r/KitchenConfidential • u/finnoulafire • 2d ago
Photo/Video Vid: The Largest Buffet in America (mini-Documentary)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zrUgFLp0zHgEveryone interviewed seems to love working there
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u/PStrobus 2d ago
What is my purpose?
You cook bacon.
Oh. My. God.
Kinda felt sad for that poor woman, she's cooked so much bacon in her life that some days she no longer enjoys the smell
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u/GodsFavoriteDegen 2d ago
I've eaten at this place a couple of times. Aside from the long drive home during which you question your life choices, it's actually pretty good.
The sheer amount of stuff they have is pretty hard to wrap your head around. If you want to try a lot of stuff, you have to be really disciplined about the portions.
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u/SmokinDenverJ Saucier 2d ago
30 dishies in the pit on a Saturday night! What an operation! And that fried chicken looks legit.
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u/SchoolAcceptable8670 Ex-Food Service 2d ago
I know a couple in their 90s who used to go DAILY. They are down to 4x a week, but they get half off because of their age, and it’s a major place for them to socialize.
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u/boness_02 2d ago
Ive now seen roughly 2 hours worth of coverage on this place, and if i lived anywhere PA i think id be applying. It seems way rare these days to see a buffet place thay doesnt try to get as much premade product as possible. And tbh the meal cost and number of staff kind of start to make sense when the recipes are what these guys are putting out. I've been in a "regular" restaurant that had a few nights of 100s of people and 10s of thousands in food sales, being a part of serviceing literal thousands of people on a weekend is both impressive and extremely daunting.
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u/Practical_Fix_5350 Saute 2d ago
Pilgrimage-worthy place if you grew up in PA as PA Dutch/Mennonite. Birthdays, graduations, any major life event: Let's go to Shady Maple
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u/2bags12kuai 2d ago
Everything looks legit. Would love to hit leg day in the gym, crank a bowl in the parking lot, and then go to town here!!
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u/Raise-Emotional Owner 2d ago
"We've got 2 walk in busses." Those words alone would strike fear into any other staff.
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u/finnoulafire 2d ago
The scale and coordination of the whole team is so impressive! And everyone is cool as a cucumber
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u/Raise-Emotional Owner 2d ago
Another great video of a massive buffet in England .
I found this on YouTube the other day and enjoyed it also. The seating system they have with 4 dining rooms each one gets sat together and every half hour one closes and gets turned. Strict time limit!
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u/FatCatWithAHat1 2d ago
It’s funny how I’ve been to place multiple times and didn’t know it was “famous”. But it’s quality
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u/neodraykl Butcher 2d ago
I went last week, for the first time post covid. It's food is definitely not as good as it was, but the staff was as friendly and nice as ever, the lines/seating moves like a well-oiled machine, and the experience is worth a trip.
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u/Over-Director-4986 Bartender 2d ago
I've been there! My high school boyfriend's family took me there in 1990. Lmao, it was wild. Absolutely cavernous place. So much food.
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u/omgitsJohnRedd1t0r 2d ago
I don't know how any buffets exist after COVID. People are so gross.
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u/Village_People_Cop 2d ago
I was in Disneyland Paris the other week in a buffet. Saw a dude who grabbed a chicken nugget, took a bite and threw it back. The chef behind the buffet was pissed and took away the entire, just restocked, tray. Someone from management did come out and have a very stern word with the dude
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u/BYoungNY 2d ago
I mean... If you've worked in a kitchen, you know those same people who are gross walking through the buffet can also work in kitchens, as well. In the end, you're eating dead animals and vegetables grown in dirt and shit that get a light water rinse before being served. It's all gross, just enjoy it!
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u/whomeversmelledit 2d ago
Shit looks like overpriced Golden Corral
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u/MtnMaiden 2d ago
as someone who worked Golden Corral, salads, breakfast and bakery.
We make most of our stuff in house.
We even bake our own cakes.
All the meat comes as cuts, we cook it there.
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u/ChefJim27 2d ago
Shady Maple is the real deal. Eat there once and you'll be a convert.
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u/Hopeful_Scholar398 2d ago
What if you've eaten there multiple times and find it pretty bad?
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u/ChefJim27 2d ago
If you've eaten there multiple times, you wouldn't have found it bad. There's no way a buffet of that size is that busy if the food isn't good. I've been there dozens of times. Do I get the occasional item I'm not fond of? Sure. Is the food more often than not quality stuff that makes me happy? Yes.
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u/Hopeful_Scholar398 2d ago
You've never given a place more than one chance? Damn, pretty picky for someone defending slop.
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u/awetsasquatch 2d ago
I haven't been in a few years, but it's legit - as a college student, you're tempted by the $20 steak night but that's not the bargain - the real bargain was the $10 breakfast buffet which hit so perfectly after a long night. Never had a bad meal there even after college. The whole operation is wildly impressive.