7 All-You-Can-Eat Chains In Texas To Avoid And 7 Worth Every Bite

Texas is home to countless all-you-can-eat restaurants, but not all buffets have the same quality. Some offer a feast for the senses with quality ingredients and expert preparation, while others leave you wondering why you bothered unbuckling your belt.

I’ve sampled buffets across the Lone Star State to bring you this honest guide to where you should (and shouldn’t) pile your plate high.

1. Cicis Pizza – Quantity Over Quality

Wallet-friendly but stomach-unfriendly, Cicis serves up pizza that somehow manages to be both undercooked and stale simultaneously. The macaroni pizza might sound fun, but trust me, it’s a science experiment gone wrong.

I once took my nephew here for his birthday and spent the next day apologizing to my sister. Their cinnamon rolls are the lone bright spot in an otherwise dismal buffet experience.

2. America’s Incredible Pizza Company – Incredibly Mediocre

The arcade games might entertain the little ones, but the pizza here tastes like it was made from a kit found in the back of a grocery store freezer. The salad bar wilts under fluorescent lights, and the pasta dishes swim in watery sauce.

Parents shuffle around with thousand-yard stares, having traded culinary satisfaction for temporary child entertainment. Save yourself—eat before you come, and just pay for the games.

3. Pizza Ranch – Saddle Up for Disappointment

Pizza Ranch promises a frontier of flavors but delivers a barren landscape of bland dough and sparse toppings. Their chicken might be slightly better than the pizza, but that’s like saying quicksand is better than a sinkhole.

The country decor tries hard to distract you from the food quality. Dessert pizzas come out looking promising, but taste like someone whispered the word ‘fruit’ near some sugar and called it a day.

4. Pancho’s Mexican Buffet – A Tex-Mex Tragedy

Pancho’s iconic flag-raising system for refills is the most exciting part of the experience. The enchiladas resemble soggy newspapers wrapped around a vague protein substance. Their queso has the consistency of industrial caulk.

The sopapillas—their supposed specialty—arrive at your table either rock-hard or suspiciously doughy. Last summer, I brought my Mexican grandmother here. She hasn’t spoken to me since, and honestly, I don’t blame her.

5. Golden Corral – The Golden Disappointment

The chocolate fountain might be tempting, but watch the kids double-dipping marshmallows after licking their fingers. Meat options are cooked to the exact same gray doneness regardless of cut. The salad bar offers limp lettuce that’s given up on life.

Their famous rolls might be the only saving grace, though they’re often used as impromptu hockey pucks by bored children. At least the people-watching opportunities are five-star entertainment.

6. Mr. Gatti’s Pizza – Gaming Over Gastronomy

Mr. Gatti’s banking on nostalgic feelings to mask the reality of their pizza quality. The crust has all the flavor complexity of cardboard that’s been described pizza once. Their pasta sits in warming trays until the noodles fuse together in a starchy rebellion.

The arcade games are the main attraction, with food as an afterthought. My kids begged to go here three birthdays in a row—I finally broke down and told them the truth about Santa instead.

7. Souper Salad – Neither Super Nor Fresh

With just three locations left in Texas, Souper Salad is a fading breed, and there’s a reason why. Lettuce varieties wilt under fluorescent lights while dressings congeal in their containers. The soup options taste like they were made by someone who’s only had soup described to them verbally.

Their bread selection hardens into potential construction materials if left on your plate for more than five minutes. A moment of silence for this fading relic of the 1990s restaurant scene.

8. Fogo de Chão – Meat Lover’s Paradise

Gaucho chefs roam the restaurant with skewers of perfectly cooked meats, slicing portions directly onto your plate with the precision of meat artists. The picanha (top sirloin) melts in your mouth like beefy butter.

Their market table offers fresh salads and sides that would be worth the price alone. I celebrated my promotion here last year and still dream about that garlic beef.

The cheese bread (pão de queijo) is addictive enough to warrant its own support group.

9. Gen Korean BBQ House – DIY Deliciousness

Sleek blue lighting sets the mood as you become both diner and chef at your table’s personal grill. Marinated meats arrive in generous portions—the bulgogi beef and pork belly are standout stars.

Banchan (side dishes) refresh your palate between grilled bites. The all-you-can-eat concept here doesn’t sacrifice quality for quantity.

Server attentiveness borders on mind-reading, with fresh plates appearing just as you’re reaching for napkins.

10. Kalachandji’s Restaurant & Palace – Vegetarian Nirvana

Housed in a Hare Krishna temple, Kalachandji’s offers a vegetarian buffet that will convert even dedicated carnivores. The rotating menu features Indian classics alongside innovative fusion dishes that change daily. Eating in their peaceful courtyard feels like dining in another world.

Spice levels are perfectly balanced—complex without overwhelming. I brought my meat-loving brother here on a bet. He’s now growing his own herbs and has a ‘Kiss the Cook Who Doesn’t Cook Meat’ apron.

11. King Buffet – Royal Asian Feast

King Buffet earns its regal name with an impressive spread spanning multiple Asian cuisines. The Mongolian grill station features chefs who transform your ingredient selections into stir-fry masterpieces before your eyes. Sushi options are surprisingly fresh and varied for a buffet setting.

Dim sum arrives in bamboo steamers, preserving that just-made texture. The seafood section includes crab legs that actually contain real, sweet crab meat—not the sad imitation stuff that haunts lesser buffets.

12. Umiya Sushi – Endless Ocean Treasures

Umiya’s chefs prepare rolls with artistic precision that would be impressive even in à la carte establishments. The fish glistens with freshness, salmon that melts on your tongue and tuna that’s never mealy.

Beyond traditional nigiri and rolls, their hot dishes like chicken katsu and tempura maintain proper texture instead of languishing under heat lamps.

The miso soup gets replenished frequently, ensuring each bowl comes steaming hot. Ask for the off-menu spicy mayo—it’s life-changing.

13. KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot – Best of Both Worlds

KPOT ingeniously combines Korean BBQ and hot pot at every table, letting you switch between grilling and boiling as your cravings dictate. The marinades on their meats contain that perfect sweet-savory balance that caramelizes beautifully on the grill.

Hot pot broths come in varying spice levels that the staff actually takes seriously—medium here means MEDIUM. The all-you-can-eat format includes premium items that other places charge extra for. Don’t skip their kimchi—it’s house-made with the perfect fermented funk.

14. Liuyishou Hot Pot – Authentic Chongqing Experience

Liuyishou doesn’t water down their spice levels for Texas palates. Their signature red broth delivers that authentic numbing Sichuan peppercorn experience. The beef tallow-based broth creates a richness that vegetable oil alternatives can’t match.

Premium cuts like A5 wagyu are available for true splurge moments. Their vegetable options aren’t afterthoughts—the mushroom varieties alone could make a satisfying meal.

The restaurant’s expansion across Texas speaks to the authentic quality they’ve maintained despite rapid growth.