Old Country Buffet was not invented to give people high quality, expensive food for the elite. This is my grandma's night on the town, and although she is passed, she would have liked this place.
The restaurant is marketed towards Middle Americans who expect foods they are comfortable with. Thus, you see mountains of mashed potatoes, sliced turkey, macaroni and cheese, fried chicken, veggies, salad, ice cream and pie. Nothing fancy, but at the same time, sometimes it isn't so bad not to have to ask what 'escarole', 'coulis' or 'edamame' is. It's comfort food.
As for the atmosphere, there is something left to be desired. The staff are helpful, if not hurried. But the patrons come in droves, and getting a table is difficult during peak hours. The lighting is dull, and sometimes the lines can be overwhelming. At times you feel like you have to protect your table from being stolen.
That said, you never leave hungry, although sometimes you leave guilty for having eaten so much.
If you are feeling elite, there are plenty of other places in the area to go to. But if you want to gorge yourself on the foods you know and love, eat at Old Country Buffet.
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