Buffalo Wild Wings Appetizers Ranked Worst To Best
Sometimes, a mellow and relaxed environment is exactly what you need when you are looking for a place to eat after a long day. After all, sitting down to a delicious spread of your favorite flavors is a surefire way to let the stress melt away. But there are times you want to let your hair down and enjoy food in a vibrant atmosphere full of loud music, enthusiastic customers, and servers moving around so quickly you barely see them. That's exactly when you head to Buffalo Wild Wings, a place that doesn't hold back when it comes to an energized vibe with good grub.
Buffalo Wild Wings is known for their wings (duh), but that doesn't mean the rest of the menu should be ignored. There are a whole bunch of options outside the wonderful world of wings, but how do you know which options will actually leave you feeling happy you ordered them? Well, lucky for all those heading to Buffalo Wild Wings soon, we've sorted out the appetizers for you from worst to first so you don't waste any precious money or stomach real estate on subpar selections. When it's time to get wild, you don't want any mistakes getting in your way.
16. Mozzarella Sticks
While it's not for everyone, there are many who believe cheese can just make life better, plain and simple. But life gets even better when you take cheese and let it hang out in the deep fryer for a bit. That's exactly where mozzarella sticks, a staple appetizer at most restaurants, come into play. Buffalo Wild Wings offers a basket of piping hot Mozzarella Sticks to guests eager to snack on something before the main meal, but unless you're really, really craving them, you should order something else instead.
Now, let's get one thing straight: The mozzarella sticks aren't the lowest item on this list because they're inedible or anything like that. Rather, they are totally fine. It's just that they're a very basic item and don't necessarily stand out from the mozzarella sticks you can get at other restaurants. These offer nothing new in terms of flavor. The sticks are coated in panko breadcrumbs and served with a side of marinara sauce for dipping. Nothing new and exciting here.
15. Beer Battered Onion Rings
Onion rings are another restaurant appetizer staple, as they should be. Deep frying those delicate rings of raw onion adds an exceptional golden crunch, and there's a certain sense of accomplishment that comes with biting into the brittle fried exterior without letting the cooked onion fall out entirely. Buffalo Wild Wings wants all its customers to leave feeling like they conquered a dish, and ordering a basket of their Beer Battered Onion Rings is a sure-fire way to do so. But the truth is there are better ways to achieve that feeling of victory.
Again, much like the mozzarella sticks, there's nothing new to experience with this starter. The rings are huge, which is a nice change of pace from other places that offer small measly circles of fried disappointments. Without a doubt, the most memorable part of this appetizer is the Southwestern Ranch dipping sauce. As one Reddit user wrote, "By far my favorite restaurant condiment. I got like 5 of those take out cups to go whenever I eat there." But is the sauce alone enough to warrant ordering a whole platter of onion rings? That's up to you.
14. Hatch Queso
A plate of tortilla chips is never a bad way to kick off a big meal. Chips are light and won't necessarily fill you up, and there's such a massive variety of dips and sauces you can dunk them in. Buffalo Wild Wings offer a few appetizers with chips, one of the being Buffalo Wild Wings' Hatch Queso. You get a tray of crisp tortilla triangles with a cup of the hatch queso in the middle for dipping.
The queso is made of melted white cheddar, diced Young Guns hatch chilis, and pico de gallo, and it is pretty darn tasty. The diced hatch chilis give the melted white cheddar a nice kick of heat that awakens those taste buds, while the pico de gallo offers a cooling sensation in case things start feeling a bit too fiery. Overall, the appetizer is good, but if you're looking for more than just chips and dip, you're going to want to look elsewhere.
13. Chili Con Queso
Yes, we have another chip and cheese dip to dig into. On first glance, it may look like a dupe of the Hatch Queso, but there's one major difference here. If you are in the mood for some chips, cheese, and chili, Buffalo Wild Wings' Chili Con Queso has your name on it. It's a tray of crispy tortilla chips surrounding a cup of hot melted white cheddar cheese filled with chili, Young Guns hatch chilis, and pico de gallo.
