14 Florida Buffets Serving ’90s Nostalgia Locals Can’t Get Enough Of
Remember when dining out meant piling your plate sky-high with all-you-can-eat treasures? Florida’s buffet scene still keeps that magic alive with restaurants that transport us back to the good old days of the 1990s.
Whether you’re craving endless Chinese options or down-home country cooking, these beloved buffets combine value, variety, and a dash of nostalgia that keeps locals coming back for seconds… and thirds!
1. King Super Buffet – Pensacola
Step back in time at this Panhandle favorite where the decor hasn’t changed since 1997! Locals swear the crab legs taste exactly like they did during Clinton’s presidency.
Family-owned for decades, King Super maintains its classic steam tables and chocolate fountain that defined ’90s excess. Kids especially love the ice cream machine that still uses the same colorful plastic bowls from years ago.
2. Crazy Buffet – Orlando
Walking through the doors feels like entering a time capsule from 1995! Massive chandeliers and mirrored walls create that unmistakable ’90s opulence vibe that Orlando residents adore.
Fans rave about the sushi station where chefs prepare rolls on demand, just like they pioneered back when sushi first became mainstream. Weekend crowds prove this spot hasn’t lost its magic touch after all these years.
3. Buffet City – St. Petersburg
Neon signs and teal accents welcome you into this St. Pete institution where the hibachi grill has been firing up favorites since 1993! Weekends bring out multi-generational families who’ve been coming for decades.
Many patrons point to the dessert bar as proof nothing’s changed, the same chocolate pudding, jello squares, and soft-serve machine have delighted guests for nearly 30 years. Pure nostalgic perfection!
4. Fred’s Market – Lakeland, Plant City, Riverview
Country cooking heaven awaits at Fred’s, where checkered tablecloths and mason jar glasses haven’t changed since the early ’90s! Regulars line up before opening for their famous fried chicken.
What makes Fred’s special? The farm-to-table approach they pioneered long before it was trendy. Vegetables still come from local farms, prepared using recipes passed down through generations of Florida families.
5. New Century Buffet – Jacksonville
Vinyl booths in that unmistakable ’90s burgundy color set the scene at Jacksonville’s longest-running Asian buffet! First-timers are often shocked by the massive dining room that seems frozen in time.
Families gravitate toward the make-your-own stir fry station, complete with original woks from when they opened in 1992. Weeknight dinner specials ($9.99) remain unchanged for over a decade, a true throwback value!
6. Ichiban Buffet – Kissimmee
Gold dragons and faux marble columns create peak ’90s Asian restaurant aesthetic at this Kissimmee gem! Visitors from nearby theme parks often discover this local secret through word-of-mouth recommendations.
Original owners still work the floor, greeting regulars by name just like they did when they opened in 1997. Longtime fans insist their General Tso’s chicken recipe hasn’t changed in 25 years, exactly how they like it!
7. Whale Harbor Seafood Buffet – Islamorada
Pastel colors and nautical kitsch create the ultimate Florida Keys ’90s vibe at this seafood paradise! Overlooking the water, locals claim the view and the crab legs are worth every penny.
Vintage fishing gear adorns walls while servers in the same tropical uniforms they’ve worn for decades deliver hush puppies to your table. Vacationers who visited as kids now bring their own children to experience this unchanged gem.
8. Golden Corral – Ocala
Ocala’s Golden Corral maintains that quintessential ’90s family buffet atmosphere that triggers instant nostalgia! Wood paneling and brass railings frame the legendary Chocolate Wonderfall that kids still flock to.
Longtime employees remember when the salad bar expanded in 1994 to include pasta salads that were all the rage. Seniors gather for early-bird specials, sitting in the same booths they’ve claimed for decades.
9. Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet – Daytona Beach
Mirrored ceilings and paper lanterns create a time warp to 1998 at this Daytona favorite! College students discover what dining out meant before small plates and minimalist menus took over.
Weekend crowds form around the hibachi station where chefs flip shrimp with the same theatrical flair popular during the ’90s teppanyaki craze. Longtime residents appreciate how the owners have resisted modernizing the retro atmosphere.
10. Ocean Buffet – Gainesville
University students and professors alike flock to this Gainesville institution where the aquarium-themed decor hasn’t changed since 1994! Blue carpet and fish tanks create that unmistakable ’90s underwater vibe.
Crayfish boils become legendary events each Friday, continuing a tradition started when they first opened. Many alumni make this their first stop when returning to town, seeking comfort in a place where time stands deliciously still.
11. Super Orient Buffet – Semoran Boulevard, Orlando
Faux bamboo dividers and oversized ceiling fans transport diners back to 1992 at this Orlando mainstay! Local office workers still pack the place during lunch hours for the value and variety.
Vintage promotional calendars line the walls, some dating back to their opening year. Families appreciate that kids’ pricing hasn’t changed in nearly two decades – a rarity in today’s constantly inflating restaurant scene.
12. Ichiban Buffet – International Drive, Orlando
Located in Orlando’s tourist corridor, locals know this spot maintains authentic ’90s buffet glory despite its high-traffic location! Red vinyl booths and golden dragon motifs create pure nostalgic ambiance.
Moonlighting as a karaoke spot after 9pm, just like many Asian restaurants did in the ’90s, creates additional retro appeal. Sushi chefs who’ve worked here since opening day still craft California rolls exactly as they did decades ago.
13. China Lee Buffet – Ocala
Pink neon and hunter green accents create the perfect ’90s time capsule at this Ocala favorite! Locals swear the sweet and sour chicken tastes exactly like it did when they first opened during the Bush administration.
Original cash registers and paper placemats featuring zodiac signs complete the authentic experience. Weekend dinner service still includes complimentary soft serve ice cream, a tradition maintained since 1991.
14. Ole Times Country Buffet – Lake City
Gingham curtains and wooden rocking chairs set the homey ’90s mood at this Lake City treasure! Locals arrive after church each Sunday for fried chicken that hasn’t changed since 1992.
Handwritten recipe cards framed on walls showcase family dishes passed down through generations. Regular patrons love how waitresses still use the same greeting: “Y’all hungry today?”, a comforting constant in an ever-changing culinary world.
