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Buffalo Bell - CLOSED
Categories: Restaurants Chicken Wings Restaurants Fast Food Chicken Wings, Fast Food [Edit]
107 Leonard StSanta Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 425-8457
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Drive-Thru:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
52 reviews for Buffalo Bell
Review Highlights
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"0.50/wing nights are Tuesdays and Thursdays after 4:30 PM." In 5 reviews -
"I tried the Honey BBQ chicken wings and they were amazing." In 7 reviews -
"the lemon pepper are really good too." In 6 reviews
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52 reviews in English
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Review from Benjamin W.
Santa Cruz, CA
8/1/2011
Nice chill place to eat wings and watch a sports game. They have 50 cent wings deals tuesdays and thursdays so ten wings will be only five something.
Good fast service, wings are made on time unlike wingstop. Nice cashier and waiter. Chill environment. Good flavors and food.
Overall nice chill place to eat good wings. -
Review from Kumar A.
Santa Cruz, CA
8/17/2011
Took my "gotdailydeals" coupon for half off $20 dollars. I came here once and they were completely empty at 1pm on a weekend. Naturally we left.
Tonight was different and I had a rumbling in my tum tum that only half off my meal could satisfy. So it was time for a second visit.
Again no-one was in there, but the guy was at the desk so he saw me enter. It was time to eat, I did not no what to expect.... 1 employee vs. 2 customers, I asked him if he was buffalo bell for the night. And he was.
There get-up is pretty sweet with video-games, and a cool 2 room dining area. The food, is a tensi-tiny bit expensive but nothing outrageous. Im a starving student so, you know.
suicide wings were spicy and flavourful but there is hotter shit out there... burgers were good and area 51 was fun.
get hard liqueur and give the jury room a run for its money.
And Im out,
Kumar -
Review from Johnny G.
5/11/2011
The Wingstop of Santa Cruz(before they opened a wingstop)! The wings are pretty good surprisingly and I used to come here every Friday with my friends. Still come here every once in a while when I get that craving for wings. It always looks dead in here but that just means better service for you! I normally order the 10 piece with BBQ ranch and the lemon pepper. The BBQ ranch is BOMB!! BEST FLAVOR!!
Service is a hit or miss here. Sometimes you'll get that blonde girl that's always on her phone or that asian girl that actually seems to do work.
***Parking***: Small parking lot in front of restaurant. Usually pretty packed.
***QUICK TIP***: TRY THE BBQ RANCH! YOU WON'T REGRET IT
Cash/Credit are accepted here. -
Review from Felix C.
Santa Cruz, CA
5/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
Its no Wingstop, but it'll satisfy your wing craving without having to drive over the damned 17. Come on Tuesdays and Thursdays for $0.49 wing night, but be sure to bring cash because they're "cash only".
Flavors I've had were lemon pepper (really salty and peppery to say the least) and honey BBQ (good balance of sweet and BBQ; recommended). The wings were a bit on the dry side, but they come out really quick- most likely prefried.
I suggest getting a mix of flavors so you won't get sick of consistently eating one flavor- you can request one flavor for every 10 wings. -
Review from Jazmin V.
Oceanside, CA
7/26/2011
So I happened to be in Santa Cruz for the week, looking to find a good place to have some delicious wings. I came across a full parking lot and 49cent wings which immediately caught my eye. I got mild, medium and honey BBQ as suggested by the friendly cashier. I must say....I was expecting more flavor and definitely bigger wings but unfortunately i was dissapointed. We didn't even get celery or carrots to fill us up since the wings were so small. The sauce seems to be missing some flavor and they definitely need improvement. Although for 49 cent wings I can't expect much.
So if you're craving wings on a budget and don't care much about the flavor then this is the place for you. -
Review from Lauren K.
3/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Came here for the 2nd time. Both on the 49 cent wing night. It sucks though that if you take advantage of their special, you're only allowed one flavor for every 10 wings. I thought I was going to order 15 wings and hoping I could get 2 flavors but unless I ordered 20, no can do.
The first time, I got Honey BBQ and got tired of the super saucy wings by the time I hit the 7th wing. This time, I ordered lemon pepper and was full by the 8th wing.
