People in the U.S. LOVE their all-you-can-eat restaurants. Nothing screams ‘deal’ more than unlimited access to as much food as you want. While some people can pile up the plates, others get their fill more modestly. But, no matter which way you look at it, the ability to get more if you want it draws people in. The country is packed with all-you-can-eat restaurants because let’s face it, the people there love to eat. These eateries usually offer this type of dining in a buffet setting. Order your drink, get up, grab a plate, and go to town. The variety is usually part of the excitement (that and the all-you-can-eat ice cream machine.)

All-you-can-eat dining options are extremely popular in tourist towns like Las Vegas and Atlantic City. The casinos are known for their buffet options, and this is part of the reason people visit. While some buffets are opulent, high-quality, and clean, others are pretty run down. Some U.S buffets have a reputation for incredible all-you-can-eat spreads, while others are rated pretty poorly. From bad food to dirty conditions, restaurant goers don’t hesitate to give bad reviews when they are due. Internet dwellers also offer credit where credit is due and highly rate some of the country’s best buffets. So, after perusing the internet in search for the best and worst all-you-can-eat restaurants, here’s what we found.

20 Best: Gaia’s Garden, Santa Rosa, California

This vegetarian buffet tops the list, because of its quality, unique offerings, and healthy options. The menu consists of international fare including curries, homemade bread, soups, salads, chai tea, and desserts. The dinner options rotate so you could stuff yourself with coconut tofu, quiche, lasagne, stuffed cabbage, and enchiladas. All of the food options are health conscious, containing no artificial coloring, corn syrup, nitrates, or hydrogenated oils. It’s recognized around the country for being one of the tastiest, and healthiest buffets. There are plenty of vegan options too. And, the best part, you can pay for what you eat, not a set price. This way, you don’t have to stuff yourself to get your money’s worth.

19 Best: Brook Shaw’s Old Country Store, Jackson, Tennessee

Want an all-you-can-eat restaurant that looks like a historic, Tennessee relic? This is your place. They’ve been serving up top-notch food for more than 50 years, and the aesthetic proves it. The restaurant looks like something out of an old western movie, with a weathered porch and lots of antiques on the walls. They serve up real home cooking, and the buffet is full of southern favorites. Guests can choose from sweet potato casserole, cornbread, fried chicken, ribs, pickled okra, fried catfish, turnip greens, and country ham. This place has won awards, so it’s definitely worth checking out.

18 Best: The Borgata Buffet, The Borgata, Atlantic City, N.J.

If you’re visiting Atlantic City, the Borgata is one of the places you MUST visit. This casino and hotel are known for its nightlife, and it’s restaurant scene. The Borgata Buffet is renowned for its high-quality meals and excellent service. This is one classy joint, even for an all-you-can-eat buffet. The meat section is one of the main draws as it features prime rib, barbecue pork ribs, sirloin steak, beer-braised pork belly, grilled chicken, and pork chops. Seafood items include shrimp, Mahi Mahi, clams, salmon, snapper, sushi, and seafood pasta. Guests can find Italian, Chinese, burgers, macaroni and cheese, and a delicious lineup of incredible desserts.

17 Best: Nero’s Italian Steakhouse, Caesars, Atlantic City, N.J.

Located inside Caesars casino, Nero’s has the best Sunday brunch in Atlantic City. The restaurant overlooks the ocean and has multiple stations for guests to fill up before heading to the beach. There are made-to-order waffles, pancakes, crepes, and omelets. Guests can dine on shrimp cocktail, homemade sushi, oysters, prime rib, pasta, crab legs, and a whole selection of dessert. They specialize in Italian food but have options from all over the world. Want to catch a buzz? There are all-you-can-drink mimosas, bloody marys, and champagne. This is wine and dining at its finest.

16 Best: The Buffet, Aria, Las Vegas

The Aria Resort and Casino has one of the best buffets in Vegas. There are eleven stations full of delicious food. The resort is relatively new for Vegas, and they really strive to impress with their lineup of freshly made options. There is a rotating selection of roasted meats, sliced to order, and fresh fish. They have a tandoor oven in which they cook soft, doughy, naan. And, they even offer classics like grilled cheese and tomato soup (great for families with picky eaters.) Trying to keep your bikini body for the rooftop pool parties? This buffet has an incredible salad bar. Just choose the ingredients and the staff will toss it for you. The buffet features made-to-order pasta, dim sum, tacos, cured meats and artisanal cheeses, and homemade soups. The beer, wine, and sangria are bottomless too.

