nonetheless, I love that Mumbo Sauce.
Now, another question that I’m sure comes to mind is: what in the blazes is Mumbo Sauce and what are the ingredients? Well, no one seems to know the specific ingredients of the sauces that are promoted at DC area carryouts. I know…scary! This is because every carryout makes their sauce differently. I have a favorite spot that I like to go for my chicken wings and Mumbo Sauce. It tastes so good on the chicken; It's both sweet and tangy! I believe they use a little Worcestershire sauce in their blend, and I think that I tasted some nutmeg? I don’t know, but I love it. However, I can’t eat all that fried food too often because that stuff will make you fat and eventullay kill me. So I get it here and there. This past weekend was one of those moments. So, the next time that you are in DC stop by one of our local carryouts (there’s one on every corner), and get yourself an order of chicken wings and Mumbo Sauce. Oh…and all the fries they can give you.
Peace and chicken grease~
Note: The trademark MUMBO was adopted by Argia B. Collins, Sr. for use in connection with a barbecue sauce he developed for his Chicago restaurant. Since as early as 1950, Mr. Collins and his business used this trademark, and his successor-in-interest, Select Brands, LLC, registered the trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on May 25, 1999, Registration No. 2,247,855. The MUMBO trademark has been used for sauces, and appears on labels as part of the phrase MUMBO® SAUCE. (Information provided by: Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP, Chicago, IL)
This post was inspired by the works of Ishmael Reed
Comments
LOL! :) Thanks. I love that hat. That's my, "now I'm more mature" hat.
LOL! I know. Those are some big wings. It's good, but frighntening. Thanks for stopping in and welcome. :)
Very mysterious stuff; just ran a search for "mumbo sauce recipe" and turned up virtually nothing, although I skimmed over one myspace-er who contemplates holding up a restaurant just to get the recipe for this stuff.
I'm on a mission now...
And your sign-out line made me laugh outloud.
But hey, Stephen, you don't have to go across the Frederick Douglass Bridge to get mumbo sauce on your chicken wings. Anywhere in and around Shaw will have it, too. Especially Yum's! Theirs is the best!
That profile shot makes you look awfully REGAL.
You are correct. There is some good Mumbo in Northwest. :)
Dance-
*giggling & blushing* Thanks Dance. I love my hats. I think that I acquired the love of hats from my grandfather in North Carolina. He wears his hats even if he's chillin' on the porch. I have more. I got this bad hat just the past weekend. I'm going to have to sport it for the blog. :)
By the way, I'm honored to carry the name of your father. I'm sure that he's a good man to have raised such an outstanding and talented daughter. Peace~
LOL! You're on a serious mission! :) Let me know if you find out anything. You know, all this talk is making me hungry too, but I have lunch in 15 mins. :) Thanks.
I need a post on your favorite African dishes too, ok?
My love to my sista :) I need her to start a blog.
Hello! You're right. I need to educate the people on some good ol' African cuisine. I've touched on ethnic food a little in previous post, but not in detail. :)
Please, your sista is too busy to write on a blog. :) She live vicariously through this one. I'll tell her that you sent your love. Peace~
You know, if it ain't gonna kill ya, then it ain't good. And that, my brotha, is the honest truth.
I wish that I could tell you? I'll have to put that on the list of things to do when you get to Washington someday. :)
Hey, you're right though. "if it ain't gonna killy, then it ain't good." LOL! That is the truth. Take care~
Thanks Stephen.
Cool. There's nothing like some good chicken wings. :)
Dance-
Are you going to post the pictures? That's cool. I can't wait to see them.
Enjoy with the chicken skip the fries :p
Sandy
I love, love, love potatoes. I love them fried, baked, mashed, creamed, scalloped, cheesy, garlic, etc. My love is similar to Bubba(Forrest Gump)and his shrimp. :)
Sure sound delicious....
Hello and welcome. Gnight is funny!! :) I'll tell you what, if you find out let me know. I need to talk to somebody in Chicago to see if they sale it in the stores there. Thanks!
It's so tangy! :)
There's plenty of food and culture here in the U.S., but I don't think that this government does enough to promote it. So, I'll promote mumbo sauce! :)
I can't remember the last time I had Mumbo Sauce. I appreciate your attempting to enlighten me, but no need. Truth is that even the stuff we buy in our grocery stores is killing us. So, enjoy life and just say "grace" before eating. :)
1 cup ketchup
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon sweet paprika (sweet)
3 tablespoons hot sauce
3 tablespoons water
4 tablespoons white vinegar
In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix well. Pour into pot. Bring to boil using low heat. Stirring constantly. Let cool or serve hot. Do not use salt. Salt will destroy the sweetness of the sause.
And to the person who wrote:
**WHAT IS SAD IS THAT BLACK PEOPLE DON'T QUESTION WHAT MUMBO SAUCE IS REALLY. IF ALL MUMBO SAUCE IS DIFFERENT THEN IT CAN'T BE THE SAME THINGS IN IT. I HAVE ASKED NUMEROUS CARRY-OUTS WHAT MUMBO SAUCE IS MADE FROM SINCE YOU CAN'T GO INTO YOUR LOCAL FOOD MARKET AND BUY IT. YET EVERYONE TELLS ME THEY DON'T KNOW AND SOME GET OFFENDED WHEN I ASK. SEEMS STRANGE TO ME AND I STAY AWAY FROM IT BECAUSE IT HAS TO BE SOMETHING BAD IF THEY CAN'T TELL US WHAT IT IS. BLACK PEOPLE SHOULD THINK. THIS STUFF COULD BE KILLING US BUT WE ARE TOO STUPID TO DEMAND THE CARRY-OUT PEOPLE TO TELL US WHAT IS IN IT. IF I WERE YOU I WOULD NOT GET NEAR THE STUFF AND I'M A DC NATIVE BORN AND RAISE SOUTHSIDE BUT MY EYES ARE OPEN. OPEN YOURS!!!**
U NEEDA GET OFF THAT PIPE!!
SMOKIN ROCKS GOT YOUR HEAD TWISTED
My mother is the person who first made mumbo sauce in 86 or 87. She used to work at Jimmy's crab house in Landover, MD off Landover rd. She passed it along to the korean community but never revealed the REAL RECIPE (just so her store got the best shit!)But don't take my word for it. I live in the metropolitan area so meet me up and try my moms mumbo sauce and you tell how you like it. I have no interest in revealing the real recipe so don't but wouldn't have a problem selling you the mumbo sauce.
Mumbo.Sauce@yahoo.com
Thanks for that info. When I wrote this post, I was trying to get at the origin of Mumbo Sauce. It was my hope that people like you would response and add to the mystery so I thank you. I'll bet your mom's recipe is the real deal. I'll keep that email in mind the next time I want a taste. Peace~
Next time you have some think about a Lady in Germany wishing she were you,lol
God bless
LOL! Thanks for the visit and I will think of you next time. I still indulge from time to time. Greetings from DC. I'll have to check out your blog. Peace~