[Dx E]

OK,
I’m bringing up a dreaded topic-
“The BUFFET!”
(the mere mention of it used to send people screaming on the message boards) BUT-
NO Joke here.
Getting your Money’s Worth At the Buffet!
Not a rant about Restaurant Cards,
But Seriously-
“What has Worked for Me!”

I have a local Chinese restaurant
That has an “All you CARE to Eat” Buffet Daily.
The Lunch hours price? (college town pricing)
$5.50 but they don’t offer the “Create Your Own”
Mongolian Bar-B-Que option or custom Sushi Bar.
In the Evenings they do as well as “Special” Items.
And the Cost is $8.00.
With “Drink” these jump up to
$6.50 something for Lunch,
$9.50 something for Diner.
(I have gone there in the evening, But usually only by day.)

Me?
No Drink ever, so that knocks 1$ off the price.
I typically have Lunch there for $7.00 total
After leaving approx. $1.50 for Tip.
(Generous for a $6.00 Buffet)

Just like the rest of my eating Now,
It all comes down to “Food Choices.”

The easy “META-RULE” that will work
For nearly all food choices now-
“Only choose the most Expensive (per ounce/lb) Foods.”
And add to that-
Foods, which take time/skill to eat.

My “Goal” at this Buffet---- I figure this way.

For the $6.00, It is Extraordinary to pay only $2.00
Towards the Place Setting, Silverware use, Cooking, Ambience,
Air-conditioning, etc…
So I attempt to get $4.00 worth of food.
Yes?
I usually can get at least $6.00 worth
With out Even Trying.
I go for the Low-Fat Protein First
And that “just happens”
To coincide with - The more expensive items on the buffet.
Obviously Prices will vary across the nation
But based on my old restaurant Kitchen work in college,
And the Info I’ve “dug out of” one of my under-grad-students who works there,
These prices are fairly close.

My favorite choices marked with an asterisk or 2. (*)
My “Avoids” marked with a (~)

Examples-
* Cured Smoked King Salmon - Approx. $19.00 lb.
..............(Only on Weekend Nights)
** King Crab Legs - Approx. $18.00 lb. (Very Slow to eat)
* Jumbo Prawns/Shrimp - Approx. $15.00 lb.
..............(“Un-Shelled” Slower to eat) (Only on Weekend Nights)
Pepper Crusted Prime Rib - - Approx. $14.50 lb.
..............(Sunday Lunch and Evening)
* Pickled Ginger - Approx. $14.00 lb.
..............(Aids Digestion, reduces Gas!)
* Sea Scallops - Approx. $13.50 lb.
..............(Slow to chew)
** Steamed Razor Clams - Approx. $13.00 lb.
..............(Take Longer to Eat)
* Steamed Oysters- Approx. $12.00 lb.
..............(Take Longer to Eat)
* King Salmon - Approx. $10.50 lb.
* Sushi Grade Tuna - Approx. $10.00 lb.
Halibut - Approx. $9.00 lb.
Red/Sockeye Salmon - Approx. $7.50 lb.
Silver Salmon - Approx. $7.00 lb.
* Bulk Nuts (non-peanuts) - Approx. $6.75 lb.
Common block Cheese
..............(Cheddar, Swiss, Colby, etc) - Approx. $5.50 lb.
* Medium to Small Shrimp - Approx. $5.00 lb.
..............(“Un-Shelled” Slower to eat)
* Spicy Steamed Tilapia Fish - Approx. $5.00 lb.
Five Spiced Ham –
..............(Averaging Actual Ham and Processed) - Approx. $5.00 lb.
* Steamed Local Crawfish - Approx. $5.00 lb.
..............(“Un-Shelled” Very Slow to eat)
Beef (Roast or Tips) - Approx. $ 4.00 lb.
* Asian Style Ribs (Cooked, Bone in)- - Approx. $4.00 lb.
..............(Double the price for not eating the Bone)
Chicken Tenders (Real, not Processed/Minced) - Approx. $ 3.00 lb.
Cod Fillets (as in Fish and chips) - Approx. $3.00 lb.
“Moo-Goo-Gai-Pan” - Approx. $2.50 lb.
Meatballs/Pot-Stickers/Meat Dumplings - Approx. $2.50 lb.
~ (ick!) Faux Seafood Salad
..............(imitation crabmeat) - Approx. $2.00 lb.
** Lychee Nuts
..............(Rough outer skin to peel-takes more time) - Approx. $2.00 lb.
* Fresh Strawberries - - Approx. $1.75 lb.
~ Breaded (Sweet and Sour anything “chunks”– General)
..............- Approx. $1.75 lb.
Seedless Grapes - Approx. $1.75 lb.
* Mixed Steamed Vegetables - Approx. $1.75 lb.
~ American (Processed Cheese-Food) Bulk/Block - Approx. $1.50 lb.
Grape/Cherry Tomatoes- Approx. 1.50 lb.
* Snow Peas - - Approx. $1.50 lb.
Fresh Tomatoes (Bulk Price) - Approx. $1.25 lb.
* Fresh Peppers (Bulk Price) - Approx. $1.25 lb.
Fresh Vegetables (In General) - Approx. $1.25 lb.
Chicken (Fried on Bone) - Approx. $0.75 lb.
~ (ick) Breaded Processed
..............(from Minced) Shrimp- Approx. $0.70 lb. -before cooking.
~ Chicken or Pork Dishes Battered/Fried/Sauced- Approx. $0.70 lb.
~ Breaded Fish Sticks- Approx. $0.65 lb. -before cooking.
~ Egg Rolls (With Shrimp-bits) - $0.65 lb.
~ Egg Rolls (No Meat) - $0.60 lb.
~ Pizza Rolls (Bulk price) - Approx. $0.04 each -$0.60 lb. -before cooking.
Chicken Wings - Approx. $ 0.50 lb.
~ Egg Foo Yung - - Approx. $0.45 lb.
* Steamed Cabbage - Approx. $0.40 lb.
~~~ Tater Tots (Bulk Price) – Approx./Average- $0.40 lb.
~~~ Bulk Mac & Cheese- Approx. - $0.40 lb.
~~ Fried Potatoes (General Bulk) - Approx. $0.35 lb. -before cooking.
~~ Bulk Noodles (general) – Approx./Average- $0.35 lb.
Hot and Sour Soup - Approx./Average - $0.35 lb.
~~ Wontons (Fried Crisp) - Approx./Average- $0.30 per pound
~~ Bulk Rice (Cooked/Steamed) – Approx./Average- $0.15 lb.
~~ Mashed Potatoes (from instant) – Approx./Average- $0.20 lb.
~~ “Chinese Doughnuts” - Approx. $0.20 lb.
Egg Drop Soup - Approx. $0.15 lb. (Soothing but not “filling”)
Watermelon (Bulk Price) - Approx. $0.15 lb.
Bulk Restaurant Pudding- Approx. $0.10 lb.
Sweet and Sour Sauce - Approx. $0.05 lb.
Wonton Soup - Approx. $0.05 lb.
Bulk Restaurant Jell-O- Approx. $0.02 lb.