Wings come out within minutes of ordering. I guess that means they were already fried, re-fried to get heated up, and then drizzled with the sauce of your choice?
I love the veggies (celery and carrots) that they give with your order. I'm not sure if it's just me but I feel like the celery was soaked in massive amounts of water so that when I dip it in the dressing, it just slides right off.
Service is always great. The people working are always really nice and helpful.
CASH ONLY. -
Review from Andrea M.
Santa Cruz, CA
2/16/2011
I went here with my boyfriend about a month ago and got a cheeseburger and their lemon pepper wings.
The atmosphere is horrible. It's dark and very dirty everywhere. That could be why it's always empty in there. I would get the food to-go and eat in the comfort of your own home or something.
I do not recommend the burgers! It seemed like the meat was originally frozen from costco or something, and overall the burger was just greasy. I had no desire to even finish it.
I liked the wings a lot though. I liked how they came with carrots and celery because it made it seem like I was being at least a little healthy (haha). The lemon-pepper wings are the only reason this place isn't getting 1 star. -
Review from Ron S.
8/30/2010 3 photos
CASH ONLY
I had higher expectations from the full parking lot of cars!!! WTH- we were the only customers in there. Apparently, locals use their parking lot to park and walk across the street to the court house and other nearby events. Push overs?...That sucks! Tow them outta there!
I really didn't care for their food. I mean, if I was a broke, grunged out college student...then maybe. As for cleanliness, it reminded me of a college dorm room: dark, nasty, sticky, can't get laid place to hang out. Sorry! They girl at the cash register was very nice, but when they didn't have ANY knives AT ALL for me to cut my cheeseburger, I was stunned. And the almost emptied ketchup bottles....come on now! What a joke!
I guess the only good thing offered was on college nights = $.49 chicken wings and Cheap Beer night!
We did like their Garlic Parmesan and Honey BBQ Flavored wings!!! Good call Yelpers!!! But the requested medium-well cheeseburger that came dripping full of grease well-done was not good at all... -
Review from Mike H.
San Francisco, CA
8/30/2008
Go on either Monday (15% off if you are a student ) or tues/thurs 45 cents wings after 4pm!! The wings are dry and nothing compared to wing stop but if you live in santa cruz there is nothing better so this place is excellent!!
i just wish that they wouldn't drench my wings in oil at least let the oil out of my plate before serving it.. -
Review from Davis D.
Alhambra, CA
1/12/2009
This place is alright for the type of atmosphere it's trying to present. The prices are pretty fair for the most part, although I feel like some of the stuff is more expensive than it should be (their burgers). If you go on the wing special nights, it's not a bad deal at all! I believe $4 bucks gets you 10 wings...how are you suppose to complain about that?
The burgers were nothing spectacular, and kinda on the dry side. The wings are pretty good though. I've tried a ton of different flavors from here, but can't really think of one that stands out. You can't go wrong with the classic buffalo hot wings though!
One thing that I have to ding this place for is closing too early sometimes...during finals season, they weren't even open for the night games! I mean if you're gonna serve beer and beer food, and show off all your sports gear in your own restaurant, you should probably be open a little later than 8 or 9 so people can come to finish the game and have a good time.
Anyway, check it out. Not a bad spot. -
Review from Eric C.
Palo Alto, CA
6/5/2009
You can't really compete with 49 cent wings. Although prices have gone up, $5.00 still gets you 10 wings of your choice. But its nice to sit down with some friends and watch the Magic beat down on the Lakers in the Finals (it hasn't happened yet, but it will soon).
Of course, me being the fat-ass that I am, got 20 wings and a large basket of Cajun Fries. Wings were bomb, and they had easily 2 dozen different flavors to choose, though i feel like a good handful of chickens that the wings were from were anorexic. Cajun fries were over-seasoned. It got to a point where my tongue BURNED from the saltiness.
Still though, its not a bad place to be if you need that fix of chicken, fries, beer, and sports. -
Review from Dmitry K.
Los Angeles, CA
6/8/2009
I would like to grab a beer with my friends.
