# Are buffets finished? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [April 20, 2020, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-buffets-finished/852184 "2020-04-20T13:11:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DaveRaver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daveraver/32/1078_2.png) [@DaveRaver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveRaver)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-buffets-finished/852184/1 "2020-04-20T13:11:58Z")
There are some restaurants that entirely or at least partially feature a buffet, where dozens (if not hundreds) of customers handle the same serving utensils. In the aftermath of COVID-19, have we seen the last of this type of serving style? ---
**Author:** ![Francis\_Vaughan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/francis_vaughan/32/3093_2.png) [@Francis\_Vaughan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francis_Vaughan)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-buffets-finished/852184/2 "2020-04-20T13:22:05Z")
Plenty of other options. I am reminded of some of the Japanese style bread shops, they have a simple system where there are stacks of tongs, you take your tongs, serve yourself with them, and then they are returned for cleaning. There are no common use tongs or other serving utensils. Obviously there is more to serving than just tongs, but it isn’t insuperable. OTOH, I have a peculiar dislike for buffet restaurants. So if they have to turn into proper restaurants, I won’t be sad. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-buffets-finished/852184/3 "2020-04-20T13:30:32Z")
They could still be economical to have just a couple of servers with gloves and masks dishing out the food similar to a cafeteria. It’s not my choice for food, but it’s usually a good low cost option, and plenty of those will be needed in the future. But self serve is likely to be out for a while. When this is all over, completely over, they might resume the way they used to be, but we may get a surge of new health laws making that impossible. We really should be preparing for the next problem disease by avoiding practices that could spread disease rapidly so some buffets and salad bars, self serve condiments and many similar options may no longer be allowed. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-buffets-finished/852184/4 "2020-04-20T13:34:35Z")
I was also thinking of bulk food purchases. We sometimes buy coconut flour, scooping from a big barrel at Sprouts. Lots of people use that scoop. When the virus got attention, they bagged up several different sizes for customers. But at another store the kind where you have a hopper at eye level were not changed. I think they just let that supply run out. Not quite the same, but in the vein of “social distancing,” are the days of free samples at Sam’s/Costco/etc. gone? ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-buffets-finished/852184/5 "2020-04-20T14:08:01Z")
We have a Mongolian place where you pick out food and they cook it for you. that would be ok with me ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-buffets-finished/852184/6 "2020-04-20T14:11:49Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > We have a Mongolian place where you pick out food and they cook it for you. that would be ok with me If you’re piling the food on your plate from a buffet selection that will probably not be allowed even if it all gets cooked. At least for a long time. It would be another means of contact transmission. Just the use of a common set of tongs will be banned. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-buffets-finished/852184/7 "2020-04-20T14:16:25Z")
Bad news for my favorite dinner theatre, which uses a buffet. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-buffets-finished/852184/8 "2020-04-20T14:20:35Z")
They’re going to stop doing all you can eat buffets? I don't think they'll stop anytime soon. At least I hope not. I’ve been to AYCE sushi buffets, and they give you a menu and you point out what you want. I could see other buffets doing this. They give you a menu, and they bring out what you ordered from the back. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-buffets-finished/852184/9 "2020-04-20T14:20:40Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > If you’re piling the food on your plate from a buffet selection that will probably not be allowed even if it all gets cooked. At least for a long time. It would be another means of contact transmission. Just the use of a common set of tongs will be banned. Then entering any building wouldnt be permitted because contact transmission with the front door. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-buffets-finished/852184/10 "2020-04-20T14:22:31Z")
Even taking your own plates and silverware at the buffet won’t be allowed. You just can’t be touching the things other people will use. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-buffets-finished/852184/11 "2020-04-20T14:24:02Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > Then entering any building wouldnt be permitted because contact transmission with the front door. You’re right, most people put their fingers in their mouth right after they open a door. ETA: And don’t be surprised to see far more automatic doors in use. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-buffets-finished/852184/12 "2020-04-20T14:45:38Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > You’re right, most people put their fingers in their mouth right after they open a door. > > ETA: And don’t be surprised to see far more automatic doors in use. They touch their faces. And what buffet type foods save pizza and wings do you eat with your hands? ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-buffets-finished/852184/13 "2020-04-20T14:46:00Z")
I think the people saying “Well they could just do this or that” are looking at the question wrong. The way to look at it is, "Once restaurants start opening back up, are people going to want to go to buffets?"If no one shows up, it doesn’t matter what they’ll do. ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-buffets-finished/852184/14 "2020-04-20T14:50:07Z")
If they go away permanently, it will be from lack of consumer demand, not the government. Maybe they’ll do tweaks like they did when they added sneezeguards, but that’s about it. There is no way there will a permanent fear or ban of touching anything somebody else has touched. That said, I probably won’t go to a buffet until there’s a vaccine or herd immunity, but I only went to buffets a few times a year anyway. ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-buffets-finished/852184/15 "2020-04-20T14:54:45Z")
I can’t wait to get back to the chocolate fountain at Golden Corral. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-buffets-finished/852184/16 "2020-04-20T15:00:13Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > > [@TriPolar](#): > > > > You’re right, most people put their fingers in their mouth right after they open a door. > > > > ETA: And don’t be surprised to see far more automatic doors in use. > > They touch their faces. And what buffet type foods save pizza and wings do you eat with your hands? I’ve been to many Indian restaurant buffets, and lots of Indian food is eaten with one’s hands. (BTW, I always recommend these buffets for people unfamiliar with Indian food, since you can try various things in small quantities.) ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-buffets-finished/852184/17 "2020-04-20T15:04:07Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I’ve been to many Indian restaurant buffets, and lots of Indian food is eaten with one’s hands. (BTW, I always recommend these buffets for people unfamiliar with Indian food, since you can try various things in small quantities.) Besides the naan, what would they be? And its absurd to think that people wont want what other people touch. Ex; the grocery store. ---
**Author:** ![slash2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@slash2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slash2k)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-buffets-finished/852184/18 "2020-04-20T15:06:52Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > And what buffet type foods save pizza and wings do you eat with your hands? Dinner rolls (bread products generally), fried chicken, cookies, ice cream cones … ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-buffets-finished/852184/19 "2020-04-20T15:08:13Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > They touch their faces. And what buffet type foods save pizza and wings do you eat with your hands? You are touching everything else around the buffet with your hands, the tongs, the plates, the silverware. They can have someone with gloves and a mask hands you your plate and utensils, and someone wearing gloves and masks serve the food. It’s not about touching the food, although it can’t be exposed to people. It’s about customers not touching anything other customers have touched. Maybe nothing will change in the end, and we have 50 different states and 50 different health codes, but I think this will lead to health code changes demanded by the public and the government, and restaurants too so they can get people to return. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-buffets-finished/852184/20 "2020-04-20T15:08:35Z")
> [@slash2k](#): > > Dinner rolls (bread products generally), fried chicken, cookies, ice cream cones … Good catches except for the fried chicken which would have always been bad form to touch but not take. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-buffets-finished/852184.md?page=2)