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All-you-can-eat buffet restaurants are back
CNN ^ | Fri May 5, 2023 | Nathaniel Meyersohn

Posted on 05/07/2023 3:57:37 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican

The Covid-19 pandemic crushed all-you-can-eat buffets.

The owner of Old Country Buffet and Furr’s Fresh Buffet filed for bankruptcy in 2021. About the same time, so did Cicis and the owner of Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes. Operators cited occupancy restrictions, bans and health concerns. But now buffets are making a comeback.

In March, visits to three leading buffets — Golden Corral, Cicis, and Pizza Ranch — were up 125% from January of 2021, according to data from Placer.ai, which tracks foot traffic at restaurants and stores.

That figure outpaced the growth of visits to fast-casual chains and full-service restaurants during the period, according to Placer.

“The higher quality concepts that stuck it out are reaping some rewards, like Golden Corral and Pizza Ranch,” said Jonathan Maze, the editor-in-chief at trade publication Restaurant Business Magazine.

(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...


TOPICS: Food
KEYWORDS: buffets; food; t2diabetes
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To: digger48

Along with Alvin the Hutt!


21 posted on 05/07/2023 4:26:01 PM PDT by No name given (Anonymous is who you’ll know me as)
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To: nesnah

Just like “reverend” William buffet slayer Barber!


22 posted on 05/07/2023 4:26:37 PM PDT by No name given (Anonymous is who you’ll know me as)
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To: RandallFlagg

A year ago I paid for the rehearsal dinner for my sons wedding at the Denver location. Fed 60 people good food, including wine, tax and tip for $1800. Very nice place


23 posted on 05/07/2023 4:28:12 PM PDT by j.havenfarm (22 years on Free Republic, 12/10/22! more then 6500 replies and still not shutting up!)
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To: MinorityRepublican

This is anti-Lizzo.


24 posted on 05/07/2023 4:31:17 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: MinorityRepublican

In college, I used to go to a local buffet with a friend who was a legendary eater. The owner of this buffet upon seeing my friend show up would oftentimes put his head in his hands, and on one occasion, I believe I saw him weep a tiny bit as my buddy strode to the buffet.

My friend bulldozed the place. I saw him once take an entire meatloaf off the table, eat it in 5 minutes, and when they put a new meatloaf out, he took that one too. I’ll never forget the look on the face of the owner...


25 posted on 05/07/2023 4:32:05 PM PDT by LongWayHome
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To: Renfrew

Biden is fixing the real value of your bank account.

I used to like buffet as well, but now I find I prefer to just cook it myself unless it is something I can’t like fried chicken. Then some of the grocery store chains have it a lot cheaper than a restaurant.


26 posted on 05/07/2023 4:34:37 PM PDT by alternatives?
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To: MinorityRepublican

Closest one nearest 25 miles away, Golden Corral. $20. All you can eat.


27 posted on 05/07/2023 4:42:35 PM PDT by roving (👌⚓)
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To: MinorityRepublican

Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes....
I loved that place. The soups were excellent and always changing every two weeks. and I like a huge salad once a week. Our local Golden Coral also closed during the scamdemic.

The three local Chinese buffets survived the lockdowns.


28 posted on 05/07/2023 4:46:37 PM PDT by dennisw
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To: MinorityRepublican

Good news for Chris Christie.


29 posted on 05/07/2023 5:00:03 PM PDT by tennmountainman ( Less Lindell CONS, More AZ Style Audits)
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To: MinorityRepublican

My fav memories of Buffetts were the old Banquet Table Buffetts. Early 90s…They had large wooden tables and chairs and Heraldry up on the walls.

Good food and cheeep! Those days are gone forever even if they come back the low prices won’t—-Build Back Better has made sure of that.

Man and to think we had it so good and didn’t even realize it 😂😭.


30 posted on 05/07/2023 5:03:09 PM PDT by Phoenix8 (8th century.)
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To: Phoenix8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ekKPZx6VjM


31 posted on 05/07/2023 5:04:32 PM PDT by Phoenix8 (8th century.)
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To: MinorityRepublican

I gave up buffets living in a rougher part of town when I unfortunately, went on “peel and eat shrimp and crab leg night”

It was the most disgusting thing I have ever seen in a restaurant. Loud obnoxious children being sent by their ginormously obese parents to get another plate of shrimps. The worst was licking their fingers right at the serving tray.

