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May 09, 2019 Slideshows » Food & Drink

20 Essential San Antonio Buffets That Aren’t Golden Corral

By San Antonio Current Staff

        
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San Antonio likes to eat, there's no doubt about that. But sometimes, we like to feast. Conveniently, the Alamo City is home to a wide selection of all-you-can-eat spots, ranging from homestyle American cuisine and Asian fusions to Brazilian steakhouses and more. From the fancy to the affordable, here are 24 essential San Antonio buffets that you should visit instead of Golden Corral.

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Chama Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse
18318 Sonterra Pl, (210) 564-9400, chamagaucha.com
A favorite for quality meats, Chama Gaucha is an all-you-can-eat churrascaria serving up grilled beef, pork, chicken and lamb. Even if you’re the most raging carnivore, you won’t be able to pace yourself on the salad bar either. No matter how big your appetite, this upscale Brazilian steakhouse is not one to be missed.
Photo by Jason Risner Photography (RisnerPhoto.com)

The Pigpen
106 Pershing Ave, (210) 267-9136, thepigpensa.com
Be prepared to wait during Sunday brunch at the Pigpen, but know that it is totally worth it. The all-you-can-eat brunch option lets you fill your plate with brisket, fried chicken, fried catfish, pulled pork, sausage patties, blueberry sausage links, bacon, homemade biscuits, pancakes, scrambled eggs, cheese grits, hash browns, mac & cheese (!), black eyed peas, collard greens and seasonal fruit. Oh, and desserts too if you saved room. Honestly, we don’t deserve this buffet, but we’re so thankful.
Photo via Instagram / the_pigpen_bar

Chas Market & Kitchen
1431 N Pine St, (210) 227-1521, chaskitchen.com
Head to this inconspicuous East Side market and enjoy the robust flavors of the East – Asian flavors, that is. Sure, the menu is massive here (have you tried the tacos?!), but definitely take advantage of the all-you-can-eat deal on Korean meats like short ribs, pork belly, bulgogi, brisket and more.
Photo via Instagram / jesselizarraras

Tandoor Palace
8783 Wurzbach Road, (210) 592-1211, tandoorpalacerestaurant.com
Consider the homey digs as proof that the flavors are authentic here. North Indian fare rules supreme at Tandoor Place, meaning it specializes in tandoori dishes (with a variety of Indian breads to pair them with). There’s vegetarians options too, if that’s what you’re looking for.
Photo via Instagram / _suzyylee

Galpao Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse
2318 N Loop 1604 W, (210) 497-2500, galpaogauchousa.com
While not a buffet per se, you can enjoy all the meat you could ever desire here. This buffet-style Brazilian steakhouse comes through with 17 cuts of meat that you can taste with the “full experience” option. That’s paired with the salad bar and hot sides. Seriously, you’ll have the meat sweats here.
Photo via Instagram / sanantoniomunchies

Colonial Room Restaurant
204 Alamo Plaza, (210) 225-6196, mengerhotel.com
Located inside the Menger Hotel, the Colonial Room’s lunchtime buffet, offered daily, should be considered a bucket list item for every San Antonian. Complete with attentive service and beautiful decor (especially during the holidays), this rotating menu offers standard dishes as well as a waffle bar or pasta bar.
Photo by Sarah Martinez

El Coqui Restaurant
5036 W Military Dr, (210) 645-6465, elcoquisatx.com
Venture out toward Lackland AFB and dine in at El Coqui. Known as one of the city’s prime spots for Puerto Rican fare, you can indulge on these flavors during the lunch buffet offered Monday through Saturday. We see it now – a plate full of maduros. Yum!
Photo via Instagram / stacia_x0

India Palace
8474 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 692-5262, indiapalacesatx.com
Hidden away in the corner of a strip mall, India Palace is regarded as one of the best spots for authentic Indian dishes. Though small, you’ll still be able to enjoy plenty of flavor with selections such as chicken tikka masala, karahi chicken, samosas and plenty of naan. Come with an empty stomach ‘cause you’ll definitely want to indulge here.
Photo via Instagram / rabidmeerkat

Dimassi’s Mediterranean Buffet
4841 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 525-1231, dimassis.com
Casual digs and a range of Lebanese-Mediterranean dishes await you over at Dimassi’s. The all-day buffet serves up classic finds like kabobs, gyro meat, hummus and of course lots of pita bread. Plus, there are vegan and gluten-free items available. It’s a win-win.
Photo via Instagram / plantbasedciara

