Under normal circumstances, eating at a Golden Corral can be a fun experience in a gluttonous kind of way.
There's an endless array of foods to choose from with unlimited helpings. If you want some orange chicken with a side of mashed potatoes, have at it.
But the beloved American tradition of all-you-can eat buffets has been severely undercut by the COVID-19 pandemic. Diners across the country have been trying to navigate a new masked world where you're offered hand sanitizer with your glass of water.
As a chain restaurant lover, I was curious about what eating at a Golden Corral would resemble in the middle of a pandemic.
After sifting through the restaurant's website, which touts a "no touch" buffet and "enhanced sanitation measures" I traveled to the nearest location to me at Council Bluffs, Iowa to see what it was like.
Welcome to the dining journey that I've aptly named "Covid-Corral."
When I stepped out of my car, the scent of stale grease let me know I made it to my destination.
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Prior to entering the line to pay for my meal, I was greeted by a cautionary banner laying out the rules of Golden Corral during COVID-19.
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Don't move tables, accompany children, and follow the socially-distanced floor markers. However, there was no mention of face masks.
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I stood in line and waited for my turn to pay $10.15 for my unlimited breakfast buffet Sunday morning.
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It was then it dawned on me: This wasn't a touchless buffet.
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In fact, it was a "touch everything and act like we're not in the middle of a once-in-a-century pandemic" buffet.
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As I was choosing my seat in the dining area, there were barely any "closed" table signs to encourage social distancing.
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I picked a table that was next to the only "closed" for social distancing sign that I saw around.
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My waitress was kind, but she wasn't wearing a face mask. She came by and took my drink order and promptly brought me a diet coke.
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I started my COVID-Corral journey by grabbing a plate from a nearby stack that was in the wide open. There were also strange yellow spots I couldn't scrape off.
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Next, I made my way to everyone's buffet favorite: The salad bar.
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While several restaurants I've been to have closed their salad bars, this one was open and proud.
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There were no markers on the floor like promised, but there was a sign encouraging distance between buffet-goers.
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When I sat down I realized I made a weird hodgepodge salad because I was so distracted.
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But hey, at least my silverware came in an individualized packet.
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By this point, I decided to dive in for the buffet again, right when things started picking up with the lunch crowd.
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I made my way towards the piece de resistance of Golden Corral — the fried chicken.
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I also went for some cheesy hashbrowns.
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By this point, I just succumbed to the knowledge that we're all touching the same tongs without gloves provided and only a few hand sanitizing stations visible.
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The lunch crowd was also growing.
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The table behind me that was closed off for social distancing was used to seat a family of eight.
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Foodwise, the chicken was dry and uneventful.
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The only item that gave me joy on my plate was the yeast roll with honey butter.
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By this point, the rising symphony of old people coughing meant it was time to get dessert and step out the door.
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The dessert bar was the one place where there was an extra barrier (though I assume it was installed to keep little hands away.)
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Don't worry though, the chocolate fondue fountain was still flowing and ready to go.
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Back at my table, there was a growing collection of dirty plates sitting next to me.
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At this point, I definitely had enough.
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Every state has different dining regulations and each person has their own personal feelings about what makes them comfortable.
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For myself, touching tongs, walking around, and sitting in a busy dining room made me feel anxious, even with a face mask on.
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Prior to the pandemic, Golden Corral's endless array of foods would be my dream. Today, it was my nightmare.
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In Iowa, the only dining restrictions mandate six feet of distance between tables, so technically, the restaurant was up to regulation. Still, it wasn't my ideal dining experience. Once the COVID-19 pandemic is over however, I'm willing to take another bite and try some yeast rolls again.
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