Should a restaurant have the right to exclude specific patrons?

The thread about casinos barring advantage players got me thinking.

If a restaurant has a posted dress code, that's one thing. But like the advantage player, let's say a patron has a history at a specific restaurant.

The patron is acceptably dressed and is in no way abusive to other patrons or staff. And lets say he tips in the normal 15%-20% range.


A) The restaurant is a buffet, and the specific patron will eat only the very expensive items and/or simply eat a lot, to the point where the buffet loses money on that patron.

B) The restaurant is a fancy / expensive place, but the patron orders only a salad or appetizer, and sits getting refills on his coffee for hours during the dinner rush, keeping the table occupied while real customers wait for an available table.


In either scenario, should the management be able to bar those people?

I think people can and should be "backed off" from the buffet when they are advantage eaters. The proper way to handle it would be to tell them they're welcome back anytime, but for this session they have to stop.

I agree with Hoosier. I've seen this happen with my boss, who is a notorious advantage eater. He's made phrases like "2 trips they win, 3 trips you win" and "you want to go high meat; Salad is a trap!" famous in the office. Also, at the local Chinese buffet, they will just come over and say to him/us "You go now!"

And I really don't mind the "You go now!" part of it. I'm a fan of (reasonable) time limits. They help avoid the lingering situation in the second part of the poll.

What are you talking about? I'm a big guy (6'6", 245) with a hearty appetite and I love buffets. I've sat at them for 3 hours eating and drinking soft drinks, and I've gone to seafood buffets many times eating just platefuls of crab legs and nothing else. I feel as if every time I choose a buffet I always end up on the positive side of the ledger.

The restaurant reserves the right to refuse service, but they're never going to refuse service to someone who's EATING and not dressed like a slob or not causing trouble. I've never been asked to leave a buffet or even asked WHEN I'm expecting to leave. What kind of a dump would do that?

Quote: nyuhoosier

I think people can and should be "backed off" from the buffet when they are advantage eaters. The proper way to handle it would be to tell them they're welcome back anytime, but for this session they have to stop.

Or "Sir, you're welcome to try any of our other eating establishments in the hotel, just not the buffet. Your appetite is just too strong for us."

If you come back then they start shuffling the shrimp and filet to different stations when you approach, or they only fill up the serving bowl 1/3 of the way.

Two friends once wnet to a pizzeria with an all-you-can-eat promotion. One fell asleep waiting for the other to finish eating. They went back the next day, but the promo was gone. The owner was glad to see them, though.

Quote: teddys

If you come back then they start shuffling the shrimp and filet to different stations when you approach, or they only fill up the serving bowl 1/3 of the way.

That is no joke. My sushi buffet includes clams for lunch and oysters for supper. If they see that the tray is being hit too hard (moi?), they won´t refill it for a while, usually waiting till the offender moves on to something like dessert. Of course, tactics can be and have been developed for that scenario.

Quote: teddys

If you come back then they start shuffling the shrimp and filet to different stations when you approach, or they only fill up the serving bowl 1/3 of the way.

That is no joke. My sushi buffet includes clams for lunch and oysters for supper. If they see that the tray is being hit too hard (moi?), they won´t refill it for a while, usually waiting till the offender moves on to something like dessert. Of course, tactics can be and have been developed for that scenario.

Quote: nyuhoosier

I think people can and should be "backed off" from the buffet when they are advantage eaters. The proper way to handle it would be to tell them they're welcome back anytime, but for this session they have to stop.

I feel like this thread is almost a joke and I'm not sure if I should take it seriously...

That being said, there is a huge difference from a casino banning an advantage player vs an advantage eater. An advantage player theoretically could lose their money, but in the long run, will make a specific percentage off the casino. An advantage eater eventually has to stop, whether it be because the buffet is closing or their stomach simply says stop. Furthermore, the cost of nearly every casino buffet is priced as to make money on the majority of patrons. Even if somebody "bucked the system" it's unlikely that the individual would make a huge dent on the house. And given the wasteful nature of buffets, they probably even welcome that.

I still voted for the right to refuse service. I believe that private businesses have a right to choose who the customer is, so long as it is not based solely on discriminatory measures. But the vote had nothing to do with advantage eaters... that's just really silly.

"Advantage eater" lol, sounds like an episode of "Seinfeld" or something.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

The thread about casinos barring advantage players got me thinking.

If a restaurant has a posted dress code, that's one thing. But like the advantage player, let's say a patron has a history at a specific restaurant.

The patron is acceptably dressed and is in no way abusive to other patrons or staff. And lets say he tips in the normal 15%-20% range.


A) The restaurant is a buffet, and the specific patron will eat only the very expensive items and/or simply eat a lot, to the point where the buffet loses money on that patron.

