I went to America's biggest buffet - what it's really like for the $13.99 all you can eat with NO time limit
A food blogger has revealed her jaw-dropping experience of America's largest buffet - where prices start at just $13.99 and diners can stuff themselves for hours with no time limit.
Instagram influencer Amorray Marcano documented her visit to the enormous Shady Maple Smorgasbord in East Earl, Pennsylvania.
The establishment spans a whopping 100,000 square feet and has reportedly served up to 10,000 hungry customers in a single day.
'We had three hours to try the largest buffet in America, and it was shocking how much food they have for the price,' Marcano shared with her followers in a recent viral post.
The massive eatery, which has become something of a legend among foodies and bargain hunters, offers all-you-can-eat feasts with prices that vary by meal.
For example, breakfast starts at just $13.99, lunch at $19.99, and dinner at $23.99, not including a 12 percent service fee.
Despite the enormous size of the place, Marcano still had to reportedly wait about 30 minutes for a table during her dinner visit.
But in her opinion, the experience was well worth it.
The establishment spans a whopping 100,000 square feet and has reportedly served up to 10,000 hungry customers in a single day
'The amount of options is insane,' she revealed in her video review. 'They have multiple self-serve stations offering coconut shrimp, fried chicken, meatballs, shrimp and grits, mac and cheese and healthier options like vegetables and salads.'
They also offer made-to-order stations which provide freshly prepared options including grilled fish, steak, and carved brisket.
She mentioned trying the catfish, which she said was 'actually pretty good'.
The drink selection was also impressive, with 'a wide variety of juices, sodas, coffee, and even milkshakes'.
But of course, no buffet experience would be complete without dessert, and Shady Maple doesn't disappoint in that area either.
Marcano described the sweet options as 'endless,' highlighting traditional Amish specialties like shoofly pie, which she found 'super rich and sweet'.
After the lavish meal, she said her dinner, which cost approximately $27 including the service fee, represented excellent value.
'I think it's a great deal, especially because there's no time limit,' she said, before challenging her followers: 'But would you try it?'
The Shady Maple Smorgasbord in East Earl, Pennsylvania, was named the best buffet restaurant in the US earlier this year
The restaurant, located at 1324 Main Street in East Earl, recommends visitors check their website before arriving to take advantage of potential discounts and view current menus.
The Shady Maple Smorgasbord is situated in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, an area known for its large Amish population and traditional cuisine.
Many users were enthused by the idea of trying the lavish buffet.
'I love a good buffet!! This looks awesome - so many options!' one user commented.
One user humorously commented: Omg I went here! I got lost and couldn't find my way back to the table.'
Others did not find the idea too appealing.
'Pass,' one user wrote next to a laughing emoji.
Another emphasized the downsides of too many options: 'Too much food overwhelming!'
Marcano described the sweet options as 'endless,' highlighting traditional Amish specialties like shoofly pie, which she found 'super rich and sweet'
The buffet's number one spot was decided by experts and USA Today readers for its annual list earlier this year.
'The food is excellent here at Shady Maple... The atmosphere at Shady Maple is wonderful,' customer Don Mann told FOX 43 last July.
The Shady Maple Smorgasbord was founded by Marvin and Miriam Weaver in 1985 with the concept of 'all you can eat for one price.'
The then-new restaurant building had over 300 seats, and a one to two-hour wait was not uncommon, according to its website.
Following a building remodel, the buffet had over 500 seats available for customers.
However, after the buffet's kitchen became crowded, the restaurant's operators decided to build an entirely new building.
Since the Weavers' retirement, their sons Phil and Lin Weaver took over as president and CEO of Shady Maple.
According to Shady Maple President Phil Weaver, the business already had the land, and after five years of planning, the 110,000-square-foot building was opened in 2000.
Food quality manager Sumer Smith insisted that Shady Maple Smorgasbord is 'not like your average restaurant'
Not only is the eatery famous for its long buffet, it's also known for its 'deliciously authentic Pennsylvania Dutch cooking,' according to its website.
'It is a high-paced restaurant. It's not like your average restaurant. But I always say it's the biggest, smallest kitchen in the world,' food quality manager Sumer Smith told FOX 43.
Smith discussed some of the food selections with Localish and revealed one of the restaurant's most popular dishes is beef brisket.
However, she also gave shoutouts to the restaurants mashed potatoes, potato cakes, fried chicken, and corn fritters.
'One of our sayings is that "Every bite matters" - like every single piece of food that goes out of the buffet is important and must be to our standards of excellence,' Shady Maple CEO Lin Weaver said.
'It's just the kind of food Lancaster County is known for.'
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