I would like to grab a beer with my friends and watch a Sports Game.
I would like to grab a beer with my friends and watch a Sports Game, and munch on a smorgasbord of delicious $5.00 buffalo wings.
I would like to grab...ok point made...
This place is a combination of Manhood coupled with that good old Santa Cruz touch. Nestled in between a quaint Jack-in-the Box and the infamous Jury Room, the most attractive thing about this place is that it is located on a street called Ocean. However, do no fooled, what this place lacks in appearance it makes up chicken wings.
I tried the Honey BBQ chicken wings and they were amazing. I heard the "Hot" wings are also a favorite. I especially like how they have thematic days dedicated to students and discounts.
The curly fries were also great, but the Cajon Fries were inundated with a molten layer of Cajun-ness and salt that made it seem like I was drinking "Ocean" water. Ha ha. A couple less shakes on the salt would of made the fries perfect.
Teriyaki Wings were ok. Although I appreciate the fusion, the two did not really mix well...In my humble opinion.
However, this place is truly one of a kind in Santa Cruz. The best was watching the Lakers play Game 1 in the NBA finals with all my friends. The even better part was that they won game 1, and the Laker haters in the restaurant had no choice but to wash away their sorrows with beer and stuff they championship-less bellys with more wings.
Overall, I had a great time here and I can't wait to come back. -
Review from Neal E.
6/4/2009 1 photo
Had dinner here one evening this week. Ordered 5 of the "Hot" wings, five of the "Garlic Parmesan" wings, and their "Fireball Burger." The burger has pepperjack cheese, jalapenos, and hot sauce in it. And a side of curly fries on the side and a Fat Tire beer!
Wings were very good. The "Hot" wings weren't that hot - at least to me. I should have ordered the "Suicidal" temperature. But the taste was good and the skin and meat were done just right - lightly crispy. The Garlic Parmesan wings were a tad crispier - but that made them O' so good!
The burger was also a good, solid, meaty offering.
And Fat Tire is always a good beer!
They do not accept Amex here. Visa, MC, or cash only. -
Review from Kevin C.
6/14/2009
Wings. Yes.
Wings are one of my favorite foods. When it comes to my wings craving, of course, Wingstop is the usual place for me to go... Not anymore...While I was waiting in the long ass JackNtheBox line, I look to my right and see this place. A wing place in SantaCruz?... definitely got to try it.
A few days later I end up going with some of my friends and family and yes it was worth it. Food came EXTREMELY fast. We ordered Hot, Garlic Parmesan, & Honey Mustard wings.. each one had the right amount of sauce. The curly fries were thick, nice, and crispy. My mom had a Chicken Philly sandwich and cheese was oozing out of it. The Bacon Ranch Burger was on point too. Did I mention there's a huge flatscreen tv with ESPN on?
Ok maybe I was just really hungry that day, but when it comes to quality food I just can't help it.Listed in: Off to Santa Cruz
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Review from Ron L.
Concord, CA
6/29/2010
We came, we saw, we ate. And it was all right.
It's a good place to take people who think that Santa Cruz is nothing but surfers, stoners, and leftover hippies. This has the feel of a sports bar without the bar; you expect a Harley club to visit any minute. I'm fine with that, but if you're not, then be warned. We've been here twice, both times were at an off hour, so we haven't visited when there was a lot of people. So I can't say what the crowd would be then, is it rough or not.
The wings are very good, the location is quite central (on Ocean Street just a block south of Water Street). I like `em *hot*, my hunny doesn't, and we were both able to find a flavor we liked.
So basically, definitely not a romantic date-night place, but if you want to load up on wings in a casual joint, give them a try. -
Review from James W.
Campbell, CA
9/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
Used to go here all the time but its officially out of business. Hard to compete with the chains. RIP
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Review from Lola T.
Santa Cruz, CA
9/20/2011
Awesome Philly Cheesesteaks ! No other place around makes them as good but I was very disappointed to drive up with a car full of kids and find that it was closed. Where did you go?! I need my Cheesesteak!
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Review from Amy P.