15 Best: Yleaf Authentic Indian Cuisine, Birmingham

Located in Birmingham, this buffet brings a great selection of authentic, Indian food to Alabama. They offer different dishes and recipes from all parts of India, to give guests a true taste of the country’s cuisine. Guests can taste tandoori chicken, lamb, and seafood, as well as Bombay street snacks, and homemade soups. There is plenty of fresh naan bread and basmati rice to pair with the dishes. And, there is an entire menu of vegetarian options. Online reviews say that the staff is extremely knowledgeable and can explain the different dishes and their ingredients. Reviewers say that the food is delicious, authentic, and worth a visit, especially when you’re tired of southern cooking.

14 Best: Red Apple Buffet, Chicago

This restaurant is massive. In fact, it boasts three rooms worth of buffet tables. That’s a whole lot of choices. The Red Apple is primarily a Polish buffet. However, there are plenty of international and local options too. If you like Polish food, you’ll have plenty of options like schnitzel, potato pancakes, Polish sausage, pierogies, pork stew, stuffed cabbage, pork shank, and potato dumplings. The dessert station is huge, so you can satisfy your sweet tooth if you still have room left. According to reviews, the food at Red Apple is authentic and the prices are just right.

13 Best: King Buffet, Los Angeles

At this Chinese buffet, guests get extreme value for their money. Admission during lunch will only cost you $8.99, and the dinner price is only $13.99. The prices may be cheap but the quality of the food is impressive. Staff members are constantly adding fresh food to the buffet, and the options are impressive. Guests will find coconut chicken, orange chicken, Mongolian beef, pork and beef ribs, baked salmon, crab legs, shrimp cocktail, pork dumplings, clams, egg tarts, and sushi. It’s got all of the classic, Chinese buffet dishes at great prices.

12 Best: The Buffet, Wynn, Las Vegas

This artful buffet was created with design in mind. It’s full of natural light, fresh flowers, and chic furniture, making it feel like a fine dining experience. There are 15 cooking stations offering everything from Mexican food and sushi, to prime ribs, lambchop, and Thai beef. There’s plenty of live action at the cooking stations, showing off just how fresh the food really is. Dessert fanatics will love the chocolate dipping fountain, warm pastries, and an assortment of cakes made daily by the pastry chefs. To top it off, this buffet has been voted the best in Las Vegas.

11 Best: Waldorf-Astoria, New York City

The Waldorf-Astoria has a reputation for being high-class. So, it’s no surprise that its Sunday brunch is just as luxurious. The buffet is offered in the Peacock Alley, just off the lobby, and is so opulent, that it can come as a surprise. Start off at the raw bar which offers an impressive selection of shrimp, littleneck clams, Long Island oysters, and lobster. There are four different types of caviar, and five types of house smoked salmon. The breakfast options are seemingly endless too. The spread includes thick-cut-bacon, pancakes, breakfast potatoes, and eggs made to order. Guests can choose from hot entrees like roasted leg of lamb, pan seared fish, beef Wellington, and braised short ribs. Eating here is certainly a luxurious experience, but be prepared for a price tag of $98 for adults.

10 Skip: Treasure Island Buffet, Las Vegas

The Treasure Island buffet often comes free when you book a room. According to many reviewers, this is the only way that they’ll eat here (if they don’t have to pay for it.) Past guests say that the breakfast was pretty average, while other viewers say that it was overpriced for what they got. Since Vegas has a ton of options, many people say that this one is lacking compared to others. Some reviewers complained of cold food while others suspected that much of the food was microwaved. Overall, the biggest complaint was the price. Many diners felt that the quality and selection were not worth the price tag.

9 Skip: Golden Corral, Multiple Locations

This chain restaurant is family-style and focuses on Western cuisine. They offer all-you-can-eat hot and cold dishes. The restaurant can be found all over the U.S, but it isn’t exactly considered a top dining choice. Reviews state that some of the items didn’t have tongs, the food was not the proper temperature, and the staff members weren’t exactly friendly. Many reviewers complained about the atmosphere and their fellow diners. According to reviews, many of the diners let their children run around and make a mess of the buffet. The Golden Corral experience may be different from state-to-state, city-to-city. However, the general consensus didn’t seem too good.

