Sips ‘n Snacks: Enjoying the Big Game with Friends #BuffaloWingsandRings

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BuffaloWingsAndRings #CollectiveBias

Whether you’re watching the puck fly across the rink or a ball flying high into the stands after a home run, catching sports in a fun environment can be a blast! Even better, watching in the company of good friends and delicious eats makes a potential loss that much more bearable. Buffalo Wings and Rings offers the opportunity to watch your favorite sports teams with your favorite people and enjoying food that’s mouth-watering and delicious. I headed with some friends to our local Buffalo Wings and Rings location in Naperville for a fun day out and to check out the new menu.

The overall decor is fun and vibrant with bright colors and televisions to watch just about any sporting event you could imagine. The brick walls and video games accentuate the overall experience, reminding you that Hot is a State of Mind. You can also see the schedules for all the current sports teams right when you walk in, so you know if you can catch a game while you eat! You could also plan your experience based off of an upcoming game to make it even more exciting.

In Chicago, we’re knees deep in hockey and baseball and the menu at Buffalo Wings and Rings is no exception. The new limited time menu highlights ballpark favorites such as Jack’d Up Wings served with caramel popcorn, Battered-Up Funnel Stixx and Ballpark pretzel bites and the ever-perfect hot dog.

We decided on the Ballpark Pretzel Bites – served with a side of queso with fresh salsa mixed in. The combination is definitely the key and the pretzel bites are the traditional pretzel bread fried to a light and airy perfection. It was not what we were expecting, but delicious nonetheless.

While we waited for the rest of our food, Alex showed us just how proficient he was at playing iPad games. Check out that snacking and swiping multi-tasking!

While he was preoccupied, the rest of us caught the Chicago White Sox game – much better than the Blackhawks in more recent days…

I opted for the Grilled Chicken Quesadilla and it was amazing. Served on a whole-wheat tortilla, the taste was mesquite perfection. I love the fact that Buffalo Wings and Rings serves fresh food, not frozen. They even have a chef on staff in the kitchen to assure quality of their menu items. Our tasting confirmed this level of quality.

Another choice was the pulled pork sandwich with “the Rings” and I must say as I snagged one off of a plate, they were crisped to perfection with a delicious flavor profile.

The night wouldn’t be complete without wings, so we snagged the boneless honey barbecue variety along with potato wedges. The Bourbon wings (not pictured) also made their way to our table. It happened to be 69 cent wing day, so be sure to check that out, especially on game day.

The “extra innings” of our meal were highlighted by the Battered-Up Funnel Stixx that proved funnel cakes in any form are out of this world. Served with a delicious side of icing for dipping, I dare you not to have just one.

We had so much fun eating and catching up on our favorite sports that we cannot wait to go again! In an effort to share the Buffalo Wings and Rings love, I decided to put together a little Sips ‘n Snacks jar to surprise a friend and give them their own night out on the town (hopefully they bring me!) I love surprising friends with little surprises and a visit to Buffalo Wings and Rings is no exception.

My first stop was of course Buffalo Wings and Rings. I snagged a $20 gift card to start out the sports celebrations right. Next, I headed to the dollar store and put together the essentials for a little sip before you head out for a night of snacks and other treats! I was able to find things such as a mason jar, umbrella straws, flamingo drink stirrers and a beautiful scarf that coordinated if Buffalo Wings and Rings colors. I also grabbed some drink packets from my local grocer to finish off the jar. You could also add in an alcoholic drink mix if that’s more your fancy.

Collect your items and assemble into the jar. You can either mail or hand-delivery, but be sure to include the Buffalo Wings and Rings menu with it, so they can start day-dreaming about their favorite menu item. Might I recommend the Funnel Stixx?

The finished product is the perfect pick-me-up this summer to plan a girls’ night out, special date night or even to head out with the family. The sky’s the limit! Wings, Rings and all the pretty things!

——–{Leftovers Bonus}——–

If you happen to have leftovers (which is highly unlikely), snag two barbecue wings for a special leftovers recipe for the next morning. These Leftover Barbecue Wing Breakfast Quesadillas will add a little pizzazz to your morning and remind you of the big fun from the night before!

The ingredients are pretty simple. Dice up some green onions and shred your favorite cheese (I used colby jack). Dice up your leftover wings and scramble up two eggs.