Are there any buffets or clubs in the Lynnwood/Edmonds vicinity that are reasonable? Coming from Australia on a two month RTW trip, we usually self-cater to be able to afford this kind of holiday, but we are meeting USA friends in Seattle for six days, and think a few buffet meals may be affordable. Remember one in Denver called Golden something, which was OK if you got there early, and have sampled some of the LasVegas buffets. In Australia, we have sporting clubs, or veterans' clubs in every town where one can eat very reasonably - you have to become a "temprary member" to do so. Do you have these too?

No sporting clubs - some international organizations like Lions Clubs etc., but not along Aussie lines.

There are a couple of buffets like you're describing - one chain called "Old Country" has a store in Lynnwood. There are also some Chinese restaurants that are set up as buffets, and most Indian restaurants have lunchtime buffets, but not in the evening.

In Seattle's downtown there's a branch of a California chain called Todai which is a Japanese-themed buffet featuring sushi and other Japanese (and some Chinese) dishes that's quite good, but not especially cheap.

Buffets in the US, if they are good, are usually pricey. You can find many nice weekend brunch buffets, for example, that will be between $20-$35 a person. Buffets that are cheap are often quite bad, though Gardyloo's suggestion of Indian lunch buffets is good as these can be good and inexpensive.

I'm not sure from your post if you are looking for budget dining or just want to know about affordable buffets. If you are looking for inexpensive places in general, your best bets are ethnic restaurants such as Asian, Mexican, Indian, etc. In that area, T and T seafoods in Edmonds (Chinese) is good; there are a number of Korean restaurants in Lynnwood that I've heard are good but haven't been to (search the Seattle Times and Seattle P-I online for restaurant reviews for info on these). These papers also have regular columns devoted to budget dining-it shouldn't be hard at all (at least if you come out of the suburbs and into Seattle) to eat well and inexpensively.

Thanks Gardyloo and Christy - one other thing I would like to do is to buy some salmon from Pike Place Market and BBQ it somewhere scenic - any thoughts on this, please? (It will be early April). I've read it's been raining cats and dogs in Seattle, but we are bringing good weather with us!

Golden Gardens park on one of the few sandy beaches on the Sound has shelters, BBQ facilities, and firepits. In April you'll probably have it all to yourselves.

http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/p...ces/Golden.htm

Golden Gardens sounds great - we'll pick a nice day and try it out. Thank you, Gardyloo.

A budget suggestion would be to purchase an Entertainment Book--there are some good savings there, not just on restaurants, but events as well. I believe you can get one on the Internet at Entertainment.com.

Some other budget-wise ideas for you are to go to some of the "happy hours"--there are many good ones between the hours of 5-7.

And, yes, please, do bring us good weather! (It's finally stopped raining and the sun is out, but oh has it been cold, though I know I shouldn't complain considering what they're having back East.)