Offsite Low Budget buffet?

[HappyCamperToo]

My kids love buffets, as they aren't stuck with one thing if they don't like it.

They already know that we'll be eating most meals in the timeshare on our upcoming, low-budget trip. (frozen pizza, mac n cheese, etc., with the occasional 99 cent menu from Wendy's--do they have that near wdw?)

But if I wanted to spring for a buffet one night, which are the least expensive that are close to wdw?

We're not at all picky about "gourmet" taste to the food, but it must be a clean place, without dried-out rotting food on the buffet or brown wilted lettuce, etc.

Anyone have a place they like? If so, do you know approx. cost for adult/child?

THANKS!

 

[spiceycat]

golden coral

ponderous (okay I can't spell)

 

[jaysonmol]

I'm looking forward to see how this gets responds too, we are in the same boat. I say there are a few PONDEROSA's really close to disney. We are from Minnesota here we have BONANZA's both from the same company I think the Bonanzas have good food resonably priced with a buffet.

Good luck and have fun on your trip.

 

[spiceycat]

thanks Jay - yes it is Ponderosa.

some times Golden Corral and ponderosa are along the same road. (535) - both are little off it....

 

[bearzabout]

I love CiCis pizza. They have salad, pasta, about 8 different pizzas and desserts for only $3.99 for adults. The food is good enough. If you don't see a pizza you like, they will cook one to order for the same price. A great deal for kids.

The lunch buffet at New York China Buffet is a steal for around $7.00 (coupons are available in orange folding tourist map). Arrive around 11:15 to make sure the dishes are hot and fresh. There must be 50 items to choose from.

 

[HappyCamperToo]

Thanks! Ok, so far we've got...

Golden Corral
Ponderosa
CiCi's Pizza
New York China Buffet

Any others?

 

[Jason71]

It's not quite as cheap as the others (figure $10-12 per adult for dinner, tho keep an eye out for coupons), and it's not as close to Disney, but in terms of quality, Sweet Tomatoes blows all of the above away. The food is delicious, always fresh, and a nice change of pace from the other chains (without being "too weird").

 

[Motherofboys]

We went to Sweet Tomatoes for the first time on our trip a few weeks ago. The kids and I really enjoyed it. At dinner I think the adult price was $8.99 (drink was not included, but like $1.79 for awesome strawberry lemonade (or soda or tea) with free refills). The older kids were like $4.99 and the little ones (like 5 and under) were $1.99. It ended up being very reasonable considering the excellent variety of foods and the freshness.

 

[kilee]

There are quite a few Ponderosa's in the area. Now, personally, I thought they were nicer w/ a much larger selection than back at home. Look around before you go for the kids eat free or other discount coupons. Ponderosa always seems to have them in the Sunday papers.

 

[crazelion]

Be sure check at some gas stations pick up some coupons books get some discounts on resturants.

 

[malibuconlee]

It's not quite as cheap as the others (figure $10-12 per adult for dinner, tho keep an eye out for coupons), and it's not as close to Disney, but in terms of quality, Sweet Tomatoes blows all of the above away. The food is delicious, always fresh, and a nice change of pace from the other chains (without being "too weird").

I'll third Sweet Tomatoes. DH isn't big on buffets, but he likes this place.

 

[dgaston]

And besides all the fresh salad bar, there are the soups, muffins, baked sweet and white potatoes, pasta bar, fruit and soft serve. Can you tell I love Sweet Tomatoes? Besides, it's close to the Prime 1 outlets (old Belz) for the Disney outlet stores.

 

[tednvon]

HI...IMHO Golden Corral is far superior to Ponderosa...not even close!!!

Enjoy...Ted

 

[MouseGirl]

Golden Corral gets our vote too - we ate there several times on our last trip...

 

[Gillian]

We go out of our way to eat at Sweet Tomatoes. Golden Corral for breakfast was good, but we didn't go there for dinner. Ponderosa we kind of think is icky.

 

[tortoni]

We like Golden Corral for breakfast and cicis for dinner. After reading this, will give Sweet Tomatoes a try.

 

[wayneg]

Personal choice for best between Ponders and GC. We prefer Ponders our friends prefer GC. But we all like Sweet Tomato. I was very suprised as I am a big meat eater but it is the quality and freshness of the food that is so good. We picked up vouchers for SW in Belz (whatever it is now). In the doorway there is a I-ride map which has 15% discount off adults meal (depends who serves you some give it off the whole lot). For 2Ad +1Ch we were paying about $25 eve and $20 lunch.

 

[FayeW]

We always at Golden Corral 2 or 3 times when we visit Orlando, it is much better than Ponderosa! We go to CiCi's at least once each trip as well. We aren't gourmet pizza snobs, and always find something we like at CiCi's.

 

[Miss Mickey Mania]

I always find the Ponderosa offerings a bit stale and very messy/sloppy. We much prefer Golden Corral - fresher food, good salad bar, great bakery items. Haven't tried the other places mentioned so can't comment.

 

[englishteacha]

We liked Ponderosa. We really liked their breakfast buffet. We tried Golden Corral for their breakfast buffet, but there wasn't enough food prepared for the crowd. They were making pancakes on this little griddle, maybe 8-10 to a time. So, that experience kind of turned us off from there.

Sweet Tomatoes sounds nice. Where are their locations? (is there more than one?)