Has California got any all you can eat buffetts??
 

Hi there

Were going to be travelling in California in a few weeks time and having been to Florida and Las Vegas were wondering if there were any all you can eat buffet chains in California and if so what were the best????
Thanks

Ade (Wales UK)

I hate to sound contentious with my reply but as a general rule, California has at least one of everything you could possibly hope for and many you wouldn't dream of asking for.

The state is so huge an answer for one area would likely not apply to other areas. Can you give us some idea of which parts of California you will be visiting? Whereever that is, there will be someone on this board who can give you useful information.

We are staying in Santa Monica San Diego San Fran and various other places ... basically were in California for almost a month travelling around......its just in other parts of the States that we have visisted there have been chains such as Ryans Golden Corral etc thanks

Adehug, there is a good chain (for buffet restaurants) called Sweet Tomatoes; here's the website: http://www.sweettomatoes.com/Locations/

The company is based in San Diego, and they have numerous California locations.

Enjoy your trip!

I see Hometown Buffets all over San Diego--not sure how far they extend. Keep in mind that there is some wonderful, affordable local cuisine here as well. Check out local chains such as Rubio's, La Salsa, and Baja Fresh.

You'll find Hometown Buffet all over the state. You'll also want to check the local areas for non-chains. For instance, in Cathedral City (Palm Springs area) there's a great all you can eat Chinese buffet called the Pak Inn.

You can generally find lots of lunch buffets, esspecially at ethnic restaurants - mongolian BBQ, indian, and so on.

Hometown Buffets seem to be everywhere and the food is decent - standard American fare.

Sweet Tomoatoes and Fresh Choice are good for salads, pasta, breads, and things like that.

And then there is brunch. Brunch buffets abound--especially Mexican food. Find an El Torito or an Acapluco.

In Southern California look for the Todai chain of Japanese/sushi buffets -surprisingly good.

I second the Todai suggestion. THE BEST buffett anywhere!!!! Pricier, but you get lobstertail at dinner...crab...a million sushi...chicken teryiki...beef...and a HUGE dessert station complete with a crepe station.

Yup-Todai is great!!! We have them up in San Francisco (actually Daly City which is the city next to us).

I hate buffets, but Todai is fabulous! I LOVE Todai!

thanks you guys i think we`ll be putting on a few pounds!!! ....three weeks and counting ...can`t wait.

Ade, our apologies for the rude comment of the last poster. It's best to let judgemental comments like this roll off. Instead of answering your question he/she felt it necessary to belittle you and trumpet their own feelings of superiority. As you have probably discovered, going to buffet-style restaurants can be a great value and a chance to try a lot of different items.

I agree w/ Maggi. Its too bad. Have a good trip.

I'm going to jump into the fray to say that everyone here is right.

Firstly, dining out in California is a great experience for many reasons. Those all-you-can-eat places tend to offer better food than those in other states simply because we have locally-grown produce coming in daily, year-round. Add to that the varied cultural makeup of Californians, and you find a vast assortment of cuisines available. Our "buffets" compare very favorably to those in Vegas, and I think you'll see that the food quality found here will bury the Orlando places quite handily.

Secondly, it's a given that good sit-down places will serve better food than the all-you-can-eat buffets. And you can waddle away from a lot of those places having eaten much more than you would have expected. Even the best sit-down places offer large portions (I know this for a fact-- that's why I'm on a diet!).

Lastly, the all-you-can-eat buffet is a widespread phenomenon in the US. It wasn't invented in Orlando (that'll be the day-- what in Orlando actually originated there?!) or Vegas (although it was perfected there)-- in fact, it's just a Swedish smorgasbord with less mystery smoked fish. Believe me, you can't swing a lunch tray without hitting a buffet joint in the major tourist areas of the US. And California is still a major tourist area, last I checked. Eat up!!

My 2 cents regarding the buffets; some of these are not chain restaurants but worth to try if you are in San Diego:

1. Buffet Specialty:
Great Moon-- Chinese, Japanese, American food.

Onami ( similar selection like Todai, Japanese, extensive salad selections, sushi)

Rei do Gado-- Brazilian grill-- all you can eat; serving at the table.

Soup Plantation-- soup , salad, pasta, etc.


Sunday Buffet Brunch:

Humphrey's on the Bay

Westgate Hotel


I can see you'll be staggering out to the door after indulging yourslves. :> Enjoy!

Did a post get deleted? Who was the rude poster? When I look at it, all I can see is Bodi's post. :-?

thanks you all once again and no offence taken its just that we have three kids and its almost always very difficult to please everyone (except when they can go to Mcdonalds!!)which is why we like the buffet system so much...everyone seems to be happy and that makes a fab holliday..........see you all very soon

Ade

When I go to a buffet, they close the doors and shut off the lights while I'm still in the parking lot.

I got carpal tunnel syndrome at one buffet.

It was "all you can eat" for $10 and I got $20 worth.

My favorite line at a buffet is "This ain't the Titanic-you can come back."

On our first date, I took "Pre-Mrs Kal" to a salad buffet because I figger'd if she ate like a rabbit.....oh nevermind.

I could go on...............8-}

Anybody know if His Lordship's at the Berkeley Marina is still open?
At one time, one of thee best Sunday brunches with a FANTASTIC view I've ever experienced.