Are Buffets And Salad Bars Going To Go The Way Of The Buffalo?

I worked at a place that had a salad bar once when I was 14. I never really realized the mechanics of it all until I observed the salad bar and its goings on repeatedly for a few weeks time, over which I became aware every single selection on the buffet was sort of like it’s own little petri universe. I haven’t eaten at a buffet since.

Holy fuck! What will Golden Corral do?

Mike was anti-brunch in general - not just brunch buffets - he was not a fan of ala carte brunch either.

No pickle bar?  Oy!

I've always liked a good buffet. 

But then I'm a philistine and I can eat a lot.

I'm also a big fan of brunch in general, since I like to sleep late and not eat right when I wake up.

I'm thinking yes. The Sweet Tomatoes chain (soup + salad bars) announced last week they'd shut down.

China Buffet nearby was shut down for a while.  Now they have signs "WE ARE OPEN !! TAKE OUT ONLY !!"

Kinda doubt they will make it if buffet troughs are outlawed.

No one ever went there for ala carte menu.

You could actually get takeout by the pound,  so I used to occasionally get the dog a couple riblets and a stalk of broccoli for 'hi-value training treats'.

At least I was able to go out on the Bacchanal Buffet in Vegas mid Feb as my last one. 

I still havent needed to eat since.

^^^Back in the eighties, I had friends who would use the same Wendy's Salad Bar plate to eat for free the whole tour.

Totally guilty of that one.

South for the winter?

they will man the buffet line with servers as you point out what you want<<<<

I can't help but think of my favorite Indian lunch buffet where they had a sign that said "Please don't waste food" ... it was simple, straightforward, and had some tact.

Can't help but to wonder if some who work there might view this as an opportunity to dole out small portions unless told to increase by customer ... I wouldn't blame them and always try to eat all that I take ... and feel guilty if I don't ... which is rare, but if I do, it's not that much and will spread it around plate :-)

You will only get one scoop of Lutefisk and like it!

might be the end of buffets, but only because they have largely been in a downward spiral as far as food quality goes for many years. id love to eat at a buffet with killer food, but they dont really exist outside of vegas and maybe a few unicorns in the rest of the country.

if buffets were dank people would go back imo...i would. super baller vegas buffet is still on my bucket list.

a clean, well managed buffet with good food shouldnt be any dirtier than a table of snacks at a meeting or function, and doesnt really gross me out any more than the thought of the unhygenic drug addicts that have probably cooked me dinner in hundreds of restaraunts throughout my life. it cant be any worse than braving the crowds of methheads to get a burger at crack burger at 2am...i wonder if slacker knows whats up with crack burger

I've never been a fan of buffets so good riddance. And I 've never been drawn to a restaurant because of their salad bar so I won't miss those. I'd rather pay up, sit down and order from the menu and have freshly cooked food brought to me.

>>>pay up, sit down and order from the menu and have freshly cooked food brought to me<<<

Cooked from a room behind walls, where you cannot see the cooking.

I agree with the qualities of a good meal prepared specifically (pretty much) for me, but I also agree with daylight.

Good is good, careful is careful. You can get either or neither in both settings.

Ultimately I guess buffets are like boobies. Some like 'em more than others. 

But some are still better than others.

Buffets will be back.

Because like boobies most people like 'em.

(((((Applebees Croutons))))

>> Ultimately I guess buffets are like (big) boobies.  <<

Both come with a big ass!

Rolling cart dim sum could replace buffets just fine. The food can be covered as it rolls through the dining room.  Carts could be set up with pictures next to the covered dishes as to avoid removing lids to identify food for the patrons.   I can't wait to have real dim sum again!

My real worry is the future of lot food:

"Veggie Burritos ,Eat good, feel good!"

Lot food may never be safe again.....

>>>pay up, sit down and order from the menu and have freshly cooked food brought to me<<<

Cooked from a room behind walls, where you cannot see the cooking.<<<

Buffets are in the same boat.

I always get a kick out of restaurants that have a giant glass partition between the kitchen and dining area ... as if now customers will now really get to see all that goes on back there!

I went to Vegas for Panic in 2018 and I was surprised at how much all the non buffet restaurants cost. Want a mini pizza from California Pizza Kitchen? That will be $20...Want to buy a drink at the bar? That will be $15....I wonder how much prices will go up with no Vegas buffets? 

also I have a Sweet Tomatoes gift card and 1 complimentary meal pass on sale at a huge mark down.

>>I wonder how much prices will go up with no Vegas buffets? 

I wonder what prices will do in general when most people will be hesitant to go to Vegas much at all for a quite a while.

Cooked from a room behind walls, where you cannot see the cooking.<<<

Valid point as far as hygiene is concerned. I guess it comes down to one's level of comfort of having a stranger prepare their meals for them or stay home and cook for themself. For me, it is probably more dangerous to cook my own meals than have someone else do it...

Right now, all I want is to go to a bar and order a fat greasy burger and a beer and watch live MLB. Hopefully that will happen soon.

...

>>I wonder how much prices will go up with no Vegas buffets? 

I wonder what prices will do in general when most people will be hesitant to go to Vegas much at all for a quite a while.

They need to get people back in the casinos. Buffets or no buffets. Maybe it will be lower food prices, no resort fees and lower room rates that will bring the gamblers back in. Still playing with fire without a vaccine or effective treatment so yeah, they will be hurting for awhile.

Yeah, I was nervous the whole time we were there in February, knowing Macau had been closed for a while, so there were plenty of folks from China in Vegas.

Then again - the people they want back are gamblers, right? Gamblers. People who are used to taking risks.

Interesting comments here on this link: https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2020/05/14/coronavirus-las-vegas-hotels-...

Another death blow for Las Vegas is other states allowing sports betting. Colorado voted it in with a May 1 start,unfortunately there no sports but when there are there will really be no reason to ever go to Vegas.

Meth and sequins aren't enough?

Hope you're well, Rev.

The Beatles "Love" show and Van Morrison was worth it for me.

Didn't gamble the whole time I was there. 

The neon sign museum was really cool too.

"Hope you're well, Rev."

Likewise! I hope you are doing and feeling grate!

I am ok I live in a perfect spot if there is to be no music or baseball. There are so many trails that I am still wandering up to . I may not get on a plane this year but I am going to explore my home state a bit...Staying healthy and eating well so I probably do not need a Vegas buffet for a while anyhow.

I really liked Beatles Love as well...It was the perfect Vegas experiance on heavy edibles.

Back to the "buffet" . 

The Ultimate enticing dinner cheap at a Casino.

I worked as a youth,1976 to 1980 in Casino kitchens,

Friends,trust me or not......

scary things happen in this environment.

{{{ That feeling in your stomach when you're eating at a buffet and see one of your neighbors at the table next door lick their fingers. }}}