Your wife's first American buffet

[jj]

OK I  have to ask you guys about your wifes first experience in U.S. with the Buffet Restaurant.  I never thought Marina and my step daughter Tatiana would be crazy about all that new american food , as they are healthy eaters and cook mostly fresh , low cal meals, but about a few weeks after we were married, we went shopping in another town that happened to have a Golden Corral buffet restaurant.  I told them it was close to the shopping center, and that they probably would not like it, but it would be quick and convenient. Well, boy was I wrong!  They were able to try alot of good stuff all in one place.  As Marina  put it, you get to see what you are going to eat befoe hand, and can try it out.  Also tryed some of those american pies.  It took me by surprise but now that is what they look forward to every couple of weeks .  What have been  your experience at their first really big , tasty american buffet?    ( We do have enough sense not to eat there alot, because we try to watch the calories, and I still prefer most all of Marina's cooking.)

[Simoni]

I don't like buffets at all.   Too much food and too many people pawing through it!

But my Marina likes Golden Corral.  She likes Souper Salad even more.

[jj]

I also meant to include any other Western Countries buffets and RW too as applicable, sorry, -jj

[alantodd]

Not sure if you have been to Kiev lately but there are a lot of buffets there.  One called Odessa near the restaurant Miami comes  to mind.  I forget the others - my fiance tolerates them but I think she only goes there because I like it since it was next to her old apartment. These buffet restaurants are packed in Kiev,  I think because of the price and how much you get.  Getting more like USA in Kiev everyday.

We went to a golden corral type restaurant in Dominican Republic in 2006 and she liked the various sauces and the fact you can try many things.  Reminds me of when I visit her parents house where her mother cooks at least 30 dishes (or it seems).  The Russians I have met like to eat many dishes per meal. 

I really do not see much difference in weight in people over 40 years old in Ukraine than in the USA.  Big difference under 40 years old.

[BillyB]

There's a Grandma's Old Country Buffet where I live and there are tons of FSU people eating there.

[2tallbill]

I like buffet like places while traveling in a foreign country because you can try several types of different foods at one time. When I am traveling in the FSU I am always ordering more than I can eat
because I want to try everything on the menue.

Warning Off topic story:
Warning Off topic story:

I was in at a Taco Bell in Chico California which is a college town. A foreign student
was taking my order and and asked if I wanted "Hao ma" sauce.

I like trying new types of food and so I said yes. The student got a super perplexed look
on his face and said "NO HAO MA SAUCE!" well it's been my experience that if someone in
a restaurant warns you away for something then you should stay away from it because they
have inside knowledge. So I said No

The student's face became balled up, and in a flustered voice he said "NO........... HAO MA sauce!!!"

Then he showed me the little packets of Hot or mild sauce. He was saying hot or mild sauce.

[MaxxumUSA]

I'm sorry and I don't mean much offense...  but this seems like a frighin boring ass topic.

Who cares about a buffet?  Honestly?

Listen...  Get that broken a$$ grill in your back yard fixed and make some nice food for strangers.  That's a buffet!

Other than that...  go to vegas.

Although I grew up in vegas and I MUST tell you...  the buffets there today leave a lot to be desired.  You used to be able to get blonde virgins.  Now all they have is redheads.  Oh my how times have changed in the buffet!

Good luck - Maxxum

[Simoni]

I'm sorry and I don't mean much offense...  but this seems like a frighin boring ass topic.

Who cares about a buffet?  Honestly?

JJ was asking about how our wives responded to buffets.  It is an interesting and relevant topic.

Frankly, since Marina always complains about portion size in the US, I expected her to hate places like Golden Corral.  But to my surprise, she likes them.

You never know...


note to MaxxumUSA--   You shared that at buffets:  "You used to be able to get blonde virgins.  Now all they have is redheads."
Darn, I did not know those buffets served redheads!   Now I learn....but too late.  I am "busy" with my blond :-)

[Lily]

JJ was asking about how our wives responded to buffets.  It is an interesting and relevant topic.

