Future of buffets?

[LovesTimone]

I certainly don't agree. At Disney, maybe. But as we own a buffet style restaurant, I'd hate to see them disappear everywhere. I'd like to have my business and livelihood back.

I think that once that the vaccination comes into play, that eventually we will see buffets return... Or more old school service like Piccadilly or Morrison, Where you just point at what you want... and they hand it to you... seem like that might be the next step, before full on buffets start backup again... We were in NC right before Thanksgiving, and we ate at a buffet... that had employee's back behind the buffet bar, and you just told them what you wanted, a couple piece's of bacon or sausage, just the watermelon, can I have cheese on my grits... worked out great, if you wanted toast or a bagel or something they would bring it from the kitchen, and the plate's were covered... DH and I both had no problem with this set up, as well they had a line when we left and people were waiting... So there is hope on the horizon...

 

[LovesTimone]

Because they are "floating petri dishes", many cruise lines shifted to multiple, smaller specialty stations, with staff serving the food (a.k.a. cafeteria style). This not only cuts down on cross-contamination but saves a ton of money in wasted food. Plus the smaller individual stations are less frustrating and quicker to approach when you want just one item, instead of waiting in a long line.

Although I avoid AYCE scenarios to avoid a over-indulging, I'd consider family-style as I'd rather not get up during my meal...I like to be served when dining out.

I like that the cruise shifted to different stations, If I just wanted a salad then I just told the staff member behind the station what I wanted, and the made it right in front of me, and it was easy peasy...

I will say that DH and I have enjoy the family style, Chef Mickey was really nice we actually could eat, without running back and forth to the buffet, and while we did miss seeing Mickey and the Gang, we did not miss over zealous parents with their camera's, pushing around to get the perfect shot, nor adults and kids not wanting to wait there turn for Mickey and the Gang to come to the table, getting all up in your space. We had a lady once ask us to get up from the table were we were eating so that she could get a better shot of her family at the table... this is after she hit me in the back of my head with her backpack, and then knocked over a chair at another table... To which my DH replied a very undisney like response to that request... there was a CM and the Server trying to get this family under control, I truly felt bad for them both... This is where you need some social distancing for sure...

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Hopefully buffets will disappear! After eating at a Chinese buffet- saw a 10-12 year old girl and brother 7-8 clearly old enough to know better drop serving spoon on floor- look around pick up and put back in food! Parents nowhere to be seen. I got up took spoon out and found employee and gave it to them.

no more buffets!

 

[sethschroeder]

Did you visit buffets (other than Disney) before Covid?

Buffets have never been the most sanitary model, so true germaphobes before Covid likely never visited buffets anyway. I would never expect that to change. But with the heightened cleaning protocols nearly everywhere and people in general being more cognizant about hand sanitizing and washing hands, buffets will be cleaner and safer than ever once the world is in a position where things like that can operate again. So, it doesn't make sense to me why someone who would visit buffets before would not do so again after the Covid craziness settles, especially when the vaccine is in full effect.

So my question was regarding cost differences in the two models as a possible change from Buffets to Family Style. From a Disney perspective they could use the Pandemic to permanently kill off Buffets on property if Family Style is more cost effective.

Few reasons why though:

• Became more aware of sanitary aspects in daily life
• Experienced superior quality to family style/AYCTE for the same price
• Change in eating habits based on prolonged time of not going out to eat
• Restaurant being closed for so long could mean possible permanent closure and they don't seek out new buffet

I personally don't really visit buffets because the food quality is subpar in comparison to plated or family style.

 

[mkb3]

I typically only eat buffets at Casinos, WDW and Cruises. I would be bummed if they do not return if the vaccine works as predicted. I still regret not going to the Wave for breakfast on my trip in 2019. Oh and trust me what goes on in a closed kitchen isn't any better than what you see happening out front on the buffet.

