These Massachusetts Buffets Haven’t Changed Since The ’90s In The Best Way

Remember when buffets were the ultimate dining adventure? Back in the ’90s, these all-you-can-eat spots were everywhere, with their neon signs, chocolate fountains, and endless trays of comfort food.

While many have closed or gotten fancy makeovers, some Massachusetts buffets have stayed true to their roots. I’m taking you on a tour of 14 incredible buffet restaurants across the state that still feel like stepping into a time machine, complete with the same décor, classic menu items, and that unmistakable ’90s charm we all love.

1. Flaming Grill & Buffet (Roslindale)

Walking into this Roslindale gem feels like visiting your favorite aunt’s house from childhood. Those mirrored walls reflect everything, making the space feel bigger and brighter, just like they did back in 1997. Burgundy booths line the walls, offering cozy spots where families have gathered for decades.

What really makes this place special is the variety. You’ll find lo mein sitting next to pizza slices, because why choose between Italian and Chinese when you can have both? The hibachi station brings dinner theater to your plate, with chefs flipping spatulas and creating small flames that never get old.

It’s the kind of place where kids drag their parents back year after year. Every visit feels familiar yet exciting, especially when you pile your plate high with all your favorites at once.

2. Flaming Grill & Buffet (Malden)

Golden dragons greet you at the door, their teal-accented scales shimmering under fluorescent lights. This Malden location hasn’t changed its color scheme since opening day, and honestly, why would it? The combination of gold and teal screams ’90s in the best possible way.

Here’s where things get interesting: sushi rolls share space with creamy mac and cheese on the buffet line. Some people might call that weird, but I call it genius. Your pickiest eater gets their comfort food while adventurous diners grab California rolls.

Don’t skip the dessert station. That soft-serve machine has been churning out vanilla and chocolate swirls for over two decades. Kids still race to be first in line, and adults pretend they’re just getting a small cone before loading up a waffle bowl.

3. China Buffet (Lowell)

That glowing neon sign has been lighting up Lowell streets since 1999. You can spot it from blocks away, calling hungry diners like a beacon in the night. Once inside, wood-paneled walls transport you straight back to the turn of the millennium.

Faded photographs of Beijing hang throughout the dining room, showing landmarks from another time and place. They’ve been there so long that regular customers use them as meeting points. The real star here is unlimited crab rangoon, which sounds too good to be true but absolutely is.

And then there’s the chocolate fountain. It bubbles away in the corner, surrounded by strawberries, marshmallows, and pretzel sticks. I’ve watched three generations of the same families dip treats into that flowing chocolate, creating sweet memories one visit at a time.

4. Mesa Buffet (Westfield)

Strip mall dining reaches peak perfection at Mesa Buffet. Terracotta tiles cover the floor, their warm orange tones matching the turquoise accents that pop throughout the space. It’s southwestern décor done right, without feeling like a theme park.

The make-your-own taco station is where creativity happens. Hard shells, soft tortillas, seasoned beef, shredded chicken, and about fifteen toppings let you build your dream taco. Some folks make normal tacos while others create towering masterpieces that barely hold together.

Over at the salad bar, bacon bits flow freely from dispensers that have worked perfectly since the ’90s. Multiple ranch dressing pumps ensure you never run out, because let’s be honest, ranch makes everything better. This place understands what people want and delivers it consistently, year after year.

5. Yutaka Buffet (Quincy)

A massive 200-gallon aquarium greets every customer at Yutaka Buffet. Orange fish swim lazily past the glass, providing entertainment while you wait for your table. Kids press their noses against it, and adults find themselves mesmerized by the underwater world.

Sushi sits alongside fried chicken and mashed potatoes here. It might sound odd, but it works beautifully. Your sushi-loving friend gets fresh rolls while your meat-and-potatoes uncle fills his plate with familiar favorites. Everyone leaves happy.

The ice cream station deserves its own paragraph. Soft-serve machines pump out vanilla, chocolate, and swirl options. But the real magic happens at the topping bar, where crunchy bits, sprinkles, and sauces let you customize every bowl. It’s been unchanged since opening day, and regular customers wouldn’t have it any other way.

6. China King Super Buffet (Brockton)

That giant golden Buddha has watched over hungry diners since 1994. Standing at the entrance, it’s become more than décor it’s a local landmark. Regulars pat its belly for good luck before heading to the buffet line, a tradition that’s developed organically over the years.

Large round tables dominate the dining room, each with a lazy Susan at the center. It’s perfect for families who want to share dishes without reaching across the table. Spin it around, grab what you want, and keep the conversation flowing.

The chocolate fountain here claims serious bragging rights as one of the oldest continuously operating fountains in Massachusetts buffets. It’s been gurgling away since the restaurant opened, dipping strawberries and cookies for countless celebrations, first dates, and family reunions.

7. Golden Corral Buffet & Grill (Worcester)

Wagon wheels hang on the walls like trophies from the Old West. This Worcester location embraces its country-western theme with zero apologies. Wooden beams, cowboy-themed artwork, and that unmistakable ’90s excess make it feel like a county fair every single day.

The carving station is where magic happens. A chef stands ready with a knife, slicing roast beef, turkey, and ham to order. You can ask for thin slices or thick chunks, and they’ll accommodate without judgment. Fresh meat carved right in front of you beats pre-sliced options every time.

But the mashed potato bar might steal the show. Fluffy potatoes serve as your base, then you choose from gravy, cheese, bacon bits, chives, sour cream, and butter. Some people create reasonable portions while others build potato mountains that defy gravity and good sense.

