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What's your technique when eating at a buffet restaurant?
By bingskee
@bingskee (5234)
Philippines
March 8, 2013 8:29am CST
It was hubby's birthday the other day and we surprised him with a treat at one of the country's best buffet restaurants. 
We were successful, we got him and he was truly, truly surprised. I could see the sparkle and excitement in his eyes.
I have to ask you this because it is an important thing to learn when eating out at a buffet restaurant - what is your technique when eating at a buffet restaurant? We all know for a fact that there'll be lots of food available and for one's choosing. The eyes will get the chance to feast on the varieties, and the palate will be satisfied, if one will have a 'game plan' on being able to try out a lot of the menu, if not all.
The kids and I already learned from past experiences with buffet. The first thing is 'Do not eat rice, or pasta.' By doing so, we do not get full at once, and are able to try out a lot of the food on queue. Second, 'Do not get a lot but only a small amount, or a piece, to savor first the food.' Third, 'Always start with the appetizers but again in small amounts.' Fourth, 'Do not drink a lot of water, just sips.' Doing this will make one feel bloated and loose the desire to try for more.
It is always the experience when you go to a buffet restaurant. It is impossible to try out everything that's offered. Who could be able to gobble up 300+ types of food and drinks combined? So instead of aiming to try them all, do not even try. Just enjoy the food, the company, and the ambiance. 
We were successful, we got him and he was truly, truly surprised. I could see the sparkle and excitement in his eyes.
I have to ask you this because it is an important thing to learn when eating out at a buffet restaurant - what is your technique when eating at a buffet restaurant? We all know for a fact that there'll be lots of food available and for one's choosing. The eyes will get the chance to feast on the varieties, and the palate will be satisfied, if one will have a 'game plan' on being able to try out a lot of the menu, if not all.
The kids and I already learned from past experiences with buffet. The first thing is 'Do not eat rice, or pasta.' By doing so, we do not get full at once, and are able to try out a lot of the food on queue. Second, 'Do not get a lot but only a small amount, or a piece, to savor first the food.' Third, 'Always start with the appetizers but again in small amounts.' Fourth, 'Do not drink a lot of water, just sips.' Doing this will make one feel bloated and loose the desire to try for more.
It is always the experience when you go to a buffet restaurant. It is impossible to try out everything that's offered. Who could be able to gobble up 300+ types of food and drinks combined? So instead of aiming to try them all, do not even try. Just enjoy the food, the company, and the ambiance. 4 people like this
11 responses
@squallming (1775)
• Malaysia
25 Mar 13
Whenever I go for a buffet which is normally in a hotel restaurant, I will make sure that I don't drink a lot of water and not take rice, noodles the like. I usually aim at certain food that is quite uncommon and expensive in my place. Seafood are especially the must for me. When I am almost full, I will always go for several types of desserts that attracts me most. I cannot help it because I really like cakes.
@Porcospino (31365)
• Denmark
7 Apr 13
I like buffet restaurants a lot because they give me the change to taste many different dishes during the meal. When I visit a buffet restaurant I always take a small amount of the different dishes because I would like to taste as many dishes as possible. If I really like one of the dishes I take a bit more of that dish when I return to the buffet for the second time. If there are a lot of different dishes it is impossible to taste every dish so I usually choose some of the dishes that I have never eaten before because I think that it will more interesting to taste those dishes.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85139)
• Shingle Springs, California
12 Mar 13
One plate of salad, one plate of meat, veggies and starches, and one dessert....
@lelin1123 (15594)
• Puerto Rico
7 Apr 13
We do go to Sizzler's buffet from time to time. However, to me its wasted on me because I'm not a big eater at all. I will maybe have two plates of food and dessert. The last time though I only had one plate of food and dessert. I was comfortable when I left. Meanwhile everyone else was eating like it was their last meal.Then they are so full and can't move.
Then they are so full and can't move.
@nyssa102 (748)
• United States
25 Mar 13
My technique for eating at a buffet is to enter carrying a big bag, LOL. I love buffets and have tended to go a little overboard on them. Eating a lot of food! Then I bag the rest. But usually, I take tiny bits of most everything that looks good, and then if there is something I really like, I go back for that meal.
taking tiny bits is a good technique.
@silvermist (19702)
• India
13 Sep 15
Now I follow the routine more or less as you do.I try the dishes I want to try in little quantities each and then go for that which I like a second time. Last the deserts.But my husband just takes one or two dishes-one helping and just the desert.
1 person likes this
@cher913 (25781)
• Canada
8 Mar 13
i think those ideas are pretty good but i also don't eat a lot on the day i am going to a buffet restaurant, that way i will have more room for all the yummy food that they have to offer. we don't go to those that often so those kind of restaurants are a special treat for us.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
9 Mar 13
Going to eat at a buffet is something that our family does like to do from time to time and I have found that I do pretty much have a routine that I will follow when we go to eat at a buffet.
The first trip that I make up to the food I will always get a green salad with a little bit of ranch dressing. The reason that I do this is that eating salad first will keep me from over eating the other items.
Then when I go back up I will get just a very small amount of each thing that I would like to try. If there is something that I really enjoyed I might get a little bit more. I don't tend to over eat when we go to a buffet.
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
8 Mar 13
Dear Ms Bingskee
When I was quite an eater at the restaurants, I always hoped on at the ones which offered buffets. I learned that the best way is to try out as many new dishes you can and my trick was - eat everything in quite little quantities. And then, if there is any dish which you liked, go for it.
That way, I could taste so many new dishes and even had my stomach full. But yes, there were hazardous things too which happened many a times, like the one which was most common - I loved so many dishes that day and I had to opt in a second time to have more of the ones I had relished.
When I was quite an eater at the restaurants, I always hoped on at the ones which offered buffets. I learned that the best way is to try out as many new dishes you can and my trick was - eat everything in quite little quantities. And then, if there is any dish which you liked, go for it.
That way, I could taste so many new dishes and even had my stomach full. But yes, there were hazardous things too which happened many a times, like the one which was most common - I loved so many dishes that day and I had to opt in a second time to have more of the ones I had relished.
@jeanneyvonne (5501)
• Philippines
10 Mar 13
My technique is that I only eat one viand and I will have the dessert after my main meal is done. I don't come back for thirds because any accompanying adult will give the oak and it's easier to get away after eating if you really don' the person who's hosting it. I usually try out for different drinks when it is available. I can get water in my own bag or at home.
i think the essence of going to buffet restos is to taste varieties of food offered.
@asokavaradhana (256)
• India
10 Mar 13
Well,i have used your strategy most of the times.And should say you have explained things brilliantly and clearly. But then i used a bit advanced type.First of all,i visit the place slowly and understand all the things in menu.I would then make a list of what to have and what not to have and a neutral list in case if it exists.After all these, i would focus on the ones i need to have and drink less water and once done and if have width will go for the neutral menu.In case i am really hungry i would make a sub division of what to have more in the main areas of interest.So in this way i will have everything i want.And i have them quickly and do not eat slowly.In this way, i can eat more and finish things.But of course, i learnt all these myself after few experiments at buffet.It does not make sense to go there with an empty stomach like starving for 3-4 days and going here.We cannot eat much and it will be kind of worse experience.Plus i agree on finding on rice and pasta.If you consume them more, you might find it tough on trying other ones in buffet.I hope you had a great experience alongwith husband in the buffet.Hope you enjoyed the things.Thanks!
