With football season in full swing, there’s no better time to dig into one of America’s favorite game-day foods: Buffalo wings. But which national chain does them best? To find out, I taste-tested wings from five major restaurants Applebee’s, Chili’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, TGI Fridays, and Wingstop judging them on flavor, texture, spice, and value.
Each chain brought its own twist to the table, but one thing became clear: the saucier, spicier wings almost always won me over. Here’s how they stacked up, from my least favorite to the ultimate winner.
My first stop was TGI Fridays, where I ordered eight bone-in Buffalo wings for $12.19. They arrived with celery sticks and sides of ranch and blue cheese, but the wings themselves left much to be desired. While the skin was nicely crispy and the meat tender, they were noticeably under-sauced. The flavor came mostly from the Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo sauce listed on the menu the same kind you can easily buy at the grocery store. The wings weren’t bad, but they lacked originality and that signature tangy kick that makes Buffalo sauce special. For that reason, I wouldn’t order them again.
Next up was Applebee’s, where nine bone-in wings cost $14.29. These were the largest wings I tried, with a rich red-brown color and satisfying crunch. The Buffalo sauce was buttery and well-balanced, offering a nice blend of savory flavor with a mild touch of heat. The meat inside was juicy, but the spice level felt a little tame. For those who like a classic, approachable wing, Applebee’s delivers but spice lovers might find them too safe.
Landing squarely in the middle was Chili’s, where I ordered an eight-count of bone-in Buffalo wings for $15.49. Chili’s wings hit a nice sweet spot: perfectly crispy, generously sauced, and full of flavor. The sauce leaned buttery but still brought a mild burn that balanced the richness. The meat was tender and plentiful, and the wings paired beautifully with the chain’s signature ranch dipping sauce. Though smaller than Applebee’s wings, they packed more flavor in every bite a solid mid-tier choice for wing fans.
Buffalo Wild Wings, the chain synonymous with sports bars and saucy wings, landed in second place. A six-count of traditional wings cost $15.99, and while the wings were smaller, they made up for it with meaty drumsticks and excellent sauce coverage. The Buffalo sauce struck just the right note
spicy, slightly sweet, and evenly coating every inch of the crispy skin. The chicken itself was moist and flavorful, with each bite offering that addictive mix of crunch and tang. Though not quite the best of the bunch, these wings were consistently tasty and a great value overall.
But the ultimate winner was Wingstop, and it wasn’t even close. I ordered 10 classic bone-in wings for $21.19 with the chain’s “Original Hot” sauce, which is its take on traditional Buffalo. The wings were drenched in a vivid red sauce that clung to my fingers and glistened with flavor. Despite being heavily sauced, they stayed perfectly crispy the hallmark of a great wing. Each bite was packed with tender meat and layers of heat that built up without overwhelming the palate. The sauce delivered a complex blend of buttery richness, tangy vinegar, and smoky spice that made every wing more addictive than the last.
Even though Wingstop’s order was the most expensive upfront, the 10-piece set actually offered slightly better value per wing than Buffalo Wild Wings. Combined with the unbeatable flavor and satisfying crunch, Wingstop clearly took the crown for the best chain-restaurant Buffalo wings.
In the end, every chain offered something different Applebee’s served the biggest wings, Chili’s nailed the balance of flavor, and Buffalo Wild Wings provided reliable quality. But if you’re looking for saucy, spicy, perfectly crispy Buffalo wings that hit every note, Wingstop is the clear champion.
