Buffets are good as an unusual event, however, Americans tend to miss out on a lot by not varying *how* they eat as much as what they eat.
The “Midwest sit-down gorge” with either all the food on the table at once, or in a buffet line, was how farm families used to eat. At a given time, everybody would stop working, assemble in the dining room, and gorge until they were full. Then back to work.
However, when you have a more relaxed life, you don’t have to do it that way. You can have smaller meals that take longer, more often, and enjoy them more. For a main meal, you can eat in courses, even with breaks in between courses.
The “Midwest sit-down gorge” with either all the food on the table at once, ...
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In 1968, my company sent me to the Univ. in Iowa City IA for a 10 day statistics training course. ...On the middle weekend, five of us drove to the Amana Colonies and did the “sit-down gorge” meal.
It was fantastic! Long tables that seated probably 20 people, with large bowls of corn, mashed potatoes, other vegetables, platters of great steaks and pork chops, iced tea, freshly baked bread and butter. I think it cost each of us about $8. Probably the best food I’ve ever had.