New on Washington Square, chicken wings with an extra helping of family

Maurice “Mo” Summerville always loved eating chicken wings, but it was his Aunt Rosie who inspired him to open a chicken restaurant in downtown Lansing. 

“She had an entrepreneurial spirit, and she passed that on to me. I made sure to carry her wishes out,” Summerville explained. 

Rosie Marie Oliver passed away in 2015, but her dream to open a family business became a reality in early November when Summerville opened Mo Wings. 

“I plan to hire more employees at the beginning of next year, but right now, I am keeping it family oriented,” Summerville said. 

And, on a recent Thursday, family was all around the South Washington Square storefront.

Hanging on the wall of the sports-themed restaurant were two photos of Summerville’s sons: Jalen Brady, a 23-year-old college football player, and Keyshawn Summerville, a 12-year-old basketball player. 

Summerville’s fiancée, Raquel Rosales, darted back and forth from the kitchen to the front of the house, making sure customers received their meals.

His mother, Evelyn Dungey, cooks desserts. Long-time family friend, Donta Murray, serves as head chef. 

'Affordable' food for everyone

Summerville was working the cash register. 

“Good choice,” he told Tyrance Stuckey and Kara Gonzales after they ordered a side of macaroni and cheese. 

The sounds of jazz came from a flat-panel television. One man was sitting at a counter waiting for his order. Several other people came in from the chill of the wintry day to try Mo Wings for the first time.  

From his storefront, Summerville noticed people outside shivering at the Capital Area Transportation Authority station. These were some of the people he thought of when he decided to open Mo Wings. 

“I know it’s tough to be catching the bus in the wintertime,” Summerville said. “A lot of the public can’t afford an expensive hot meal. We have prices that are favorable.”

Mo Wings offers a value menu where all items are $2.99 or less. On Wednesdays, Summerville offers wings at a reduced rate, from $1.25 to 75 cents. He also runs a promotion on Thursdays when customers have the opportunity to win free food.

“On Hot Shot Thursdays, they get two free throws,” Summerville explained, referring to the basketball hoop he installed in his restaurant. “If customers make the shot, they get a free drink and a Mo’s snack box, which includes three wings, a roll and potato wedges.”

The snack box normally costs $3.75. 

The prices were what attracted Sedric Dafford, who works in downtown Lansing. 

“You get a lot for your money,” said Dafford, who was coming to Mo Wings for the second time. “The food has been fresh and hot.”

The restaurant’s menu features chicken wings, mixed chicken pieces, chicken strips, chicken bites, chicken sandwiches, catfish nuggets and cod fillets, among other items. The meals range in price depending on the portion size. 

“Our chicken – I wanted to be different. It’s comparable to the crunch of Popeyes chicken. Our chicken is crunchy and tender,” Summerville said. “We offer original and spicy.”

Nana brings her recipe to Mo Wings

Customers can also try dessert made by Summerville’s mother, Evelyn Dungey. Nana’s pound cake bites is a family recipe Dungey developed about 30 years ago.

“Love is what makes them special,” she said. 

Dungey started baking the pound cake bites after her second-oldest son’s asthma-related illness worsened. Aaron Dungey passed away at 19 years old. 

Making the dessert “was a way to create and free my mind,” Dungey explained. “It helped take my mind off what I was going through.”

Eventually, she started making pound cake bites for friends and for her church congregation. 

Now, she has brought the dessert to Mo Wings, where customers can buy three bites for $2.75.

Summerville is Dungey’s oldest child. 

“I’m 100 percent behind him,” she said. Summerville “is a decent human being, and I wish him much success.”

Opening in downtown Lansing

Mo Wings opens daily at 11 a.m. and is located at 424 S. Washington Square. 

Contact LSJ reporter Kristan Obeng at KObeng@lsj.com or 517-267-1344. Follow her on Twitter @KrissyObeng.

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