San Francisco, CA
3/23/2009
I love this place hands down the best chicken wings in Santa Cruz. The staff is always friendly and nice. I only eat here on special occasions because it's not the healthiest of food. I gave it only three stars because I was craving the garlic parmesian wings last Wednesday so I went around 8:30pm to get some and the girl informed me they were out of wings!!!! She was very apologetic but this did not steer my craving. I was so bummed nothing else sounded good so I just went home.
How can they be out of the one thing people go there for? It wasn't even cheap wing night. Nonetheless I will be back. -
Review from Stine H.
Updated - 8/4/2010
This place is one of the best for wings. Yes better than KFC, popeyes, and wingstop!
Since my first visit, nothing's changed much. No new reviews it seems, and still empty when we came in. I hope that won't affect being able to have my buffalo bell fix in the future. The taste is still as tasty though, and I love how the wings remain pretty crispy after sitting in the to-go box for a while. This time, got a side of cajun fries which to my surprise were pretty darn good! Usually places like this have nasty fat soggy fries, but theirs were crispy shoe string fries, my favorite!
Definitely come here for your buffalo wing grub before or after the beach!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/31/2010
I'm suprised there only 30 reviews for this place?!?! Considering it being on a main street to the… Read more »
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Review from petra g.
Santa Cruz, CA
5/6/2007
My lips sting, and I have to suck down another one because the burn is so good. I never want to admit I like it, but oh the "hot"and "suicide" get me all tingly. Fortunately, once in a while the medium is just really mild, then I get a break from my throbbing lips. I always take my split order to go so nobody can see my cheeks get red when I have the spicier ones. Plus ..it's true... who wants a sport's bar atmosphere?
The best part is the folks who run this place are always nice and they have a wing deal on Tues, Wed. and Thursday. There is other food available but I have never bothered with it.
Let's face it- having a craving for hot wings is the only reason I go to Buffalo Bell -
Review from Nick W.
San Bruno, CA
3/31/2009
Great food with a pretty good selection. Although it mainly caters to fans of chicken wings, I hafta say I've never even had them! I go there and get what is basically chicken strips, although they're referred to as boneless wings or something of the sort.
Anyways, every time I drop by Santa Cruz which is semi-often, I always stop by here and load up on my fix o' chicken! Always a great meal and much appreciated, definitely worth stoppin' by and checkin' out! -
Review from Nel B.
Santa Cruz, CA
10/13/2010
Really tasty wings.
And most importantly, what all the other reviews have left out:
$0.50/wing nights are Tuesdays and Thursdays after 4:30 PM. So now you can plan your gluttonous ways around that. If you're into that kind of thing. -
Review from Erika W.
San Francisco, CA
12/7/2009
The only reason the Jack-in-the-Box across the street doesn't put this place put out of business is because Jack doesn't serve booze.
A poor culinary choice, Santa Cruz.
I threw in an extra star for good service, but this place is a grease pit-and not at all in a way that makes it worth it. -
Review from Oscar A.
Santa Cruz, CA
4/16/2011 2 photos
Good food, cheap beer....
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Review from Sara S.
Santa Cruz, CA
7/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Dingy needs a good pressure washing with some dial soap.
But the wings are good. Highly recommend you get it to go.
The salad bar was pretty sad looking the cajun fries were over cajuned.
The blue cheese wings were awesome! -
Review from Dorian T.
San Francisco, CA
1/16/2010
Ive been on a mission to find good buffalo wings ever since I had eaten at Original Buffalo Wings and at Wingstop which leads to to Buffalo Bell.
Buffalo Bell has way more flavors than Buffalo Bell so if youre into sauces, this place is for you. My friend and I decided to get the spicy BBQ and the spicy Blue Cheese. It was about 30 pieces together for about 20 bucks including tax, not bad.
The blue cheese flavored wings were the bomb where as the spicy BBQ was just okay. The wings were drenched in sauce for you sauce lovers
Fountain drinks come with free refills which is a plus when your mouth is on fire from all those flaming wings. This is a great plus over OBW who makes their customers pay 75 cents for refills.
I will definitely come back here for their college nights as well as their 49 cent a wing nights! -
Review from Lindsey B.
