I recently went to Buffalo Wild Wings because I saw ads online about their Bottomless Apps deal, but when I got there the staff seemed confused, the pricing wasn’t clear, and I wasn’t sure what was actually included or if there were limits. Can anyone explain how this promo really works now, what the rules and restrictions are, and if it’s actually a good value compared to just ordering regular appetizers?
Short answer, most of the time it is not worth it right now.
What you ran into is pretty common. A lot of stores either
- do not push the promo
- only run it on certain days or hours
- have their own rules on refills and sharing
From what people have reported recently:
• Price
Usually around 13 to 18 dollars per person, depending on location. Some spots run it as a limited promo night, some list it on the menu, some make you ask.
• What is included
Normally it is a short list, stuff like
– boneless wings
– mozzarella sticks
– chips and queso or salsa
– maybe tots or fries
You pick one at a time. Some stores let you switch on refills, others say you stick to the same item. It is inconsistent, which is why staff look confused.
• Refills and timing
Refills are slow in many locations. If your server is slammed, you sit there waiting 15 to 20 minutes per round. By the time the second or third plate shows up, you feel full or you are out of time. That kills the “bottomless” value.
• Fine print
– Usually no sharing. They will charge every adult at the table if they see people passing plates.
– You need to ask clearly for the “Bottomless Apps” promo, not the regular apps.
– Some franchises stopped doing it but the online ads still float around.
When it is worth it
– You are hungry enough to eat at least two full app orders yourself.
– Your server is on top of refills.
– Your location still honors the full promo list and price is under 15 bucks.
When it is not worth it
– You eat light or you only want one plate of food.
– Your location is busy and refills come out slow.
– They limit you to one app type and refuse switches.
– Price is closer to 18 to 20. At that point you might as well get an entree or wings special.
If you go again, here is what to do before you sit down:
- Ask the host or server “Do you still do Bottomless Apps today?”
- Ask the price per person.
- Ask what items are included.
- Ask if you can switch items on refills.
- Ask if refills stop at a certain time.
If they look confused or give half answers, skip the deal. Order one app and an entree or take advantage of wing specials. The promo sounds good in ads, but with all the limits and slow refills, it only pays off in a few locations.
Short version: it can be worth it, but only in a pretty specific scenario, and BWW seems almost allergic to making it clear.
I agree with @himmelsjager on most of the practical stuff, but I’m a bit less negative on the value if you play it right.
Couple things from what I’ve seen:
-
The deal is a marketing mirage
The online ads make it sound like “$X and feast forever.” In reality:- Price is all over the place
- Included items are inconsistent
- Some locations act like you’re asking for a secret menu item when you mention it
That confusion you got from staff isn’t rare. It’s a franchise problem: corporate advertises, individual stores half-commit.
-
Where I disagree slightly
I don’t think it’s “usually not worth it” by default. If:- You’re a big eater
- You’re staying for a game or at least 1.5–2 hours
- Your server is actually on point
you can absolutely crush value out of it, especially with boneless wings and cheese-heavy apps that are normally pricey.
The problem is that all three of those have to line up, and BWW is inconsistent at best.
-
The refill trap
People talk about slow refills like it’s just bad luck, but honestly it feels half-intentional. You start with a decent portion, then:- Next round comes out slower
- Portions sometimes seem a bit smaller
By the time the second or third basket arrives, you’re either full, bored, or your game is over. “Bottomless” becomes “two apps and a side of frustration.”
-
When it’s actually worth it
From my own trips, it made sense when:- Price was under ~15 bucks
- I planned to sit through at least half a game
- I told the server up front, “I’m doing the Bottomless Apps, I’m going to want quick refills if possible”
Slightly awkward, but it sets expectations and usually gets you better service.
On those nights, I ate:
- 1 full order of boneless
- 1 refill of boneless
- 1 refill of mozzarella sticks
That would have cost more as separate apps, so in that case it paid off.
-
When it is absolutely NOT worth it
- You’re just grabbing a quick bite
- You eat light or get full fast
- They tell you “no switching items at all”
- Price creeps to 18–20
At that point, legit better to hit a wings special or one entree and a normal app. No “deal” if you can’t realistically get more than 1.5 plates.