B) The restaurant is a fancy / expensive place, but the patron orders only a salad or appetizer, and sits getting refills on his coffee for hours during the dinner rush, keeping the table occupied while real customers wait for an available table.


In either scenario, should the management be able to bar those people?

Even taking into account this thread is part serious but mostly a joke, I say any business has the right to exclude any person for any reason or even no reason.

Quote: AZDuffman

Even taking into account this thread is part serious but mostly a joke....

A joke? Hardly. I was dead serious about it - both as an independent question, as well as a comparison to the casino exclusion question.

For the record, there is a buffet near my house where you pay on the way in. They have a sign on every table that says "We reserve the right to expel any patron for any reason. Please limit your stay to 90 minutes."

Quote: JerryLogan

What are you talking about? I'm a big guy (6'6", 245) with a hearty appetite and I love buffets. I've sat at them for 3 hours eating and drinking soft drinks, and I've gone to seafood buffets many times eating just platefuls of crab legs and nothing else.

i know i shouldn't engage trolls, but



You're Bill fucking Brasky

Quote: nyuhoosier

I think people can and should be "backed off" from the buffet when they are advantage eaters. The proper way to handle it would be to tell them they're welcome back anytime, but for this session they have to stop.

Agreed! Every business and restaurant is out to make money. If they feel they are losing money because of a specific patron they should "back off" the advantage eater.

I think you guys are just making this stuff up. Either that, or you all go to cheapass buffets because you're looking for bargains and ways around everything. If you only go to classy buffets or brunches you'll never EVER run into a sign or a person that says "90 minute limit" or "no advantage eating". I've never seen a sillier thread.

If a restaurant is going kick out a buffet "advantage eater" he must be able to get out of it for free, no payment whatsoever. You go in with an expectation to be able to eat as much as you want of what you want for the posted price. Now if you're sitting around for 10 hours of the day taking "breaks" then you might be going against the rules and it's ridiculous... but if you just eat the most expensive stuff and a lot of it I would say that's an expectation.

Settle down, people. Buffets aren't going to throw you out unless you're doing something really untoward. My argument was that buffets shouldn't be obligated to let people take advantage of them just because a sign outside says "All you can eat." People who camp out in the dining rooms all day and eat several meals can be asked to leave. They won't be, but they should be because it drives up the cost for everyone else. This is akin to cheating at the tables.

On the other hand, bypassing the salad bar and heading straight for the carving station is a permissible advantage play. Like counting, you're using knowledge of the game, rather than being exploitative. As for JerryLogan's game, I don't like it because if everyone did that, the crab legs would soon be taken off the buffet. Enough people (like me) don't care about the stupid crab legs and think they're more trouble than they're worth that it balances out in the end. It made alot of sense to me, though, when GVR tacked on an extra $2 or $3 if you wanted the crab legs, because it seems like the people who do eat crab legs are all like Mr. Logan and have a pile of them on the table.

Had a good laugh at "classy buffet." That's like saying a classy above-ground pool. You're right, Logan, you're a classy, classy guy and we're all cheapskates. We get it.

You need some facts if you expect to pack a punch. "Classy" buffets have separate start/stop times for Breakfast/Lunch/Sunday Brunch/Dinner, and you must clear out before they open for the next band of eaters. Those places you're saying are abused by some people who "sit at them all day or for 10 hours" are neither classy nor desireable by buffet affectionados, and their lines are loaded with low-rent dwellers. Oh, having trouble with "classy buffets"? Planet Hollywood vs. Fiesta Henderson; Bellagio vs. Sam's Town; Caesar's vs. Sunset Station.

Crab legs ARE worth it if you like crab. Those who claim they're more trouble than they're worth don't know how to sit back, relax, and enjoy the parts of life that were meant to be savored at your own pace.

Quote: JerryLogan

You need some facts if you expect to pack a punch. "Classy" buffets have separate start/stop times for Breakfast/Lunch/Sunday Brunch/Dinner, and you must clear out before they open for the next band of eaters.

Do you always just make shit up? You want facts? The buffets at Bellagio and Caesars are open continuously from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The buffet at the Wynn does not close between lunch and dinner. Even at buffets that do close THEIR LINES for 30 minutes between meals, the dining room remains open and people are free to stay. Clearly you don't know what you're talking about, per usual.

Now, let me ask you this. Who's the bigger cheapskate:

A) The fat guy who pays $25 to eat at the Planet Ho buffet, but eats pile after pile of crab legs but nothing else; or

B) The guy who pays $17 to eat at Sunset Station and eats a salad, a bowl of soup and a slice of pie.


P.S. The Palms, a so-called CLASSY place, has one of the worst buffets in Vegas.

