Okay, so let’s discuss one of life’s finest pure pleasures: the all-you-can-eat supper. There’s just something so irresistibly wonderful about sinking your teeth into a feast with no boundaries. Where your sole genuine limitation is how large your very own stomach is. It’s a crazy, beautiful, and totally exhilarating means of consuming food.
Now, we all know the recent years weren’t the nicest to self-serve restaurants. The pandemic has definitely set things back. Inflation hasn’t been kind to buffets, for sure. Any buffet that’s survived the past several years of turmoil has proven it has some pretty extreme tricks up its sleeve. They’ve employed some of the most innovative tricks to stay in business and keep food on tables.
So if you’re me and the mere mention of unlimited plates makes your heart smile, then you’re in luck. We’ve searched high and low to provide you with a list of restaurants that not only didn’t disappear but actually thrived. These aren’t buffets; these are destinations. Buckle up, because we’re on a tasty road trip through America to drive you through 14 amazing all-you-can-eat eateries. You’ve got to see these.
The Old Cookstove (Danville, Alabama)
Drive up to a quaint country eatery with a large front porch and red-checked tablecloths with an old-fashioned touch. And in the middle of it, there’s a genuine old cookstove that provides a homespun atmosphere.
This establishment dishes up generous helpings of food that are flavored like mom used to make. Look for favorite Southern fare such as chicken wings, meatloaf, pot roast, and country fried steak. Sides are sweet potatoes and fried green tomatoes. Desserts are cobbler and German chocolate cake. Friday evenings feature seafood fare such as fried catfish, steamed shrimp, and stuffed crab.
One commentator best explained: “Not like a lot of buffets where enormous cans of pre-cooked material were used. The taste is not bland. Whatever they have will be full of taste and smell fresh.”
Gold Creek Salmon Bake (Juneau, Alaska)
Fly to Juneau for an all-you-can-eat wilderness experience. The Gold Creek Salmon Bake is outdoor dining, not a typical buffet. The crowning glory is fresh salmon grilled over an open wood fire. The buffet also consists of baked chicken, potatoes, rice pilaf, baked beans, salads, and cornbread. You can even toast marshmallows over the fire. Guest in his own words: “Tasty lunch of BBQ salmon, ribs, scallop potatoes, salad, baked beans & dessert. Beautiful setting along the creek where the salmon were spawning.”
Junn Sushi (Tempe, Arizona)
It’s hard to find good all-you-can-eat sushi, but Junn Sushi in Tempe never disappoints. Stuff your face with shrimp tempura rolls, spicy dragon rolls, nigiri, sashimi, poke bowls, and yummy appetizers. The high-end choice unlocks premium dishes on the menu. One of the commenters said: “Despite how busy it got, Quan’s service did not falter. Sushi is good, fresh, and quick service by the sushi chefs. Management gets thumbs up.”
Monte Ne Inn (Rogers, Arkansas)
Monte Ne Inn is the local favorite for legendary fried chicken and functions on family-style, all-you-can-eat terms. Endless fried chicken comes with bean soup, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, sweet corn, coleslaw, and hot bread and apple butter. Cobbler is an added extra. One guest commented: “Basic and convenient. Food was great, service great also. If you’re in the neighborhood, put this place on your list.”
Cafe Sierra (Los Angeles, California)
Located inside the Hilton Universal Hotel, Cafe Sierra is a pricey buffet that is famous for its upscale seafood offerings. Some of the standout items are lobster, king crab legs, snow crab, mussels, seafood paella, and a dessert bar with cake pops, a crepe bar, and a chocolate fountain. Sunday brunch offers lobster thermidor, sushi, and roasted duck. Holiday buffets offer live music and champagne. One of the reviewers stated: “Wonderful assortment of foods and desserts. Marilela’s service was professional and friendly. Lovely high glass ceiling and pleasant atmosphere. Every penny worth.”
