A Yummy buffet for Althea.
During Syracuse dining week in February, I wrote about the fine dining meal that my dear wife Karen and I shared our friends David, Theresa and Althea at 317 at Montgomery.
I was bummed because the lighting was too dim for any of the pictures I took of our dining partners to be usable for my blog post about the experience.
Last night, the five of us met for an informal after-work meal of buffet Chinese at Yummy, a sprawling joint at the Shop City complex in Syracuse.
It was plenty bright enough for me to get shots of our happy friends as we shared conversation, egg rolls and ribs.
David and Theresa enjoy think after-work Chinese is a good idea, too.
In Syracuse, there are more Chinese buffets than any other kind of food, including American fare. There’s a Chinese buffet in just about every suburb as well as the city.
You can still get an American style buffet at the lone remaining Ponderosa in North Syracuse.
Do you go to food buffets? Do you prefer Chinese or American food buffets?
Mark Bialczak 
It sounds like you had a wonderful time, Mark. I tend to avoid buffets because I’m trying to remain conscious of portion control. When you see all that wonderful food laid out, it’s hard not to pile it on. 😉
LikeLike
Yes, Judy, it certainly is. I am glad, though, when establishments attempt to help you fight the good fight by putting smaller plates out than they used to.
LikeLike
I enjoyed this post very much! Darn lighting situation! Too bad about that at 317 at Montgomery. But you captured your friends in another setting, delicious food with good friends, nothing better than that! Plus wife, Karen, of course! I like buffets and try to take the smallest portions, then go back for more. Chinese foods that I enjoy are sweet and sour pork, chicken or shrimp. General Szo’s (Tso’s) spicier sauce is also great on vegetables and fried rice…. Smiles, Robin
LikeLike
I do like the spicy General, too, Robin. Yes!
LikeLike
we have some massive chinese buffets, with mixed levels of goodness, and a good indian one too, and i’ve been to a couple american ones in vegas, and at a windsor casino, but the problem for me is i always get so excited i have to take some of everything and can never eat it all, or end up going back to get the things i really like…. so i find them fun, and easy, and apparently I need to come up with a better strategy. i love the name of yours and love the pick of althea and your friends –
LikeLike
They are tricky, too, Beth, because they put the pasta and rice and noodles up front and the meat and shrimp and proteins in the back.
I try not to be too eager about the filler, don’t hesitate about going back, make sure I get enough healthy veggies, and always make certain I get enough of what I want most!
And thanks, I was so glad to be able to get Althea and David and Theresa’s picture this time around, Beth.
LikeLike
Ya know Mark, we only have two American buffets, one Italian, and about a dozen Chinese. Shoney’s is the only one of the American that I will go to any more, and only reluctantly to that one. Oh, forgot about Moonlite Barbeque Inn. They have a buffet, and the only way I’ll eat there is from the buffet, because the menu items usually include mostly fat in the meat. On the buffet you can leave the fat behind. Your friends really look good, and happy. Althea is a real cutie, going to be a heartbreaker soon, if she isn’t already.
And for my favorite buffet, I think I prefer Chinese. I can try new foods there without committing myself to an entire plate of it, then finding out I really don’t like it.
LikeLike
I think you are right about Althea, Angie, she is a beautiful 10-year-old combo of her mom and dad!
We used to have a great American buffet here called Old Country, and I miss it because I liked taking just a little of this and a little of that. I can do that with the Chinese, still, like you say.
LikeLike
Althea is a cutie! These photos are much better than in the dark restaurant. 🙂
LikeLike
Yes, Rachel, I was glad to be able to get our friends’ photos at last!
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
I try to stay away from buffets. Food and I get along so incredibly well together that once we are together it is difficult to get us apart. 😉
LikeLike
I so totally know what you are saying about that relationship, Colleen. Me, too.
LikeLike
We must be related. It’s probably genetic.
LikeLike
Yup, the well-known strap-on-the-food-bag gene. That’s what I call it, Colleen.
LikeLike
Isolating it is the first step Mark.
LikeLike
I’m not a big fan of buffets, but the smaller places do keep the food fresh. I’m not sure if you enjoy Indian, but the Taj Mahal on Erie Blvd. is delicious. They offer a buffet, but it’s small and you know the food has not been sitting out.
I’ll have to check out Yummy, however. I trust your recommendation.
And people say you don’t support small, local business. Tsk, tsk to them.
LikeLike
I am not so much for Indian, Chris. And, if small with quick turnover is your thing, I am not sure if Yummy is the way to go. It is huge with four expansive tables of selections. I did not see them do much changing of the stations while I was there.
LikeLike
Hmm. It’s probably still worth a shot. 🙂
LikeLike
Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
LikeLike
I stuff myself at buffets. It is as if the food is calling my name. . . .Mark!
LikeLike
Now, now, Anne, self-control …
LikeLike
Hmmm..8-)
I was just at the mall where Cheesecake Factory and B F Chang’s is. I am wondering if Chang’s was started in Phoenix as every year they had this huge running race and battle of the bands in Scottsdale…one of the garden spots of the world. Phoenix has the reputation of least amount of time spend in waiting for a seat and being served in the country. Lots of buffet places….
Not sure why I had to tell you that. . . . but I just did !
LikeLike
Well now I know a little more than I did just a minute ago. Thanks, Anne!
LikeLike
Tehe. . .
LikeLike
Buffets and I are best friends.
LikeLike
They can be very friendly, Dora!
LikeLike
Very nice featuring your good friends here! You just made me SO HUNGRY for a Chinese all you can eat buffet. YUM!!!!! 🙂
LikeLike
And didn’t they name this place very well, Mrs. Brickhouse? I mean, Yummy?! Home run! Go get some where you live, my friend.
LikeLike
There’s a Chinese fast food on every corner in the suburbs. In working areas there are those buffets where you weigh the food. So I would say more Chinese than American. But then what is American food?
LikeLike
They had an Old Country in the ‘Cuse years ago. I guess it’s gone? The Brazilian places have other meats besides beef but I’m with you in that if I’m paying 40 large it’s keep bringing the filet mignon pal. LOL
LikeLike
Old Country packed up and left a couple of years ago, replaced by another Chinese buffet.
LikeLike
Don’t you have any of the $40 Brazilian buffets in Syracuse?
LikeLike
Oh, yeah, the Brazilian steak house in Destiny USA. Never been. Too expensive and I don’t want that much beef in one sitting. I was thinking more along the lines of the 10 to 15 buck buffet.
LikeLike