Buffet Time Limits

So I was recently at the Bellagio buffet and made a valiant effort of trying to get my money’s worth. And by that I don’t mean stuffing myself silly but by taking my time and eating slowly, allowing plenty of time between courses, and sampling as much as possible (emphasis on the word “sampling”). However, part way through I was looking at the receipt and saw that there was a two-hour time limit. This is the first time I’ve noticed this but how do they enforce this? Or do they enforce it at all?

 

But the sign said all you can eat

Tis' no man, tis' a remorseless eating machine.

Mr. Simpson, this is the most blatant case of false advertising since my suit against the film 'The Neverending Story'.

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Serious reply - I think they look at when the credit card was charged and the time printed on the receipt. Personally, I've never had it enforced.

 

Well...just being curious...could you actually exceed two hours dining at a buffet? Seems like a reasonable time at a restaurant, given that the food would have to be prepped, cocktails, etc. - but a buffet is ready to be served. I can't imagine enforcing something like that. Imagine the negative pub.

 

There's a sign at Bacchanal that asks that you limit your dining to 2 hours. I don't know if it's actually enforced.

 

I don't think they would unless you seriously abuse the system. Like staying there for hours to just get wasted on bottomless beverage etc. Then again I'd be amazed if a person wasn't done eating in 2 hours anyway.

 

First World problems!!

 

Has anyone attempted a nap in a buffet?

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I recall there being a restroom within the buffet facility/property specifically for the buffet patrons to use. So is this to suggest that buffet patrons can't use the outside restrooms (i.e., no in-and-out privileges at the buffet)?

 

From someone who has eaten my share of buffets over the years, I can't imagine this would ever be enforced for what I believe to be a very small number of people who hang out at the buffet - don't most of us have other things to do? I think it's more a hint to move along so they can seat others.

 

Not all buffets have restrooms inside the buffet, and if you need to leave just take your receipt with you and tell the host near the exit that you need to leave for a few minutes and are coming right back - it's never been a problem getting back in.

 

i believe it's four hour

 

Could be the reason for this time limit is because some people stay though different meal shifts, like some people coming in for "lunch" and paying for the lunch buffet but staying through dinner just to get the dinner specials (like crab legs, etc.).

I remember visiting the paris village buffet early and staying until they started to bring out the dinners. Not sure if that is still allowed (or if they close the buffet at a certain time to separate the different meal shift) anymore. My problem lately is that I don't get my money's worth of food since I can't eat as much as I used to.

It could also be for some people to hold "meetings" at the buffets that go on for over 2 hours but I never saw that happening. As others have mentioned, not sure if they enforce the 2 hour rule but I seldom see people hanging around that long anyway.

 

Yep, I can't eat enough to actually get my money's worth, however one might define that, but for me the value is in being able sample many different types of food all in one place.

 

Quality!

 

"...My problem lately is that I don't get my money's worth of food since I can't eat as much as I used to...."

Indeed. This is pretty much the take for me and the Mrs. Unless it's comp'd, we probably won't be doing any buffet dining.
That's just us. Now, the in-laws, they think buffet dining is the way to go...as much (or little) of variety.

 

I've never noticed a sign at Gold Coast buffet where i usually eat, but then again most of the patrons are elderly or disabled which might be difficult to eat and get around the stations in 2 hours.

 

I don't know about the 2 hour time limit but at MSS buffet they won't allow breakfast to lunch or lunch to dinner. They notified us prior to paying that we had to make sure that we would leave before the next dining session. We are fast eaters, maybe 20 minutes tops. But they kept coming around saying 10 minutes, 5 minutes, etc. Anyway we left before the next dining session started. So MSS will not let you stay for the next dining session.

In terms of a buffet having a restroom inside the buffet, Carnival buffet at the Rio has one inside.

 

Can anyone even eat for more than 2 hours?

 

Not Vegas, but there is a famous all you can eat Lobster Buffet that states they limit dinning to a 2 hour minimum. Even with a small group, you can only eat so much. I say it sounds reasonable to keep the line moving (if there is one).

 

If the minimum is 2 hours, what's the maximum? Do they force you to eat more if you try to leave after an hour?