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Mom of five lovely daughters, wife of one dashing man. Born in Utah, grew up in Oregon, live in Georgia.

Friday, September 14, 2007

All-you-can-eat

Going to all-you-can-eat buffets is part of our family heritage. Almost every H* family gathering includes a trip to the Orem Chuck-a-Rama because "everyone can get whatever they want!" I have to admit, I really like Chuck-a-Rama. The food is tasty (have you tried their scones??), the atmosphere fun (thousands of kids with unlimited access to ice cream makes for a great party!), and the company always great (I really miss you all!).

In the south, however, buffets are a whole different animal. It's serious business. Really, it's a cultural experience. People don't go there to talk or to socialize-- they go there to EAT. And boy can they eat! Not to be rude, but I would guess the average weight at a typical southern buffet has got to be 237 pounds (women included). And in the south there aren't many fancy jello salads. It's fried okra, fried chicken, fried catfish, mashed potatoes and gravy, and vegetables cooked for so long you can't tell the cauliflower from the cabbage. It's good home cookin' and people line up out the door to get some. I'd rather not be one of them though. I've decided that I really dislike buffets (except for Chuck-a-Rama of course). It's not that I feel obligated to consume enough food to feed a third world nation in order to get my money's worth or that I can't ever be 100 percent positive little Billy didn't sneeze on the broccoli. It's that when I go out to dinner I don't want to have to walk around and dish 17,000 different plates in order to feed my family. (I get to do that at home!) When I go out I want my food SERVED to me. I want to sit on my behind and have someone wait on me (and my children).
What do you think? Do you love all-you-can-eat buffets? Or do you strongly dislike them?

12 comments:

Shana said...

I totally agree! And I used to work at Chuck-A-Rama in Orem when I was 16 yrs old! I would tell you, Don't go there anymore!!!
lol. I do not like All you can eat buffets... Unless it is breakfast ones. I do like those. ;)

Kami Hall said...

Since I used to be a server, I can honestly say that I wished some people would go to a buffet. There's a lot of jerks out there who don't think of you as their server, but as their slave. I hated it! (one of the reasons I got out of the business) But if it's me going out, I definitely like being served. But I'm a whole lot nicer to the server! :)

MiandMiksmom said...

I love buffets for kids...they can try all the foods that they never have, and take one bite, and I'm not mad when they hate it! Golden Coral put me throught college, literally. I made SO much money waiting tables, and I love buffets...with my kids!

Audra said...

Oh, I like all restaurants! As long as I don't have to cook, I'm happy.:)

Elaine said...

Home Town Buffet sounds like a southern buffet.. quite gross to watch. I like "Sweet Tomatoes" If you go right after it opens, it is so great. There are so many good choices. You can really feel like you're eating healthy and very satisfied.

Diana said...

I try to avoid buffets. I really don't like the idea of seeing people pig out.

Mindy said...

I can't stand buffets. I just know that sneeze/cough guard isn't doing its job. And there's something about watching an 8-year old kid serve himself, lick the spoon clean, then replace the spoon that makes waiters sound all the more appetizing.

I'd rather tip someone any day so I can sit on my booty and be served.

Abbi said...

I can't believe the timing of this post! The day you posted this Chad and I went to Chuck-a-Rama! I personally would never choose to go there on a date, but Chad LOVES them and really wanted to go there on his day off (and I chose the restaurant last time we went out), so we went there. And we had a great time! I think I equate Chuck-A-Rama with chaos, but it actually was a pretty nice meal just the two of us.

Chris said...

If a buffet is my last resort I don't mind..unless it's a seafood buffet. But I've had a bad experience in a buffet so I'll take a sit down restaurant any day..

Michelle said...

I am not a huge buffet fan. I can never eat enough to make it worth my money!

Topsy said...

The first time I ate at Chuck-o-Rama, I was sixteen. We were visiting my brothers at the Y and my parents thought it was the greatest place to eat in the world. I sort of ruined that for them when after our meal we were jay-walking across University BLVD. and I stopped in the middle of oncoming to traffic to *chuck.* Gives new meaning to the restaurant title! Honestly, it wasn't completely the food, I was sick. But it pretty much ruined the experience for all.

Emma said...

I'm not a big fan of all-you-can-eat. My kids love it. I find it hard to eat healthy. I want to try everything, and I have little self control. But I feel that I'm not getting my money's worth it I don't eat "all-I-can". So I avoid them. I too am wary of everyone else using the same serving utensils, and touching the food etc.