The addition of the chili to the melted white cheddar gives the salty bite of the cheese a nice rich layer of protein to play with. There's also the heat from the hatch chilis that gives the cheese and meat a pleasant kick, and the pico de gallo does its job of cooling everything down by cutting through all the intense flavors with the cooling sensation of diced tomatoes. This is one dip that's got a lot going for it.
12. Cheddar Cheese Curds
While mozzarella sticks are a go-to meal starter for a lot of people, sometimes the basic mozzarella cheese flavor just doesn't cut it if you're someone who likes to venture outside the confines of the stretchy fried white stuff. This is exactly where the Cheddar Cheese Curds at Buffalo Wilds Wings comes marching in like a boss. Instead of mozzarella, you get a pile of little golden fried Wisconsin white cheddar curds with a cup of Southwestern Ranch to dunk them in. If that sounds awesome, it's because it is awesome.
It's a really nice change to have another kind of cheese hit the deep-fry bath, and curds are ideal for anyone who wants a less gooey cheese experience. The Southwestern Ranch is a sauce that's way more flavor-packed than marinara, and the combination of melted curds and the creamy herbiness of the ranch makes for a strong meal beginner. If you're looking to put a sweet spin on the classic fried curd, some Redditors recommend asking your server for caramel dipping sauce.
11. Chips and House-made Guacamole
Guacamole is a great way to get all the delicious flavor and healthy fats from avocados, and there is nothing quite like a serving of fresh guac with warm tortilla chips to kick off a meal. In 2021, Buffalo Wild Wings added their Chips and House-made Guacamole to the menu, and it is a perfect option for anyone who wants a bright and flavorful appetizer.
The guacamole is made using Hass avocados, and once they're smashed into a perfect, ever-so-slightly-chunky consistency, diced tomatoes, jalapeños, onion, cilantro, and fresh lime are added. If you're looking for something to accompany a tray of chips but want to avoid the heaviness melted cheese offers, this is a tried and true starter option. There aren't too many ingredients to strip away the natural creamy flavor of the avocados, and all of the additional veggies work together seamlessly to make this a deliciously healthy option.
10. Chips and Dip Trio
Sometimes, the occasion calls for more than one dip for your chips. What do you know, Buffalo Wild Wings has you covered. If you happen to be a serious chip dip enthusiast, you may want to give the Chips and Dip Trio. In this dish, hatch chili, guacamole, and salsa accompany a healthy helping of tortilla chips. It's an appetizer that proves three is indeed the charm.
All three of the dips offer something different, so you can grab a chip and bounce back and forth between all three for a different experience every time. The hatch queso gives just the right amount of heat, the salsa is both bright but not too spicy, and the creamy guacamole rounds out the trio with its mellow flavor with a great smooth texture. If you're going to order tortilla chips and dip, do it right and request the trio.
9. Everything Pretzel Knots
Everything bagels are so darn good that Trader Joe's even created a seasoning you can put on just about anything (or should we say everything?). Buffalo Wild Wings did everyone who loves everything bagel seasoning a huge solid by creating an appetizer that's highlighted by sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried onion, garlic, and salt. Ask for the Everything Pretzel Knots and prepare yourself for a tray of freshly baked pretzel knots covered with everything bagel seasoning. The dish, which was added to the roster in 2020, comes with New Belgium Fat Tire beer cheese and honey mustard sauce for dunking.
Now, if you're trying to avoid any carb-heavy items, this is definitely not the option for you. But, for those who don't mind some carbohydrates in their diet, this is an awesome selection. The pretzel knots are soft and super warm on the inside, and the everything seasoning makes each bite an amazing one. And when you dip a knot into either the beer cheese or honey mustard, the everything seasoning only ups the ante. If you like a flavorful pretzel experience, it'd be a mistake knot to order these.
