Rant: Should All-You-Can Eat Buffets Return?

Two years ago, as restaurants began to reopen after being closed during the pandemic, most of those which once offered all-you-can-eat buffets decided not to reopen those buffets. Such buffets were seen as too dangerous, a health hazard, and justifiably so in many cases. It almost seemed as if such buffets would never return, or if they did return, they would need to drastically change. 

During the last two years, some restaurants have never reopened their buffets, and have no plans to ever bring it back. However, some buffets slowly began to return until now when's there's a myriad of articles touting that such buffets are making a major comeback. The pandemic didn't destroy the buffet. 

According to IbisWorld, an industry market research company, in 2022, buffets were a $5.5 billion industry, up 9% from 2021. Some believe it's partially due to the low prices for these all-you-can-eat spots, especially when inflation is such a major issue currently. As many restaurants get more expensive, these cheap buffets offer an alternative which appeals to many. This is supported by the fact that buffets started to get much more popular around March 22, as food prices rose. Other people feel that as such buffets often offer much more comfort food, it's what makes people happy. 

These buffets generally have tried to take measures to make them more hygienic, with sneeze-guards and more. That won't assuage the worries of everyone, but it seems clear that plenty of people are now willing to take the risk. Some restaurants will never bring back their buffets, but other restaurants will fill that gap. Buffets are returning and in a major way.

Not all of the all-you-can-eat restaurants offer a buffet table where you select your food. For example, at Maki Maki, in Woburn, you receive an extensive menu of all the available foods and you tell your server which foods you would like to eat. And once your finish that dish of food, you can order more off the menu until you're full. The food is always served hot and you know no other customer might have interacted with the food. It's a much safer version of a buffet, and one I prefer.

Most recently, I checked out the new Endless Hibachi & Sushi in Peabody, which has a similar concept to Maki Maki, where you order off a menu, but they also add Hibachi options. For only $20.95 for lunch ($34.95 for dinner), you can order sushi, Japanese appetizers, soup, salad, and your choice of Hibachi (steak, chicken, calamari, or vegetables at lunch). With the Hibachi option, they provide you as much food as you would receive at any usual Hibachi spot, including fried rice and veggies. It's an excellent value and the food was tasty.   

Have you visited any buffets recently? What are your thoughts on the buffets you visited? Why do you visit buffets? Is it primarily their lower price? Do you believe it's a good thing that buffets are returning? How can we make buffets safer?