I’m thinking about going to Buffalo Wild Wings for their Bottomless Apps deal, but I’m confused about how it actually works and if it’s really worth the money. Do you get unlimited refills of any appetizer, or are there restrictions on what you can reorder and how often? I’d love to hear real experiences, tips on getting the best value, and anything I should watch out for like hidden rules or extra charges.
I tried it a few months ago when they ran the Bottomless Apps promo. Here is how it worked at my store:
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It was limited to specific apps
For us the list was:- Mozzarella sticks
- Potato wedges or fries
- Onion rings
- Nachos (smaller version)
- Sometimes fried pickles, depends on location
You did not get every appetizer. Only what they list on the promo.
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You pick one app to start
You pay a flat price per person. Around 12 to 15 bucks where I went.
Each person has to order their own bottomless. You cannot share one order across the table. The server watched that pretty closely. -
Refills were one plate at a time
You finish most of your plate. Then you ask for a refill.
You can switch apps between refills, but some stores say you need to stick with the same one. Mine let me go from mozzarella sticks to fries, but my friend in another city said their store did not. Ask your server up front. -
Time limit and pace
No hard time limit written on the menu, but refills slowed down a lot after the second or third plate.
First plate came fast. Second plate took maybe 10 minutes. Third took closer to 20.
So yeah, “bottomless,” but your stomach and their kitchen speed are the real limits. -
Value question
Worth it if:- You eat a lot.
- You are not ordering wings or a main entree.
- You are hanging out for a game and snacking the whole time.
Not worth it if:
- You only eat one plate of food normally.
- You want variety from the full menu.
- You go with people who do not all get the deal, since they will side-eye any sharing.
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Tips to get your money’s worth
- Ask which apps qualify and if you can switch between them.
- Order your next refill before you finish the current plate, or you will sit hungry.
- Start with heavier stuff like nachos or onion rings if you want to feel like you got value.
- Watch the price. If it is more than about two regular apps, you need at least three plates to come out ahead.
My experience was fine, not amazing. I walked out full of fried food and salt. I hit three plates. Cost for me beat ordering two separate apps, but I felt kind of gross after, so I have not done it again.
If you eat light, skip it and order one normal appetizer you like and maybe split wings instead.
I did it twice when our local BWW ran the promo and I’ll be real: it can be worth it, but it’s way less magical than “bottomless apps” sounds.
Couple points that add to what @andarilhonoturno said, and I’ll push back on a few things too:
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It’s very location‑specific
The exact rules are basically “corporate suggestion, local chaos.”- My store had a printed card with the qualifying apps, another one had it scribbled on a whiteboard.
- One place let me mix & match every round, the other made me stick to the same item each time.
So no, you do not get unlimited refills of any appetizer. It is a short list, and it varies.
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Sharing is a gray area
Officially, 1 bottomless per person, no sharing.
In practice:- First time I went, server did not care at all. My friend didn’t buy the deal and still “sampled” half my plate.
- Second time, different server, she flat out said if she saw us passing plates around she’d have to charge each person.
So if you are planning to “beat the system” by sharing, you’re prob going to have an awkward convo.
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How “bottomless” it actually feels
I disagree a bit with the idea that kitchen speed is just some neutral limit. At my store it was obviously intentional throttling.- Round 1: giant plate, fast.
- Round 2: smaller, slower.
- Round 3: almost appetizer‑sampler sized, plus we waited forever.
By the time plate 3 showed up I honestly didn’t even care anymore. If you’re thinking you’ll crush 5 plates, lower your expectations.
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Price vs value
The mental math I use:- Look at the regular app prices. If the deal is less than or equal to 2 normal apps, it’s pretty easy to come out ahead with 2½ plates.
- If the deal is close to 3 regular apps, you really need to be hungry and you need the refills to actually arrive in a decent time frame.
Also factor in drinks. Bottomless + multiple sodas or beers = you’re now in “could have just ordered wings” territory.
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What actually fills you up
Mozz sticks and fries sound like a great way to “win,” but I honestly got sick of the same texture after a while.
I had better luck when I:- Started with nachos (more stuff going on, not just fried bricks)
- Switched to something lighter like fries afterward
Once everything is just greasy breading, your brain taps out before your stomach does.
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Who it’s good for
Worth it if:- You’re sitting through a long game and basically grazing the whole time.
- You eat fast enough that the slow refills don’t totally kill your appetite.
- You don’t mind sticking mostly to one or two types of apps.
Not worth it if:
- You just want a normal dinner with wings and some variety.
- You hate awkward conversations about “no sharing.”
- You usually stop after one plate of food anyway.
TL;DR:
No, it’s not unlimited refills of any appetizer, it’s a short list and usually one plate at a time, often with slowing refills. If you’re a big eater and treat it as the meal while you watch a game, it can be decent value. If you’re a light eater or want variety, just get one or two apps you actually like and skip the bottomless gimmick.
Quick FAQ breakdown based on my trips and what @andarilhonoturno described.
Q: Is it really “unlimited apps” of anything?
No. It is usually a preset list like mozz sticks, fries, maybe nachos or onion rings. You typically pick one item and get refills of that, not the entire appetizer menu. Some locations let you switch between items, others lock you into one. Ask before you commit.
Q: Can everyone at the table share one Bottomless Apps order?
Official policy is generally no. One deal per person. Some servers are chill about “try a few” bites, some are very strict and will warn you or even require everyone to buy it. If your plan hinges on plate‑passing, expect friction.
Q: How unlimited is “bottomless” in real life?
Refills are often staggered. First plate comes quick and full, later ones can be smaller and slower. I don’t totally buy that it is always intentional throttling like they’re gaming you, but it definitely kills that “I’ll eat 4 plates” fantasy. Most people tap out around plate 2 or 3 because of time and boredom, not stomach capacity.
Q: Is it worth the money compared to normal appetizers at Buffalo Wild Wings?
Pros:
- Can beat the regular app pricing if you’re genuinely hungry.
- Good for camping out during a game and treating it as your main meal.
- Simple: one price, keep the food coming.
Cons:
- Limited variety and possibly stuck with one item.
- Refills depend on server and kitchen speed.
- Can turn into a more expensive meal once you add drinks and tax.
Q: Who should actually get Bottomless Apps?
Good if you:
- Are there to watch a full game and graze.
- Don’t care about trying lots of different menu items.
- Are okay with a bit of oil and carb overload as “the meal.”
Skip it if you:
- Want wings, burgers, and variety.
- Are a light eater or usually stop after one appetizer.
- Hate having to negotiate house rules with the server.
Compared to @andarilhonoturno’s experience, I’d say they’re right about it being very location‑dependent and a little less epic than the promo sounds. Where I disagree slightly is on the idea that the kitchen is always “obviously” slowing things to block you from getting value. Sometimes it really is just a slammed shift, and on slower nights I have gotten consistent portions with respectable timing.
Bottom line: if you go in treating Bottomless Apps as a fun promo and not a challenge to “beat,” it can be fine value. If you’re trying to min‑max it, you will probably walk out annoyed.