8. New King Buffet (Springfield)

Faded red paper lanterns sway gently overhead, their colors softened by years of service. They’ve hung in the same spots since this Springfield buffet opened, creating shadows that dance across tables during dinner service. Some might call them dated, but regulars find them comforting.

Stainless steel serving spoons have dished out thousands of meals here. They’re the heavy-duty kind that restaurants don’t make anymore, solid and reliable. Each spoon has served countless portions of General Tso’s chicken, fried rice, and egg rolls to hungry customers.

An entire wall dedicated to fortune cookies catches your eye near the exit. Hundreds of cookies sit in a basket, free for the taking. Meanwhile, lucky cats wave their paws by the register, their golden arms moving up and down in endless beckoning gestures that have welcomed customers for decades.

9. Mandarin Buffet (Framingham)

Jade green carpet cushions your steps the moment you enter. It’s the exact shade that every ’90s buffet seemed to have, and somehow it still looks decent after decades of foot traffic. Gold-framed mirrors multiply the dining room, reflecting light and making the space feel twice its actual size.

Dragon murals wind across the walls in vibrant reds and golds. An artist painted them by hand during the original build-out, and they’ve never been touched up or changed. They’ve become part of the restaurant’s identity, with kids pointing out different details each visit.

The buffet stations stretch seemingly forever, offering everything from sesame chicken to fried shrimp to mashed potatoes. It’s the kind of variety that made ’90s buffets legendary. You could eat here weekly for months and never make the same plate twice, which is exactly what many loyal customers do.

10. Great Wall Buffet (Pittsfield)

A stunning Great Wall mural dominates one entire wall. Painted in impressive detail, it shows the ancient structure winding through mountains and valleys. Local artists created it when the restaurant opened, and it’s become a Pittsfield landmark in its own right.

Pagoda-style serving stations add architectural interest to the buffet line. Instead of boring rectangular steam tables, these have curved roofs and decorative elements that make serving yourself feel like an adventure. They’re purely decorative but add so much character to the experience.

An artificial koi pond sits near the entrance, complete with plastic fish and a small fountain. It’s gloriously ’90s in its execution, but customers love it anyway. Kids drop pennies in to make wishes, continuing a tradition that’s lasted since their parents were kids. Sometimes the old ways are the best ways.

11. Dynasty Buffet (New Bedford)

Crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling, catching light and throwing rainbow patterns across tables. They’re fancy in that specific ’90s way that tried to bring elegance to casual dining. Somehow, they work perfectly here, making every meal feel slightly special.

Red velvet chairs surround each table, their fabric showing gentle wear from years of use. They’re still comfortable and sturdy, built to last in an era when furniture meant something. Sitting in them feels like settling into a familiar embrace.

The seafood section deserves special mention. Shrimp prepared six different ways, mussels, clams, and even crab legs on weekends fill the trays. Being in a coastal city means Dynasty takes its seafood seriously. Decorative Chinese screens separate different buffet areas, creating intimate spaces within the larger room while maintaining that classic aesthetic everyone remembers.

12. Asia Buffet (Leominster)

Bamboo decorations create a forest-like atmosphere throughout the dining room. Real bamboo stalks stand in corners while bamboo-printed wallpaper covers accent walls. It’s tropical and inviting, transporting you somewhere far from central Massachusetts.

Colorful paper umbrellas hang from the ceiling in clusters. They’re the decorative kind you’d find in fancy drinks, but supersized. Red, yellow, blue, and green umbrellas create a canopy overhead that’s pure ’90s whimsy. They rotate slightly when the air conditioning kicks on, adding gentle movement to the space.

The mongolian grill station lets you build custom stir-fry bowls. Choose your meat, vegetables, noodles, and sauce, then watch the chef cook it on a massive circular griddle. It’s interactive dining before that became a trendy concept. Meanwhile, the sushi bar offers fresh rolls made to order, proving this buffet stays current while keeping its vintage charm intact.

13. Peking Garden Buffet (Taunton)

An oriental garden theme runs throughout this Taunton treasure. Artificial plants create green spaces between tables, while stone pathways painted on the floor guide you through different sections. It’s ambitious theming that actually works, creating distinct areas within one restaurant.

A stone fountain feature bubbles away near the entrance. Water trickles over rocks into a small pool, creating soothing sounds that somehow cut through the dinner rush noise. It’s been running continuously since the ’90s, requiring occasional maintenance but never replacement.

Lantern lighting casts a warm glow over everything. Instead of harsh fluorescents, paper lanterns with soft bulbs illuminate each table. Combined with the extensive buffet stations offering both traditional Chinese dishes and American favorites, the atmosphere makes you want to linger long after your plate is empty. Regulars know to arrive early and stay late, maximizing their time in this unchanged gem.

14. Imperial Buffet (Holyoke)

Imperial palace themed décor makes you feel like dining royalty. Red and gold dominate the color palette, from the carpet to the curtains to the chair cushions. It’s bold and unapologetic, exactly what ’90s interior design did best.

Carved wooden panels separate the dining area from the buffet stations. Dragons, phoenixes, and traditional Chinese symbols cover every inch, showcasing craftsmanship that’s hard to find today. They’re dark with age but beautiful, adding gravitas to what could have been just another buffet.

The dessert bar stretches longer than some restaurant’s entire buffet lines. Cookies, brownies, pudding cups, Jello, and soft-serve ice cream offer endless sweet options. It’s overwhelming in the best way, forcing you to make multiple dessert trips because one plate can’t hold everything you want. This Holyoke institution proves that sometimes refusing to change is the smartest business decision possible.