Options aplenty for the all you can eat crowd in Concord

CONCORD, CA (Nov. 25, 2024) — When my children were growing up, we often frequented all you can eat restaurants.

The kids could find pizza, macaroni and cheese along with their other favorites. My wife and I navigated through the salad bar, eventually settling on fried chicken and a few items from the buffet.

Our go-to place was JJ North’s on Diamond Boulevard. They had a kid-friendly selection of desserts.

The price for feeding the entire family was about $35, even if my children had to skip a couple of birthdays to fit our limited budget.

Today, Golden Corral has replaced JJ North’s and Hometown Buffet. On a recent visit, I found the culinary experience was actually better than previous times.

Healthier options

The main difference is that the Concord restaurant is now offering some healthier options.

“We have sugar-free alternatives, especially with our desserts,” according to general manager Tony Monterrosas, a 17-year veteran of the chain. “The salad bar is improved with low-calorie dressings, more fresh vegetables and less use of mayonnaise.”

Golden Corral also offers a quality breakfast menu each day, including an omelet bar. They must be doing something right, as they serve almost 6,000 meals per week.

China Wall

The other reasonably priced buffet is China Wall located at Park & Shop in Concord. Depending on the time of year, they offer more than 100 menu options. Most of them are Cantonese selections, including beef in oyster sauce, orange chicken, BBQ pork and chow mein.

Despite being made in large quantities, these dishes have quality comparable to most Chinese restaurants in the area.

Once seated, I always venture to the sushi bar. I filled my plate with California rolls, spicy tuna, seaweed salad and other assorted rolls.

These “gas station sushi” items were satisfying, but obviously not on par with what might be found at local Japanese restaurants such as Kobe Japan, Tachi and Kansai.

I then attacked the seafood section. Blue crab segments are normally available on weekends. The fried shrimp was OK, even though encased in thick breading. There were also clams, crayfish and whole fish.

Because of the large numbers of diners served, they replenish the buffet often. Throw in a salad bar with fresh fruit and a dessert section featuring soft-serve ice cream, no one goes home hungry.

China Wall’s extensive menu and reasonable pricing makes it a popular destination for seniors, especially those who can afford only one meal a day.

Asian cuisine

Another Asian favorite is Fuji Buffet off Diamond Boulevard in Concord. They offer premade and custom sushi items utilizing high-quality fish. Menu selections include tempura, soft shell crab, fried oysters and grilled hamachi. Fried bananas and sesame balls for dessert are not to be missed. Everything except beverages is included for a reasonable price.

Also of decent quality is the Gen Korean BBQ on Willow Pass, where Sizzler was once located. Patrons can choose raw meat, shrimp and vegetables. Customers then grill them in a cast-iron skillet provided to each table.

The hot pot experience at Shabuya offers a similar format with Japanese flair. Diners can dip seafood, vegetables and choice beef cuts in tasty sauces.

Located in Concord’s Veranda, this is a great place for a romantic meal. Shabuya is almost always busy, with a large following from the Generation X crowd.

More options

There are many other unlimited portion restaurants in the area. For mid-priced fare, the best value is arguably the lunch buffet at Swagat in Concord. Chef Kumar’s large selection of curries, saffron rice, butter chicken and other Indian dishes provides a gourmet delight.

Brasas do Brazil located in Park & Shop is a pricier choice, with an excellent buffet and assorted steak selections brought to your table.

Their high-quality cuisine is ideally suited for special occasions. If one is a vegetarian or less hungry, you can skip the meat course for a reduced price.

All you can eat is more than just an empty promise in Concord.

Contact Rich Eber at richeber9@gmail.com.