Quote: nyuhoosier

Do you always just make shit up? You want facts? The buffets at Bellagio and Caesars are open continuously from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The buffet at the Wynn does not close between lunch and dinner. Even at buffets that do close THEIR LINES for 30 minutes between meals, the dining room remains open and people are free to stay. Clearly you don't know what you're talking about, per usual.

Now, let me ask you this. Who's the bigger cheapskate:

A) The fat guy who pays $25 to eat at the Planet Ho buffet, but eats pile after pile of crab legs but nothing else; or

B) The guy who pays $17 to eat at Sunset Station and eats a salad, a bowl of soup and a slice of pie.


P.S. The Palms, a so-called CLASSY place, has one of the worst buffets in Vegas.

You went fishing and came home with nothing but wishes....as usual?
Fact#1: You do have to clear out at Bellagio. Are you ever right?
Fact#2: You neglected to name a buffet that closes THEIR LINES but remain open for the eaters. Guessing doesn't cut it.
Fact#3: When coming unravelled, there's no need for vulgarity.

Answer to your question: The bigger cheapskate BY FAR is the tightwad who looked for the lower price, stood in line with the Obama-voters because that's what those people do since they have no money other than the handouts they get, and ate exactly what they get at home with food stamps.

The Palms is not a classy place. Now I know where you're coming from.

Quote: JerryLogan

stood in line with the Obama-voters...

YOU are an Obama voter...

There's no such thing as advantage eating. Disregarding the minute cost of the food to the buffet operator, anyone who regularly goes to a buffet and eats more than the price of the buffet is going to incur large medical expenses later in life as a result of the over-eating thus negating any advantage they had on any individual buffet sitting.

Quote: rdw4potus

YOU are an Obama voter...

I WAS an Obama voter. I have since learned my lesson.

Quote: JerryLogan

I WAS an Obama voter. I have since learned my lesson.

Figures.

Quote: JerryLogan

Fact#2: You neglected to name a buffet that closes THEIR LINES but remain open for the eaters. Guessing doesn't cut it.

OK, this is Atlantic City, but: Taj Mahal.

I found this out the hard way about 2 years ago.

A few months later, I again wanted to go to the buffet for breakfast, but it was getting late. I asked FOUR floor people what time it closes the line to switch to lunch. All four said it doesn't close. Finally, at my insistence, a fifth picked up a phone to call and find out.

Quote: JerryLogan

Fact#2: You neglected to name a buffet that closes THEIR LINES but remain open for the eaters. Guessing doesn't cut it.

Actually most do close for about an hour or so.

Bay Side Buffet
American, Brunch, Buffet
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino- 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas, NV 89119 (702) 632-7402
$15 or less
Hours: Open every day, breakfast 7 - 10:45 a.m., lunch 11 a.m.- 2:45 p.m., dinner 3 - 10 p.m..
Sunday Champagne brunch, 7 a.m.- 2:45 p.m.

Buffet
Brunch, Buffet
3770 Las Vegas Blvd., So.-Monte Carlo (702) 730-7777
$15 or less
Hours: Open daily, 7 a.m.-11 a.m. (breakfast), 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (lunch), 4 p.m.-10 p.m. (dinner),
7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Sunday Champagne Brunch)

Cafe Lago
American, Asian, Buffet, Pasta, Seafood
Caesar's-3570 Las Vegas Blvd., South (702) 731-7731
$15 to $25
Hours: Open daily, 24 hours. Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-11 a.m. (breakfast buffet), noon-3 p.m. (lunch buffet).
Weekend brunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m. ($19.99 [without champagne] $29.99, $39.99 and $49.99 adults,
children under 12 half price). A late-night menu is offered from midnight to 5 a.m..
Review: Surround yourself in a contemporary Italian lake setting for a new 24 hour dining experience.
Featuring a diverse, international à la carte menu as well as complete breakfast,
lunch and dinner buffets. - Showbiz


Circus Buffet
Brunch, Buffet
Circus-Circus-2880 Las Vegas Blvd., South (702) 794-3767
$15 or less
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. (breakfast), Sunday - Friday, 4:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. (dinner),
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. - 11 p.m. (dinner), Saturday-Sunday, 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. (brunch).

Daily Buffet
Buffet, Seafood
The New Frontier- 3120 Las Vegas Blvd. South (702) 794-8200
$15 or less
Hours: Breakfast 7-11:30 a.m. ($6.95). Lunch noon-3:30 p.m. ($7.95). Dinner 4-10 p.m. ($9.95) nightly.
Friday seafood buffet. Weekend champagne brunch available from 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. ($9.95)..

Fresh Market Square Buffet
Buffet
Harrah's Las Vegas- 3475 Las Vegas Blvd. South (702) 369-5000
$15 or less
Hours: Breakfast 7-11 a.m. ($8.99). Lunch 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. ($9.99). Dinner 4-10 p.m. ($14.99).
Weekend brunch 10 a.m.-4 p.m. ($14.99).

