Good value for dollar has always been a concern for restaurant customers, but getting the most bang for your buck is a particularly pressing priority in this era of inflation. The fear of getting ripped off accounts for the rising popularity of an old standard: the buffet restaurant. Buffets not only make hungry guests feel like they’re getting their money’s worth, but they put control in the hands of the customer, allowing people to choose exactly what they want to eat while skipping any unappreciated side dishes or accoutrements.
While buffet chains like Bonanza and Ponderosa were all the rage in the ’80s, modern buffet culture has become the domain of casinos, hotel brunches or various Asian cuisines. A new spot called ELYMI (Eat Like You Mean It) is re-establishing the standalone Western-style buffet as part of Calgary’s culinary scene.