The economics of buffets

[MillCreek]

https://thehustle.co/the-economics-of-all-you-can-eat-buffets/

Buffets don't have much market penetration up here.  I can think of a couple of local casinos, and that is about it.  There was a Golden Corral about ten miles away, but they closed.

[Boomhauer]

My issue with buffets is most are way overpriced for mediocre food. We can eat at a better chain restaurant for the cost of Golden Corral.

[Perd Hapley]

Doesn't seem complicated. Churn out a bunch of food, and let people help themselves. Cheap, obviously. Churches do it for free.

[French G.]

I like buffets occasionally. All you can eat sushi lately.

[RoadKingLarry]

I used to be a big fan of the buffet. Now though the disgusting behavior of the people at the ones I've been to in the last several years has put me off of them.

[brimic]

I used to be a big fan of the buffet. Now though the disgusting behavior of the people at the ones I've been to in the last several years has put me off of them.

I can't stand buffets for the same reason.

One thing I saw that kind of grossed me out and made me sad at the same time was the last time I was at a Golden Corral several years ago.
There was a busload of people who came in- all morbidly obese, who came in and sat at a long table. They sat there and ate for hours*, I'm pretty sure they made and entire day of it. It was almost as if it were some sort of gluttony tour.

*kids birthday party- I took a large group of kids to Golden corral for lunch, then laser tag a block or two away. When we left laser tag, maybe 3.5-4hrs after we first stopped at Golden Corral, the tour bus was still at Golden corral.

[MechAg94]

That was my issue with Golden Corral (and Ryan's which was similar).  It is a feed trough with mediocre food.  On weekdays at lunch when the price was under $10, it was close to reasonable.  Even the better foods at some like steak or shrimp or fired chicken are not all that great.  It just might be different from what you would normally eat at home.

The other issue is I just don't like pigging out at a meal anymore. 

Chinese buffets are usually at least food I don't normally eat and I can sample different things.  However, I end up eating pepper steak and rice anyway.  Pizza buffets are out there as well, but often you can order a pizza for cheaper than a couple of buffet plates. 

[Ben]

Mostly if I want to save money on a meal (which I usually don't) I'll do fast food over a buffet. I'll do a Chinese buffet. I don't know why I make the distinction that they are "cleaner", but to me they are.

Otherwise, as an example, if I'm staying at some road motel and they have a free or reduced cost breakfast deal with some adjoining restaurant that involves a buffet, I'll pretty much always just ask for a regular menu, get the steak and eggs or something, pay the full price, and avoid the food trough. That's just me.

[K Frame]

I like Chinese buffets, but anymore buffets just aren't on my regular menu, and when presented with an all you can eat buffet I tend to over eat like mad.

I will do the "Taste of Asia" and "Taste of Italy" buffets at the Wegman's grocery store across the street once a month or so. They have some really decent stuff, but it's expensive ($10 per pound) and I'm cheap.

[Brad Johnson]

When a friend of mine's family gets together they have seven teenage boys to feed. To them, an AYCE buffet is a gift from Heaven. Personally, my attitude towards them depends on my mood. Some days it's nice to have a variety. Others, I just want something quick and cheap.

Brad

[zxcvbob]

I don't like them; the price is a little too high, so I try to get my money's worth and I eat too much.  If the price was lower I would eat less, or fill up on salad because I like salad and they often have really good salad bars.

There is an all-you-can-eat sushi place we go to occasionally.  You order off the menu and they bring it to you, when you are finished (or about finished) you can order more.  They will charge you if you leave too much food on your plate (but then you can take that home if you want) -- you can have all you want but you can't waste it.  I think it's $15 for lunch and $30 for dinner.  I'm not sure if it's the same menu but I think so.  I prefer the lunch, mainly for that eat too much to get my money's worth thing.

[makattak]

When a friend of mine's family gets together they have seven teenage boys to feed. To them, an AYCE buffet is a gift from Heaven. Personally, my attitude towards them depends on my mood. Some days it's nice to have a variety. Others, I just want something quick and cheap.