King Buffet
6200 Bandera Road, Leon Valley, (210) 647-8888, kingbuffetsa.com
You can go big with your appetite at King Buffet. Inside this spacious joint, you’ll find the classic Chinese and American dishes synonymous with a Chinese buffet, plus Mongolian BBQ, sushi and even a salad bar. Bring the family and get ready to feast.
Photo via Instagram / ferogu

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India Oven
1031 Patricia Ste 106, (210) 544-5968, indiaovensa.com
Specializing in North Indian dishes, you can stop in for the lunch buffet to truly eat. Expect all the traditional biryani, masala and tandoori selections, plus vegetarian options. There’s also beer and wine available, so your dining experience truly can’t get any better.
Photo via Instagram / kevinm40

Hon Machi Japanese & Korean BBQ
19186 Blanco Road #103, (210) 670-7128, koreanbbqsa.com
For dinner with a whole lot of rules, you can hit up Hon Machi. With a maximum eating time of 90 minutes, this lunchtime buffet lets you get your fill of bulgogi, beef brisket, teriyaki chicken breast, spicy pork shoulder, sweet chicken thigh, pork belly (spicy or not) and spicy chicken. Your all-you-can-eat meat party is accompanied with salad, miso soup, steamed rice, Kim Chi and pickled radish.
Photo via Instagram / linhnie_

Laguna Cafe
8403 TX-151 #110, (210) 368-9455, facebook.com/fusioneats
Not to be confused with Laguna Madre, this cafe is fully prepared to feed your face. With a buffet on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during lunchtime, this offering gives you access to lots and lots of Filipino dishes as well as Hawaiian comfort food. Go today if you’ve never been, you’ll be thankful you did.
Photo via Yelp / Rose L.

Teppanyaki Chinese Buffet
6719 Northwest Loop 410, (210) 520-0588, teppanyakichinesebuffet.com
Chinese dishes – and lots of ‘em – can be yours if you swing by Teppanyaki. In addition, you’ll be able to score Japanese and American fare, hibachi, seafood, steaks, sushi and oysters if you so wish. There’s also salad and desserts!
Photo via Instagram / fightrudyfight

Susie’s Lumpia House
7914 Culebra Rd Ste 109, (210) 616-4354, facebook.com/SusiesLumpiaHouse
Celebrate the weekend over at Susie’s Lumpia House with its weekend buffet. You’ll be able to nosh on a variety of Asian foods, particularly Filipino finds. The lineup may be small, but the flavors will have you getting plate after you plate – and you will certainly enjoy yourself doing so.
Photo via Instagram / xoxosummers

Spice Fine Indian Cuisine
4987 Northwest Loop 410, (210) 253-9658, spicefineindiancuisine.com
Ironically enough, this Indian spot is located right next to a Golden Corral. Never mind the chain and head here to stock up on traditional North and South Indian dishes. The glorious smells alone will have you feeling satisfied, but come hungry to enjoy lots of flavors.
Photo via Instagram / spice_fine_indian_cuisine

Deco Cafe Filipiniana
6812 Bandera Road, Suite 101, Leon Valley, (210) 734-3326, decocafefilipiniana.com
Plate after plate of Filipino food can be yours if you head over to this Leon Valley spot. Offered every weekend, this lunch buffet lets your choose from more than 25 dishes, mostly Filipino but also other Asian and American selections. Be sure to order a boba tea for an extra treat.
Photo via Instagram / g.i.joao

Lin’s International Buffet
Multiple locations, linsinternationalbuffet.com
With two locations in San Antonio, Lin’s brings a solid array of delicacies, including pho, brisket, sushi, pork ribs, sausage, jumbo shrimp, pizza, dim sum, mussels, pasta, salad and desserts. During specials times (such as dinner and on the weekends), you can find extra goodies like steak, crab legs, crawfish and oysters.
Photo via Instagram / linsbuffetsa

Lily’s Philippine Restaurant
8210 Glider Ave, (210) 674-7007, facebook.com
Head to this Far West Side spot for your fill of Filipino food. Regarded as being fresh and well-cooked, authentic dishes are readily available – even harder-to-find treats like bilo bilo. The buffet is served up every Sunday, so consider stopping by one of these Sunday Fundays.
Photo via Yelp / Denise D.

Filipino Express Restaurant
4963 Northwest Loop 410, (210) 681-0089, filipinoexpresstogo.com
Though you can totally score some delicious carry-out, you can also choose to indulge in authentic Filipino fare. The $7.99 all-you-can-eat buffet is offered during lunch time on select days, so be sure to call ahead and enjoy this goodness.
Photo via Instagram /

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