If I am that hungry I will just get another plate of fries. q


32 posted on 05/07/2023 5:07:14 PM PDT by Organic Panic (Democrats. Memories as short as Joe Biden's eyes)
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To: MinorityRepublican

I never cared for buffets. I’d never get my money’s worth.

I’m a pretty small woman (gasp!).
A box full of leftovers makes for good grazing in the evening or lunch the next day.


33 posted on 05/07/2023 5:13:39 PM PDT by mplsconservative
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To: MinorityRepublican
I've been meeting friends at Turning Stone casino here in central New York State, once a month. Before the scamdemic closed everything, we'd have lunch at the all-you-can-eat buffet, usually on a Friday, because every Friday was senior day at the buffet. They had a DJ who would play oldies, and they had a dance floor for people who chose to get up and dance.

They always had a nice selection of food...Mexican fare, American, Chinese, breakfast and pasta bar, seafood, along with a decent salad and dessert bar. They also had a section featuring sliced prime rib, turkey, or roast beef...pork, along with the trimmings, was also available. And the prices were decent. Even though we only met once a month back then, each month the casino gave you incentives to visit...like $15 free plays, once a week, and a $10 voucher for a meal for the month.

Just prior to the lockdown, they closed the buffet, and once they reopened, the area had been turned into a sports betting venue. They eventually opened a new buffet, but it's only open Thursday, Friday, Saturday evening, Sunday for brunch and dinner. Their prices, depending on the day, run from $36.99 to $39.99. There's no way I'd pay that amount to eat there. When we'd go to the old buffet, we took turns paying for each other's meal, and it usually came out to about $40 for the three of us. As well, the casino took away the incentives they offered. The only way you can get a free-play now is to earn 100 points in one day, which you'd have to spend a lot of money to earn, based on their point-earning system. They also took away the meal voucher. There is really no reason to go there anymore since the only people they offer incentives to, are the big spenders.

34 posted on 05/07/2023 5:17:56 PM PDT by mass55th ("Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway." ~~ John Wayne )
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To: MinorityRepublican

Funny you mention that. My son and I just made a date to go to the local Chinese Buffet next weekend. Wish us luck.


35 posted on 05/07/2023 5:19:51 PM PDT by McGruff (Don't underestimate Joe's ability to f*** things up - Barack Obama)
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To: roving
"Closest one nearest 25 miles away, Golden Corral. $20. All you can eat."

Back when the economy started going bad at the end of George W. Bush's second term, Ponderosa re-opened their restaurant about a half-hour away from me. Then the scamdemic came along, and it closed again, never to reopen. The only other buffets around here are the Chinese buffets. I've never done any of them, preferring to do my own stir-fry at home, or ordering from a local Chinese restaurant if I don't feel like cooking. The only chain restaurant we have here is Applebee's. If you want to eat at a Red Robin, Chili's, Outback, etc., you have to drive an hour to Syracuse, which I'm not about to do. Whenever I visit my old son who lives in Troy, New York, we usually head to Outback. I love their Alice Springs Chicken and Bloomin' Chicken dish.

36 posted on 05/07/2023 5:25:52 PM PDT by mass55th ("Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway." ~~ John Wayne )
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To: Organic Panic
It was the most disgusting thing I have ever seen in a restaurant. Loud obnoxious children being sent by their ginormously obese parents to get another plate of shrimps. The worst was licking their fingers right at the serving tray.

That's why I don't like buffets. Even if a restaurant is offering a buffet that night, usually I order something from the menu instead.

37 posted on 05/07/2023 5:27:54 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
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To: MinorityRepublican

Sweet Tomatos and Soup Plantation were favorites of mine. I loved some of their soups — especially their cream of mushroom and their Albondigas Locas (Mexican Crazy Meatball soup).

Fred’s Southern is a good one too.

I’m glad to hear they might be coming back.


38 posted on 05/07/2023 5:28:27 PM PDT by Mermaid Girl
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To: MinorityRepublican
Being back Sweet Tomato's!
39 posted on 05/07/2023 5:29:07 PM PDT by cowboyusa (IT'S TIME TO PLAY COWBOYS AND MARXISTS!)
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To: Mermaid Girl

Ha beat me by 2 Minutes.


40 posted on 05/07/2023 5:30:37 PM PDT by cowboyusa (IT'S TIME TO PLAY COWBOYS AND MARXISTS!)
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