The Furr’s/Luby’s Cafeterias were very different from all you can eat pig troughs like Golden Corral. They served you in line, the food was fresh, and you paid for what you ate- not one price for everything. They were also nice places to eat.
Sounds like the small regional chain we had near us. Bishop’s “Buffeteria.”
Everything was on individual plates and you paid for each item a la cart.
Later it went to all you could eat at one fixed price but it was still individual plated items the customer selected so no one was touching serving utensils except the staff.
That’s the only one I really miss. Did my share of Sirloin Stockade, Ponderosa as a young adult though.
I also remember when Wendy’s had a small salad bar/taco bar. I really liked that set up.