 

[PattnFmly]

My family loves buffets. All of my family. Here, we only really had Chinese buffets - and we went about once a month. There's no other buffets to speak of really. But in WDW, I think we hit most of the buffets. Everyone can eat exactly what they want. I don't see any way a family platter will really work well with my family. There's always food on them that no one will eat, so that gets wasted. It would have to be a family platter where you could choose what you want on your platter. If they do away with buffets, I really hope they go to either a choice of items, or a small plate type so we can only pick what we will eat.

 

[Callie]

A local Chinese buffet opened back up. Their solution was to have everyone grab a clean pair of gloves each visit.
Another serves you because that is what the county requires, and you still have to wear gloves.

I went to FOGO De Chao in July and they came around to the tables with items that use to be on the buffet. It was not nearly as good. I went again in October and the cold bar was open but with servers preparing your plate as you told them what you wanted. A lot better option and I could see Disney going this way.

 

[sethschroeder]

Oh and trust me what goes on in a closed kitchen isn't any better than what you see happening out front on the buffet.

Sorry a kid licking the serving spoon and putting it back likely is not happening in the kitchen. I will take the kitchen over buffet line if we are trying to find the one that is cleaner.

Everyone can eat exactly what they want. I don't see any way a family platter will really work well with my family.

Not sure why not? If they give you every option from the normal buffet why doesn't that satisfy your family?

No one is saying remove choice they are saying just remove the buffet line.

Example would be sit down, mobile order, for each individual allowed to check 5 items for initial start so a family of 4 could get 20 items which you specify, individual, small, medium, or large portion of.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Sorry a kid licking the serving spoon and putting it back likely is not happening in the kitchen. I will take the kitchen over buffet line if we are trying to find the one that is cleaner.



Not sure why not? If they give you every option from the normal buffet why doesn't that satisfy your family?

No one is saying remove choice they are saying just remove the buffet line.

Example would be sit down, mobile order, for each individual allowed to check 5 items for initial start so a family of 4 could get 20 items which you specify, individual, small, medium, or large portion of.

because you might have a child/adult who wont touch food if it touches another food. buffet works here but not family style unless each food is on its own plate. how many plates can fit on the table and still have room to eat. I will use your example of family of 4 with 20 items with medium portion where are you putting all those platers plus plates to eat from? try that with you table at home because about same size of table

 

[frannn]

There is a Japanese restaurant that we frequent that has an All You Can Eat menu. You order the dishes you want from that menu and there are "runners" that bring the small servings of the items/sushi rolls ordered. This costs about 27/person in NY, and the food is delicious, with the restaurant always busy. The only catch is that if you dont eat what you order, they will charge you for it (a few $). This is ideal because you can relax and still have a variety of things of your choosing.

 

[Raemama]

not Disney but buffets have started to reappear in my area.

Same here.

 

[Raemama]

You order the dishes you want from that menu and there are "runners" that bring the small servings of the items...

We have one in our area (Italian/Mediterranean food) that we absolutely love. It’s a fun food experience. I feel like I’m eating a whole lot, but in actuality, I’m nibbling. It probably saves on food costs in the long run.

 

[nkereina]

So my question was regarding cost differences in the two models as a possible change from Buffets to Family Style. From a Disney perspective they could use the Pandemic to permanently kill off Buffets on property if Family Style is more cost effective.

Few reasons why though:

• Became more aware of sanitary aspects in daily life
• Experienced superior quality to family style/AYCTE for the same price
• Change in eating habits based on prolonged time of not going out to eat
• Restaurant being closed for so long could mean possible permanent closure and they don't seek out new buffet

I personally don't really visit buffets because the food quality is subpar in comparison to plated or family style.

You make some good points. I'm in the camp that hopes buffets will return, but I do acknowledge there are pros and cons to both buffet and family style. But, like everything else, it will boil down to what has the most efficient operating cost. Everything for the foreseeable future will boil down to operating cost with the amount of money they lost. While they may be preparing less food for a family style meal because they have fewer options, I do think buffets turn tables over faster and that's where they make money. We can get in and out of a buffet restaurant in 30-45 minutes, unless we want to wait for characters. At a family style meal, we're reliant on servers who, by nature, may take some time to get us things. Family style would also require more wait staff, leading to greater operating costs, since they'll need more waiters to service fewer tables as opposed to less waiters servicing more tables in a buffet environment. There's a reason why Disney has had so many buffet options through the years, and it can only be attributed to efficient operations at a lower cost.