8. Chicken Quesadilla
If you're ordering a decent-sized entrée, the last thing you want to eat before it arrives at the table is a sandwich. That thing would sit in your stomach and put a complete halt on any urge you had to eat your main course. But if you take the bread of a sandwich and swap it out for a griddled tortilla, suddenly you have yourself a quesadilla, and those are awesome ways to start a meal. Buffalo Wild Wings has a very sharable Chicken Quesadilla on the menu, and it pulls all the right punches.
Sandwiched between the two dinner plate-sized tortillas is pulled chicken, shredded cheddar jack cheese, iceberg lettuce, pico de gallo, chipotle barbecue seasoning, and crema. The pulled chicken is super juicy and tender, and the shredded texture makes it almost melt in your mouth. The shredded cheese is nicely melted throughout for a salty gooey sensation that plays perfectly with the chicken. The chipotle barbecue seasoning adds a kick of heat white the crema acts as its opposite and cools it down with its creaminess.
7. Ultimate Nachos
Nothing says party time like nachos — even if there is not a party happening. A huge tray of tortilla chips smothered in all sorts of delicious accouterments always draws people in, and, seeing as Buffalo Wild Wings certainly prides itself on creating a real party-esque vibe, it only makes sense they have Ultimate Nachos on the menu. The order comes with a heap of crispy chips topped with hatch queso, cheddar jack cheese, pico de gallo, pickled hot peppers, crema, salsa, cilantro, and your choice of either chicken, brisket, or chili. Yea, spend a couple minutes wrapping your head around that concoction.
Now, you'd think that the best part of this appetizer would be one of the ingredients, but you'd be wrong. While every aspect of this behemoth starter is delicious, what makes this a standout among loaded nachos from other spots is that the chips are laid out on a tray instead of piled high, which means nearly all of the chips are smothered properly. It's so frustrating when only the top layer of a chip pile has all the fixings and everything underneath is dry. Buffalo Wild Wings sure has its nacho game figured out, and for that we thank them dearly.
6. Fried Pickles
Delicious food doesn't always have to be complicated. You might think that in order for something to truly wow your taste buds it needs a plethora of different ingredients, but that just isn't true. Sometimes the best things are the most basic, and nothing on Buffalo Wild Wings' menu proves that more than the Fried Pickles. A simple idea that packs the kind of flavor you just can't get enough of. As one Redditor wrote, "Their fried pickles are the best of any restaurant I've been to."
The appetizer basket comes with a pile of golden fried dill pickle chips and a cup of Southwestern Ranch for dipping. Those are the only two things you need to slap a smile across your stomach. All three flavors — the pickles, the breading, and sauce — work wonders together. Once you bite through the rich seasoned breading you get that punch of vinegar that cuts right through like a Ginsu knife. Add the creamy zest of the Southwestern Ranch to both those flavors and it's a one-two-three-punch combo that'll have you flagging down your server for another order pronto.
5. Buffalo Mac & Cheese
A bowl of macaroni and cheese might seem like a pretty daunting appetizer to tackle considering it tends to feel super heavy in your stomach afterwards. However, if you're at Buffalo Wild Wings with a group of friends, ordering up their Buffalo Mac & Cheese ensures each of you won't eat too much to ruin your appetite. It's a solid spin on macaroni and cheese only the wing-loving folks at Buffalo Wild Wings could pull off.
The gooey bowl of macaroni is smothered in a thick delicious cheddar jack cheese and baked with panko breadcrumbs for a lovely layer of crunchiness on the top. There are chunks of tender boneless buffalo wings covered in medium buffalo sauce throughout the macaroni for a nice kick of heat that even those sensitive to too much spice can handle. The buffalo sauce compliments the cheddar jack cheese like a best friend, and that's exactly what you want between two ingredients. This appetizer is both rich and spicy, and that's a recipe for success. As one Tripadvisor user said of the dish, "It surprised me!!! So so so good!"
