There is a market for continentals I don't understand.. I should ask my wife because she preferred having the continental at Newport Beach..

2 plates of main and a dessert would be the norm - tend to go more for the quality than quantity these days, although the waist line doesn't back this up...

Only time I ever eat at buffets is in Vegas (and I don't really like them) or brunch in Asia (every chance I ever get, and I like them very much ^ ^ ).

In my experience, it is correct to avoid Buffets like the plague unless you are going to a high-end Hotel with the proper track record for Brunch/Buffet services and are willing to pay accordingly. I also tend to select a venue where they have free flowing Champagne from a house that I approve of, as these events for me will almost always mean the only meal of the day and at least 2 bottles of the sparkler being consumed.

Singapore is one place where I would go to one of these types of events as they have a history of quality & consistency, etc.

Even then, they are rarely excellent. They can be very good, however.

At least in the US, most / all the seafood (as someone mentioned above as being a reason to go) is usually not much better than average - snow crab legs (pre-frozen and watery), farmed shrimp, etc etc. Otherwise, the buffet would be $100+ pp.

If I go to a few buffets a year, it is a lot. 2 plates, plus dessert of some sort. There used to be a great Chinese buffet close to where I lived years ago - no, don't scream. It was a little restaurant, it was Friday only, and they were constantly bringing out small portions of freshly cooked food, and not 30 things to choose from. Then they expanded, became all buffet all the time, and xxxxxxxx, stopped going.

I was in east Texas working on a lawsuit not long ago and I saw a restaurant offering an all you can eat catfish buffet with free wifi. Blew my mind. (I didn't go).

Today's history lesson: It's a little known fact that the 23rd amendment to the constitution of the US requires all Indian restaurants to have a lunch buffet.

Any opposition to the all you care to eat style, where they serve you food at request..

Just came back from Disneyland, and we ate at Big Thunder Ranch twice in Frontier Land.. not a buffet, but the food kept coming and coming and coming..

Or does most everyone here prefer Goofy's Kitchen?

I don't mind an Indian buffet as long as it is packed (preferably with Indians!) I've been taken to a few dives (you know, in dubious strip malls, sandwiched between a phone unlocking place and an adult video store) that I would never have stopped at on my own. They have been excellent, constant stream of food coming out (and being hoovered up!), tons of fresh naan straight from the oven - fantastic! Then I've been to what I consider good Indian restaurants, that happen to do buffet rather than a la carte at lunch - and I have never been back to those places for lunch (the supper menu OTOH is great!)

I was among the small minority, probably less than 10%, of the US public who simply assumed that the 23rd amendment gave Washington, D.C. electoral votes in presidential elections, but then I thought about it -- I truly have never been to an Indian restaurant that lacks a buffet -- so it must be true!

Ate at an Indian buffet for lunch today..

No indians to be seen.. but for very good reason.. Ramadan is happening as we speak..

I really watch my diet and exercise.

I still go to "All you can eat" buffets since I can be choosy about what I get, and get it quickly.

I eat one plate of salad. One plate of hot food. Not heaping.
And I watch the carbs. Maybe 1 spoonful of desert just for a treat.

For me, it's a quick meal with convenience. Not a reason to eat like a pig.

Aren't the majority of Indian people Hindu?

Probably. Mr. Maestro has an affinity for the occasional non sequitor

I'm about as inept telling culture as I am speaking their language..

That's what the waitress told me, why the restaurant at lunch was unusually empty.. everyone is fasting.. and likely because of Ramadan, they'll show up for supper after their modified Ramadan..

Calgary has longer days.. that is why the modified Ramadan..