-
How I handle it now
Instead of going in blind, I do a tiny bit of scouting:- I call the store and ask:
“Do you currently have the Bottomless Apps deal, what’s the price, and what items are on it?” - If they sound confused or hesitant on the phone, I just skip it and plan a normal meal.
- I call the store and ask:
So is it “still worth it”?
Only if:
- You confirm your specific location’s rules and price
- You’re ready to eat more than 2 apps yourself
- You’re hanging out long enough to actually use the “bottomless” part
If any of that doesn’t line up, it’s basically a mediocre all-you-can-wait-for promo in disguise.
Bottom line: Buffalo Wild Wings’ Bottomless Apps can be worth it, but only if you treat it like a strategy game, not a casual night out.
Where I slightly disagree with @himmelsjager is on how narrow the “good value” window really is. I think there are a couple more scenarios where it still makes sense, especially if you’re with the right group and not just gunning for personal max calories.
Pros of the Bottomless Apps deal
- Can beat regular pricing if:
- You’d normally order an app plus wings anyway
- You’re splitting with a friend who also eats a lot
- Your location is reasonably priced and not stingy on refills
- Good for long events:
- UFC cards
- Full NFL game
- Playoff nights
- Socially “easy”:
- Everyone picks from shared baskets
- You don’t have to manage separate orders as much
Cons of the Bottomless Apps deal
- Inconsistent by location:
- Different prices
- Different rules on switching apps
- Staff confusion like you saw
- Time-based value:
- If you are not staying at least 90 minutes, it rarely pays off
- Refill friction:
- Slow servers and busy nights kill the “bottomless” part
- You end up with maybe two plates for more than entrée money
- Appetite mismatch:
- Light eaters subsidize the deal for the big eaters
- If your group has mixed appetites, someone is overpaying
Where I diverge slightly from @himmelsjager is the focus on solo value. I think the deal actually makes more sense in a small group of 2–3 people who eat similarly. If all of you commit to Bottomless Apps and the server is at least average, you can rotate refills and effectively keep food on the table the whole game. That makes the per-person cost feel decent even if each of you only gets about 1.5 to 2 app’s worth.
A few practical angles that do not just repeat the “call ahead” advice:
-
Check the menu structure when you sit down
Before committing, compare:- Price of Bottomless Apps
vs - One regular app + one small boneless wing order
If those two are within a couple bucks of the Bottomless price, then the deal only makes sense if you are sure you want more than that baseline.
- Price of Bottomless Apps
-
Watch the first refill speed
The first refill tells you everything.- If it comes out fast and portion size looks decent, you are in good shape.
- If it drags or comes out looking like “sample size,” assume the rest of the night will be the same. At that point you just mentally accept you overpaid and do not plan on insane value.
-
Avoid it on peak chaos nights
Different from what some people think, busy does not always help. Staff get slammed, refills slow down, and you are the one stuck watching your game with an empty basket. Early games, weeknights, and non-marquee matchups tend to work better. -
Know your own eating pattern
If you usually crush one big plate and then coast, Bottomless Apps sounds better than it is. It mainly benefits:- Slow grazers who keep snacking
- People who ramp up over time instead of front-loading
Regarding that “Bottomless Apps deal still worth it?” phrasing itself:
Pros of the Bottomless Apps deal at Buffalo Wild Wings
- Potentially high value per dollar for heavy eaters
- Good companion to long sports events
- Simple concept when the staff actually understands their own promo
Cons of the Bottomless Apps deal at Buffalo Wild Wings
- Poor transparency on pricing and what is included
- Dependent on server speed and store competence
- Can cost more than a normal entrée-plus-app combo for average eaters
Compared to @himmelsjager’s take, I would say:
- They are totally right on inconsistency and the “marketing mirage” vibe.
- I am just slightly more optimistic if you are strategic, patient, and not expecting a buffet.
If you left feeling confused and not sure what you got, that is already a red flag. For your specific situation, unless you plan to sit through a full game, know you will eat at least two solid app portions, and are fine with negotiating expectations with the server, you are usually better off ordering a standard app and wings instead of chasing the Bottomless Apps promise.