How Much Can You Eat?

quote:

Originally posted by spadoman

Last time I went to one of those places, the waitress came up to me and said,

"OK, that's all you can eat!"

Was that before, during, or after you were finished with your meal?

Mr. Mayor, that food looks divine, but we find we cannot consume large quantities of food without feeling ill and uncomfortable. We had dinner out Fri. night, split an appetizer, split an entree and we were full. So we usually do not go to AYCE.

quote:

Originally posted by kland01s

I generally feel safe with a buffet if there is an attendant on duty who actually seems interested and fequently checks on items and stirs things.

At Steak Kountry in Houston, managers circulate throughout the serving stations wearing wireless headsets to keep in touch with the kitchen and keep the steam tables replenished. I've never stayed as long as 2 hours , but with the crowds they have it'd be hard to imagine anything sitting out that long.

I don't know how they allow people to eat as much as they do and still make a profit. Top price, on Sat-Sun, when there's someone there carving roast beef and ham to order, is $9 and change, including tax.

There's a limited selection of salads I think they do well; meat dishes are typically well-done, especially the 'steak' and fish, but I can live with that. Limited selection of veggies, but what they have they do well. Deserts are a waste of time as far as I'm concerned, but I prefer SK over Luby's, the famous cafeteria chain, Black-Eyed Pea and most local soul food restaurants I've tried. But only once every couple of months. I wouldn't go anywhere near that often except one of the three locations is just 10 blocks from my house and I pass it everyday that I hit the freeway.

I use this as a healthier alternative to fast food places - love having some selection of veggies other than FFs - and it's almost as fast as a fast food place. I've figured out what they do well and I stick to that .

Too much (at home, picnic, fishfry, potluck, in AYCE restaurant, wherever) though fortunately for some reason cannot now pig out nearly to the extent I did in years past, for the current smaller portions seem to be adding more inches to the waistline than did the former greater quantities.

How much I can eat depends on the food. Le Caveau in Back Bay Boston, which is owned by the Peppertree Company that owns Le Marche and Movenpick in Boston, Toronto and Montreal, has a regular deal that's all the mussels you can eat for $9.99, and if you ask, they'll bring you a big bowl of frites and mayo to go with them for the proper Belgian experience. Turns out that I can eat three bowls, which works out to about six dozen mussels. I turned down a fourth bowl, but I did go upstairs for a crepe.

AYCE places are great for those on Atkins. Choose all the low carb dishes and you are home free ......

quote:

Originally posted by Liketoeat

Too much (at home, picnic, fishfry, potluck, in AYCE restaurant, wherever) though fortunately for some reason cannot now pig out nearly to the extent I did in years past, for the current smaller portions seem to be adding more inches to the waistline than did the former greater quantities.

Liketoeat, I believe the problem is that the new formulas they use for laundry detergent cause fabric shrinkage (particularly in the waistline) at a much higher rate than before. I noticed a similar problem right around the time they stopped adding phosphorous. Coincidence I think not!!

Also, I just noticed you're a Double Cheeseburger now! Congrats!!

Hello, Bushie, and big thanks, because I surely do like your answer to the reason for my ever tighter pants. That shrinking fabric explanation sure sits a lot better with me than does the answer I was coming up with of expanding waistline. I'm going to use it from now on. And thanks also for the double cheeseburger congrats.

Lucky bishop: you went upstairs for a what?

You heard me, innuendo boy.

Hey, Liketoeat,

I think that double cheeseburger has more to do with the tight pants than the shrinking fabric!!!

Pwingsx, it should be obvious that a man of Bushie's knowledge and abilities is as correct in his analysis of washing and fabric matters as he is of food matters, plus his conclusion does so much more for my ego than does yours (or my earlier erroneous conclusion)!!

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Stern

Our latest story for Epicurious.com is about All You Can Eat Restaurants http://eat.epicurious.com/restaurant/sterns/index.ssf?/restaurant/sterns/allyoucaneat.html. Please check it out, and we welcome you to add any we missed to the Roadfood.com database in the form of a review.

Jane and Michael included the Blue Willow Inn at Social Circle, Georgia in their top ten list of All-You-Can-Eat Restaurants. I'd love to hear what Roadfood readers have to say about this highly regarded establishment. The Blue Willow has been on my list of must-visits for a long time now.

There was a couple of mentions of "Johnie Rebs" Long Beach, CA. My son took me there some 10 to 12 years ago. Enjoyed the food, even threw some peanut hulls on the floor. Somewhere around here I have a recipe for Johnie Rebs Corn bread. It is good! If anyone is interestedI will look it up and post it.

Make that Johnny Rebs. It's late

quote:

Originally posted by JimInKy

Jane and Michael included the Blue Willow Inn at Social Circle, Georgia in their top ten list of All-You-Can-Eat Restaurants. I'd love to hear what Roadfood readers have to say about this highly regarded establishment. The Blue Willow has been on my list of must-visits for a long time now.

I LOVE the Blue Willow Inn; I suggest you go ahead and make the trip! Besides the great food, it's an all-around neat experience. I've eaten there several times.

