How Mumbo Sauce Became A Part Of Washington, DC's BBQ History

Just as the reason why a hot dog is called a glizzy can be traced back to Washington, D.C., so too can the murky origins of mumbo sauce come back to the nation's capital. According to locals, the origins of mumbo sauce (also sometimes called mambo sauce) go way back to the 1960s. During the latter part of the decade, Wings-n-Things, an African-American-owned chicken wing restaurant, opened on 7th and Florida Ave NW in the city.

Wings-n-Things was successful in creating an original condiment that is undeniably delicious with fried chicken wings. It didn't hurt that the sauce also went well with French fries. Since then, other chain locations opened up, and the iconic mambo sauce gained popularity in other realms of local cuisine, especially Asian restaurants. For example, mumbo solidified itself as a popular menu item at Chinese carryout restaurants across D.C. for decades, further embedding itself in the diverse food culture of the city. Nevertheless, mumbo sauce hasn't quite taken the national culinary stage by storm — yet. It appears to be gaining traction through increase use at restaurants and online availability of entrants like Capital City Mambo Sauce.

Mumbo sauce is sweet and tangy thanks to its tomato ketchup base. The tanginess is slightly amplified by the inclusion of distilled vinegar, which also adds a slightly but pleasantly sour note to the condiment. The characteristic hints of spice come from the subtle addition of cayenne pepper hot sauce. Some creators include habanero peppers in the mix for an even spicier version of the sauce, but rest assured that the heat won't reach the level of Pepper X, currently acknowledged as the hottest pepper in the world.

With this complex flavor profile, it is easy to see why mumbo sauce is such a beloved component of Washington, D.C. cuisine. However, despite these common base flavors, mumbo sauce is far from a monolith. Carryout restaurants are known to put their own spins on the condiment, leading to the existence of a wide variety of versions of mumbo sauce.

These flavors make mumbo sauce remarkably versatile; it is already being added to other dishes besides chicken wings such as pizza. If mumbo sauce becomes a successful pizza topping, it may be the start of a D.C. style pizza with uniqueness comparable to Detroit style pizza.