Duff's Famous Wings — Restaurant in Town of Amherst

Review of Duff's Famous Wings in the North Towns (Amherst), Buffalo, NY

My visit to Duff’s Famous Wings on Sheridan Drive in Amherst was a fantastic dive into Buffalo’s wing culture. We ordered hot, medium, and parmesan wings, paired with a loganberry cider, and it was a flavorful, satisfying meal that hit all the right notes.

Hot Wings: True to Duff’s reputation, the hot wings were fiery, marked by their “MEDIUM IS HOT” warning. The cayenne-based sauce delivered a bold, lingering heat that didn’t sacrifice flavor. Crispy skin, juicy meat, and a generous slathering of sauce made these a go-to for spice enthusiasts. Intense but not punishing, they’re a classic Buffalo wing done right.

Medium Wings: The medium wings, which Duff’s considers “hot,” were the sweet spot. They had a rich, buttery buffalo sauce with a manageable heat level that won’t leave you gasping. The wings were perfectly fried, with a crunchy exterior that held up under the sauce. These were the most crowd-pleasing, ideal for anyone wanting authentic Buffalo flavor without too much fire.

Parmesan Wings: These wings were a delightful surprise. The sauce blended a garlicky, cheesy parmesan coating with a subtle tangy kick, offering a savory twist on the traditional buffalo style. They were crispy, saucy, and packed with umami, making them a standout for anyone looking to mix things up. The parmesan added a rich depth that kept us grabbing for more.

Loganberry Cider: The loganberry cider was a Buffalo classic and the perfect drink to complement the wings. Its sweet-tart flavor refreshed the palate and cooled the spice, especially after the hot wings. It’s a must-order for that authentic local experience.

Ambiance and Service: The Amherst location has a quintessential wing joint feel—casual, sporty, and welcoming, with a lively crowd. The staff was attentive and efficient, delivering steaming-hot wings and checking in just enough. It’s the kind of place where you feel like a regular, even on your first visit.

Overall: Duff’s delivers on its legendary status. The hot and medium wings nailed the traditional Buffalo experience, while the parmesan wings brought a deliciously unique flair. The loganberry cider tied it all together with local charm. Bring napkins—these wings are saucy in the best way. A must-visit for wing lovers in Buffalo.

Rating: 4.9/5 stars—only docking .1 point because the heat scale might catch novices off guard. Start with medium or parmesan if you’re unsure, and you’ll...

High expectations that just did not deliver.

Coming from Toronto, we always hear about how well known Buffalo is for their top tier Chicken Wings. After a little research, we discovered the famous Duff’s Wing chain in Buffalo so we set our maps and went on our way.

Upon arrival, the restaurant has a very homey feeling. Could imagine coming here after baseball practice with the family to some nice hot wings. The inside of the restaurant is a blast from a different time.

The service here was very good for us, our server was busy handling her tables but she made sure to take care of us and repeatedly ask if we were in need of anything.

Now on to the menu. First of all, the prices here are actually quite high in my opinion. Most deals here roughly have you spending $1.75-2 per wing, but thankfully there are decent deals that include the likes of sides and drinks. Our table of three got two of the $19.99 10 wings + two sides deal, which ended up being more than enough food for us.

As for the the food itself, this is where personal opinion and taste come into play as we were greatly disappointed by these wings. Firstly, a good chunk of our wings were cooked well additionally, the wings themselves were decently sized. The flavour themselves is where it is lacklustre, as other reviews have stated, the spicy sauces tend to be high in vinegar content. This may just be because of how used to us Canadians are to the wing flavours up here, but the famous Buffalo sauce just doesn’t do it for us. The spicy bbq sauce was slightly better but still not worth the price. The sides as well were lacking as they felt like they were just store bought frozen fries and onion rings. Additionally the salad was slightly brown and was served with a packet of salad dressing…with no expiration date weirdly enough.

Overall, we really walked in here with high expectations which may have been the downfall of this review as the food itself just did not deliver. Try it out for yourself, you may well adore the Buffalo sauce, but as for us it was...

This was one of the most disrespectful experiences I have ever had at a restaurant. Duff’s made it very clear they do not welcome anyone who wants to celebrate anything.

We were a group of four family members there for my sister’s birthday. The food was bad, with terrible wings, but what truly shocked us was how we were treated the moment we mentioned we were there for a celebration.

I told our server that my husband had stepped out to get a slice of cake to surprise my sister. Instead of showing even a basic level of courtesy or professionalism, she immediately said, “We close in 10 minutes,” dropped the check at the table, and walked away without another word. There was no consideration, no flexibility, and absolutely no respect for the fact that we had just finished a 17-hour road trip to be there together as a family.

When my husband came back with the cake, she returned only to say the restaurant was already closed and all tables had been cleaned. At the same time, another large group was still seated, eating and talking without being rushed.

I explained how unnecessary and rude this treatment was, especially when we were simply trying to honor a family member’s birthday.

A manager came over, not to listen or apologize, but to defend the server’s actions with an unprofessional attitude. It honestly felt like he was protecting a personal connection with her rather than addressing our concerns as paying customers.

We left feeling completely disrespected. As we walked out, the other group was still seated, undisturbed, and continuing their meal. There was absolutely no reason for us to be treated this way, other than the fact that we were trying to celebrate a birthday.

Duff’s does not just serve disappointing food. They actively go out of their way to make people feel unwelcome if they are marking a special occasion. If you are celebrating anything meaningful, stay far away from...