Man...I grew up appreciating the concept. In Seattle there was the old Royal Fork by my grandpa's place off Aurora Ave. We'd walk over there when I was a kid and waddle back a couple hours later with our bellies bulging. Haha...

On a related note: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/washi... I remember this little place on the south side of Seatac airport that served a burger the size of the entire plate, and a big monte cristo sandwich. I called it "the monte crisco"...

Pizza Ranch, here in Montana and the Dakotas, gets my vote.

They've run their buffet--notable for all-inclusive "senior buffet" between 2 and 4 pm weekdays for $6.99--continuously through the epidemic. Actually, the double-points system they have can reduce the price to around $6.00 per visit.

They did modify their layout once or twice, but never shut down the buffet as far as I know.

For $6.99 they bring custom pizza to your table (my favorite is four-meat "Stampede" on thin crust--although vegetarian "Prairie" is almost as good), and their fried chicken is as good as anywhere I've ever eaten. Good 15-item salad bar too.

Three varieties of coffee/soft drinks and desert items all included--and "shelf-stable" half-and-half creamers for the coffee! (Not the best cream for coffee perhaps but beats non-dairy creamer packets. (I brown-bag my own cranberry sauce for the chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy.)

I miss the Cici's Pizza in my town. My kids loved it when they were kids.

The buffet and salad bars were the fundamental draw for me in terms of any restaurant. Last August, I was in Sierra Vista, AZ south of Tucson. The Asian buffet was still opened, but with some requirements regarding muzzle use while ambling around the food serving areas, wearing clown plastic throwaway gloves, etc. Still, the food was ample, delicious and of good quality.

I wonder how many of the muzzles, gloves and related paraphernalia will end up in landfills, or worse, the ocean. I have found a high correlation between those that endorse the arbitrary mandates (muzzles, etc) and those who Believe In Climate Change. Silly superficial virtue-signalers.

it appears Cici's was in financial trouble way before the pandemic hit. here in tucson the well run local buffets are doing well. . of course they would be doing better if every other booth was not closed.

I think buffets are great. You get to eat a little of whatever you want. They should let you serve yourself if you put on cheap food service gloves when you handle utensils.

Like any other business, if the charge isnt sufficient to pay the costs, modify the charge amont.

Cici;' had another problem. The food wasnt that great at all, at least here in las vegas. I went there like twice and that was it...

Bad time for buffets indeed. Our local Golden Corral has been closed pretty much since the pandemic started. The one in the next town is open but you get served at your table.

My local Asian buffet reopened after several months closed. You have to wear a mask except when at your table, and wear a plastic glove when picking up food at the steam tables. I've been there 3 times since they reopened and haven't gotten sick.