Walking into Buffa Louie's, you immediately feel like you are in the quintessential college wing place. From the wooden interior to the flat screen TVs covering the walls, this restaurant screams small-town sports bar. It also doesn't hurt that the restaurant is located just across the street from the iconic Sample Gates and just around the corner from the equally beloved Kirkwood Ave. It's easy to picture yourself inside with a plate of wings and an Indiana Men's Basketball game on the TV. Since its founding in 1987, Buffa Louie's has always prided itself in using fresh ingredients to make their original family recipes. This dedication to quality and tradition has earned the restaurant numerous awards, including being voted one of the top ten wing joints in the country by USA Today, and being recognized on Foursquare for having the best wings in the state of Indiana. The place is clearly a fan favorite based on the sheer number of people you'll see inside on any night of the week. If you go on a Friday or Saturday night especially, you'll experience the hustle and bustle of orders being yelled over the loud speakers and excited fans cheering on their favorite team. So, if you're looking for a nice, quiet lunch or dinner experience, this place definitely is not for you. On the Friday evening that I went to Buffa Louie's for dinner, it was very busy and there was a lot of commotion throughout the restaurant. I made my way to the counter to place my order, boneless sweet BBQ wings (obviously) with a side of their classic curly fries, and then I went about finding a place to sit. Now, for those new to Buffa Louie's, being able to find a table for you and a friend during busy hours is a real skill and if you're coming with a large group then you're seriously going to need some kind of game plan. This usually involves circling the restaurant multiple times until you're lucky enough to find an empty booth to slide into. Once my friends and I had a table we waited to hear our names called on the mic and then proceeded to wave our hands in the air until we were sure the server had a clear visual on us. The food arrived hot and smelling delicious and I couldn't wait to dig in. The wings were some of the best I've ever had, like Buffalo Wild Wings wishes they could do what Buffa Louie's is doing. The fries were a nice accompaniment to the meal and, while there wasn't really anything special about them, they definitely weren't bad. Overall, I would say Buffa Louie's is a great place to get together with friends, have a good meal, and maybe watch a game. The staff is friendly and even the other customers are social and inviting. You feel like a part of the community when you're inside Buffa Louie's and anyone who's spent enough time in B-town knows how important that feeling is. (508) read more

I'm reviewing as a former employee who left a management position on good terms. I contacted the owner by email on June 27th to order some sauce (a little-known service) to be mailed to my home. After my email went unanswered for a week, I called the store directly. There was no one available to help me with my request and I was directed to call at a different time. On my second phone call, I was told that someone would call me back with more information. This did not happen. A couple days later, I called again and spoke with one of the owners who promptly took care of my order, wondering why no one was able to help me before. I received the bottles of sauce a few days later, but three of the five bottles were broken. I called the store the same day and informed one of the owners of my problem. I was instructed to send an email as a reminder to fix the problem. I waited a week after sending the email before contacting a general manager. The GM told me that he would remind the owner to solve the problem. After two or three more weeks of me calling to check on the status of my order, I was told, again by the owner, that the sauce would ship. Today is August 13th. It has been almost 50 days since my initial request and I still don't have the sauce I paid just over $40 for in July. You guys messed up and failed to fix it, time and time again. It shouldn't matter that I'm a former employee because now I am a customer paying full price for inexcusably poor service. EDIT: Received replacement sauce bottles 8/20/2012, intact. Case closed, review upgraded to 2/5 stars. read more

Buffa Louie's stands out as the premier spot for chicken wings and burgers in Bloomington. Their reputation for serving up some of the best wings and burgers around is well-deserved. The flavors are spot on, with a variety of sauces that complement the perfectly cooked wings and the burgers are hearty and satisfying. The service at Buffa Louie's is both quick and friendly. I had a friend, Ethan, who used to work here, and he always spoke highly of the teamwork and the fun environment. This friendliness is a hallmark of Buffa Louie's, making every visit enjoyable. Beyond the great food, the atmosphere is infused with a genuine college spirit. The walls are adorned with sports memorabilia, adding to the nostalgic and vibrant decor. It's not just a place to eat; it's a place to relive college memories or make new ones. Additionally, Buffa Louie's offers unique weekly events like chess on Wednesdays, adding a fun and intellectual twist to the usual dining experience. This blend of top-notch food, speedy service, and a fun-filled atmosphere makes Buffa Louie's a must-visit in Bloomington. Whether you're a local, a student, or just passing through, it's the perfect spot to enjoy a taste of college life alongside some of the best wings and burgers you can find. read more

