Judge dismisses Buffalo Wild Wings ‘boneless wings’ lawsuit; cooks weigh in

A federal decide has seemingly ended a debate that is been happening for years: Are “boneless wings” nonetheless thought of hen wings?

In a Feb. 17 determination, U.S. District Judge John Tharp Jr. dismissed a lawsuit towards Buffalo Wild Wings (BWW) for the chain’s use of the time period “boneless wings.”

The swimsuit was introduced by a buyer who argued the title was deceptive, claiming he anticipated an precise hen wing with out the bone.

FEDERAL JUDGE RULES ON WHETHER BUFFALO WILD WINGS CAN KEEP ‘BONELESS WINGS’ ON MENU

The buyer, Aimen Halim, mentioned that BWW’s product was extra like a hen nugget, a criticism Tharp mentioned had “no meat on its bones.”

Tharp pointed to a latest Ohio Supreme Court determination that mentioned no cheap diner thinks “chicken fingers” are constituted of fingers.

A buyer just lately sued Buffalo Wild Wings, arguing that “boneless wings” had been deceptive and extra like hen nuggets. (iStock)

Does this lawsuit put the controversy to mattress, or is there nonetheless a bone to select? Fox News Digital talked with cooks to search out out.

Carlo Filippone, founding father of the meal prep model The Chicken Pound, mentioned he sees either side of the argument.

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“A consumer unfamiliar with the brand may not understand the branding. … BWW’s boneless wings, however, are a menu item,” mentioned Filippone, based mostly in New Jersey.

“In the scheme of things, the consumers were not sold pork as chicken wings. They were sold a version of ‘wings.'”

Chefs mentioned the which means of “wings” has developed in fashionable restaurant tradition. (iStock)

In phrases of his private opinion, Filippone mentioned he sees a boneless wing as nearer to a nugget because of his expertise in meals manufacturing.

“But if I were simply a consumer … my mind would process that as an actual chicken wing,” he added.

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Darin Leonardson, a chef and the CEO of consulting firm Transformed Culinary Solutions based mostly in Texas, instructed Fox News Digital he believes boneless wings do “qualify as wings in today’s food culture.”

One chef mentioned boneless wings are nearer to nuggets in meals manufacturing, although customers might even see them otherwise. (iStock)

“While the classic Buffalo wing has deep roots in tradition, the boneless version has created accessibility for a much wider audience,” he mentioned.

He added that preferring boneless wings is not all the time about pickiness. In senior residing eventualities, for instance, residents would possibly battle with consuming bones however would “still want the flavor and experience.

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“It permits extra folks to take part in one thing that feels enjoyable and acquainted.”

While he remains a fan of bone-in wings, Leonardson said he appreciates the creativity that other chefs have brought to the concept, even cauliflower wings.

The court found that diners do not expect menu names like “hen fingers” or “boneless wings” to be literal. (iStock)

“The concept has developed in a means that features extra folks on the desk,” he said.

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Leonardson added, “At the tip of the day, nice meals ought to stability custom, taste, well being and accessibility, and boneless wings completely have a spot in that dialog.”

Ashley Carnahan of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.