I’ve loved a good buffet my whole life.
There’s just something about an endlessly replenishing platter of biscuits, or enough fried chicken to feed the multitudes, that fills me with the comfort of abundance — particularly when it’s fresh, perfectly seasoned and lovingly prepared.
Such is the case for these buffets, which are some of my favorite picks for a casual breakfast, lunch or dinner in Acadiana, especially when feeding a large group. These options cover everything from authentic Cajun cuisine to well-prepared Asian dishes.
One of the state’s last remaining Shoney’s, in Morgan City, is still putting out a star of a breakfast buffet, with options that include French toast sticks and an amazing, peppery white gravy — and Rascal’s Cajun Restaurant in Duson has a rice dressing on their buffet line that’s equivalent to a grandma’s rice dressing.
When frequenting a buffet, it’s important to follow the basic rules of buffet etiquette:
- Always check to see that the buffet line is well kept and regularly wiped down, with the dishes often changed out. If any of the food looks old, it’s probably not a good choice.
- Diners have an important role to play in maintaining buffet hygiene — always get a new plate with each trip, and use the provided utensils for serving. Never touch any of the food or serving dishes with your hands, and respect the sneeze guard (the transparent roof over the buffet serving area that helps block sneezes and coughs from reaching the food).
- Don’t disrupt the flow, or linger unnecessarily long over dishes. The entire point of a buffet is that customers can return as many times as their stomachs will allow, so don’t get stopped by decision paralysis on the first trip.
- Be mindful of food waste. Don’t take more than you can eat, and absolutely never bring leftover food back to the buffet.
Try these buffets for a laid-back but quality dining experience in Acadiana, across a range of cuisines — and let me know if you have a favorite buffet in the area.
King Buffet
541 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette
Consistently ranked as one of the top choices among Asian buffets in Lafayette, King Buffet near Cajun Field at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette has something for everyone…