Their wings, sides, burgers, etc. are phenomenal. Cool location and great decor but very limited seating. You have to order at the counter then seat yourself and hear for your name to be yelled out which is sort of a hassle. Aside from their food the manager/owner/whatever is a total dick head. I've been to this restaurant a few times, one time he was the one taking my order and he heckled me for ordering the boneless wings to the point where it became annoying, another time I was with my family when they were super busy and the manager was busing tables and he asked our party to leave because other people were trying to sit down. We still had 2 pitchers of beer left and some food, it's a damn sports bar man, people don't just eat and leave. The management honestly makes this place not worth going to, I suggest going to Buffalo Wild Wings. read more

This place is great. I've been going there for years and have never been disappointed. The service is always excellent. The atmosphere is really cool. They have done so much to make a really nice place to eat, watch a game, or just hang out. It is easliy the favorite place for my teenage kids and their friends to eat. The wings are the best in town, with a great selection of sauces. Their burgers, fries, sandwiches and salads are always tasty and fresh. My favorite is their Cobb Salad. They have recently added a pot roast to the menu. It's out of this world. With all the soulless cookie cutter restaurants out there, Bloomington is truly blessed to have a gem like Buffa Louie's. read more

I choose Buffa Louis's several times a month . . . appreciate the variety of choices that suit my varying moods. Whatever I select is always made with fresh ingredients . . . skillfully prepared . . . abundantly portioned. You won't find too many places with a five star salad (the Cobb) and the best burger in town ( the Sweet Lou). Wings . . . AWESOME! The historic building is uniquely Bloomington . . . worth a visit for that reason alone. Be sure to ask for wet-naps at the counter or you'll be licking your fingers a lot! read more

Chicken wings aren't on my diet as a rule, but Buffas gives more than a nod to those who may be there for healthier fare. The salads are INCREDIBLE - veggies you'd swear were growing in the back room and picked when you ordered. Great add-ons like avocado, egg, turkey, chicken. Staff makes you feel like you're the only person in the place and it's rare not to have the owners greet or interact with you at some point in your visit. read more

I love Buffa Louie's. The food is fantastic. Sweet Lou, prime rib sandwich is to die for and the cobb salad is as fresh and crispy as it gets. Tastes just like it was picked from the garden. The food is what I go for, but the friendly atmosphere keeps me coming back time after time. Jamie and Ed are GREAT ambassadors of the campus, City of Bloomington, and Hoosiers. read more

Although famous for their wings and great sandwiches Buffa Louie's has the best Cobb Salad in town! It is always fresh and delicious. The food is only made better by the fun atmosphere and prompt friendly service. If you aren't a member of the rewards program they offer, you are missing a wonderful opportunity to save some money while you enjoy great food. read more

This place is great. A unique Bloomington experience. Everything from the decor, to the food (way more than just wings) , and especially the service is fantastic. And if for some reason something isn't right (which is very rare but let's face it nobody is perfect.), Ed (the owner) will make it right. read more

Pretty solid wings. Some of the flavors are too salty for my taste (Korean bbq). The classic buffalo sauces are prefect! The tots are always hot with a crispy outside. They can be crowded at times since IU students love this place. Much faster than Buffalo Wild Wings! read more

BuffaLouie's is my main stop for lunch in Bloomington. What a great menu of choices. For me the wings and the Potroast sandwich top the list. The staff is always friendly and helpful. Great atmosphere and wonderful Bloomington tradition. read more

Buffalouies at Indiana University is a wings joint that will leave you craving more. The Asian Zing and Sweet BBQ are a delight for your taste buds. The service is fantastic, and the ambiance is cozy. A must-visit for wing enthusiasts! read more

Look. The TV had lots of things playing on them. Lots of sports movies. Lots of other movies. As for The Borat Movies? NONE! CAN'T BELIEVE THE RACISM IN THIS COUNTRY Ps buy my movie: The Borat The Film Movie read more

This is by far the best place in Bloomington to get wings!!! Never disappointed when we come to town and make our trip downtown to have some amazing wings. Great service and family friendly atmosphere. read more

The great buffalo smells are up and down the street. Yes, that's coming from Buffa Louie's, my favorite place to get great wings when in Bloomington. If you like wings, you've gotta try this place. read more

What can I say wing game strong some of the other food (non bar food) not quite up to snuff. I had many cocktails and left with a smile. Overall a good experience. read more

Great food, great sauces, great staff. Well worth the money. If you appreciate quality food at reasonable prices this place is for you.

This place has great flavors! Try to go at odd times to avoid the crowds. Food comes out pretty quick, the food is made to order.