Scotts Valley, CA
12/12/2009
I don't know how this place stays in business. My bf and I have been in there a few times at various hours. I've seen the salad bar open ONCE and every time we've been there the place is deserted. The service is usually good, but when you only have 2 customers how could you not?
Tonight however, we got poor service. It's a Saturday night, the girl behind the counter seemed annoyed by our presence and informed us they would be closing in half an hour. This was after we paid for our food. I realize that a half hour before you close you don't want customers coming in, but it's rude to announce you are closing soon. You'd might as well just say, "Eat your food and get out!"
As for the food it's just ok. Nothing special.
As for the atmosphere? It's one main room and there's a second room on a lower level with what I am assuming is an arcade. That whole area is dark which darkens the main room and that doesn't help the whole deserted thing. To top it all off they always have the hip hop radio station blaring.
I would give it 1 star but because the food isn't bad and we usually get good service, I'm giving it two. -
Review from Herman B.
Santa Cruz, CA
just ok
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Review from Keven W.
San Jose, CA
Updated - 9/23/2009
When I came back, I went back for the $0.49 Wing night and well I got a different cashier and I can tell she was not into her job. Anyways I got the wings to go and the business was not as busy and was dead. One thing I really do not get is the parking lot is full, but hardly any customers. The wings were okay this time around, I got the Spicy Ranch and Rajin Cajun and it was okay and deserved a three stars now and I am not craving as much to go back again.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/16/2009
This place is across the street of where I live and after 2 years, I never tried this place out… Read more »
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Review from Carol S.
Santa Cruz, CA
12/21/2010
Before I go all negative in this review, I need to say that I have been to THE original Buffalo wings place in Buffalo, NY. These wings are pretty close to the original...crispy, juicy and hot.
The similarity ends there.
This used to be a great place, but with its change of ownership it is no longer is worth the indignities of dining there, unless you simply have an uncontrollable jones for real-deal wings (it happens) and nothing else will do.
First of all, Buffalo Bell has gotten very expensive...and they no longer accept credit cards. Second, the quality of the salad bar, which used to be fabulous, well stocked with goodies like hard boiled eggs and artichoke hearts, and a great mesclun salad mix, has gone down 50%. With every visit, something else is missing and/or the quality of the offerings has gone downhill. The salad bar was one of the main reasons I liked - past tense, liked - this place so much, five years ago.
Then there's the drafty and unhygienic looking dining room. The prior owners kept it warmer, and cleaner. I had lunch at BB the other day - keep in mind it's late December and this is a sit-down restaurant. It was freakin' cold outside...and inside! When I told the proprietor I was freezing, she said, "I'll shut the door." Uh, putting on the heat would've been nice...and humane.
The wings are tasty, however I wonder if they save the drumettes for their favorite customers. The last few times I've been to BB I received a basket full of skin - one drumette in a $7.95 10-piece order.
I can't comment on the burgers or side dishes; I haven't had them. I can't comment on the different flavors of wing sauce - I only go for the classic. And as I said, they do classic wings well. So every few months, I give Buffalo Bell another chance, hoping I'll love it again. I have been more and more disappointed with each visit. -
Review from Steve A.
Santa Cruz, CA
1/26/2011
If you go in looking for excellent off-target dishes, you will be disappointed. But if wings are your game, this place rocks! Their onion rings rank up there with the best in town, and the salad bar is pretty darned good too.
I hope they survive this historically deadly location 'cause they are a gem. I wish they would move downtown where they would enjoy the customer volume they deserve. -
Review from justine k.
Union City, CA
9/16/2008
i've had plenty of fun dinners with friends here. the deal/sale nights (it feels weird calling it a "sale") are the best. cheap good greasy bad for you food. the best kind there is!
flavors are very similar to wingstop except the wings here are better. i'm not sure why. they kinda just are. plus you get free vegetables (carrots and celery sticks) with your wings so you can feel 1% healthy amongst your 99% unhealthy meal. -
Review from Maggie L.
