Wingstop Vs Buffalo Wild Wings

Written by Brooklyn Gabbert

What is your go-to Sunday night football dinner? Is it pizza? Is it burgers and hotdogs? Wings!? I’m almost certain the most popular and most enjoyable would-be wings. They're easy to order, usually super-fast, and come on. Soo delicious! Well... for me, wings would definitely be the better option. I mean, it's Sunday night and football is on, like duh, of course we need some wings! Now, let's decide, should it be Wingstop or Buffalo Wild Wings? 

Wingstop and Buffalo Wild Wings are both very popular. Everyone loves Wingstop's amazing ranch, (which you can buy in tubs); that is for sure the main reason why they’re popular. And as for Buffalo Wild Wings, everyone loves to go there to watch football and other games on all their flatscreen TV's. People also just love their food. These places still tend to be pretty busy even during the off-season of football. So, go on in whenever you feel like! They still make delicious foods and have other shows on Tv. 

Now let's compare: 

Atmosphere 

Wingstop, the Pasco location, seems to always be busy. People are always wanting to eat inside. But, dining-in seems to be an issue for them. I believe they have 2 or 3 small Tv’s, which isn't ideal for those Sunday night football dinners. But it's still convenient on regular days! It also looks like they only have around 8-10 tables, if that! They seem to be more of a take-out place. People are constantly having to wait a long time, especially on super busy days. It's so crowded. As soon as you walk in, you can see the kitchen area. There are always around 5 people trying to squeeze through and rush all around. It seems to me like they need a little bigger of an area or only keep a few people back there at a time.  

The inside of Buffalo Wild Wings is much bigger compared to Wingstop. I went to Kennewick location. They have a bar area, a pretty good size dining area, receptionist desk and a kitchen in the back which is most likely good sized. Many tables and areas for seating. You do usually have to wait a while, especially on those busy days. (like Sundays) Buffalo Wild Wings also has so many TV’s, it’s ridiculous! It's a different channel everywhere you look. They also tend to be pretty busy, and have the room for people to be dining-in. The place that would most likely be more convenient on football nights would be Buffalo Wild Wings. They have more seating, more Tv’s, more food options. They won this category! 

Service 

Now, let's compare the quality of service between the two. 

Wingstop, as we know, is usually really busy, as they are constantly getting orders in. As well as plenty of walk-ins throughout the day. Which, you would think by now they would have that all figured out. But nope! They are in too small of a building and need more space for their customers' needs, like more seating. It also seems that they need more room, due to the limited kitchen area. There aren't many people working at a time, or they are all squished. All of these issues cause a bigger problem, and that is having customers waiting FOREVER for their food. I feel like this affects their service incredibly. They have their customers come in an hour after they order and most of the time you have to wait even longer! Coming from my experience, they definitely love to do that. I waited almost two hours for my pickup order! It said one hour for pickup, so we went. Then they told us to wait fifteen more minutes, but it took about forty-five!!! Delivery even takes longer! They are very nice though I will give them that. 

Now, Buffalo Wild Wings seems to be more put together. They have a bigger space, and plenty of seating. They're usually quick to sit you down inside, but sometimes you do have to wait a little bit. You definitely have to wait a while on the super busy days. The people working do seem to be a bit more annoyed or just over it, so maybe not the greatest service, but it is decent. They also give a buzzer when your table is ready, so that's convenient if you're wanting to leave and come back. Especially if you're having to wait an hour! Delivery is also usually pretty good at timing, around 35mins-1hr. Buffalo Wild Wings is quicker and more convenient with their service skills. 

Menu Variety 

Wingstop's menu is pretty popular. They have a good range of food to choose from. Obviously, they have their wings, with many different flavors; 14 to be exact. They also have chicken tenders and chicken sandwiches, which can have any of the flavors they have. You know they have to have fries; Cajun, cheesy, and even some of the dry rub seasonings! And last but definitely not least, their cajun fried corn, and a wide range of soft drinks. So, a decent and yummy menu for a wing place. 

Buffalo Wild Wings has a bigger menu full of options. As we already know, they have wings. But, did you know they have 29 flavors? I didn't!  They also have chicken dippers, (strips) spicy, saucy and original. They have cheese curds, fried pickles, mozzarella sticks, pretzel knots, potato wedges, and nachos. Another thing is fries, with options of different seasonings. They also have tater tots, loaded and regular, beer-battered onion rings, chips and salsa, guacamole, mac and cheese, buffalo chicken dip and jumbo stuffed tots. Buffalo Wild Wings also has so many dips, burgers, salads, chicken sandwiches, other sandwiches, desserts, and drinks! Now that right there is a huge variety of options! 

Price and Value 

Wingstop always has deals and discounts, and even if they didn’t their prices still wouldn't be horrible. They have decent prices set, which makes sense for their target market. Their prices are pretty close to getting a meal at a fast food resturant. Obviously a little more expensive but you know what I mean! The meals are more meant for two people rather than one, so that also makes sense. For example, a boneless meal deal for two, has twenty boneless wings and fries for only $21.29 and if you divide that by two, it's only $10.65 per person. So, I say that's not bad. 

Buffalo Wild Wings also seems to always be having deals as well. Now, they are a little bit more pricey, not horribly but still. Due to the amount of workers, the size of the resturant and the service, the pricing all makes sense. Comparing to Wingstop's boneless meal deal for two, Buffalo Wild Wings has 20-piece boneless wings, with no fries or drink, all for $38.29. And dividing that by two, it's almost $20 a person without the drinks and fries! Now that's a bit pricey! In this category, Wingstop would definitely be the cheaper option. So, Wingstop wins this round! 

Wing Quality  

The wings from Wingstop are so good! It's a perfect combination of crispy breading and soft, juicy chicken. The flavors I’ve tasted are immaculate. The wings are obviously ranging in size, but they all seem perfect. I prefer less fat chicken, so the smaller ones are better in my opinion. They also give extra when the wings are smaller!  

Buffalo Wild Wings have pretty good wings as well. They’re also good sized. They put giant pieces of chicken, almost like a chicken strip! These wings are more on the crunchier side, so it has a little more breading than most people would wish to have. Although I do like crunchier boneless wings, these seemed a little too crunchy and maybe a little bit burnt. But, the wings were still very good; the salt and vinegar wings were my favorite flavor! 

I did try garlic parmesan from both places. Wingstop's boneless parmesan wings were perfectly seasoned and had a good, juicy texture. It overall was a yummy piece of chicken. Buffalo Wild Wings garlic parmesan definitely tasted different. It was a little too crunchy for me; it seemed like they may have burnt it a little bit. The seasoning still tasted pretty good. But I do think Wingstop's was better for this specific wing! 

Overall Experience  

My experience with Wingstop was honestly not the best but it was pretty decent. They were just very slow with making the order, and we even had to wait twenty-five minutes after the pickup was supposed to be ready. But, it was football Sunday so I understand why. They did also give us a bunch of extra fries and even a few extra wings. They also threw in a extra giant cup of ranch. We also received some deals so we got some money off.  

The experience I had with Buffalo Wild Wings was a bit better. They were actually super fast despite the rush they most likely had. It only took them fifty minutes! But we did get  delivery with Buffalo Wild Wings. Still, that's very good time compared to Wingstop. 

Overall, after comparing both Wingstop and Buffalo Wild Wings in all categories, I believe I like Wingstop more! Their wings just tasted better, they were cheaper, they gave extra food, and it was closer to me. I was able to go pick up the food. Buffalo Wild wings was very close though! They were quicker and had a better variety of things. I think if their chicken wasn't as crispy as it was, and if there was more meat, it would definitely be better.