What do you call an eat all you can restaurant?

Eat all you can restaurants, also known as buffets or all-you-can-eat restaurants, allow customers to pay one fixed price and then eat as much food as they want from the buffet. These types of restaurants are popular because they offer diners a variety of options and good value for money. But what do you actually call this type of restaurant?

Common Names for Eat All You Can Restaurants

There are a few common names used to refer to eat all you can style restaurants:

  • Buffet
  • All-you-can-eat
  • All-you-can-eat buffet
  • AYCE (pronounced “ay-see”)
  • Unlimited buffet

The terms “buffet” and “all-you-can-eat” are probably the most widely used and recognized names. Many restaurants will use these terms in their name or tagline to advertise their eat as much as you want offering. For example:

  • “Come enjoy our buffet!”
  • “All-you-can-eat brunch buffet”
  • “China Buffet – All-you-can-eat Chinese food”

The shorthand “AYCE” and “unlimited buffet” are also sometimes used, especially in advertising or promotional materials. But most customers will instantly recognize the terms “buffet” and “all-you-can-eat” as referring to a restaurant where you pay one price and can eat as much food as you want.

Origin of the Buffet Restaurant

The concept of an eat all you can buffet style restaurant has its origins in 17th century Sweden. This type of meal service was initially referred to as a “Brannvinbuffe” and featured an unlimited assortment of food served in conjunction with unlimited liquor, a combination known as the “Swedish table”.

The first modern buffet restaurant is believed to have been introduced at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1867. This buffet featured a large spread of varied dishes that patrons could serve themselves from at no additional charge beyond the buffet price. The concept became popular and led to increased interest in self-service buffet restaurants.

In the 1940s, a Las Vegas casino owner named Herb McDonald is credited with popularizing the all-you-can-eat buffet in the United States. McDonald’s goal was to draw gamblers into his casino with an inexpensive buffet that enabled them to eat without leaving the gaming area.

The idea caught on quickly. Competing casinos soon introduced their own buffets to lure patrons, and thus the Vegas casino buffet was born. As tourism to Vegas increased, so did the size and extravagance of the buffets. This growth mirrored the rise in popularity and acceptance of all-you-can-eat buffet dining across America.

Different Types of Foods Served at Buffets

Today’s buffets offer diners a tremendous variety of foods to enjoy. Here are some of the most common types of cuisine and dishes you’ll find at a buffet restaurant:

Breakfast Buffets

Breakfast buffets often include:

  • Eggs – Scrambled, fried, poached, omelets made to order
  • Breakfast meats – Bacon, sausage, ham
  • Home fries or hash browns
  • Pancakes, French toast, waffles
  • Breakfast pastries – Muffins, croissants, danishes, etc.
  • Cold cereals and oatmeal
  • Yogurt and fruit
  • Juices
  • Coffee, tea

Lunch Buffets

Lunch buffets often include:

  • Salad bar
  • Soups
  • Pizza and pasta
  • Sandwiches and wraps
  • Burgers and fries
  • Tacos and burritos
  • Main dishes like meatloaf, chicken, fish
  • Vegetarian dishes
  • Desserts

Dinner/Weekend Buffets

Dinner and weekend brunch buffets include all of the above as well as:

  • Carving station with roasted meats
  • Ethnic food stations – Chinese, Indian, Italian, etc.
  • Seafood – shrimp, sushi, crab legs, etc.
  • Expanded dessert section with cakes, pies, ice cream

International and Themed Buffets

Many buffets offer specific international or themed cuisine such as:

  • Mexican buffet
  • Chinese buffet
  • Indian buffet
  • Seafood buffet
  • Italian buffet
  • Hawaiian buffet – poke, pineapple, pork
  • Southern comfort buffet – fried chicken, biscuits, mashed potatoes

Popular Buffet Chains

There are a number of large restaurant chains that are known for their buffet offerings:

Golden Corral

Golden Corral is one of the most popular buffet chains in America with over 500 locations across the country. It offers an endless all-you-can-eat buffet with American classics like fried chicken, meatloaf, mashed potatoes as well as pizza, pasta, and desserts.

Old Country Buffet

Old Country Buffet provides home-style American favorites at its 170+ buffet restaurants. Features include carved roast beef, fried chicken, made-from-scratch soups and sides.

HomeTown Buffet

Owned by the same parent company as Old Country Buffet, HomeTown Buffet has close to 100 locations mostly on the West Coast. It has similar offerings plus specialty Hawaiian dishes.

Sweet Tomatoes

With a focus on fresh, healthy fare, Sweet Tomatoes has close to 100 restaurants predominately in the western U.S. It offers salad bars, soups, pizzas, pastas and a variety of entrees.

CiCi’s Pizza

While known primarily for pizza, CiCi’s also offers a large buffet featuring salads, pastas, soups, dessert pizzas and an ice cream sundae bar. It has over 500 locations across the U.S.