With the holiday season approaching, I'd recommend a trip in December. Some of the little towns around there have some good Christmas lights, and it's fun. (Then, you could drive back up through Nashville and visit the Opryland Hotel to catch their Christmas lights. I used to plan business trips to Nashville every December just for that. )

Anyway, consider this a vote FOR the Blue Willow Inn.

Sorry, Liketoeat. It was just too good to pass up, and I have no self-control. No offense meant.

Hope you realize that no offense taken, Pwingsx. Nobody can make more fun of my current "round the middle" problem than I can, but I give you credit for doing a damn fine job there. Keep up the good work!

Buffets............Heaven and Hell all in one place! I can't keep away from them. It's not my Fault, it isn't, it isn't, it isn't!!!!!!

Liketoeat:
Simple solution to shrinking pants. You simply lower them to below your stomach and waist. The lower you go the looser the pants. It really works!

I get Dunlap disease when I go to buffets.
My stomach DONE LAP over my belt!

There is a place in Rhode Island, in the backwoods off of exit 3 (I-95). Anyway, it's called The Nordic Lodge, and it offers "The Viking Buffet", open April through December (I think). I believe it's up to $53.00 per person this year, for AYCE lobster, shrimp, steak, chicken, deserts, pretty much anything you could wish for. It's absolute gluttony...you really need to be a big eater to get your money's worth (not a problem for me).

http://www.nordic-lodge.com/

howard8, thanks, but I'm aware of and practicing to some extent the solution you suggest. I was hoping that you or someone could come up with a better answer. Guess I know the best solutions - push back from the table plus engage in more exercise activities - but was after the "easy way out", which don't think really exists.

quote:

Liketoeat, I believe the problem is that the new formulas they use for laundry detergent cause fabric shrinkage (particularly in the waistline) at a much higher rate than before. I noticed a similar problem right around the time they stopped adding phosphorous. Coincidence I think not!!

So how do you explain my wedding band getting too tight for my ring finger and I now have to wear it on my pinkie half the time???

There was a time----very very long ago --when myself and four other guys--all in our 20's at the time--junped in the car in San Franciso on a road trip to Bloomington Ind--we had a wedding to go to--in any case--we drove,stopping only for gas and pit stops as far Little America in Wyoming and while filling the gas tank noticed that they had fried chicken--all you can eat--$2.99!! Now for a group of 60's guys with the munchies--that was heaven. We proceeded to to "eat more chicken than any man ever seen"--(thank you Doors)-they would set down a full platter on the table and take an empty back to refill. After about 40 mins the manager came out and asked if we would please leave now--we said we werent done yet--we went around and around till finally they offered us us bags of chicken just to get us out of there! We smiled--took the bags and drove non stop off to Indiana!

On another day my brother and i were headed to Point Judith RI to catch a ferry to Block Island when he brought the car to a screeching halt and pointed out the window to a sign and said LOOK AT THAT!!!--it said--"today only--all the lobster you can eat $14.99" We walked in the door--he's 6'7"/300lb--me5'11" 265lb---He looked at the hostess and said---"you folks are in trouble!" The lobster was great---and ---we missed the ferry!

quote:

Originally posted by MikeSh

quote:

Originally posted by Bushie
Liketoeat, I believe the problem is that the new formulas they use for laundry detergent cause fabric shrinkage (particularly in the waistline) at a much higher rate than before. I noticed a similar problem right around the time they stopped adding phosphorous. Coincidence I think not!!

So how do you explain my wedding band getting too tight for my ring finger and I now have to wear it on my pinkie half the time???

Too many "finger foods"??

i always feel like these places are a rip-off b/c they are usually pricey for the quality of food you are offered. for me, food is about quality, NOT quantity.

buffets smack of the michigan state cafeteria...it's been a decade and i'm still not over taht culinary nightmere. that was all you can eat, too......and just about every night i ended up with cereal or a bagle. how depressing.

and these nicer places that have "all you can eat" nights feel like a scam as well. why do i want to pay $17.95 for bad veal oscar and and bottomless bowls of soggy pasta when i can get something made to order and fresh for the same or less?

amy

quote:

Originally posted by booboobirdie

There is a place in Rhode Island, in the backwoods off of exit 3 (I-95). Anyway, it's called The Nordic Lodge, and it offers "The Viking Buffet", open April through December (I think). I believe it's up to $53.00 per person this year, for AYCE lobster, shrimp, steak, chicken, deserts, pretty much anything you could wish for. It's absolute gluttony...you really need to be a big eater to get your money's worth (not a problem for me).

http://www.nordic-lodge.com/

Guess what's back..... www.custys.com

Does anyone have a copy of the original list published at Epicurious? I clicked on the link, but it looks like they have taken the list down.

I like all you can eat.  Tho I no longer can stuff myself as before.  1st place I ever went to was Stockholm in Sommerville, NJ at about age7 or 8.  I'd finish a plate and waiter would take it away from me!  Did not like that, but kept getting another plate.  Nowadays I favor Hibachi Grill and Buffet (VA, MD), Jumbo Buffet in WV, Butcher Block in VA.  Have never been disappointed in either location.  Fortunately I do not go often, so a meal there precludes one or two at home next day.  Notice a lot of gray heads in these places taking advantage of the Senior rate.  Can't blame them.  Also, sadly, see a lot of very overweight folks in same.  Not great for them healthwise.  But we all make our own choices in life.