Buffets? Nope. I quit them after an episode at an Alabama beach restaurant.
Family reunion members go in to eat. So many of us that we are in four vehicles. We are seated in clear view of the buffet line. We're given a choice: Order from the menu or eat from the buffet.
While pondering that choice, my brother and I witness one of the buffet "attendants" brings out a fresh tray with a lid on it of something. Sets the tray on the floor. Um, what? Then removes the empty tray and places it on the floor.
Places the fresh tray in the empty spot. Takes off the lid and places it on the floor. Okay, gonna go back with the empty tray, right?
Nope! Picks up the lid from the floor and places it back on the fresh tray. I looked at my brother and said, I'm out of here. I can't eat here having witnessed that. He informs a few folks at the table what we just saw and that he and I were going to go elsewhere for food.
We all decide to go elsewhere. We get up and leave. The Manager asks why. I tell him. He says that isn't possible. My brother speaks up and said we both saw what was done, and that both the fresh tray and its lid were placed on the floor and then back onto the fresh tray.
My then 80+ year old Aunt says sweetly to the Manger that they should do better with their food handling. That it's one thing of what goes on in your kitchen that we don't see, but to see such a blatant disregard for food hygiene is disturbing.
When we went back the next year for our annual reunion, we discovered that restaurant had closed. Asked around and found out it was because of numerous food safety violations. Closed by their health department. Who would have figured that might happen, lol!
I don't think I'll miss buffets if they go bye-bye. Not like I'd ever eat at one again anyway.