I tend to average out at $12.50 per lb. Choices
When the items are combined.
And I typically eat about 8 to 10 ounces,
Up to a full pound depending on time and food density,
Or how heavily I hit the King Crab Legs,
And Shellfish,
Giving me about $8.50 worth of Low fat Protein First,
then usually a little Veggies and a Lychee Nut or 2 and
A few Walnuts for “dessert.”

Now-a-days, I More than Get “My Money’s Worth.”

But I think about my Past-
Start by Ordering a large Sweet Tea,
Fill my plate with Rice or Noodles,
Then smother it in Breaded, Fried,
Sauced Chicken Bits,
Couple of Egg Rolls,
With lots of Sweet and Sour Sauce
Hit the “Non-Asian Items”
Such as a Bowl of Tater-Tots,
(tater-tots on a Chinese Buffet? Who knew?)
Fried “Potato Logs,” and a handful of pizza rolls.
Go back for some more rice
With Sweet Sauce and pork over it
And a couple of pieces of Fried Chicken.

Finish off with 3 “Chinese Doughnuts”
With plenty of pudding to dip them in.

Probably 4 to 5 Pounds of Food
And an Over Priced Beverage.
But at an Average of around $0.45 per lb.
Even if I could eat 8 lbs. of food at that rate,
($3.60 worth of actual food)
I was still not “Getting my Money’s Worth!”

Now not every Buffet
Has the same ingredients obviously,
But the Same “META-RULE” Applies.

Go for the MOST EXPENSIVE Items,
(With the exception of Cheese Cake,)
They will normally be Higher in Protein,
Lower in Fats, Carbs and Calories.

If you find an Asian Buffet,
That doesn’t have the King Crab Legs,
Keep looking.
Many Do.

Eating Healthy,
Is the Only way to Actually
“Get your Money’s Worth.”

Why would I want
To use a “Restaurant Card” Now?

Before, I was making them a huge profit,
Now, I’m sure they Shudder
When they see me coming for my 8 to 10 ounces!

Take a look at a Buffet with new eyes!
Perhaps one of the most Cost-Effective Meals out there.

Best Wishes-
Dx

[Trulykath]

Now this is interesting....I can so relate, and I've avoided buffets since surgery...I figured "what's the point", right?

[Spikey1341]

Very good advice. One question though, you have an avoid on Egg Foo Young. Is it because you don't like it? I would think it is very high protein, but it would be low cost per pound. But with the price of eggs lately......

[kitty56]

my husband and i do not eat at buffets anymore, i just cannot get my moneys worth anymore so we go to restraunts where i can order off a menue and that works best for me, ant then i still leave food in the plate, i just do not have the room for regular size foods.

[DeMarie]

Before, I was making them a huge profit,
Now, I’m sure they Shudder
When they see me coming for my 8 to 10 ounces!


Boy, if that doesn't sum it up! Good stuff!

[Dx E]

Originally Posted by Spikey1341

Very good advice. One question though, you have an avoid on Egg Foo Young. Is it because you don't like it? I would think it is very high protein, but it would be low cost per pound. But with the price of eggs lately......

The majority of calories in egg foo young are from the oil and cornstarch
It ends up being like eating the batter off of a piece of KFC with out the chicken. Empty calories tend to be lower cost....
Just my observation.
There may be lower fat, lower carb versions of egg foo young available, just not the typical buffet version.
Best Wishes-
Dx

[momof7]

makes sense, never thought of it like that. But hey, thanks for making me hungry.lol. chinese is my absolute favorite food. whenever one of my kids had an appt. we would stop for lunch. Now I cringe at the idea knowing I can't do that. Hopefully one day I'll be able to try. Thanks

[Christy0283]

I have found that every time I eat buffet since surgery, it makes me very very sick. My husband seems to think it's the MSG they put in the stuff. I'm staying away from buffets.

[lbriseno]

I tried to go to Sirloin Stokade a few times for the buffet and I am sorry to say that It is not worth it anymore, there is plenty and as some have said here the buffet makes me sick, I can't tolerate the food I have look at the options of a menu.

My personal opinion is that I do not miss them anymore and my wife and 2 girls are not so crazy about it.

Besides I am looking at Quality food not quantity.

Regards

[qt82699]

i have avoided buffets too, not worth the price!!