13 Wisconsin Buffets Locals Claim Still Feel Exactly Like The ’80s
Step into these Wisconsin buffets and you might feel like you’ve traveled straight back to the ’80s.
From classic comfort foods to retro décor and generous portions, each spot has preserved a sense of nostalgia that locals can’t get enough of.
Whether it’s the familiar flavors, the lively atmosphere, or the unchanging charm, these buffets offer a taste of a bygone era that makes every visit feel delightfully timeless.
1. North Country Steak Buffet (La Crosse)
Wood-paneled walls welcome you like a warm hug from 1985 at this La Crosse institution. The red vinyl booths have witnessed decades of family celebrations and post-church Sunday crowds.
Regulars swear the carving station hasn’t changed positions since Reagan was president.
Their signature prime rib sits under the same heat lamps that illuminated your parents’ date nights, while the ice cream sundae bar still features those little metal cups.
2. Pizza Pub (Wisconsin Dells)
Neon signs flicker above the pizza bar at this Wisconsin Dells time capsule. Families fresh from waterparks fill their plates with square-cut pizza slices while arcade games ding and flash in the background room.
The salad bar sits in the center, crowned by the original plastic sneeze guard that’s yellowed with age.
Local teenagers still work the buffet line, scooping the same pasta salad recipe onto your plate that their parents once served decades ago.
3. Golden Corral (Green Bay)
Football memorabilia from the 1980s Packers teams decorates the walls at Green Bay’s Golden Corral. The chocolate fountain, though a newer addition, somehow feels like it’s been there since the beginning.
Families gather around tables with the same brown trays they used when shoulder pads were fashion statements.
The mashed potato bar remains the crown jewel, with elderly regulars who’ve held the same Sunday dinner reservation since the place opened still commanding their favorite corner booth.
4. Journey Sushi & Seafood Buffet (Madison)
Brass railings and mirrored walls transport Madison diners back to the excess of the 1980s.
Journey’s seafood station gleams under the original track lighting that was installed when sushi first became trendy in the Midwest.
The faux marble countertops have witnessed countless crab leg pilgrimages. College students discover this gem and bring their parents, who inevitably exclaim, “This place hasn’t changed a bit!”
The same family has operated it since 1983, refusing to update the pastel color scheme or replace the bamboo-patterned dishware.
5. Asian Buffet & Grill (Menomonee Falls)
Teal and purple neon lighting casts an unmistakable ’80s glow across this suburban standby. The original owners still work the register, greeting regulars by name and remembering their usual table preferences.
Faux plants in brass planters separate dining sections while the soundtrack remains firmly planted in the era of Wham! and Madonna.
The hibachi station features the same chef who’s been flipping shrimp into patrons’ mouths since 1986, now with gray hair but the same theatrical flair.
6. World Buffet (Monona)
Stepping into Monona’s World Buffet feels like walking onto the set of a 1980s sitcom.
Globe light fixtures that haven’t been dusted since the Berlin Wall fell hang above international food stations labeled with their original hand-painted signs.
Burgundy carpet with geometric patterns somehow survived decades of spills.
Families celebrate birthdays in the banquet room where the staff still sings their signature celebration song created in 1987, complete with synthesizer background music and a complimentary Polaroid photo souvenir.
7. Waha Buffet (Franklin)
Gold-veined mirrors cover entire walls at Franklin’s Waha Buffet, reflecting the soft pink and blue lighting scheme that screams 1987.
The dessert carousel still rotates with the original motor, sometimes sticking between the pudding and gelatin sections.
Weekend crowds form lines beside velvet ropes and brass poles that once seemed the height of sophistication.
Children still marvel at the ice cream machine that hasn’t changed since their parents were young, while the salad bar features the same wooden bowls and oversized wooden pepper mill that has seasoned three generations of Wisconsin salads.
8. China Buffet (Green Bay)
Aquariums with the same fish species since 1989 greet diners at Green Bay’s China Buffet.
The red paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling have faded to a nostalgic pink, becoming unintentionally on-trend with today’s aesthetic.
Laminated placemats featuring the Chinese zodiac decorate tables that have hosted three decades of Packers victory celebrations.
Servers in the original uniform vests move efficiently between tables with tea pots. The owner’s children, now adults themselves, work the front desk using the same reservation book their parents started with.
9. King Buffet (Rothschild)
Rothschild locals swear the King Buffet’s carpeting hasn’t been replaced since its 1984 grand opening.
The pattern – an unmistakable burgundy and navy swirl – somehow hides decades of spills while perfectly matching the original vinyl booth upholstery.
The steam tables have developed their own personalities, with regulars knowing exactly which ones run hot and which need extra time to warm up.
The waitstaff includes third-generation family members who learned the ropes from grandparents who still pop in to make sure the egg rolls are being folded correctly.
10. Royal Buffet (Chippewa Falls)
Entering Royal Buffet feels like stepping into a 1980s wedding reception that never ended.
Crystal chandeliers from the original opening cast rainbow prisms across white tablecloths that could tell stories of three decades of local celebrations.
The chocolate fountain predates the trend by years, a point of pride for the owners.
Staff members still wear the original uniform design – complete with bow ties that were fashionable when Bon Jovi was topping charts.
The salad bar’s wooden structure has developed a patina that no modern restaurant could authentically replicate.
11. China Palace (Wisconsin Rapids)
Mauve and teal color schemes reign supreme at Wisconsin Rapids’ China Palace.
The buffet island stands in the center of the dining room like a shrine to ’80s excess, complete with the original brass railings and faux marble countertops.
Ceiling fans with rattan blades spin lazily above diners who’ve been coming since the Reagan administration. The owner still works the front register, using the original calculator to tally bills.
Their signature crab rangoon recipe hasn’t changed since 1982, a fact confirmed by loyal customers who would notice even the slightest modification.
12. Maharaja (Milwaukee)
Maharaja’s buffet line curves through Milwaukee’s most authentic ’80s time capsule.
The mirrored columns reflect golden serving trays that have held generations of curry dishes under the watchful eye of the same family.
The playlist hasn’t been updated since cassette tapes were cutting edge, mixing Bollywood classics with ’80s American pop.
Velvet paintings of peacocks watch over diners from walls covered in textured gold wallpaper.
The spice level warning system – using cartoon chili peppers of increasing redness – remains hand-drawn on the original menu boards.
13. Golden Gate Restaurant (Waukesha)
Waukesha’s Golden Gate proudly displays its original 1983 grand opening photo by the entrance, showing the same buffet stations still in use today.
The seafood section sits beneath a pagoda-style roof with the original red tassels now faded to a nostalgic salmon color.
Families gather around lazy Susans that have spun through decades of celebrations. The owner’s grandchildren now work summers alongside employees who’ve been there since opening day.
Their fortune cookies still come from the same supplier, with locals swearing they sometimes receive fortunes written in the ’80s.