Cinzzetti’s Italian Market Restaurant (Northglenn, Colorado)
Experience a vibrant Tuscan market at Cinzzetti’s, featuring over 60 Italian options in an energetic environment. Indulge in diverse pizzas, pasta, rice balls, and treats such as crepes and cannoli. Sunday brunch is included. Seniors 65+ are discounted. One Yelp user claimed: “Quality: You’d think you were eating something your Italian Grandma cooked. Prices: Great for all you can eat Italian. Service: Friendly and good.”
Pacific Buffet and Grill (Wallingford, Connecticut)
The eatery mixes Asian and American cuisine in its all-you-can-eat buffet. Discover sushi, broccoli beef, steak, roast pork, mac and cheese, and corn on the cob. Brunch on the weekend provides French toast, waffles, and sausage. Seniors 65+ are $1 off. A repeat visitor complimented: “Really good Chinese Buffet; good selection, kitchen, staff, and atmosphere. Thank Buddha they made it through tough times.”
Old Mill Crab House (Delmar, Delaware)
At the Delaware-Maryland border, Old Mill Crab House is famous for belly-busting seafood specials. Daily AYCE options include steamed shrimp, snow crab, fried chicken, and blue crab. Sides like fried shrimp, clam strips, hush puppies, and corn on the cob round out the meal. A reviewer said: “Best crabs I’ve ever eaten. Hush puppies with powdered sugar were very enjoyable. Fried chicken had a soulful kick.”
Fogo de Chão (Washington, D.C.)
This upscale Brazilian steakhouse brings endless meat straight to your table. Indulge in a range of beef cuts, pork, sausage, chicken, and lamb, all cut tableside. Salads and sides are presented from a market table, and fresh bread is always available. One customer noted: “Meat brought often. started with buffet salad and bread. Quality high. Service quick even when busy.”
POC American Fusion (Coral Gables and Weston, Florida)
POC American Fusion offers a fine buffet of more than 150 items mixing Asian and American food. The restaurant features sushi stations, hot food stations, soups, a carving station, a raw bar for seafood, and a dessert area. Brunch food includes waffles, pancakes, and eggs. “This customer said: “POC is a monthly must. Buffet is well-maintained, service quick, food exceptional. No reason to get sushi elsewhere.”
Buckner’s Family Restaurant (Jackson, Georgia)
It is a Southern restaurant where family-style meals are served on turntables with unlimited refills. Barbecue pork and fried chicken are served with sides such as peach cobbler, coleslaw, stewed tomatoes, and creamed corn. Seniors 60+. One reviewer noted: “Price was $22 for 11 choices and iced tea. BBQ and fried chicken were great. Superb sides. Cobbler finished it off just right.”
100 Sails (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Within Prince Waikiki Hotel, 100 Sails treats its diners to ocean views with its buffet. Shrimp tempura and hand rolls are lunch, and crab legs, golden oysters, and calamari salad are dinner. Seniors get discounts from Monday to Thursday. One writer said: “Enjoyed prime rib, shrimp, crab legs, and oysters. Buffet said to be one of the island’s best. Fantastic experience.”
Chuck-a-Rama (Boise and Ammon, Idaho)
This Western-style buffet chain restaurant has served hearty fare for more than 50 years. Carving stations are ham, turkey, and roast beef. Choices are fried and baked chicken. Theme nights are Asian or Mexican. Seniors are discounted. A regular said: “Very clean, nicely done interior. Excellent variety. Hot food stayed hot. Reasonable price.”
Red Apple Buffet (Chicago, Illinois)
This Chicago institution serves old-fashioned Polish fare in an AYCE bargain. Schnitzel, kielbasa, pierogi, potato pancakes, and blintzes are served. Sour sauerkraut and old-fashioned dumplings complete the list. Reservations, carryout, and catering are available. One client remarked: “So many options, and so delicious. Actual mashed potatoes and wonderful Polish food. Soup, salad, and dessert included.”
There you have it! Fourteen fantastic places across the country where you can indulge in all the grub you can handle. From luxury hotels to family favorites, these eateries are proof that the culture of excess is very much alive and well. The next time you’re in the mood for unlimited plates, you know where to dine out. Bon appétit!