4. Street Tacos
Tacos are one the best handheld culinary inventions available. You can pile a corn tortilla shell or a soft flour tortilla high with just about any kind of protein and vegetable combination and you have a winning food item. Drizzle it with a delicious sauce and suddenly that winner becomes a world champion. This is exactly why the Street Tacos at Buffalo Wild Wings are a super solid choice to begin your dining marathon. One Tripadvisor user who has tried a handful of Buffalo Wild Wings' dishes called the chain's Street Tacos a menu standout.
The tacos come with all the ingredients you'd want crammed in a flour tortilla. The base is a heap of juicy pulled chicken, and it's topped with pico de gallo, a dusting of parmesan garlic, a drizzle of Southwestern Ranch, and cilantro. The parmesan garlic and Southwestern Ranch form a flavor bomb that takes the delicate shredded chicken to an astounding level. The pico de gallo and cilantro add the final citrusy punch that lightens the protein up perfectly. The last thing on your mind after finishing these will be disappointment.
3. Asian Zing Cauliflower Wings
In 2017, Time dubbed cauliflower the "it" veggie. Since then, its reign has yet to let up. Cauliflower has become a substitute for pizza crust, can be used in lieu of rice, and has been turned into an alternative to chicken wings. If you're craving wings but do not want to eat chicken, Buffalo Wild Wings offers Asian Zing Cauliflower Wings for your eating pleasure.
If you're having a hard time trying to figure out why these are so high on the list, trust us when we say they're a winner, winner, not-chicken dinner. When chunks of breaded cauliflower are coated in Buffalo Wild Wings' tangy Asian Zing sauce, covered in everything bagel seasoning, and served with pickled hot peppers and ranch dipping sauce, you have a combination worthy of a gold medal. The sauce is absolutely irresistible on its own, but when you add everything seasoning to it, no other sauce comes close. The ranch dressing adds a coolness to the zing, as well as quickly extinguishes the burst of heat found with each pickled pepper. With these wings, cauliflower is king.
2. Buffalo Chicken Tots
If you have a hankering for an appetizer that features deep-fried potatoes covered in various toppings but are not in the mood for loaded french fries, you may want to direct your attention to the tater tots on the Buffalo Wild Wings menu. One of the options is the Buffalo Chicken Tots, and these little nuggets of fried potato are where it's at.
The tray of freshly fried tots comes loaded with amazing fixings. You get pickled hot peppers, green onions, blue cheese crumbles, buffalo seasoning, and ranch dressing. The blue cheese crumbles really make themselves known here, and that's a great thing. Once you're hit with the heat of the pickled peppers and buffalo seasoning, that sharpness of the blue cheese attacks it like a warrior, and the result is a fantastic flavor explosion. The ranch dressing swoops in after all is said and done to brighten up the spicy notes and leave you craving another several trays.
1. Dirty Dubs Tots
If you're sitting at Buffalo Wild Wings with some friends and only want to place an order for one appetizer so you can save room for the main courses, you should look no further than the Dirty Dubs Tots. Avoid the temptation of anything else (even though it's hard) and head straight to this absolute heaven of a starter. You might never be able to eat plain old tots again after indulging in this platter of perfection. You've been warned.
What makes this dish, which was also introduced in 2020, the strongest appetizer on the menu? Just about everything. A tray of golden fried tots are covered in smoked pulled brisket, grilled onions, hatch queso, sweet barbecue sauce, pickled hot peppers, green onions, and cotija cheese. We'll give you a minute to process all of that and stop your drool from hitting the table. The pulled brisket melts in your mouth like meaty cotton candy, the hatch queso and sweet barbecue sauce are the perfect sauces to elevate the richness of the meat, the punch of the pickled hot peppers dances across your palate, and the crumbled cotija cheese adds a mellow salty bite that helps every ingredient stand out even more. This is the kind of appetizer you return multiple times to Buffalo Wild Wings for.