8 Skip: Hudson Super Buffet, Massachusetts

This Asian buffet in Massachusetts received some pretty dismal ratings. Reviewers complain about the cold food, old food, and staff members who seem a bit rude. People were angry that the buffet runs out of food often, and doesn’t seem to replace it promptly. Others complained that the food was dry and not fresh. And, a few people complained about the state of the restaurant. They talked about ripped seats, peeling paint, broken floor tiles, and an overall feeling that the place wasn’t that clean. Many claim that the quality has gone downhill and one reviewer said that a handful of people from their party felt sick after eating there.

7 Skip: Old Country Buffet, Multiple Locations

This chain buffet restaurant focuses on Western cuisine with a southern flare. They can be found all over the U.S, so the quality of food and service varies. However, the reviews seem to say that Old Country Buffet is not one of the top all-you-can-eat choices. Many reviewers say that the food was just OK, and will be sufficient if you’re really hungry. A lot of reviews said that the restaurant wasn’t clean and that the food was low in quality. Some people complained that the other clientele were rowdy. And, others complained that the staff members weren’t friendly.

6 Skip: Shoney’s Buffet, Multiple Locations

Shoney’s is a restaurant chain that is based out of Nashville and can be found all over the U.S (especially in the south.) Guests can order off the menu or choose to load up at the buffet. Many complaints had to do with staff members who were rude or not doing a good job of clearing away plates. Some reviews complained of dirty conditions, ripped booth seats, and tired looking decor. Other reviewers said that the food was good enough, but nothing special. It seems like Shoney’s is more of a roadside stop when there aren’t any other options.

5 Skip: Circus Circus Buffet, Las Vegas

When it comes to food, the Circus Circus casino and buffet in Las Vegas has bad reviews. Reviewers say that it’s expensive and that the food quality wasn’t worth the price. Food was said to be lukewarm or cold, and some people said that the service was non-existent. One reviewer said that everything except the salad bar was awful. There was a mix of food that was undercooked, overcooked, and slimy. Others say that the selection was bland and greasy. Previous guests say that the only time to eat here is if you are super hungry and have no other options.

4 Skip: CiCis Pizza Buffet, Multiple Locations

Based out of Texas, this all-you-can-eat pizza buffet can be found in 35 states. While an endless supply of pizza sounds great in theory, many reviewers say that they were quite disappointed. Some diners said that the pizza was tasteless, comparing it to eating cardboard. Many people complained about the atmosphere, saying that there were stacks of dirty plates everywhere. Others didn’t like that there were tons of kids running around. And, many reviewers thought that the other guests acted like vultures, crowding the pizza station to get food. Since these buffets are all over the country, the atmosphere and quality vary from place to place.

3 Skip: The Feast Buffet, Las Vegas

Reviewers say that this buffet is average, and not to expect much. Many complained that the prices were too high for the value that they got. Some consider this to be the worst buffet in Las Vegas. Reviews stated that the meat was tough, that the hot sides were cold, and that many of the offerings weren’t even edible. Food was said to be oversalted, overcooked, and in many cases, completely tasteless. If you want a meal that is uninspiring and sometimes downright gross, this is your place (however we doubt this is the kind of thing you’re in to.)

2 Skip: Excalibur Buffet, Las Vegas

According to reviews, this is one of the worst buffets in Vegas. Many people complained of bland, dried out, cold food that had hardly any flavor. Most people thought that the buffet was overpriced compared to the quality and selection. And, many reviewers warned others to look elsewhere if they wanted a nice meal for lunch or dinner. Some complained that the meat was undercooked, and others were annoyed by the lack of service from the staff. Other bold reviewers said that this was the worst meal they had on their vacation.

1 Skip: Stratosphere Buffet, Las Vegas

More than one reviewer said that the food here made them feel sick afterward. And, many people thought that the quality and selection were extremely low. Staff members were said to be unpleasant, and the options were considered lousy by many. Reviewers cited the Stratosphere meal as being the worst they’ve had on their Las Vegas trip. And, one person warned that the chicken was raw. A few people even compared it to the Golden Corral, saying that they would have rather gone there. One review said that McDonald’s serves better breakfast than the Stratosphere.