Good buffets in the DC area?

Especially in the Herndon/Reston area, Fairfax or Falls Church?

Not Chinese though, please.

Thanks,

MikeS.

There is a GREAT Indian buffet called Minerva. They serve some really authentic South Indian curries in addition to the traditional dosas, idlis and other North Indian fare. There are 2 locations. However, I think the buffet is only for lunch. Either way, the food there is great. If you like Indian food, I don't think you'll be disappointed!!

2443G Centreville Rd.
Herndon, VA
703-793-3223

10364 Lee Hwy.
Fairfax, VA
703-383-9200

Here are four more options, none of them in Virginia, however. Three of them are Indian/Pakistani places, like those suggested in the message above (this type of buffet appears to be something of a trend in this area). They are:

Aatish, 609 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC (on Capital Hill), tel. no. 202-544-0931. Good, inexpensive Pakistani food. They serve a lunch buffet every week day. If you decide to order off of the regular menu, try the Tandoori salmon fillet, it's delicious. I'm not sure if the Tandoori chicken is available on the buffet, but if not, it can be ordered off of the regular menu as well.

Tiffin, 1741 University Blvd., Takoma Park, MD, 301-434-9200. Good, inexpensive Indian food. I've eaten dinner here with my wife many times, and the food has always been first rate. They, too, do a lunch buffet. Although I've never been here for lunch, the tandoori specialties, curries and breads we have had here at dinner have always been very good.

Tabeer, 1401 University Blvd, Hyattsville, MD, 301-434-2121. Unlike the first two establishments, this Pakistani restaurant has a buffet for lunch and dinner. At $8.95 for all you care to eat at dinner (at least this is what it cost the last time I was there), it is a tremendous bargain, and the food is good.

In general, I think the dishes that hold up the best in the chafing dishes in these establishments are the ones that feature some type of sauce (i.e., the curries, butter chicken, etc.). They don't dry out under the constant heat, and the spices have more time to blend thoroughly, which I think actually improves the dish.

The fourth buffet restaurant, Adelis, features a large selection of dishes prepared Southern-style, including delicious fried chicken, oven-baked chicken and ribs, ham, chitterlings, greens, candied yams, and a wide selection of desserts that are prepared in-house. They are located at 6495 New Hampshire Avenue, Hyattsville, MD, on the second floor of a bank building. Their telephone number is 301-599-4600, and they have unusual hours, so prospective visitors should call ahead to make sure that they're open.

rbpalmer, thanks so much for those suggestions - I had no idea Tiffin had a buffet! I'm unclear though - is there a dinner buffet as well as lunch?

quote:

Originally posted by dctourist

rbpalmer, thanks so much for those suggestions - I had no idea Tiffin had a buffet! I'm unclear though - is there a dinner buffet as well as lunch?

No. The last time I was there, which was toward the end of last summer, they were only doing the buffet at lunch.

Here's a couple of other options around:

Todai: Japanese seafood and sushi buffet
Location: http://www.todai.com/Locations/fairfax.htm
Pricey, but worth it for fans of sushi. Apart from sushi, the buffet includes a great selection of tempura, entrees, salads, and a crepe bar at dinner.

Il-Mee: Korean buffet and barbecue, as well as sushi
7031-4A Duke St, Annandale
The buffet items are always very fresh. The prepared entrees on the hot table are usually good, sometimes lackluster, the soups have always been great. The stars of Il Mee are the sushi and meats. Good sushi quality and selection for a buffet place - they have more than the usual mushy and bland california rolls you see at most sushi buffets). The meats are great: grab a bunch at the buffet and grill them at your table. Put the grilled meat on a peice of lettuce, add some hot sauce, wrap it up and you're in heaven!

Malibu Grill: Brazilian churrascaria / steakhouse
5715 Columbia Pike, Bailey's Crossroads
A great selection of salads - you can make a wonderful meal out of these alone. (Used to be cheaper if you just get salad, but I don't know if this rule still applies)
The meats: well, all I can say is that these dudes in cowboy outfits and red bandanas walk around carrying grilled MEAT ON SWORDS and offer you slices. It's slightly absurd and worth every penny.