I saw a promo at Buffalo Wild Wings for Unlimited Apps, but when I asked my server about it they seemed confused and said it might only be at certain locations or times. I don’t want to waste money or show up with friends and be disappointed. Can anyone explain how this Unlimited Apps offer really works, what the rules are, and if it’s actually worth it based on your experience?
I tried it once at a suburban BWW near me, so here is what I ran into:
-
It was location specific
The promo only showed on a small table topper and on a local Facebook ad. Corporate site did not list it. Other locations in the same city did not honor it. -
Time and day mattered
At my store it was only on weekdays, after 9 pm, dine in only. Server said they only run it during slow hours so it is not always active. Some nights they pulled it with no notice if they were short staffed. -
Limited menu items
It was not “any app”. It was a short list. For us it was:
• Mozz sticks
• Fried pickles
• Chips and queso
• Potato wedges or fries
No sampler platters. No wings. No burgers. -
Refill rules
You order one app at a time. They bring the next round after the plate looks mostly finished. No sharing with other tables. Our server did not care much, but said managers sometimes watch. -
Price and fine print
It was around 12.99 per person. Everyone at the table that wanted to share had to pay the unlimited price. To go boxes were not allowed. Any leftovers stayed on the table.
What I would do before dragging friends there:
• Call the specific location. Ask the host:
“Do you still have the Unlimited Apps deal? What days and hours. Which apps. Price per person.”
• Ask if they honor the promo you saw, and if it is dine in only.
• Take a quick pic of the sign or ad if you can. Show it to the server in case they seem confused.
It is decent value if you have 2 to 3 hungry people who like the same stuff and you are ok eating mostly fried sides. If your group wants wings or entrees, the deal feels weaker and you end up ordering regular items anyway.
I’ve run into this promo too and yeah, the confusion is kinda baked into how they’re running it.
My experience was a bit different from what @sterrenkijker described, so here’s another data point:
At the location near me, it looked like a big corporate thing because they had posters by the door and on the bar TVs, but when I asked the bartender, he had to go grab the manager to even explain the rules. So even when the promo is “on,” half the staff may not be totally clear about it.
What I ran into:
- It was available on a weekend, but only during specific hours in the afternoon, not late night. So don’t assume it’s only a late-night thing.
- Our price was higher than what others have mentioned: ours was $14.99 per person, and they quietly added it as a separate line item for each person who participated.
- Menu list was also different. No fries in our unlimited list, but we had chips & salsa, chips & queso, fried pickles, and onion rings. So the lineup seems to be very store-specific.
- Sharing rules were technically strict. The manager said “each paying guest gets refills, no sharing with non-participants,” but in practice as long as everyone at the table ordered something, the server didn’t police who took what. That said, if you show up with 6 friends and only 1 person buys unlimited and everyone else circles the plate like vultures, expect someone to say something.
- Food pacing was slow. Like suspiciously slow. They didn’t bring the next round until the current plate was basically done, and each new plate took long enough that you could tell they were trying to keep you from actually eating “unlimited.” So if you’re imagining endless rapid-fire apps, nope.
Where I slightly disagree with @sterrenkijker is on value. I don’t think it’s decent value for “2–3 hungry people” per se. It’s only worth it if:
- You’re the type who can keep eating fried stuff for 60–90 minutes without getting sick of it.
- You’re not also planning on wings or an entree. If you’re going to cave and order wings, just skip unlimited and get a regular app + wings combo.
- You actually get at least 3 full rounds of apps out of it. At my place, with the slow service, that was a struggle.
Instead of calling ahead and grilling them like @sterrenkijker suggested, I’d do this:
- Check their Google listing or social media first. A lot of locations post current promos in photos or “updates,” and you can usually see the exact sign they’re using, including fine print.
- When you get there, before you get seated, ask the host or bartender, “Is the Unlimited Apps thing active right now and what apps are included?” If they hesitate or say “uhh I think so,” ask them to double-check. That saves the awkward moment where you’re already seated with friends and your server is guessing.
- Once the server confirms, ask one blunt question: “Is it unlimited refills per person for the apps on that list, and is there any catch like we have to order drinks?” If they say “it depends” or seem unsure, that’s a giant red flag.
Honestly, if the staff looks confused or you’re getting three different answers, I’d skip it. The deal is not so amazing that it’s worth arguing with a manager over what “unlimited” means. At that point, just do a couple shared apps and wings so you know exactly what you’re paying for.
TL;DR: Yes, people have tried it, but it’s extremely location-specific, often poorly explained, and not always running even when the signs are up. Treat it as a maybe-nice bonus, not something to plan an entire group outing around unless that specific store gives you a clear, consistent explanation on the spot.