One of the great leisurely activities of a northeastern Pennsylvanian - going out for wings and maybe a cold one.

However, it might not be as simple as changing out of your work clothes, jumping in the car and going to the local favorite on a busy weekday.

There is a “shortage” of pretty much everything right now - including chicken wings.

Wings have disappeared from some restaurant menus and have soared in price on others.

Why? It’s likely a multitude of reasons, but restaurant owners agree it’s difficult to blame one cause.

Sue Steager, of the Lehighton American Legion Post 314, said her wing night is canceled until further notice - until prices come down. Steager said she normally gets wings for about $1.95 per pound, and now she’s seen them over $3.

“Nobody is going to come to an American Legion where the prices are good - if I’m normally selling wings at a half a dozen for $5 and a dozen for $9. Some places are charging over $1 per wing, I can’t do that at the American Legion. The customers understand - I haven’t had anyone complaining.”

Danny Matika, owner of the Batter’s Box in Summit Hill, said his wing night is also on hold for now.

Matika said 10 years ago, he could get a 40-pound box for $45. Now, he pays about $167 for that same box of wings. The prices per dozen have increased by $2, and $1 per half-dozen.

“A lot of customers don’t understand why they are paying more. I can’t continue to lose money,” Matika said.

Many agreed that part of the problem is lack of workers.

“I think there’s nobody to work - they’re collecting unemployment, and they’re having a tough time producing it (the meat),” said Matika.

“A big thing too, is most of the wings are going to be bigger, because they don’t have enough people to cut them. I don’t think there’s a shortage, but they’re limited what you can buy. It’s the cash; it’s the ability to get them there.”

La Dolce Casa’s Alfie Picone said he recently paid $175 for a case of wings, which cost only $80 not too long ago.

“The last three months, the price gradually went up and up and up,” Picone said. ”I used to sell an order for $10.95 and now we had to go up to $12.95. When you pay $175 a case, and you make all of the sauces that go with it, it’s even more expensive. We’re literally paying over a dollar per wing.

“I’ve been in business for 32 years and I fight every day to provide the same service and quality and to be who I am. We are literally against the wall when the prices go up $50-60 an item for cases that we buy.”

Sister’s Cantina in Tamaqua also put a pause on wing night, despite it being a staple of the restaurant since the doors opened.

“Everyone is going to start jacking up their prices, and that’s where inflation comes in,” said Cary Bates. “We don’t know where all this is going to shake out in the end. I definitely sell less wings than I normally sell - maybe 30% less.”

Bates has never paid a higher price for chicken wings in 30 years of business.

“You have to process the cow, chicken or turkey. If you don’t have enough people and you’re paying people overtime to do the work, you can’t keep up and you’re always going to be short-handed. I could see that, if it’s true. It goes up the chain - U.S. Foods and Cisco can’t find any truck drivers. By the time it gets to your door, everyone has thrown their money on top of it.”

Salvatore Caruso, of Pizza Como U.S.A. in Lehighton, couldn’t get chicken wings a few weeks ago for his restaurant. He used to pay $87 for a case of wings, and now it’s roughly $150 for that same case, which he was finally able to find.

“It’s not just wings, it’s everything - boneless wings, wing-zings and popcorn chicken,” Caruso added. “I also noticed we haven’t been selling as much.”

Wings, wing-zings and … fried pickles? It’s not just chicken that is either extremely expensive or hard to come by.

Picone said he couldn’t find fried pickles anywhere recently. Matika said filet mignon is up to $16-18 per pound. And Steager mentioned even the cost of canned soda is up. But each local owner or manager described a common major issue is the price of frying oil.

Some are paying over $45 for the same amount of oil that cost $17 a few short months ago.

“Things are not normal anymore and not many people realized what restaurants are going through,” Picone said. “We get crucified from the public - you’re taking too long; your prices are going up and the quality goes down.

“You kind of open the doors every day and whatever happens, happens.”