The heyday for all-you-can-eat buffets might be in the past but if you know where to go,
you can still find your unlimited satisfaction in the form of an unending dinner plate.
Here's our ranking of all-you-can-eat buffets, from worst to first.
This all-you-can-eat buffet known primarily for their pizza is an inexpensive restaurant
option but if you succumb to the cheapness, you'll soon regret not shelling out more money
for a real meal.
The pizza crust is stiff and flavorless, and you can taste the cost-cutting measures in
the rest of the bland ingredients.
With each bite you take from the buffet, no matter if it's pizza or one of their newer
concoctions, your regret will grow and the money you saved won't be able to overshadow
your dissatisfaction.
“What the heck is that?!”
“Who puts broccoli on pizza?”
“That’s it, I’m done.”
“Congratulations, San Francisco, you've ruined pizza!”
As the name suggests, Souper Salad offers primarily all-you-care-to-eat soup or salad,
but what you get is atrocious.
The salad options are disappointingly limited and, and if you want to try the soup, you
sometimes have to do so blindly because Souper Salad has a bad habit of not labeling the
different options.
Ultimately, whichever soup you select will be a letdown.
Even worse?
Most Souper Salads also have a taco bar, but it's not worth trying, either.
Bummer.
Shoney's has been around since 1947, so you might have good childhood memories of this
restaurant.
But don't let your memories fool you, Shoney's isn't a place you should go to if you want
good food.
In theory, Shoney's all-you-can-eat food bar is a bargain, as it promises everything from
fried chicken to fruit.
But in reality, it's usually just gross.
The problem with Shoney's isn't necessarily the ingredients or even the recipes.
The problem is that everything is just so stale.
If you happen to catch the buffet when it's hot and fresh, Shoney's isn't bad.
That said, it's still not what you may remember from decades ago.
Pizza Ranch has more than 200 locations, mostly in the Midwest.
When you enter a Pizza Ranch, you might be impressed by their Western-themed decor.
When you taste the food, though, you'll be mostly unimpressed.
While the pizza might be a step up from Cicis, it's still not what anyone with functioning
taste buds would classify as good.
Beyond their pizza, the macaroni and cheese is basically glorified cheese paste, and even
their mashed potatoes manage to somehow disappoint.
The best option is usually their dessert pizzas.
But, if you don't act quickly, the feeding frenzy created by others waiting for the same
dessert pizza will empty it before you can get your hands on a slice.
HomeTown Buffet, Old Country Buffet, and Ryan's Buffet are all-you-can-eat buffets owned by
the same company, offering the same experience under different names.
Twenty years ago, you could find really good food at these restaurants.
Unfortunately, the parent company recently filed for bankruptcy and the quality of food
continues to deteriorate.
When you eat at any of these buffets, it'll be painfully obvious that you are eating at
a place that may be out of business soon.
The decor is outdated, cleanliness can sometimes be lacking, and the atmosphere is depressing.
The food itself is okay as long as you prefer everything to be sweeter than necessary.
Needless to say, they probably won't be around by the time your grandkids grow up.
Western Sizzlin' is an all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant chain with food that's a reasonable
array of decent, authentic Southern cuisine.
Two issues hold Western Sizzlin' back from rising higher.
First of all, a lot of the food is simply overcooked.
Secondly, the cost has gone up enough that it's questionable whether you are receiving
good value for your money.
For a comparable price, you can get higher quality food at a normal, sit-down restaurant.
Though it used to be fairly common, only certain Pizza Hut restaurants offer an all-you-can-eat
lunch buffet these days.
Finding one near you can be a chore, however if you do find one, it's actually pretty good
bang for your buck.
That said, there are a few caveats you should know about before you track down a Pizza Hut
that does the lunch buffet.
First of all, expect there to be a really limited assortment of pizzas.
The quality of what is available is usually high, but don't be surprised if your favorite
type of pizza is nowhere to be found.
Second?
Don't count on a dessert.
Sweet Tomatoes, which goes by the name Souplantation in California, is legitimately one of the
best all-you-can-eat options in the nation.
Open for either lunch or dinner, this is the place to go if you want a buffet with a wide
variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Their salad bar is fantastic, as they even have special salads that change each month,
along with nuts, croutons, and seeds to add a yummy crunch to your salad.
Sweet Tomatoes also has some of the best soups you will find at a buffet restaurant, as well
as a bakery section that features really good muffins and breads.
The only real flaw for Sweet Tomatoes is crowd management, so it's best to visit during off-peak
hours.
Sirloin Stockade has been around since 1966, and unlike many other chain buffets, they
seem to be getting better and better.
Their all-you-can-eat hot buffet has filling entrees including pasta and cooked-to-perfection
steak.
The meat quality here is surprisingly high.
In their cold buffet, Sirloin Stockade has a top notch salad bar with fresh vegetables.
What may end up being your favorite aspect is the bakery, where they have cakes, multiple
types of pies, and rolls.
They also have ice cream and a vast choice of toppings, and everyone knows that's a must
for a real buffet.
While all-you-can-eat pizza places usually underwhelm, Shakey's Pizza is an exception
as they've been able to maintain the same high standards throughout the years.
This is one place that won't disappoint if you decide to visit due to nostalgia.
In fact, it'll be just like you remember.
You can taste the difference in their pizza dough, which is prepared fresh every day and
is never frozen.
The mozzarella cheese on the pizza is also tasty and a step up from the competition.
If you like dessert pizza, Shakey's has you covered with plenty of sweetness to select
from.
Bonus?
Their Mojo Potatoes are famous for a reason, and their fried chicken is crispy and yummy.
Sizzler has had its ups and downs over the 60-plus years it's been in business.
From iconic eatery to bankruptcy, these days Sizzler doesn't have many locations in the
United States — but the ones they do have are actually serving really good food.
Unfortunately, only some of them are still all-you-can-eat buffets.
"What happened to the stakes they had in their when they closed?”
"Do you think they got eaten?"
Still, we recommend you locate one because, if you haven't been in a while, you'll be
surprised at how good at all tastes.
Keep an eye out as Sizzler will sometimes offer all-you-can-eat entrees like shrimp,
steak, or ribs.
That's a great time to visit and get your fill.
Your Sizzler might not look like it did in the '90s, but it will still be darn good.
A relative newcomer to the all-you-can-eat buffet scene, HuHot Mongolian Grill has their
own tasty twist.
After paying for the lunch price or the dinner price depending on the time of day, you get
a bowl and get to work.
In your bowl, you place your choice of protein, noodles, vegetables, and sauce.
The most popular protein options include meat, chicken, and shrimp.
Once you're finished picking the items for your bowl, you head to the grill where your
food is cooked for you.
Still hungry?
Start the process all over again!
When you combine quantity of options and quality of food, no all you-you-can-eat buffet can
touch Golden Corral.
While it's not the best food on the planet, you are sure to find something you like.
You can find it all here, with timeless favorites including bacon wrapped sirloin filets, smoked
beef short ribs, boneless buffalo chicken wings, sweet and sour pork, baked fish with
lemon herb sauce, and many more.
Golden Corral has an incomparable carving station and a salad bar complete with all
types of fruits and vegetables.
They also have delicious soups, freshly baked breads and other goodies in their bakery,
and a dessert bar that will have you coming back for seconds and thirds.
Maybe even fourths.
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