Buffet restaurants, known for their enticing “all-you-can-eat” concept, present a unique dining experience, offering a diverse array of food options for a single, fixed price. In Salinas, a city with a vibrant food scene, several buffet establishments cater to this popular dining style. As a food enthusiast, I’ve embarked on a culinary journey to explore these buffets, and this review focuses on my visit to AA Buffet, located at 910 S. Main St., Salinas.
The appeal of buffet dining lies in its inherent freedom and variety. The ability to survey a vast landscape of dishes, handpick selections from steaming trays, and curate a personalized meal is undeniably attractive. When a buffet restaurant is bustling and well-patronized, the high turnover of food is a significant advantage. Freshly prepared dishes emerge frequently from the kitchen, ensuring optimal flavor and quality. The exploratory nature of buffets allows diners to sample a multitude of flavors, discover new favorites, and indulge in small portions of diverse cuisines. The fixed price model offers predictability and value, allowing diners to eat to their heart’s content without constantly checking the bill.
However, the buffet experience is not without its potential drawbacks. The sheer scale of offerings in some buffets can sometimes be overwhelming, and may indicate a reliance on pre-prepared or processed ingredients. Concerns about food freshness and potential waste are also valid. One might wonder about the fate of uneaten food and the practices regarding food rotation and replenishment. Furthermore, the buffet dining style can sometimes disrupt the flow of conversation and create a less relaxed atmosphere. Frequent trips to the buffet stations can interrupt the dining experience, and in busy environments, navigating crowded buffet lines and bustling diners can be part of the experience.
My visit to AA Buffet took place on a weekday during lunchtime. Upon entering, I was greeted with a straightforward system: payment is made upfront, after which diners are free to choose any available table. The lunch price of $9.37 was notably affordable, especially when considering the extensive food selection on offer. The sheer volume of choices promised a good return on investment for anyone with a hearty appetite.
A vibrant sushi bar showcasing a variety of fresh sushi rolls, a popular choice at buffet restaurants offering diverse culinary options.
To my immediate left was a well-stocked sushi bar, presenting an array of visually appealing and fresh-looking sushi. While tempting, I decided to focus on the hot food selections for this visit. AA Buffet boasts an impressive eight food tables, a testament to its commitment to variety. The options spanned a wide range, from familiar pizza and tacos to classic American dishes, a salad bar, and a substantial selection of Chinese cuisine. Drawn by the latter, I gravitated towards the Chinese offerings.
My initial plate was a curated selection of Chinese-American buffet staples. It included a sampling of appetizers, the ever-popular orange chicken, broccoli beef, shrimp with zucchini, twice-cooked pork skewers, fried rice, and chow mein. Settling at a table adjacent to the owner, who was also enjoying lunch, I exchanged a smile and began my buffet exploration. The atmosphere was casual and comfortable, with staff members chatting in Chinese with a tour bus driver, adding an authentic touch to the ambiance.
A steam table filled with an assortment of Chinese buffet dishes, including stir-fries, noodles, and meat dishes, illustrating the diverse culinary offerings.
The egg roll, unfortunately, was somewhat soggy, and the cream cheese-filled triangle pastry was not to my taste. However, the “stuffed shrimp” proved to be a delightful surprise. This unique dish, new to me, featured shrimp uniformly coated in minced pork, suggesting a commercially prepared product rather than a house-made creation. Regardless, I found them enjoyable enough to warrant a second helping.
The broccoli, featured in several dishes, was consistently fresh and perfectly cooked, retaining a pleasant crispness. The fried rice, constantly replenished, provided a solid and flavorful base for the various dishes I sampled. The chow mein was also well-prepared and satisfying. The twice-cooked pork skewers, while a bit dry, were palatable, especially with a drizzle of duck sauce, which enhanced their flavor and texture. The orange chicken was acceptable, though not exceptional. The zucchini, while nicely cooked, was somewhat bland, lacking a noticeable presence of red pepper or other seasonings in most dishes. Despite these minor critiques, there remained numerous dishes I didn’t have the opportunity to try, leaving room for exploration on a future visit.
After two plates of savory items, I ventured to the dessert section. The highlight was undoubtedly the fresh-cut melon, a refreshing and healthy option. I also sampled a couple of pre-packaged cream puffs and macaroons, which provided a sweet conclusion to the meal.
A buffet dessert bar showcasing a selection of sweet treats, including fresh-cut fruits like melon, along with packaged pastries and cookies, offering a variety of choices for ending the meal.
It’s evident that buffet restaurants operate within certain constraints, particularly regarding the infrastructure of buffet stations. The permanent nature of these fixtures likely necessitates filling each pan, even if it means offering a vast, sometimes overwhelming, array of options. At AA Buffet, some empty pan bottoms were visible, which slightly detracted from the overall presentation. However, the spacious dining area is clearly designed to accommodate large groups, perhaps catering to tour bus crowds. This makes it a convenient dining option for travelers seeking a quick and varied meal.
Considering the inherent nature of buffet dining, AA Buffet successfully delivers on its promise of variety and quantity. It provides a clean environment and well-maintained buffet stations. For those seeking an extensive selection and a satisfying meal at an affordable price, AA Buffet is a viable option. However, diners seeking refined Chinese cuisine or personalized service may find that a traditional restaurant setting better suits their preferences.
Follow Joe Truskot on Twitter @truskot_salnews and like his Facebook.com/joetruskot page.
Details
Place: AA Buffet, 910 S Main St, Salinas, 831-751-9888
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., every day
Cost: Lunch was under $10
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