Island Buffet
Brunch, Buffet
Tropicana-3801 Las Vegas Blvd., South (702) 739-2341
$15 or less
Hours: Daily brunch 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. ($7.95). Dinner 4-10 p.m. ($11.95) nightly,
includes all-you-can-eat prime rib and shrimp. Wednesday seafood buffet ($14.95).
Champagne Brunch, Sat. & Sun. 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. ($10.95).

MGM Grand Buffet
Buffet
MGM Grand- 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. South (702) 891-7777
$15 or less
Hours: Breakfast Mon.-Thurs.; Sun., 7-11 a.m. ($9.99 adults, $5.99 children).
Lunch Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. ($10.99 adults, $6.59 children). Dinner Mon.-Thurs.;
Sun., 4:30-10 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 4:30-11 p.m. ($15.99 adults, $9.99 children). Sat.-Sun.
brunch, 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m. ($12.99 adults, $7.99 children).

Palatium
Brunch, Buffet
Caesar's-3570 Las Vegas Blvd., So. (702) 731-7110
$15 or less
Hour: The grand buffet features a prime rib dinner buffet and chilled seafood bar.
Breakfast Mon.-Fri., 7:30-11:30 a.m. ($9.99). Lunch Mon.-Thurs., 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.;
Fri., 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. ($9.99). Dinner Sun.-Thurs., 4:30-10 p.m. ($16.99).
Seafood buffet Fri., 4-10 p.m.; Sat., 4:30-10 p.m. ($24.99, includes one lobster).
Champagne brunch Sat.-Sun. from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. ($16.99 adults, half-price for children under 12).

Paradise Garden Buffet
Buffet, Chinese, Seafood, Steaks
Flamingo Hilton - 3555 S. Las Vegas Blvd. (702) 733-3111
$15 or less
Hours: Brunch 6:30-11:30 a.m. ($9.95). Lunch 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. ($9.95).
Dinner 4:30-10 p.m. ($14.95). Champagne brunch 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat.-Sun. ($8.99).

Pharaoh's Pheast Buffet
Buffet
Luxor-3900 Las Vegas Blvd., South (702) 262-4000
$15 or less
Hours: Open every day, 6:30 a.m.-11 a.m. (breakfast), 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (lunch), 4 p.m.-11 p.m. (dinner).
Spice Market Buffet

American, Asian, Buffet, Chinese, Italian
Planet Hollywood - 3667 S. Las Vegas Blvd. (702) 785-9005
Spice Market Buffet
Hours: Monday - Friday Breakfast: 7am - 11:00am
Lunch: 11am - 3:30pm
Dinner: 4pm - 10pm

Teahouse/Imperial Buffet
Buffet, Coffee
Imperial Palace-3535 S. Las Vegas Blvd. (702) 731-3311
$15 or less
Hours: Daily champagne brunch opens at 7 a.m. Mon.-Fri. ($8.45) with an omlet station.
Lunch 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri. ($7.45). Champagne prime rib dinner
buffet 5-10 p.m. adults ($9.45), children ($5). Weekend champagne brunch 8 a.m.-3 p.m. ($8.45).

The Buffet
American, Buffet, Chinese, Japanese, Seafood
Bellagio-3600 Las Vegas Blvd., South (702) 693-7223
$15 to $25
Hours: Breakfast 7-10:30 a.m. ($9.95). Lunch 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. ($13.95).Mon.-Fri.
Dinner 4-10 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., 4-11 p.m. Fri., 4:30-11 p.m. Sat., 4:30-10 p.m.
Sun. ($22.95). Champagne Brunch--Sat.-Sun. from 8-4 p.m. ($18.50).

The Buffet
American, Buffet
Las Vegas Hilton- 3000 Paradise Rd. (702) 732-5111
$15 or less
Hours: Monday - Friday, Breakfast 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., Lunch, 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.,
Dinner, 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., Saturday - Sunday, Brunch 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.,
Dinner 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

World's Fare Buffet
Buffet
Riviera- 2901 Las Vegas Blvd. South (702) 734-5110
$15 or less
Hours: Breakfast 6-11 a.m. Mon.-Fri., 7-10 a.m. Sat.-Sun. ($8.50.) Lunch 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Mon.-Fri.($9.50).
Dinner 4-10 p.m. nightly ($12.99). Weekend champagne brunch 10 a.m.-3 p.m. ($9.95).

Proves my point doesn't it. No wonder nyuhoosier isn't all mouth right now.

Let me guess: You're not a fan of the most loved Sheriff in the nation right now: The Great Sheriff Joe Arpaio!

SanchoPanza -

Wow! That's a pretty detailed list.

Are those your own notes, or did you get that from somewhere? (Where?)