Are Buffet Restaurants a thing of the past?

[Simon1006]

Morning all,

We're looking ahead and hoping to book our next trip in 2022, I have been looking at some of our old favourites both on and off site... It seems they've either closed permanently or for good!

Sweet Tomatoes
Golden Coral (192)
Sizzler
Boma

What's people's thoughts on whether we'll see this sort of place open back up in the medium term (next 12-18 months)?

[Gill H]

I would think the onsite ones certainly will, perhaps served 'family style' instead, which is what Disneyland Paris were doing last year.

Or perhaps 'cafeteria style' ie everything is behind plexiglass, ask for what you want and the CM puts it on your plate.

[YorkshireT]

I think buffets were dying out anyway, you only have to look at all the ones that are on their last legs or going bust.

I remember when first visiting Florida in ‘91 the buffet was a thing to behold, you couldn’t really get them here.

I think they’ll survive in hotels (breakfast in States and your Euro hotels) and maybe cruise ships.

[Trueblue88]

Originally Posted by Simon1006

Morning all,

We're looking ahead and hoping to book our next trip in 2022, I have been looking at some of our old favourites both on and off site... It seems they've either closed permanently or for good!

Sweet Tomatoes
Golden Coral (192)
Sizzler
Boma

What's people's thoughts on whether we'll see this sort of place open back up in the medium term (next 12-18 months)?

See more...

I know Sweet Tomatoes have closed but didnt realise Golden Coral on the 192 has closed such a pity

[Simon1006]

Originally Posted by Trueblue88

I know Sweet Tomatoes have closed but didnt realise Golden Coral on the 192 has closed such a pity

See more...

It may just be a temporary closure, but would be good to see it open again once international tourists start to swell in numbers.

[gjdjud]

We’ve done Ponderosa and Golden Coral in the past but personally I don’t think I’d be going to one again. A great budget choice back in the day but hygiene was horrendous before any of todays events took place.

Disney will probably just do family style for the future. I’m not sure about more upmarket Brazilian places like Fogo de Chao and Texas De Brazil will do as lots was buffet in those.

[snowbelle]

I just read there are 41 well known chains in the US who are closing some franchised sites and/or are struggling including places like Cici's,Ihop, Dennys &Cheesecake factory.
So in some cases it maybe just the franchised site closing down( not in the case of Sweet tomatoes I know)

Many may have been hanging on by the skin of their teeth financially and the pandemic was the straw that broke the camel's back.

I hope for those that make it through they realise that they will need to up their hygiene game and this includes some UK restaurants.

[greekgranny]

Originally Posted by Simon1006

Morning all,

We're looking ahead and hoping to book our next trip in 2022, I have been looking at some of our old favourites both on and off site... It seems they've either closed permanently or for good!

Sweet Tomatoes
Golden Coral (192)
Sizzler
Boma

What's people's thoughts on whether we'll see this sort of place open back up in the medium term (next 12-18 months)?

See more...

Which one(s) on the 192 there are several? (Golden Corrals)

[babbymint]

Someone on here told me that Ichiban was still going and that's a buffet.

[DonnaD]

Golden Corral:

192 near Old Lake Wilson - permanently shut

Near Celebration - open

Near downtown Kissimmee - still shut but looks temporary

Lake Buena Vista - open

Ponderosa near Old Lake Wilson, Ichiban, Hokkiado all open

Sweet Tomatoes all closed due to financial issues pre Covid