If you’ve spent any time driving through East Mississippi, you know that the dining scene in Meridian is a weird, wonderful mix of old-school diners and heavy-hitting national chains. It’s the kind of place where you can get a world-class po-boy in a gas station or a massive plate of pasta in a converted historical building. But sometimes, you just want a beer and a wall of televisions. That brings us to Buffalo Wild Wings Meridian MS, located right in the heart of the city’s retail hub near Bonita Lakes.
It’s crowded.
I’m being serious. If there is a Mississippi State game on, or if the Saints are playing, or if it’s just a random Tuesday night with a decent UFC fight on the schedule, the lobby of this place fills up fast. People in Meridian take their sports—and their ranch dressing—very seriously.
Finding the Spot on Bonita Lakes Drive
You’ll find this particular B-Dubs at 101 Bonita Lakes Drive. It’s positioned perfectly for people who just finished spending way too much money at the nearby mall or families coming off the walking trails at the park. Honestly, the location is probably its biggest strength. You aren't tucked away in some obscure corner of the city. You’re right there in the middle of the action.
The Meridian location follows the classic "Stadia" design that the corporate office rolled out a few years back. Think big open spaces, high ceilings, and enough LED screens to make your eyes twitch if you stare at them too long. But here’s the thing: every B-Dubs has a different "vibe" depending on the local management. In Meridian, it feels a bit more like a community hub than a sterile corporate franchise. You’ll see local high school teams grabbing dinner after a game, and the staff usually recognizes the regulars who show up for every Monday Night Football kickoff.
The Menu Reality Check: Wings and the "Other" Stuff
We have to talk about the food because, let’s be real, that’s why you’re reading this. You probably already know about the 26 sauces and dry rubs. From the sugary-sweet Honey BBQ to the "I regret my life choices" heat of the Blazin’ Carolina Reaper, the options are well-documented.
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But have you actually tried the street tacos?
Most people ignore the non-wing items at Buffalo Wild Wings Meridian MS, which is a mistake. The brisket tacos are surprisingly decent for a place that specializes in poultry. That said, the traditional wings remain the gold standard here. One thing to keep in mind is the "BOGO" schedule. Traditionally, Tuesdays are for buy-one-get-one deals on traditional wings, while Thursdays cover the boneless variety. If you show up on a Wednesday expecting a deal, you’re going to be paying full price. Don’t say I didn't warn you.
What about the service?
This is where the reviews online get... colorful.
Service in any Meridian restaurant can be hit or miss depending on the night. It’s a town with a labor market that fluctuates. On a busy Saturday night when the SEC is in full swing, the servers are sprinting. You might have to wait an extra ten minutes for that refill of Mountain Dew Legend. If you go in with the mindset that you’re there for the atmosphere and not a five-star white-tablecloth experience, you’ll have a much better time.
The bar area is usually the fastest way to get served. If it’s just two of you, skip the hostess stand and head straight for the high-tops in the bar. You get the same menu, better views of the main screens, and usually a more attentive bartender who knows the tap list inside and out.
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Why This Location Matters to Meridian Sports Fans
Mississippi doesn't have a professional NFL or NBA team. This creates a vacuum that is filled by intense, almost religious devotion to college sports. When the Egg Bowl (Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State) happens, this location becomes a powder keg of friendly—and sometimes not-so-friendly—rivalry.
It’s the noise.
The acoustics in the Meridian B-Dubs aren't exactly designed for quiet conversation. If you’re looking for a romantic spot to propose, this isn't it. But if you want to be surrounded by people who will scream at the TV when a kicker misses a 30-yard field goal, you’ve found your tribe. They have a massive "video wall" that usually features the biggest game of the night, flanked by smaller screens showing everything from horse racing to cornhole championships.
Beyond the Wings: The Meridian Context
If you are visiting from out of town, you might wonder if there are better local options. Meridian has legendary spots like Weidmann’s or Harvest Grill. Those places are great. They are "Meridian" through and through. But Buffalo Wild Wings Meridian MS serves a different purpose. It’s the reliability factor. You know exactly what the spicy garlic sauce is going to taste like. You know the beer is going to be cold.
Sometimes, when you’re traveling through the I-20/I-59 corridor, you don’t want a culinary adventure. You want a familiar home base where you can check your fantasy football scores and eat some fried pickles.
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A Note on Takeout and Delivery
Since 2020, the takeout game in Meridian has changed. The B-Dubs app is actually pretty functional for the Bonita Lakes location. If you’re staying at one of the nearby hotels—like the Hilton Garden Inn or the Tru by Hilton—ordering through the app and doing a quick pickup is often faster than waiting for a table.
Just a heads-up: check your bag before you leave. With the volume of orders they handle on weekends, it’s not uncommon for a side of celery or a dipping sauce to go missing in the chaos.
Navigating the Peak Times
To have the best experience, you need to "game" the clock.
- Avoid: Friday nights between 6:30 PM and 8:30 PM unless you enjoy standing in a crowded entryway.
- Target: Late afternoon "Happy Hour" windows. The crowd is thinner, the service is snappy, and you can actually hear yourself think.
- The Lunch Crowd: It’s actually a solid lunch spot. They have "Fast Break" lunch deals that are designed to get you in and out in under 40 minutes, which is perfect if you’re on a tight schedule.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
Don't just walk in blindly. If you want to make the most of your time at the Meridian Buffalo Wild Wings, follow these specific steps:
- Join the Blazin’ Rewards program before you go. It sounds like a marketing gimmick, but the points add up fast, especially if you’re buying rounds of drinks for a group. You can often snag a free appetizer just for signing up.
- Ask about the local taps. While they carry the standard national brands, they occasionally rotate in Mississippi brews from places like Southern Prohibition (SoPro) out of Hattiesburg. It’s worth asking what’s on the "local" handle.
- Specific Seating. If you have kids, ask for a booth in the back corner away from the bar. It’s slightly quieter and gives the kids more room to wiggle without being in the path of the servers carrying heavy trays of beer.
- The Sauce Hack. You can ask for your wings to be "extra wet" or "double sauced." If you’re a fan of the dry rubs like Lemon Pepper or Desert Heat, ask them to toss the wings in a light coating of Buffalo sauce first for a flavor profile that hits different.
- Parking Strategy. The lot directly in front of the entrance fills up instantly. Don't waste ten minutes circling. Just park further down toward the theater side of the complex and walk the extra thirty seconds. Your sanity will thank you.
Whether you're a local or just passing through the Queen City, the Meridian B-Dubs is a consistent, high-energy staple of the local dining landscape. It isn't trying to be fancy. It’s trying to provide a place where you can eat wings, watch the Braves, and forget about work for an hour. In that regard, it hits the mark perfectly.