I have a fondness for old-fashioned buffets and on a whim, we sat down for a lunch buffet at our local grocery store. Buffets satisfy my craving for a huge helping of nostalgia. But since I've discovered dim sum, both brunch and the buffet have strong competition in selection, taste, and the fun factor. I'll muse about my Sunday dim sum experiences in the future. But belly up to the buffet with me today that takes less time than a buffet lunch! 

What’s your favorite comfort food at the 

all-you-can eat buffet?

For me, Jell-O salad in all its jiggly wiggly colorful glory wins. Red squares ready to be scooped up, or orange-flavored gelatin with whipped topping and fruit, mini-marshmallows, and coconut. Really, isn’t it genius to market dessert as a salad?     

You may believe that these buffets are on the endangered eating list. But buffets are out there my friends, as mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, fried chicken, and cherry pie as my witnesses.

Buffets are for those with enormous appetites and tiny budgets. In college, I frequented the cheapest all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet with my radio station friends. Let’s call my buddies Burt and Marcie. Burt was a big bear of a guy who took care of the transmitter and all the college broadcast equipment. He was smart, soft-spoken, and never one to rush.

Marcie was high strung with her thoughts moving at the speed of light. She was petite and her twig-like body was deceiving because she ate like a bird. In other words, she ate alot.

As for me, I was a student working at the radio station to get experience and a small paycheck. Inside, the savory smell of bacon and sausage, wakes us up. We leave content because breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It is my only meal that day. We slugged back with heavy bellies.

Although I enjoy brunches, I prefer buffets. The food and more so the people watching. Sure, brunches are more sophisticated—the menu, service and the clientele. But as long as I’m in good company, take me to the buffet.

However, as a teenager, I would have rather jumped off a cliff than spend what seemed like hours at the buffet with my relatives. For them, the buffet was a Sunday treat. For me, the experience was like eating a side order of embarrassment.

Those days are gone, but not quite forgotten.      

Last week, my hubby and I checked out the Hennings Market. It’s a throw-back lunch buffet featuring soup to a self-serve ice cream bar. Yep, over 100 items. Lunch is one price. Seconds are included.

We picked up the black plastic containers and headed for the hot bar. One thing I learned is to walk around the buffet prior to filling your plate. Scope out the scene. Have a plan of attack.

I avoid public salad bars, but this display looked fresh and appetizing with a large number ofdessert salads. A separate section featured Jell-O offerings, puddings, and slices of pie ranging from common cherry to shoofly. The choices made me feel dizzy.

Did I have a Jello-O salad? You bet and it passed the test, bringing sweetness with flecks of coconut.