Too often, I'll eat until I feel sick (my cheapskate self wants maximize the value, but then it all ends up doing more harm than good). So I never go to buffets anymore.

I like buffets especially in Vegas, but the problem is everyone tries to "get there money back," by over eating. That's not a healthy eating mentality so I try to limit myself. Or I'll skip breakfast and have a big early lunch and be good to dinner or something along those lines. They probably still come out ahead most of the time anyway.

There are many kinds of buffets including Casino Buffets, Chinese and Asian, Farm House Restaurant, Hotel Sunday Brunch and pizza chains. I prefer taste not quantity and taste a lot. ;). I take a quick tour before piling food in my plate and select what I like most then put small quantity in my plate and try to taste everything.

I like the pizza buffet places, get to try their various pies. As with buffet places, I eat too much:D

I usually take one plate for the main meal, and then one helping of desert. I load my "main" plate fairly heavily, but not so that there's a mountain on there.

I don't go to buffets often though. There's one in the local area that I used to really enjoy, but the quality of food has deteriorated massively, and now stuff sits there until it's dried out and disgusting :( I'd rather a small helping of nice stuff than an all you can eat pile of junk.

^ Me also:D

At all you can eat crab buffet at MGM Detroit, usually 3-4 plates of crabs alone, followed by plate of cocktail shrimp and oysters, and desert.

Have ye been to (Japan) to eat at a Shakey's? They have lunch pizza buffets with toppings less likely to be found in the states. Not that I think any of it is weird (save for that one glop that East Asia goes ecstatic for-mayonnaise), but if you're down with tuna and corn, that's one variant.

Buffets in Turkey have my number. The variety of breads, spreads, cheeses, and vegetables combined with free-flowing olive oil make for a swell treat.
Other notable buffets in my travels include the Majapahit Hotel in Surabaya and the Inter-Continental in Bangkok, and probably ones in Dubai. I'm willing to eat any meal at anytime, so hummus, basterma and baklava for breakfast sounds...good, but I'm going to be down for the count for the day.

Haven't been to Japan yet, and I haven't eaten at a Shakey's since I was a kid.
At least I have a good meal suggestion.:D

I used to overeat at buffets until I realized the discomfort of my bloated stomach and the inability to get up and move afterwards just wasn't worth it. Now I just choose my favorite things and eat until I feel reasonably full. But I'm a big eater, so I'm pretty sure I always make my money back anyway :D

They just aren't as good as they used to be.

I'm embarassed to admit-- I love me a good buffet, as long as the quality is there. Any time I'm in Las Vegas, I try to stop at my fave buffet there, at the Wynn. (They have a green pea risotto that is AMAAAAAAZING.)

And for you L.A. Buffer Lovers: there's a new "Vegas Seafood Buffet" open in Hollywood, a block west of the Chinese Theater. It's the sister restaurant to the same thing in Glendale... and it's really good. They just opened last week and it's $20 for dinner. Great selection of seafood (of course) but also a good teppanyaki station (you know, grilled in front of you, like Benihana), Brazilian churrasco station, and excellent desserts including a chocolate fountain with fresh fruit for enrobing. ;-)

Buffets are a great way to try something you might not normally try. Just remember, everything in moderation. I prefer something with quality over quantity, as some of these cheap places don't treat the food with much integrity.

My introduction to Indian food was via buffet, as I was afraid to explore it previously. I was able to find out the items I did and didn't like, so that when I went out with friends for Indian food, I had a better idea of what the food was. Many ethnic restaurants will have a Lunch Buffet, which will let you do just this.

One of my top picks for Ethnic Buffet close to home (Los Angeles) is here:
http://wahibmiddleeast.com

Nice Indian buffet in Silicon Valley: http://www.passagetoindia.net/restaurant/?q=node/32

This place is always packed with South Asians, food is great. A little on the spicy side, so be aware....