4 Indiana Buffets That Disappoint And 4 That Serve Up Hoosier Comfort Right

When hunger strikes in the Hoosier state, buffets promise all-you-can-eat satisfaction that should leave your belly full and your wallet happy.
But not all Indiana buffet experiences are created equal.
I’ve spent years sampling steam tables across the state, from disappointing displays of lukewarm mediocrity to genuine treasures of home-style cooking.
Here’s my honest take on four Indiana buffets that left me wanting more, and four others that deliver the comfort food experience every Hoosier deserves.
1. China Buffet: Where Quantity Trumps Quality

Last month, I stopped at China Buffet after a long drive, hoping for a feast. Big mistake! The egg rolls resembled cardboard tubes, with filling so mysterious I’m still wondering what vegetable was supposedly inside.
The steam tables held an impressive array of dishes all seemingly made from the same brown sauce with varying amounts of food coloring. Even the ice cream machine sputtered sadly, producing a substance closer to flavored slush than actual dessert.
Staff members rarely appeared to refresh trays, leaving crusty rice and dried-out chicken as the main options by mid-afternoon. The dining room’s flickering fluorescent lighting completed the depressing atmosphere. Save your appetite and your fifteen bucks for literally anywhere else.
2. Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet: Supreme Only In Name

Grandma always said if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. Well, sorry Grandma, but people need to know about Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet before wasting their hard-earned cash.
The sushi section—their supposed crown jewel—features rolls that sit out so long the rice becomes a strange cement-like substance. I watched the “hibachi chef” microwave pre-cooked meat before tossing it onto the grill for show, a culinary magic trick that left me both impressed and horrified.
The dessert section consists primarily of gelatin cubes in neon colors not found in nature and stale cookies that could double as hockey pucks. Even the unlimited soft serve couldn’t salvage this dining disaster, as the machine dispensed something suspiciously watery.
3. Royal Buffet: A Kingdom Of Culinary Disappointment

Royal Buffet promises a majestic dining experience but delivers peasant fare at king’s ransom prices. My family’s Sunday dinner here became the stuff of legendary bad meal stories we still tell at holidays.
The crab legs the main reason many folks visit were so waterlogged they squirted across the table when my uncle tried to crack one open. Lukewarm serving temperatures made me nervous about food safety, while the salad bar lettuce had those telltale brown edges of produce well past its prime.
Most puzzling was the pizza section, featuring slices with toppings but somehow no flavor, as if they’d found a way to extract taste from food. The only royal thing about this establishment is how they royally waste your money and time. Even the fortune cookies contained disappointingly generic messages.
4. New China Buffet: Nothing New Or Noteworthy

“You get what you pay for” never rang truer than at New China Buffet. The moment I walked in, the aroma of old fryer oil and industrial cleaning products competed for dominance neither winning but my appetite definitely losing.
Their signature orange chicken had clearly been sitting under heat lamps since the Obama administration, sporting a shellac-like coating that remained unnervingly crunchy despite hours of steam-table imprisonment. The fried rice contained so few actual ingredients it was essentially yellow-tinted rice with the occasional pea making a surprise appearance.
Most concerning was the seafood section, where mystery fish filets curled at the edges and shrimp looked more gray than pink. Even my teenage son who typically eats with the discrimination of a vacuum cleaner—pushed his plate away after a few bites. That’s when you know you’ve hit rock bottom in buffet land.
5. The Journey: A Culinary Adventure Worth Taking

The Journey doesn’t just serve food—it creates memories! During my last visit, I watched the owner personally greet every table while his family worked magic in the kitchen, producing dishes that transport you across continents without leaving Indiana.
Fresh ingredients make all the difference here. Their made-to-order stir-fry station features vegetables so crisp they practically snap back at you, while the carving station offers prime rib that melts like butter on warm bread.
Unexpected treasures appear throughout the buffet handmade dumplings with ginger-infused dipping sauce, authentic curry that doesn’t shy away from bold flavors, and a dessert section featuring homemade bread pudding that reminds me of my grandmother’s recipe. The Journey proves that “buffet” and “quality” can happily coexist when passion drives the kitchen.
6. Das Dutchman Essenhaus: Amish Comfort Food Heaven

Stepping into Das Dutchman Essenhaus feels like being wrapped in a warm quilt on a cold day. My first bite of their chicken and noodles—thick, hand-rolled affairs swimming in savory broth—nearly brought tears to my eyes, transporting me straight to my childhood farm kitchen.
The buffet showcases Amish cooking traditions without cutting corners. Roast beef falls apart with just a gentle prod of your fork, while the mashed potatoes contain actual potato chunks, proving they started as real spuds rather than flakes from a box.
What sets this place apart is consistency. I’ve visited dozens of times over twenty years and never had a disappointing meal. Their pie selection alone justifies the drive to Middlebury, with shoofly and peanut butter cream varieties that have sparked family arguments over which deserves the title of best dessert in Indiana. This is Hoosier hospitality on a plate.
7. Stoll’s Lakeview Restaurant: Where Tradition Meets The Table

Hidden gem alert! Stoll’s Lakeview Restaurant sits unassumingly beside a small Indiana lake, but locals know this buffet holds treasures more valuable than gold. My fishing buddy first brought me here after a disappointing morning on the water the meal more than made up for our empty cooler.
Family recipes dominate the buffet line, with fried chicken so perfectly seasoned and juicy it makes Kentucky’s colonel look like an amateur. Their green beans simmer with ham hocks and onions until they reach that magical state between firm and tender that only grandmothers seem to master.
Homemade rolls appear throughout the day, emerging from the kitchen in steaming batches that perfume the entire restaurant. The staff remembers regulars by name and preferred drink, creating that small-town atmosphere that’s becoming increasingly rare. No pretension, just honest food served with pride.
8. Gray Brothers Cafeteria: A Timeless Indiana Institution

My grandfather first took me to Gray Brothers Cafeteria when I was knee-high to a grasshopper, and not much has changed since then—thank goodness! While technically a cafeteria rather than a traditional buffet, this Mooresville landmark earns its spot through sheer quality and abundance.
The serving line stretches impressively long, with staff portioning out comfort classics like country-fried steak smothered in pepper gravy and sugar cream pie that defines the term “Hoosier hospitality.” Their famous fried chicken has maintained consistent perfection since 1944, with a crust that audibly crackles when broken.
Every Wednesday, they serve chicken and dumplings that would make my late grandmother both jealous and proud. The no-frills dining room with its straightforward tables and chairs keeps the focus where it belongs—on plates piled high with food that tastes like someone’s mom made it with love. This is Indiana on a plate.