Despite the rise of so many new dining trends, all-you-can-eat restaurants still survive. It’s quite surprising for some because the style is already deemed to be a bit outdated. With more and more people looking for social media worthy food shots and meals that they can’t make at home when dining out, buffets tend to go against the grain.
American Buffets like Golden Corral and Old Country Buffet (view prices here) tend to go the opposite direction since they serve home cooked style, American meals by the chafing dish. You won’t get fancy plated dishes here and you even have to get your food yourself. So how do they ride out the ever-changing dining trends?
1. They offer classic comfort food.
Sure, trying out different cuisines is fun and exciting. The variety is amazing if you’re the type who gets sick of eating the same things over and over again.
However, there are times that we just want to eat the stuff we’re familiar with and dishes we pretty much grew up eating. The nostalgia and familiarity adds to the dining experience, so many seek it. For these moments, it’s best to head to a classic American-style AYCE buffet so you can have lots of options to choose from without hurting your wallet.
Then, of course, there are also those folks who aren’t fond of trying out unfamiliar food items. The selection in these eateries will certainly appeal to them. And if some didn’t, at least they have lots of other options that they can consume in large amounts.
2. You won’t get bored with the options.
While American cuisine isn’t as exciting and exotic as other nation’s offerings, it doesn’t mean that it’s boring. This is especially true with your buffet options. There are lots of American home cooking style all-you-can-eat restaurants that will give you different dining options.
Take the Souplantation for example. It’s an American-style buffet but it features healthier dishes on the menu. So instead of packing on the carbs here, you can get your fill on their salad bar and other lighter options. Gaia’s Garden also has a similar concept.
Pizza buffets are also available like CiCi’s Pizza Buffet. They exclusively serve pizza, you can get endless slices of this famous dish on your visit. It’s definitely a different kind of experience but still truly American even though pizza is from Italy.
3. They’re perfect for the whole family.
Dining out with the entire family can be a nightmare for some due to clashing opinions and preferences. There are times that you can’t even agree on a restaurant to visit because others don’t like the food they serve there.
In American-style buffets, however, their large spread will definitely have something for everyone. There will always be a number of dishes that will tickle every family member’s fancy that everyone will go home with full tummies.
Buffets are also very family friendly, in general. Their wholesome atmosphere is perfect for folks of all ages. Some places feel like you can’t bring your kids in because of how stuffy they can be. Buffets, on the other hand, are busy enough so you don’t have to worry too much about your little ones creating a ruckus. With how hectic these places can be, no one would mind if there are kids being kids nearby.
4. They offer great value.
If there’s one thing that American-style buffets excel in like no other, it would be in how they provide exceptional value for the money. They’re fantastically affordable and will let you eat as much as you possibly can for so little money.
Despite the cheap price tag, however, they still offer great menu items. Lots of people go to Golden Corral to enjoy large amounts of their high-value offerings like their USDA Signature Sirloin Steaks and Pot Roast. At HomeTown Buffet, you can also get grilled strip steak, pot roast, and roast beef. So, if you’re not very particular about quality but you just want to indulge on classic dishes that usually cost a pretty penny, these AYCE eateries will definitely be great destinations for you.
Of course, there’s also the fact that you can eat a lot in these restaurants without breaking the bank. They sometimes even let little kids eat free, giving parents more bang for their buck. So if you don’t really have a lot of budget but you want to dine out and eat a lot, then these places are perfect for you.
Conclusion
While all-you-can-eat diners are not as popular as they once were, many of them, especially the affordable American-style ones, can still pack their dining halls on the regular. The charm of unlimited comfort food is not something a lot of people can resist. Even foodies will step into these places from time to time just for nostalgia and the chance to take advantage of the abundance of food.
So yes, it can still be said that American buffets still have their charm. And it seems like they will never lose it for a long while.