Are Boneless Wings Just Nuggets? Court Weighs In
Buffalo Wild Wings is celebrating a court victory and inviting customers to join them.
"They're called boneless wings and will forever be called boneless wings," the eatery said in a social media post Thursday, February 19. "Celebrate the court's decision today with BOGO FREE boneless wings."
Earlier this week, a federal judge tossed a lawsuit against Buffalo Wild Wings. The lawsuit alleged the sports bar chain deceived customers by selling boneless wings that aren't made of chicken wing meat. The wings are "essentially chicken nuggets," the complaint said.
Judge John Tharp Jr. dismissed it as having "no meat on its bones."
The catch? BOGO boneless wings are technically an every-Thursday deal. Not just a post-court win celebration. But Buffalo Wild Wings' triumphant boasting reignited an age-old debate online: Are boneless wings actually wings?
The Internet Is Not Having It
Not everyone beneath the brand's post agreed with the court's decision. More than a few users were incensed by the judge's protection of the term "wings" in "boneless wings."
"There's no such thing as boneless wings. It's a chicken nugget tossed in sauce," one comment said. "They're freaking chicken nuggets - grow up," another agreed.
Two users made arguments echoed by many in the thread: boneless wings cannot possibly be categorized as wings if they're not made with wing meat.
"If it's not meat from the wing, how in the hell is it called a wing at all? Those are breast meat chunks. They've never been wings and they never will," one dedicated chicken fan said.
"They're 'boneless wings' in the way that it's almond milk. They're chicken pieces, if not ground chicken. Being honest would definitely go further, but you're afraid of honesty as people wouldn't eat at your restaurant if you told them the truth," another said.
Multiple people bemoaned what one called the "legalization of false advertising."
The Boneless Brigade Fights Back
Some stood strong in their love for the saucy snacks. Even if they appeared outnumbered.
"Wild take, but boneless wings are by far the superior wing. Tastes the same as regular wings, but less work!" one said.
"Boneless wings are the only wings that should be consumed," another agreed.
The Almond Milk Comparison
One person compared boneless wings to almond milk. That's actually a good comparison. Almond milk isn't milk. It's almond juice. But we call it milk anyway. Nobody's confused about what they're getting and nobody is suing over it.
It’s the same with boneless wings. Everyone knows they're not actual wings or wing meat. They're chunks of chicken breast meat tossed in sauce. But we call them boneless wings because of the experience they provide.
You eat them like wings. They're covered in wing sauce. They come with celery and ranch or blue cheese. The experience is wing-adjacent even if the meat isn't from wings. And, they typically are heartier and higher quality than standard chicken nuggets.
Does It Really Matter?
No. They're not wings. They're breast meat. Heartier chicken nuggets for adults. Chunks of white meat tossed in sauce.
But does anyone actually think they're getting wing meat when they order boneless wings? Probably not. The name describes the eating experience, not the anatomical origin of the meat.
Buffalo Wild Wings won the lawsuit. The judge said calling them boneless wings isn't deceptive. The internet disagrees. The real amusement comes from the people arguing about chicken nomenclature on social media.
And BWW is celebrating with BOGO boneless wings. Which, again, is just their regular Thursday deal. But hey, it’s a good marketing opportunity anyway.
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