SouthCoast's Strangest Restaurant Policy

We all know that feeling of just really craving something. I’m not talking about something basic and non-specific. I mean wings. Not just any wings, but bone-in Buffalo wings.

It was approaching lunchtime yesterday when I decided that I was in the mood for some wings. I picked up the phone and called in an order of bone-in Buffalo wings from a chain restaurant. I couldn't wait to sink my teeth into the chicken and make sure I got all the meat off of the bone.

After some small talk with the staff – they've got a great group of people working at this location – I picked up my wings, came back to my office, opened up the box, and saw a serving of Buffalo tenders. They weren't bone-in like the wings I had been craving.

I try not to be picky, but I was just in the mood for good, old-fashioned wings. I wasn't sure if they gave me the wrong order, or if they accidentally gave me tenders instead of wings.

I drove back to the restaurant and asked them if we could switch them out. The server went back to put in the order. He had a funny look on his face when he came back.

"Unfortunately, we don't have bone-in wings for take-out anymore," he shrugged.

"But you still have them?" I asked.

"Yes, we have them, but we no longer serve them for take-out."

There was a second or two of silence as I processed what he was saying. I was stunned.

"I know, it's weird," he explained, "But it's a corporate thing."

Huh? Why in the world would a restaurant have bone-in Buffalo wings, but only allow them to be served if someone is dining in?

"So you're saying I could sit down and eat them here, but I can't take them out?"

"I know, it's weird," he repeated.

I left the restaurant, went back to my office, and ate the Buffalo tenders which, in all fairness, were pretty darned good. They just weren't what I was craving.

I can't stop trying to come up with a reason why corporate would not allow customers to take out their Buffalo wings.

Gazelle's theory was that the bones could be a choking hazard, causing a liability issue, but there are countless restaurants on the SouthCoast that serve wings for take-out.

Maddie said I should sat down, ordered the bone-in wings, eaten one of them, and asked to pack up the rest.

I can't stress enough that this is a great restaurant with terrific staff and delicious food (including wings). It's hard not to feel like corporate is getting in the way, as is the case in so many other industries.