I remember all the arguments my family used to get into every time we decided to treat ourselves to a nice restaurant dinner rather than staying in again. Things got especially heated when I decided to give up eating meat and my brother would insist on a steakhouse.
Luckily, we could always find a middle ground by heading to a buffet! The crisp salads and sautéed veggies worked perfectly for me while everyone else enjoyed their favorite meat dishes. And obviously, we all loved digging into the dessert options.
Of course, there are rules that everyone needs to follow when they line up with their fellow diners to make a selection. Whether you’re enjoying some endless slices of pizza, taking a culinary trip around the world with General Tso, or mixing it all together, it’s important to keep the tips below in mind so everyone can have a nice time out.
Did we forget an essential piece of buffet advice? Leave a comment and be sure to SHARE with your loved ones!
Thumbnail sources: Trip Advisor, Gas Food No Lodging, Yelp
1. Be Picky
Choose your buffet wisely. It might be tempting to go for the biggest bang for your buck. But if the restaurant doesn’t properly maintain their heating and cooling of dishes, which is vital to keeping bacteria at bay, you might find yourself as the one in six diners suffering a nasty stomachache after your meal.
2. Bring Hand Sanitizer
You should probably always have this on you. But when you’re in an establishment where you’re using the same trays and serving utensils as hundreds of other diners, you will want to give your hands a wipe down after each trip to grab more food.
3. Watch Kids Closely
Don't watch just your own kids, but those running around you, too. That sneeze guard doesn’t really work for the tiny youngsters, so be extra careful when selecting an item after they’ve been there. And for your own kids, keep an eye on their hands, as the chafing dishes can be hot!
4. Time Matters
Arriving closer to their opening schedule or meal shift will always get you the best possible selection, rather than those items that have been waiting around possibly for hours. Lunch is definitely the best bet for most establishments.
5. Have A Game Plan
Don’t dive in and aimlessly wander around the various stations. Take the time to map out your course of action in your mind. Otherwise, you might endure the wrath of some hungry folks behind you in line.
6. Follow The Traffic Flow
If you missed something along the line you want to try, don’t be the jerk who starts charging back through in the opposite direction. Either go to the back again or wait until your next trip instead of causing chaos.
7. Taste Test
Use that first course as a sampling session, with small amounts of the foods that intrigue you, before going back for full helpings of what you really love.
8. Remember Moderation
Most folks walk into these restaurants with the intention of eating more than they paid for, which is why the average consumption at a buffet is over 2,000 calories per person. That’s closer to what you should be eating in an entire day, so try not to overdo it.
9. Stay Hydrated
Like most fast food restaurants, buffets tend to drastically over-salt their food in order to make it taste fresher longer, so drinking plenty of water is essential.
10. Take Dessert To Go
Chances are you’ve already packed away plenty of food, so if the buffet will allow you, grab that dessert for the road. Taking a breather on the drive home before chowing down on a cookie or slice of cake can help you digest more easily.
11. Tip Your Servers
You might think that since you’re the one going back and forth on your own for the food, you can take it easy on the tip. Of course, while you’re up and about, the staff is making sure your table is clean and definitely deserves a tip for juggling several tables of families at the same time! A good rule of thumb is about $1 to $2 per plate.
Did we miss your favorite tips for a pleasant buffet experience? Let us know below and be sure to SHARE with your loved ones!
