May 2010

I've seen signs for several "homestyle" buffet restaurants; they feature buffet stations where you serve yourself, and offer a variety of choices built around the concept of middle America cuisine, and "comfort food." I note that they tend to be at malls and shopping centers—off of main throughways and interstates, where not only families with children, but long distance truckers and travelers can spot the familiar sign even in unfamiliar areas. I should probably confess that my first knowledge of these restaurants was via a South Park episode, where the featured buffet restaurant was named "Old People's Buffet." Most of the "comfort food" American style buffet restaurants are owned by a single corporation, who owns the "Country Buffet, " "Old Country Buffet" and "HomeTown Buffet" chains.

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