Brad

Ten years from today, I will have 4 teenagers in my home.

THANKFULLY (well, on the food front, at least), only one of them is a boy, but the girls will also have some serious metabolisms, judging from their mother and I.

Buffets will be a godsend.

As for now, I'm fine with them. We probably go to a buffet twice a year, and the children enjoy it. The price is similar to what we'd get at nearly any other restaurant (while they have children's prices) and it's a nice variety.

It's not amazing food, but it is good.

[makattak]

I don't like them; the price is a little too high, so I try to get my money's worth and I eat too much.  If the price was lower I would eat less, or fill up on salad because I like salad and they often have really good salad bars.

OH! This is my favorite buffet story:

As I was heading up to fill my plate, I heard a teenage girl (completely unknown to me) saying to her mother- "I think I just want a little salad".

It took every ounce of self-control not to turn around and shout "What's wrong with you!?" at that. Salad?? At a buffet??? Go get a bag salad from Kroger and eat in the car.

[brimic]

When I have to feed my teens on the cheap, I found this as the ticket:  https://www.meijer.com/shop/en/deli/prepared-meals-sides/sandwiches/meijer-super-sub-26-oz/p/21419900000

Just bring your own mayo or mustard.

ETA: since I discovered these, I buy 2 per week, cut them up into sections and put them into my lunch.

[K Frame]

Years ago a friend and I hit an all you can eat sushi buffet. We DESTROYED that place... :)

I've not been to one since, but I'd go in a heartbeat.

There are a couple of decent sushi restaurants near me. I should hit one up; it's been way too long since I had good sushi.


In Thurmont, Maryland, there's a restaurant that has a home cooking buffet that's all you can eat. Or at least it used to have it, I've not been there in 20+ years. It was REALLY good. According to them, everything was made fresh there. OK, according to google, the place is still there and is still considered to be a GREAT home cooking buffet.

[230RN]

"Eat only until you are not hungry."

[K Frame]

"Eat only until you are not hungry."

You've never been to America, have you?

Now remember! Eat as FAST as you can! That way you can eat your money's worth before you feel full!

And don't forget to get your refillable mega jug of sugar soda!

[brimic]

You've never been to America, have you?

 

I'm with 230RN on this... I used to like to eat to the point where I had to focus conscientiously on my labored breathing in fears that I might die of decreased lung capacity... These days, I eat just enough to get by and drink very little alcohol- because the pain is higher and the recovery times seem longer.

[Angel Eyes]

[AJ Dual]

The trick is to leverage the coupons, even better, the contests the buffets run.

At Golden Corral if you find the fingernail in the chocolate fountain you get the meal free, if you find the dentures you get the monthly pass.

[WLJ]

At Golden Corral if you find the fingernail in the chocolate fountain you get the meal free, if you find the dentures you get the monthly pass.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1O9_RVik_Q

[French G.]

Oh, and Wood Grill which is like a much better Golden Corral. But I have the ability to eat everything I take and quit when I get full. I used to make the buffets lose money. Now it is just to hang out with my dad.

[K Frame]

Anyone who goes anywhere near the chocolate fountain in a place like that is an idiot.

[Larry Ashcraft]

only one of them is a boy, but the girls will also have some serious metabolisms, judging from their mother and I.

We have an 18 year old boy and 15 year old twin girls.  The girls are easily a match for the boy.  In fact, you better get what you need on the first trip, because they usually don't leave any leftovers.

Since I've gotten older and less active, my appetite has decreased, so a buffet isn't a good choice for me.  Unless it's a sushi buffet...

[Silver Bullet]

I like brunch buffets, but they tend to be too expensive.

I do like the Sunday breakfast buffet at Bob's Burgers and Brew.  Seniors eat for $13 (it was $11 last year), and that includes omelettes made on the spot, Eggs Benedict, and all the sausage and bacon I want, among other things.   

Does not include the $3 coffee.