Sizzler

Originally steak-focused, Sizzler now highlights its extensive lunch and dinner buffets at its remaining 100+ locations. Options include salad bar, soups, seafood, pasta, sandwiches, steaks and popular fried chicken.

Ryan’s

Ryan’s offers hearty American classics on its buffet at close to 300 restaurants across 23 states. Roast chicken, pot roast, mashed potatoes, broccoli cheese casserole are customer favorites.

Souplantation

With a focus on fresh veggies, Souplantation (also known as Sweet Tomatoes in other states) has 100+ locations in the western U.S. Its Garden Patch salad bar is the centerpiece of its healthy buffet.

Fresh Choice

Another salad-centric buffet chain on the West Coast, Fresh Choice has 70+ locations. In addition to bountiful salad bars, it serves soups, sandwiches, pastas and hot entree options.

Furr’s Fresh Buffet

Texas-based chain Furr’s has 50+ restaurants, primarily in the Southwest. It offers large, rotating buffets with American cuisine, Tex-Mex dishes, salad bar and dessert.

Pricing and Cost Considerations

One of the big draws of buffet dining is the good value it can offer. Patrons pay one price upfront, then can sample as much food as they want. For families and large groups in particular, buffets can be an affordable way to dine out.

Of course, pricing varies widely depending on the specific restaurant, its location, the day and time of dining, and the offerings. Here are some general guidelines on buffet pricing:

  • Breakfast buffets range from $6 to $12 per adult.
  • Weekday lunch buffets run $8 to $12 per person.
  • Dinner buffets cost $15 to $25 per adult.
  • Weekend and holiday brunch buffets are $12 to $20 per person.
  • Kids prices are generally 40-50% less than adult prices.
  • Beverages, desserts, and extras may cost additional.

Of course, higher end buffets with carving stations, seafood, etc. will be pricier. And buffets in expensive destinations like Las Vegas often charge $40 or more per person. But the averages above reflect pricing at most standard buffet chains across the country.

Pros of Buffet Dining

There are many advantages that draw customers to choose buffet-style dining:

Variety

Buffets offer diners the chance to enjoy a huge variety of foods. Often 50 dishes or more, ranging from appetizers to main courses to desserts. This extensive variety lets each person customize their perfect meal.

Ability to Sample Many Dishes

Beyond just seeing many options, patrons can actually sample as many dishes as they want in one sitting. It’s a great way to explore lots of flavors and menu items.

Good Value

For big appetites, buffets can be very cost-effective as you pay one flat price no matter how much food you eat. Families with kids can also take advantage of volume discounts.

Convivial for Groups

Buffets work very well for large groups and families. Everyone can find options they like and there’s no waiting for individual orders to arrive.

Leisurely Dining

There’s no rush when dining at a buffet. Guests can take their time browsing all the selections, return for more as wanted, and stay as long as they like.

Kid Friendly

Kids love buffets where they can serve themselves favorites like pizza, chicken fingers, burgers, and ice cream. It gives kids great autonomy.

Cons of Buffet Dining

While buffets have many benefits, there are also some downsides to consider:

Overeating

With unlimited food encourages overindulgence, some diners end up eating far more than they would ordering individually.

Food Waste

Unfortunately a great deal of food gets wasted at buffets, whether from over-portioning by customers or all-day serving limits.

Lower Food Quality

To compensate for volume and costs, buffet foods are sometimes not quite as high quality as single order dishes.

Lack of Customization

Diners are limited to the specific dishes the buffet offers versus being able to order their perfect meal.

Repetition

Menu options can get repetitive at certain buffet chains that always serve the same selection.

Health Concerns

Some health-conscious diners avoid buffets due to cleanliness issues or the temptation to overeat. However, many buffet chains have responded by highlighting healthier options like salad bars, lean proteins, and fresh fruit. Still portion control requires diner discipline.

Tips for Smart Buffet Dining

Here are some tips to get the most from your buffet experience:

  • Arrive early – food will be freshest right after opening.
  • Avoid peak meal rushes when lines are long.
  • Walk the entire buffet first to see all options before filling plate.
  • Use small saucers to sample multiple items rather than huge helpings.
  • Fill half your plate with veggies to help stay balanced.
  • Eat slowly. It takes 20 minutes for your brain to register fullness.
  • Limit high carb, fatty, and sugary dishes. Focus on lean proteins and greens.
  • Allow yourself a sweet treat, but only eat foods you truly love and savor them.
  • Ask about senior discounts and other ways to save money.

Conclusion

Eat all you can buffet restaurants offer diners great variety and flexibility at an affordable price point. Names like “buffet” and “all-you-can-eat” instantly convey the concept of paying one price for unlimited servings from a big food selection. While buffets can encourage overeating or waste if approached carelessly, they remain a popular dining choice for many customers who appreciate the endless sampling, family-friendliness, and leisurely pace. By focusing on healthier options and exercising some sensible portion control, patrons can truly get their money’s worth from a buffet meal while still maintaining nutrition goals. In the end, buffets give diners the freedom to craft their perfect meal from an endless array of possibilities.

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