Oh look, I have a blog!
Sorry it's taken so long since my previous entry. I've been rather busy. More on that another day.
For now though, I want to shine a spotlight on a few of the restaurants in my home city that I think are worth looking into for a decent feed. In this list, I'm focusing on buffets. I don't need to say much more about what they are as I'm sure that everyone reading this is more than familiar with the concept.
I will state though that this list will be specifically talking about buffet restaurants that provide a wide variety of dishes. Any that I don't mention probably fit into their own category. For example: Top in Town, or Tony's Teppan Yaki are restaurants that are exclusive to their own cultures (in this case, Indian and Japanese). I may talk about them in another buffet blog at a later date, but for now I will be looking at the ones that have a lot more than just one culture group.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The prices mentioned in the list below are based on what they were on 31 July 2023. They may change in the future, especially with the cost of living crisis at the moment.
Also, the list will be arranged from least expensive to the most. Let's begin!
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#5 - Nor'West Buffet.
This restaurant can be found in the northwest suburbs, of all places, at the Papanui Club. Their current rate is $29.50 per person, and kids are $1 per year of age up to 11 (kids over 12 are full price). I must also point out that they're only open from Thursday to Saturday from 5:30pm and from 5pm on Sunday.
It may not be the biggest buffet I've seen in terms of floor space (the food area - there are plenty of tables and seats), but that doesn't mean there isn't a lot of food. You do still get a decent amount for what you pay. The atmosphere is also quite nice. Plenty of room to move around (nobody likes when tables and chairs are too close together when you're trying to get in/out of your own). I highly recommend this one.
#4 - Chalmers Buffet
I have to confess here that this entry is actually one I haven't been to (yet), but I've been meaning to. As the image above suggests, this one is $35 per person, children at $2 per year of age, up to 12. The only thing is that it's open once a week on Sundays from 4:30pm.
As mentioned earlier, I haven't been to this one yet, so I'm unable to say much more about it at the moment, sorry. Think of this as an honorable mention of sorts. 😊
#3 - Gengy's Mongolian Buffet
This one is actually the reason I'm doing this blog, because I went here for the first time last night to celebrate my lovely wife's birthday (more on that in a moment). Firstly, I know I mentioned earlier that I wasn't going to focus on buffets with an exclusive culture, but in my opinion, what I ate from here last night could be a combination of more than just Mongolia. I can see a few others in there with some of the selections (the sauces especially).
The current rate is $41.95 for adults, $34.95 for teens (13-17) and seniors (65+) with ID, $39.95 for army and police tertiary, $7 + $1 age for children (3-12), but if you're celebrating your birthday (within 7 days on either side of the actual day), you only dine for $1! 😍 They are open from 5:30pm onward.
You can find them on Cranford Street next door to Empire Chicken, sharing the same carpark area as Cobb & Co.
Based on my first visit, I strongly recommend going to this one.
Also, it's pronounced Gen-geez, as in Genghis Khan. It's not Jenjis Khan, so your argument is invalid.
#2 - Garden Hotel & Restaurant
Located on Marshland Road in Shirley, this one is open for both lunch and dinner. Their current rate is $29 (Wed-Fri lunch) and $35 (weekend lunch), $27 (Wed-Fri lunch) & $33 (weekend lunch) for Super Gold Card holders (65+), $42 (Tues-Thurs dinner) and $45 (Fri-Sun dinner), and $40 (Tues-Thurs dinner) and $43 (Fri-Sun) for Super Gold Card holders. Adult prices start from age 13 onward. For children, it's a little complicated. Instead of me typing it all up, I recommend looking at the prices here instead.
This one has always been the go-to for my family and friends. In recent years, it's probably one of the most well-known of Christchurch buffet restaurants. My family and friends have been going here for special occasions for a number of decades now. As one of the city's most popular buffets, I highly recommend this one as well.
#1 - Valentine's
The old favourite that came and dominated the buffet scene in the 90's, then seemingly vanished for a lengthy period of time before its inevitable comeback in recent years. My first experience dates back to the 90's, but that was the initial incarnation of the franchise. Valentine's as it is now is slightly different, but still enjoyable.
Located beside The Hub Hornby on Chalmers Street, between Subway and St. Pierre's Sushi, their current rate is up to $31 for weekday lunch and $37 for weekend lunch, and up to $47 every day. For the full details regarding children and seniors, go here.
Also, added bonus, this one is actually open 7 days.
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So, which of the listed buffet restaurants are your favourites? Are there any I've missed? Let me know as I'm always keen on learning more about buffet restaurants around here. After the quakes in 2010/11, they almost vanished completely. It's always great to see a revival.
I will end this blog with a list below of honorable mentions of past buffets that are no longer with us. These mentions are ones that have come and gone for whatever reason, but they will always be in our hearts. If only they could be in our stomachs as well:
The Cabbage Tree - Took over from Valentine's when it was on Moorhouse Ave. Site is currently used by McDonald's.
Riverview Buffet - Often mistaken for Oxford on Avon (which was actually the restaurant downstairs), this one was on the upper level and it was brilliant. Sadly taken from us by the 2011 quake.
Sequoia 88 - As a restaurant, the venue actually still exists, but not as a buffet. It was once a strong competitor for the Garden Restaurant, but sometime in the past decade, they ditched their buffet menu for pizzas instead. Probably lost a lot of customers in the process as the buffet was the main reason most people went.
Rumpletums - One of the first buffets I dined in and most likely what started it all. Disappeared sometime in the 90's, its original site (Avonhead Tavern) is currently occupied by the One Good Horse, another decent restaurant franchise. By the way, it was never "rumble tums".
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