 

[Lilsia]

I think that once that the vaccination comes into play, that eventually we will see buffets return... Or more old school service like Piccadilly or Morrison, Where you just point at what you want... and they hand it to you... seem like that might be the next step, before full on buffets start backup again... We were in NC right before Thanksgiving, and we ate at a buffet... that had employee's back behind the buffet bar, and you just told them what you wanted, a couple piece's of bacon or sausage, just the watermelon, can I have cheese on my grits... worked out great, if you wanted toast or a bagel or something they would bring it from the kitchen, and the plate's were covered... DH and I both had no problem with this set up, as well they had a line when we left and people were waiting... So there is hope on the horizon...

What you just described was cafeteria style. I like that option better then family style because the consumer gets to choose what they want instead of just being handed a bit of everything. Family style has more waste then cafeteria style does.

 

[holden]

I’m fine with buffets disappearing. The thought of touch a serving utensil that has been touched by many other people grosses me out.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

I’m fine with buffets disappearing. The thought of touch a serving utensil that has been touched by many other people grosses me out.

It's similar to touching an elevator button, or a door handle, and maybe not as bad as touching a soap dispenser in a public restroom.

 

[holden]

It's similar to touching an elevator button, or a door handle, and maybe not as bad as touching a soap dispenser in a public restroom.

Yep. Things I try to avoid. I like to use my elbow, a paper towel, etc. Especially in Disney.

 

[LovesTimone]

We just ate at Ruby Tuesdays,( Clermont) actually I ate there twice in a week, once with my DH and once with a friend, while we were out shopping yesterday... The salad bar is up and offering what they did before... You must wear a mask, and are required to use the gloves at the salad bar, and a trash can at the end to throw the gloves away... Lots of people were using the salad bar, both times, Each visit I had soup and salad... They keep the containers about half full, and there was someone taking care of it constantly... Super Fresh and really nice to be able to make it my way...

 

[LovesTimone]

Yep. Things I try to avoid. I like to use my elbow, a paper towel, etc. Especially in Disney.

I have a allergy to coconut, and a-lot of soaps, have coconut in them, either coconut oil or water or some by products. I have to bring my own soap along with me so that my hands don't break out and start itching, and cracking... This has come in handy during this time, I also grab a small paper towel then wash my hands, so that if I have to manually push or turn the paper towel machine my clean hands are not touching it... I keep the paper towel to use to open the doors on the way out...

I have always been a hand washer, we were taught as little kids, and my Granny did not mess around, when you were told to go wash up before Sunday dinner you better put a move on it, and do it right, so I have been doing this routine for a long long time, When I worked in health care (for years), and the first thing that they show you is how germs and bacteria transfer around... It made a real impact seeing it... made the hand washing almost compulsive behavior... and with all this with covid, I think it has become compulsive...

 

[sethschroeder]

I like that option better then family style because the consumer gets to choose what they want instead of just being handed a bit of everything

I am not sure where you got this from. There is NO requirement to have a bunch of random food on a plate. Every family style restaurant in my area has you pick your specific foods its not just a random platter of food (yes I understand Disney has been doing more of this low effort family style). Family style though here was never a replacement for buffets so possibly why they are done differently.

Typically its:

• Each person picks the main dish for first platter (Fried Fish, Broiled Fish, Salmon, Chicken, Prime Rib, Burger, Brats whatever else they have)
• Table outlines sides they want (Fried Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes, Pasta, Mac N Cheese, ect)
• Table outlines if they want salads, breads, ect (also normally how many people want each item so server knows size to bring)
• Dessert normally not included but would be by the plate off a cart they bring table side

Yes if you have crappy family style then no people will not want it. A proper well done family style (Disney charges $40/$50/$60 so they can make the math work) will end up being a superior experience since you are not walking around, standing in lines, and having a dish out of stock as you walk up.