Going to an all-you-can-eat buffet can seem like a great deal, but it’s easy to overpay if you don’t go in with the right strategy. Here are some tips to help you get the most for your money at an all-you-can-eat buffet:
Come hungry
This may seem obvious, but the hungrier you are when you arrive, the more food you’ll be able to consume. Eat a light snack beforehand at most so you have plenty of room to fill up once you get there.
Pace yourself
All-you-can-eat buffets are marathons, not sprints. Don’t try to gorge yourself right away or you’ll get full too quickly. Take smaller portions and go back for more if you’re still hungry. This allows you to sample more items over time.
Strategize your plates
Plan your first plate strategically by surveying all the options first before committing. Go for the expensive items like seafood and prime rib right off the bat to maximize value. Get your money’s worth on the first round before you fill up on cheaper foods.
Focus on protein
Protein foods will fill you up faster than carbs and vegetables. Load up on protein-rich foods like meats, fish, eggs, and cheese to help satisfy your appetite quicker. Go easy on pasta, bread, rice, and salad, as they can make you too full too fast.
Eat dessert last
Save any desserts for the very end. Sugary foods don’t provide lasting fullness like proteins and complex carbs, so you don’t want to waste valuable stomach space on them too early. Have a small dessert to cap off your meal after you’ve eaten more nutritious foods.
Drink strategically
Beverages can also fill you up quickly, so use them strategically. Drink a glass of water before and during the meal to aid digestion. Avoid sugary sodas or juices that can restrict appetite. And definitely skip the booze, as alcohol consumption can diminish your ability to gauge fullness.
Take breaks
If you start feeling too full, take a break from eating. Get up, walk around, chat with your dining companions, or just rest for 15-20 minutes. This gives your brain time to catch up to your stomach’s fullness signals so you can accurately assess if you want to eat more.
Wear comfortable clothes
Don’t constrict your stomach with tight belts, waistbands, or dresses. Wear loose, stretchy clothing that allows your stomach to expand comfortably as you eat. This decreases discomfort and allows you to eat more before feeling stuffed.
Fill up on “free” foods
Most buffets include “free” foods that don’t cost you anything extra like salad from the salad bar, bread rolls, and non-alcoholic beverages. Focus on these to help fill your stomach on the cheap before spending your dollars on pricier hot entrees.
Ask about policies
Find out the buffet’s policies regarding sharing plates, taking food to-go, etc. Some buffets prohibit sharing plates with dining companions due to health regulations. Others let you take home a doggy bag. Knowing the policies allows you to maximize value through sharing or leftovers.
Come at off-peak times
Lunch and early bird dinner buffets are generally cheaper than peak dinner hours. You’ll also encounter fewer crowds at off-peak times, allowing you more elbow room to scope out options and return for additional helpings.
Look for discounts
Check sites like Groupon or Restaurant.com for buffet gift certificates that you can use to save money. Some buffets offer email clubs with special promotional discounts for members. And kids’ prices can cut costs for families with young children.
Join the rewards program
If it’s a buffet chain, join the rewards club. You’ll earn points with each visit that can be redeemed for free meals, discounts, or merchandise. This allows you to save money on return trips.
Use coupons strategically
Some buffets accept coupons, so look online or in local circulars and only use coupons on the most expensive nights. For example, use a “Kids Eat Free” coupon on Friday seafood night instead of Tuesday tacos to maximize savings.
Fill up with apps and soup
Take advantage of any included unlimited soups, salads, or appetizers that come with the buffet. Chow down on those first before hitting the entrées to help fill your tank on the cheap.
Go for garnishes
Hit up the salad bar, taco bar, baked potato bar, nacho bar, etc. for Vegetable toppings are essentially “free” ways to fill up since they’re not the starring attraction. Pile them on entrees or make meals from garnishes.
Sample the extras
Beyond standard fare, look for additional foods like smoked salmon, antipasti, charcuterie, shrimp cocktail, pho station, carving board, fresh seafood on ice, etc. These “extras” are signs of a higher-end buffet.
Watch portion size
Don’t overload your plate with mountains of food you can’t finish. Stick to reasonable portions to allow room for multiple trips. This maximizes your ability to sample as much as possible of the foods you like.
Rest before returning
Give yourself 10-15 minutes after finishing a plate before getting seconds. This gives your body time to feel full so you don’t overeat. During the break, sit, chat, check emails, etc. to let food settle before round two.
Explore hidden spots
Some buffets have special side stations hidden around corners or in back rooms. Seek out gyros, Mexican food, stir fry, pizza, fish fry, bbq ribs or other surprises to add variety.
Mix up flavors
To avoid flavor burnout, don’t overload on any one food. For example, don’t go back for multiple plates of just crab legs or fried chicken. Mix up proteins, carbs, cuisines, and flavors for maximum enjoyment.
Grab multiple desserts
The dessert station is your last stop, so grab some of everything that looks good instead of massive amounts of one dessert. Two bites of 4 different cakes, pies, and cheesecakes is better than a huge slice of just cheesecake.
Bring a bag for leftovers
Towards the end of your meal, ask for a to-go container for any unfinished food still on your plate that you’d like to take home. This squeezes extra value from foods you paid for but didn’t have room to finish.
Stay as long as allowed
Make sure to stay until closing time if the buffet allows it. The host can’t force you leave the table after a certain time period if you still want to eat. Milk every minute to truly maximize your money’s worth.
Plan your attack in advance
Study the buffet website menu online first so you can plan what foods to target. Map out a battle plan of attack before stepping foot in the restaurant.
Fill up with beverages
If it’s an unlimited drinks buffet, fill up with high value beverages. Guzzle soda, juice, lattes, and smoothies to capitalize on the free flow of liquid calories.
Spread out over multiple days
Some buffets offer free return visits within 24-72 hours of first meal. Spread your visits out over multiple days to repeat the indulgence.
Form an eating team
Bring a group and coordinate your efforts. Have each person specialize in loading up on a different food category, then share amongst yourselves.
| Strategy | Description |
|---|---|
| Come hungry | Arrive with an empty stomach so you have room to eat more |
| Pace yourself | Eat slowly to fit in more bites without getting too full |
| Strategize your plates | Plan plates smartly to maximize value of pricier items first |
| Focus on protein | Fill up on protein foods first since they are most filling |
| Eat dessert last | Save sweets for after you eat main nutrition to save stomach space |
Conclusion
Getting your money’s worth at an all-you-can-eat buffet requires strategy and planning. Come hungry, pace yourself, prioritize value foods, stay as long as possible, and use policies to your advantage. With the right game plan, you can defeat the buffet and waddle away victorious after maximizing every dollar spent.
