Buffet Restaurants - again!

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

*looks to see if Cici's has made it to Cheeselandialand yet..."

Mother-er! Looks like they opened in West Allis, right near where I was this afternoon!



Actually, I shouldn't weep too much. I did Five Guys for lunch; that's a damn good consolation prize if I do say so myself.

[telecom_goddess]

We have a couple of great buffet restaurants near us, one hometown buffet and one that's an asian buffet, lots of japanese type foody things

I haven't noticed people sneaking in so far....and I follow the rules ...ie: getting a new plate/cup/bowl for each trip. And yeah we may share a little but we ALL pay for our plates so it's good.

I love buffet style.

[Captain Trips]

I haven't noticed people sneaking in so far....and I follow the rules ...ie: getting a new plate/cup/bowl for each trip. And yeah we may share a little but we ALL pay for our plates so it's good.

I love buffet style.

Actually, in my home state, the law REQUIRES you to get a new plate every time you go to the buffet. (Helps control unauthorized eating, as well as health code issues.)

[Andara Bledin]

I have a Hometown Buffet nearby, but it's pretty... shabby. And the one time I ate there, our server was crying... and I think one of the other servers was totally being an ass to her and trying to get her in trouble, too.

But, right next door is a Souplantation that's outstanding. And we have a Hokkaido Seafood Buffet not to far away that has some great stuff, with a Mongolian buffet in the back, and a nice little selection of sushi.

^-.-^

[firecat88]

What you're talking about is not sucky. Everyone orders and pays for a meal in your examples.

But for one person to order, and then a second to eat off the first person's plate without paying for anything, that is sucky. Restaurants are a small profit margin business; they can't afford to feed two people for the price of one.

Sometimes if I'm not hungry, I'll order a drink. But I don't eat off the other person's plate.

*phew* Ok good. Yeah, I definitely get where it's bad to just not order anything and mooch off of everyone else's plates. Because it clearly indicates that the moocher is at least a *little* hungry and should've just ordered an appetizer for themselves. That's what I do at restaurants if I'm not hungry enough for a full meal. Just get a drink and a snack. And then if someone else at the table has something that looks good, I'll ask if I can try a bite.

That or I just order a full meal and ask for a to-go box right away so I can put half the order in there to save for later and eat the rest at the restaurant.

[Flying Grype]

Even just 'mooching' -- you're just stealing from your friends. The amount of money was paid to the restaurant for the amount of food on the table.

At a buffet, you pay per person, not per chicken breast or per bowl of spaghetti. It's not fair to the restaurant to feed three people off one 'all you can eat' payment.

[telecom_goddess]

Actually, in my home state, the law REQUIRES you to get a new plate every time you go to the buffet. (Helps control unauthorized eating, as well as health code issues.)

I"m sure it is and it makes logical sense to me.

[Merriweather]

Not as good as In N' Out or Carl's Jr. though.

oh, just learned about In n' Out a few years ago from my son-in-law, had never been to one before. Now we go whenever we visit them in CA.

We got a new one here in Oregon recently, called Five Guys, evidently they're scattered about the US. Great burgers, no frills, similar to In n' Out in some ways (fries arent quite as good as in n out, but burgers are actually better). And free peanuts while you wait (cause there's usually a long line and you have to wait a little for your order). And tons of stuff to choose from to put on your burger (all free) like mushroom, green peppers, etc.

What you're talking about is not sucky. Everyone orders and pays for a meal in your examples.

But for one person to order, and then a second to eat off the first person's plate without paying for anything, that is sucky. Restaurants are a small profit margin business; they can't afford to feed two people for the price of one.

I don't think there's anything wrong with sharing a plate. NOT a buffet, or an endless food item (those, each person needs to pay, period, or it's stealing).

But ordering one meal and sharing it between two people, what's wrong with that? You pay for one meal, one meal is eaten, why does it matter how many are at the table? One person eating one meal, or two people eating it, it still takes up a table.

Some places have meals so large, DH and I often share one - we order it, tell the server we're sharing, and have never had anyone seem to have a problem with it. We usually do tip a little extra, since they always bring a plate and cutlery so we can split it, it's a little extra work for the server with a smaller total bill, so they deserve a little extra.

I think it would be wrong, both from a financial and a moral view, for both of us to order a meal, then each of us leave half of it on our plate to go into the trash, rather than sharing one meal.

If that's sucky, then guess we are, but as I said, have never had a server be anything but very nice and understanding about it, and very helpful.

[mikoyan29]

oh, just learned about In n' Out a few years ago from my son-in-law, had never been to one before. Now we go whenever we visit them in CA.

We got a new one here in Oregon recently, called Five Guys, evidently they're scattered about the US. Great burgers, no frills, similar to In n' Out in some ways (fries arent quite as good as in n out, but burgers are actually better). And free peanuts while you wait (cause there's usually a long line and you have to wait a little for your order). And tons of stuff to choose from to put on your burger (all free) like mushroom, green peppers, etc.

I haven't been there in a couple months because pretty much all roads leading up to it are under destruction but there is a place in Ann Arbor called Great Plains Burger...fresh meat, freshly cut fries and shakes to die for. I love places that stick to a couple things and do them well.

[blas]

Irv, where is West Allis? I have never been to a CiCis before. This podunk Farmville will probably never see one

We didn't get a Sonic until 2009 for Pete's Sake.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

Irv, where is West Allis?

Suburb of Milwaukee. AKA where you would have been if you had come to state fair with McGoddess and I.

[telecom_goddess]

oh, just learned about In n' Out a few years ago from my son-in-law, had never been to one before. Now we go whenever we visit them in CA.

We got a new one here in Oregon recently, called Five Guys, evidently they're scattered about the US. Great burgers, no frills, similar to In n' Out in some ways (fries arent quite as good as in n out, but burgers are actually better). And free peanuts while you wait (cause there's usually a long line and you have to wait a little for your order). And tons of stuff to choose from to put on your burger (all free) like mushroom, green peppers, etc.

I have been to Five Guys and they are ....different. I like 'em ok I guess.

So where in Oregon are you??

[Becks]

Suburb of Milwaukee. AKA where you would have been if you had come to state fair with McGoddess and I.

Wait. You went to the fair without me and Lizziebeff?

[EricKei]

CiCi's is...OK, not horrible, not wonderful. I put the quality somewhere around pre-"new" Domino's, or a little lower. For 5 bucks a head, I ain't complaining!

Also, what appears to be a little-known secret...they'll custom-make any pie you like, just walk up and ask ^_^

[Bella_Vixen]

5 Guys' hamburgers are overrated at best.

I'd sell my soul for their fries, though. *drool*