My favorite place
Background: I like spicy-hot food, so a few years ago my brother introduced me to this very BW3's here in Mount Clemens. I've been a regular there ever since. "Buffalo Wild Wings" is a national chain of owner-operator franchise stores -- I mention that because I've been to other operations, so my remarks here don't necessarily apply to them.

Ambience: It's hard to peg this restaurant because it's billed as being a Buffalo wings place. It screams sports bar, and sports bar fans won't be disappointed. I'm decidedly *not* a fan of sports bars, but even so I'm right at home here! This particular restaurant is divided into three principal areas -- there's the non-smoking section in back where you come in from the vestibule, and consists of booths and tables. Some arcade video games are present along the east wall, as is the entrance to the bathroom. The front of the building is evenly divided into the smoking area and the bar (which is also a smoking area). The bar has the normal bar stools along the bar, along with high-top tables filling the rest of the bar area. The smoking section consists of normal tables. Even though I'm a non-smoker, the smoking section or the high-tops in the bar are definitely the place to be. The entire no-smoking section feels like being seating in a back room out of the way. There are ample televisions throughout the entire restaurant, including several big screens for watching the latest sport or Texas Hold'em match. Additionally the restaurant provides free the NTN trivia game system wherein you compete with others in the store and nationally. Lately the place has been bursting full of people. Normally you just walk right in and choose a table, but recently they've had a hostess waiting to take you to your seat! I really prefer NOT to use a hostess, but on the other hand when it's so full, there's not really any question of finding your own table.

Food: I've not tried everything on the menu, but I've never had anything innately disappointing.

Burgers: The burgers are fantastic; they're not huge monster burgers, but rather the meat patty is perfectly cooked and seasoned and overall they taste wonderful. Like many places, they have several varieties of specialty burgers (bacon-cheddar; blue cheese; and so on), but I prefer the basic cheeseburger, which is a testament to their quality. Remember when I said my comments don't apply to every location of this chain? Sadly at many of the other BW3's that I've gone to, their burgers aren't always as good. Typically they're over-cooked or otherwise dried out or old. I've yet to be disappointed here, though.

Wings: Naturally the place is reknowned for its Buffalo wings, which are by far the best I've ever had. I try to be a master chef at home, but even so I can't duplicate these wings (maybe I'll have to buy their sauce and try again). I always go for the "wild" variety, which are the second hottest. Often when the waitress (it's almost always a she) doesn't recognize us, she'll ask if we've ever had the wild in way of caution. If you don't like hot food, then "wild" is way too hot. But if you are a fan of hot food, then you'll find that they're perfectly adequate. The next step up, of course, is "Blazin'" which we sometimes order, but that's usually just a tad bit too much for me. Herein lies about my only complaint with the food: I think that because there's not as much turnover on the "wild" product, we sometimes get old product. It's noticable and obvious, but thankfully it's a rare occurance. Typically the wings are always plump and juicy, and the sauce forms a kind of glaze on the surface of the wing. Every once in a while, though, we get wings that are somewhat dried out with puddles of sauce slopped on top. They're not as juicy, and the sauce isn't as good. I should take a tour of the kitchen to determine why. Often when I send them back, they come out the same way -- is there something I'm missing here?

Others: the buffalo wedges are fantastic hunks of potato with seasoned potato taste. The quesadillas are great even if not truly Mexican. The wraps are all excellent. They even have little mini corn dogs that remind me of going to the Blue Water Festival as a kid.

Drink: I'm a shameless beer drinker, and this place doesn't disappoint! Typically I'll have a Blue, tall, but there's a decent selection of beers on tap as well as bottled stuff, too. Try a beer called "Blue Moon" on tap -- someone actually introduced me to this brand at a BW3's in Louisville, KY, and it was goooood. There's full-service bar drinks, but I'm the car driver so I don't drink more than I should and hence have never sampled from it. The only thing missing is the option for pitchers.

Service: Due to the sheer quantity of times we come here, the service has had occasional slip-ups, but overall I'm definitely satisfied. I almost never want for a beer, the food comes slow enough that I can enjoy my first beer and appetizer (order your wings *as* the appetizer), and best of all, they don't try to run you out of the place as soon as you say you don't want anything else -- I usually have to ask for the check, which should be federal law! Sometimes when the place is slammed it's hard to get an NTN game box right away, but I'm a good enough customer that the waitresses usually remember us and give us a little extra attention.

Price: The prices here aren't a barrier to anyone!

Overall: as I've said, I'm a regular and a fan of the BW3 model. I've since gone to several other BW3's elsewhere in the area and throughout much of the country! All in all, I'm completely honest when I say that not only is this BW3's good, it's got to be the best in the chain (that I've gone to). Its popularity recently certainly reflects that fact.

Now that I think of it, it's getting much too crowded for my comfort. Stay away! It's rotten! The sauce is too hot!    [17 May 2006 07:34:49]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: regular wings, wild

     ­balthisar, Clinton Township   balthisar at gmail dot com