My husband and I like to make the most of our money when we go out to eat. We’ve never been satisfied with places where you only receive a small variety for what you pay. I have always loved buffet restaurants so having my husband like them too has made our experiences dining out simple. Where I live it’s a small town of ten thousand people. There is no restaurant here that has a buffet all of the time. Pizza Hut has one for lunch during the week, and at night on Wednesdays. It’s nice to go there but your choice of food is limited.
The nearest big towns where there is a Ryan’s Buffet are 20 and 30 miles away. We used to go eat at Old Country Buffet, but one time when we were in Davenport, IA we noticed a Ryan’s Buffet and decided to see what it was like. The one in Davenport at that time needed some updating as far as the interior and the seating areas, but the staff was friendly and prompt, the food was great, and the place was clean. There was an amazing variety of choices for what to eat and drink. The price was about $9.00 for an adult which included a drink at the time we had went there, and the prices for children depended on their age. That particular Ryan’s is now another restaurant, because a new Ryan’s was built about ten miles away on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River.
The new one is in Moline, IL and has a very nice atmosphere. This Ryan’s includes a grill area where you can have certain meats grilled to your specification. The restaurant is well decorated with a bright atmosphere. The prices are reasonable, although I couldn’t tell you exactly how much it is per person, but after tip for two adults and two kids under the age of 12 it costs us about $35.00. Aside from their grill area there is a variety of other meats, pastas, there are always tacos and vegetables, many fruits and of course the salads and desserts. Each night there is a different theme for the buffet, such as seafood, Italian, and so forth. As with the Ryan’s that used to be in Davenport, the staff at this one is very friendly and prompt. The food always looks and tastes great and the restaurant is kept in an acceptable condition.
The other Ryan’s that we have been to is in West Burlington, IA. It resembles the one in Moline, IL in a lot of ways, though it does not have the grill area. Instead there is a little “island” counter where there is a person waiting to cut meat for you from a ham, a turkey or a beef roast. There is also usually some grilled beef sausage there. The choice of food is a little less at this Ryan’s than at the one in Moline, but the prices are actually a little cheaper at the Ryan’s in Burlington. Even without the grill area there is still plenty of food to choose from here. Once again it is a clean and friendly place. The staff is always smiling and fast with their service.
If you have never eaten at a Ryan’s Buffet and there is one located near where you live, I recommend giving it a try if you like a variety of food in an all you can eat atmosphere for a reasonable price. If you have kids under the age of 12 I believe it is, don’t forget to sign up for their birthday club. They will get a coupon in the mail around their birthday for a free meal for them.