Frankly, since Marina always complains about portion size in the US, I expected her to hate places like Golden Corral.  But to my surprise, she likes them.

You never know...

I am curious on why JJ, Simoni and may be others believe that RW may have some interesting reactions to buffets?  why do you think the buffets are that special? 
 

[Simoni]

OK I  have to ask you guys about your wifes first experience in U.S. with the Buffet Restaurant.  I never thought Marina and my step daughter Tatiana would be crazy about all that new american food , as they are healthy eaters and cook mostly fresh , low cal meals, but about a few weeks after we were married, we went shopping in another town that happened to have a Golden Corral buffet restaurant.  I told them it was close to the shopping center, and that they probably would not like it, but it would be quick and convenient. Well, boy was I wrong!  They were able to try alot of good stuff all in one place.  As Marina  put it, you get to see what you are going to eat befoe hand, and can try it out.  Also tryed some of those american pies.  It took me by surprise but now that is what they look forward to every couple of weeks .  What have been  your experience at their first really big , tasty american buffet?    ( We do have enough sense not to eat there alot, because we try to watch the calories, and I still prefer most all of Marina's cooking.)

I am curious on why JJ, Simoni and may be others believe that RW may have some interesting reactions to buffets?  why do you think the buffets are that special? 
 

I don't think they are special at all.  That is why I was surprised that Marina liked them.  She is a very selective eater and likes small portions of food.  So I was shocked she would even eat at a buffet.

I never would have taken her to one.  But a Russian woman friend took her to one (Souper Salad) and she loved the 100 salads she could choose from.  And the free ice cream!

She took me to the buffet the next day.

Just seemed out of character, but I'm glad she likes it.  I like the variety, too....and no wait for service. 

[KenC]

Our first "buffet" together was in Moscow.  More of a salad bar with pizza really at Patio Pizza.  Lena loves salads and she was not shy to fill her plate more than a few times too.

Once Lena arrived in America, I took her to a Chinese restaurant that served buffet style.  Of course in place like this, they are counting on you filling up with rice or noodles, but Lena just zero-ed in on the mussels and crab legs.  Plate after plate she hit them hard.  Finally, the attendant went in the back and brought out the manager.  Lots of talking in Chinese and pointing at the mussels and nodding in Lena's direction.  The manager pulled the last tray of mussels off the table.  Apparently, Lena exceeded her limit of mussels! 

And they thought it was me that was going to hurt them, not the skinny Russian chick!

Here in San Diego we have a few seafood/sushi buffets that are popular.  Lena and her friends enjoy them occasionally.  But she realizes that the quality of the food is usually not very good at buffets and prefers better quality restaurants.

I don't know if open brunches qualify as a "buffet", but they should, I guess.  We have a long standing tradition to take Lena's parents to the Marriott's Sunday brunch when they visit.  For all the complaining they do about the large portions served in America, they do get more than their fair share of grub at the Marriott brunch!
KenC

[WmGO]

As soon as I saw this headline I thought "Golden Corral"! 
That place is killer. Best to hit it late afternoon and make
it a combo lunch and dinner grazing event. 

[timothe]

As soon as I saw this headline I thought "Golden Corral"! 
That place is killer. Best to hit it late afternoon and make
it a combo lunch and dinner grazing event. 

I like Ponderosa much better. (because of their wings!!)  But they don't have Ponderosa or Bonanza here in TX, so it's Golden Corral or Palomino's for me. 

Interesting topic, BTW.  (loved Ken's anecdote!)

[MaxxumUSA]

I like Ponderosa much better. (because of their wings!!)  But they don't have Ponderosa or Bonanza here in TX, so it's Golden Corral or Palomino's for me. 

Interesting topic, BTW.  (loved Ken's anecdote!)

hmmm..;  Should I give ponderosa another try?  It's been 4 years since I have tried them and I was not pleased at the time.  Anything better now?

[Turboguy]

All I can say is our Ponderosa is the worst of the lot.   At one time they were quite good.   Fire Mt is the one everyone raves about here but there are lots of good one around the country.