San Francisco, CA
11/25/2009
aaaah buffalo bell! my roomies and i waited all week to finally try buffalo bell and man, it really hit the spot. we got 40 wings for 49 cents each split between the four of us and the garlic parmesan and honey bbq wings were finger-licking good.
the bar-like atmosphere fueled intellectual debates between my friends and i on topics like whether or not the double Ds on Tina, the asian waitress, were real or not ( 90% sure that they're fake) and if we should call child services after watching a 5 year old asian boy bus a table.
tasty wings, beer, fake tits, close friends, and good ol child labor...ahhhh i'm a happy camper! ain't no thang like a chicken wang! -
Review from Lizi B.
Santa Cruz, CA
2/17/2009
This place rocks! Although I will say it isn't for everyone, for instance, my vegetarian roommate. This is a meat place, and a bit of a cult secret. Friday and Saturdays bring cheap beer and Tuesdays and Thursdays are cheap wing nights. Try it all, we have yet to fail. The staff is a unique bunch of quirky women but they are really nice and we feel completely like vip regulars.
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Review from Megan P.
12/10/2008
One of my favorite places to go in Santa Cruz. It's also one of the only reasons I would drive to Santa Cruz. The wings are delicious. If you're feeling exceptionally daring you can order the suicide wings and sweat your balls off however that's not my thing. I love their hot wings (or medium when I'm feeling extra wussy) and ranch dressing. I also love their bacon cheeseburger & grilled chicken burgers. They have 49cent wing nights two nights a week PLUS cheap beer nights. How can you go wrong with $6 pitchers? Plus the owner is really nice and the other staff is nice as well.
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Review from Tracey W.
Santa Cruz, CA
9/2/2006
The only reason I have been to this place is it's location. It's right down the street from me and I'm sick of Jack in the Box. But, you know what? It's not so bad. It has terrible ambiance. Sports playing on the t.v. and almost no one there. I haven't tried the wings but their hamburgers are decent, the prices aren't bad and it's family owned so go ahead, give them the business.
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Review from Aarica C.
Morgan Hill, CA
12/17/2006
Not as impressed with this place as I was Wingstop in Tx. The wings are pretty decent I guess. They too have lots of choices in flavors for the wings and they also have flavored fries. We ordered cajun fries and ranch fries and they were pretty good. The ranch fries reminded me of ranch pringles. Its like they opened the dry packet of ranch dressing and dumped it on the fries. Anyways, the foods alright. I agree with the 1st reviewer. The ambience sucks and there is hardly anyone there both times I have gone.
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Review from Christina N.
San Jose, CA
8/13/2008
it's just chicken wings. they're wings that are fried up and then glazed in whatever sauce. i don't know what people are expecting but it aint filet mignon. you can't go wrong with chicken wings, esp on tuesdays and thursdays when they're only 45cents a piece?! hello!?
also, screw the ambience. it's just chicken wings. why you gotta be fancy for wings!? it looks like a sports bar where they serve different kinds of beer on tap. mmm, beer and wings. :)
i thought this place was cool because it had a variety of different sauces besides the regular spicy ones such as different kinds of bbq sauces, ranch, lemon pepper, teriyaki, etc, and almost all the flavors have its spicy version. i remember trying the spicy honey mustard and it was so spicy where my lips were swollen. i'm either sensitive or it was just damn spicy. who knows.
i love going here after a couple of hours after hanging out at the beach. i also love their bottomless soda drinks. oh, how i love drinking cup after cup of fountain machine coke.
they also have burgers, sandwiches, finger foods, but i like WINGS.
ps. these wings are much more meatier than the wings at wingstop. -
Review from Carrie D.
Santa Cruz, CA
11/18/2010 1 Check-in Here
Delivery to the jury...other than that, unremarkable.
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Review from Anna D.
San Francisco, CA
6/22/2008
I love chicken wings and this place satisfies that craving, with crispy wings in all sorts of flavors. We tried the medium buffalo wings, garlic garlic wings, and cajun wings. The first two were yummy. The cajun was made better by rolling it in the leftover buffalo sauce. They also have an assortment of fries. We had the garlic fries which come out garlicky, crunchy and buttery and ended up soggy, but we still enjoyed it.
