When looking for a place to eat, many Joplin residents may be tempted to dine at one of the area’s numerous buffets.

Several area restaurants offer either lunch or dinner buffets – some offer both.

While many places also offer menu items, the buffets bring in more customers and more money.

Rick Seeley, restaurant manager at Shoney’s Restaurant, 2127 S. Range Line Road, believes most people in Joplin prefer buffet-style dining.

“It’s all you can eat,” he said. “You get more food for your money.”

Shoney’s also serves menu items, but Seeley said the buffet “definitely” does better.

The major lunch item at CiCi’s Pizza, 1840 S. Range Line Road, is its buffet. Scott West, CiCi’s manager, believes people choose buffets because of the speediness.

“It’s a lot more effective on time,” he said. “Plus, people get a wide variety of items for a low cost.”

He also said the speediness benefits the restaurant as well.

Buffet-style dining allows people to “eat it [their meal] quick and get out quick instead of waiting for it to be cooked,” Seeley said.

Seeley believes so many Joplin restaurants offer buffets because of the value to customers. People can eat more in less time for a set price. This is a benefit to the customer.

Billy Chockie, general manager of the Golden Corral in Joplin, said going to an all-buffet style saved the company he used to work for.

“It seems like the trend is going to buffet style,” he said. “People like to pick and choose.”

Chockie believes buffets draw customers because of the variety they offer.

“It gives [people] more freedom,” he said. “People can fill their plates and come back for more.”

The speed of a buffet is also a benefit to customers, Chockie believes.

He said people like to come, eat and leave.

Golden Corral strives for perfection on “line speed,” or people per hour, he said.

“We don’t want them to stand in line,” Chockie said. “We give them friendly service, [but] they like to get on with the show.”

All types of people dine at these area buffets.

Chockie said he sees customers wearing everything from shirts and ties to overalls.

“We’re not considered fine-dining at all,” he said. “We’re casual.”

Some people may wonder about the health concerns with buffets.

Shoney’s watches its items and has times set for when each item needs to be replaced.

The Golden Corral trains all employees to watch for anything that could potentially be a problem. Chockie said he and the other managers watch out to make sure no one is doing what he or she is not supposed to be doing.

“People don’t like a bunch of people hovering over their food,” he said.

He added if something happens, it is dealt with, and the food is thrown out and replaced.

Chockie said the Golden Corral is in good standing with the health department and the restaurant is “glad to be in the community.”

Dining choices in Joplin may seem limited at times, but Seeley said, “Joplin has too many restaurants, period.”