VWRW loves a buffet.  We ate at one whenever we could in Russia and when we traveled.   Here I think she is afraid to stick a foot in one.  Too much great looking and tasting food, too much variety and too little will power.  We will be making a couple of trips to Vegas in the early part of the year and I most always eat in buffets there so she had better crank up her willpower.

[thompsongunner06]

My wife was surprised at the Buffets,,,,She eats very small portions and likes fish(salmon) most.Golden Corral is very good(hot rolls ). Now the best buffet is Carnival Cruise! We have to watch out, mostly we do salads,fruits and fish/chicken. The gym is great too. Pizza Hut is a REAL weakness. I grill most of the time and she loves it  .

[timothe]

All I can say is our Ponderosa is the worst of the lot.   At one time they were quite good.   Fire Mt is the one everyone raves about here but there are lots of good one around the country.

VWRW loves a buffet.  We ate at one whenever we could in Russia and when we traveled.   Here I think she is afraid to stick a foot in one.  Too much great looking and tasting food, too much variety and too little will power.  We will be making a couple of trips to Vegas in the early part of the year and I most always eat in buffets there so she had better crank up her willpower.

 

The best Ponderosa on the planet is in Washington, PA, off I-70.  This particular restaurant is exceptionally clean and the food is always fresh.  I visit the college occasionally and always stop in when I'm there.   

Others can be hit or miss, depending on the location.  But again, I don't eat the steaks, I just go for chicken wings with a little mashed potatoes and gravy.   

[jj]

I agree that all buffets are not the same.  In our area, Marina likes Golden Coral the best, because you can try grilled or broiled.  We both refrain from fried mostly. (not that I don't like it, but don't want to clog my arterys any earlier than the usual atherosclerotic changes  ).

Lily-  The reason I wanted to share my experience is because Marina did not always have access to such large choices in buffet (smaller buffets -yes).  I was surprised she liked the big buffet.   She is very selective in the foods she eats but buffet gives her that choice, as long as it is well prepared.   But it does give her a chance to see how certain foods are cooked, baked, etc. in American preparations.  She tryed many american pies for the first time, such as blueberry, apple, etc.  And cakes, such as carrot cake, cocconut etc.   She makes her russian pies much differently and lower calories, but it gives her the opportunity to try  eats all in one place.  I do not cook or grill, nor do I have the patience to do so, so this gives her and Tatiana a way to try different tastes.   Some they like and some they don't.  When I was in Russia, she took me to many tasty Georgian and Russian restaurants, and it  was quite a treat for me to taste the variations in way things are cooked.

The girls have a great appetite but still keep their weight at about 125 lbs.  I just look at food and gain 2 or 3 lbs.!
 

[MaxxumUSA]

Ok...

Just remembered....  Best buffet I have ever been to is at the Turning Stone casino in Verona, NY.  A hope skip and jump for some of you.

Different foods from different countries.  Excellent shaved meats, mexican food, asian, seafood, american classics, and breakfast all day.  Each station has 1 or 2 chefs to cook/slice fresh food for you.

Enjoy!

[evaljean]

I had to laugh when I saw this subject. 

I met my wife at the Airport after a 12 hour flight from Europe (it was 4 months after our marriage in Moldova)  and boy was she hungry. 

During our time together in Moldova we had always eaten local dishes.

Since I was unsure what type of food she would like I took her to my favorite local Chinese Buffet to give her a variety.

She actually liked it, as she could sample and try many new dishes.

My mother in law liked it too when she came to visit from Moldova.

Eric

[Son of Clyde]

What you have to consider is a RW moving to a new country wants to eat food she can see in advance. No surprises. If not a buffett take her somewhere where she can see the food like a cafeteria or a better fast-food restaurant where the food is behind a display. We have something like a Boston Market only much better quality food and they serve primarily chicken dishes. She might like a Japanese restaurant where a chef cooks the food at your table and she can select whatever she wants.

[Lily]

 http://giftube.com/gif/NOM_NOM_NOM-2039

[Son of Clyde]

Birdy Num Num