[kendi]

Originally Posted by ithos

From a health standpoint a good salad bar was one of the best options for dining out. Especially if you are plant based like me. Most salads from menus are ridiculously overpriced and not that good. But the average person does gorge themselves at buffets preferring the high fat and high calorie foods. So maybe this will prevent a few heart attacks and strokes as well.

Healthy food definitely. And it is nice to be able to create your own salad. But buffets are not healthy because they are so easily contaminated. Kids putting serving spoons in their mouth as they go through the line, people touching food But not taking it, multiple hands touching the same serving utensils, etc.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by mydavid

Never heard of Sweet Tomatoes

Sweet Tomatoes aka The Soup Plantation is a restaurant with a huge salad bar right inside the front door. Once you get past the cash register there are other food and drink stations where you pick up various soups, breads, pizza, drinks and dessert items. Sort of a mostly vegetarian buffet.
My wife really liked it because she felt it forced her to eat more healthy. I, on the other hand, never liked the idea of food (especially raw food) being left exposed for extended periods of time.
Some buffet type restaurants may be able to convert to cafeteria mode fairly easily. We will have to wait and see.

[NavyVet]

Buffets are generally 'evil' on several levels, but I have been a fan of Soup Plantation for years, starting in 1992 when I moved to Broward County, FL. I will miss Sweet Tomatoes. Salad bar at Ruby Tuesday's was always good too.

[shut the front door]

This is odd because Boston Lobster Feast on I drive i n Orlando opened up yesterday.

[JulieER]

Originally Posted by UpNorth

What a shame. Another casualty of the shutdown, not the virus. Expect more soon.

Yes because of virus. Too hard to protect people and food in this type restaurant. And when you also have to take away seating, profit just can’t be made. No liquor sales to fall back on either.

Stand by and watch the goings-on at a busy buffet for about an hour. If what you see doesn’t turn you off to buffet food, then go for it. But for us, the extra cost of menu pricing is worth it to have far fewer hands on and around our food before we eat it. And we decided that long before covid-19.

[GoodLife]

Those mocking cheap buffets should maybe check their privilege. For a lot of Dads and Moms, it's the only place they can afford to take their kids.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by theruizs

Some people with minivans who normally drink cheap wine like to splurge a little when they can finally afford a vacation.

Very true.

[45candyapple]

Have you ever been inside a restaurant kitchen? Don't think things are the cleanliest there; plus they don't use gloves or hair nets, some smoke and who knows about the spitting in your food!!!!! Same for waiters and waitresses!!!

Originally Posted by theruizs

Stand by and watch the goings-on at a busy buffet for about an hour. If what you see doesn’t turn you off to buffet food, then go for it. But for us, the extra cost of menu pricing is worth it to have far fewer hands on and around our food before we eat it. And we decided that long before covid-19.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by 45candyapple

Have you ever been inside a restaurant kitchen? Don't think things are the cleanliest there; plus they don't use gloves or hair nets, some smoke and who knows about the spitting in your food!!!!! Same for waiters and waitresses!!!

I think there are a lot (big, big majority) of cooks, chefs, waiters, waitresses, bartenders, etc., who work very hard and take pride in the jobs and are sanitary. I think the prior poster was talking about clueless people going down a buff-line and their poor habits.

[Aloha]

I understand that Golden Corral is pivoting to a Cafeteria style instead of Buffet style. Servers will place food on your plate or covered containers can be selected for some items. Also, a Family Style, where items are brought to your table may be available. Actually sounds better and safer than the old buffet style.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by Aloha

I understand that Golden Corral is pivoting to a Cafeteria style instead of Buffet style. Servers will place food on your plate or covered containers can be selected for some items. Also, a Family Style, where items are brought to your table may be available. Actually sounds better and safer than the old buffet style.

Interesting concept. That chain was kinda in a box.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by ithos

From a health standpoint a good salad bar was one of the best options for dining out. Especially if you are plant based like me. Most salads from menus are ridiculously overpriced and not that good. But the average person does gorge themselves at buffets preferring the high fat and high calorie foods. So maybe this will prevent a few heart attacks and strokes as well.

No, they just go to Kentucky fried chicken or IHOP.

[LiverpoolWalrus]

Originally Posted by Dianalea

Would love if a Chipotle would open up down here! Most people can't say the name right, but they have great food 👍

Many people can’t even say the English words foliage and verbiage right, but life goes on.

[vermonster]

Everyone is focusing on the "micro" changes that have occurred and will continue to occur because of the coronavirus. If you step back and focus on the "macro" picture, I believe you will see very different future in the US, in the world, and even in The Villages over the course of the next few years. Things will not get back to normal in my opinion, but instead will evolve into a new normal. The best advice is to stay flexible, stay safe, prepare to adapt (difficult for us seniors), and fight against negativity and harmful changes that may appear (reference article in The Daily Sun the other day about the rise of hate groups).