Itchy Manchester all-you-can-eat restaurants
The bluntness of an all-you-can eat meal is arguably an effective method of avoiding disappointment – and, of course, sticking to a budget.
Maybe you’re a student – or otherwise have a group of wallet-watching friends – so want to avoid the inevitable squabbling over who ate most of the shared side orders. Maybe you just never feel full after a standard meal. Maybe you’re trying a new cuisine and want to experiment.
Choosing the right place is essential if any of these goals are to be achieved. Itchy takes a look at some of Manchester’s more notable options…
BEST FOR AN EATING SHOWDOWN
No.1 Oriental Buffet
City Centre
Probably Manchester’s most well-known Chinese buffet, so let’s get it out of the way. No.1 focuses entirely on all-you-can-eat, which makes it suitable for a face-stuffing contest in a number of ways. First, there are no a la carte diners to offend, because every single guest in there is eating somewhere on the same rabid spectrum as you. Second, the staff know that no one is there to be extravagant, so they don’t bother with niceties – which means you don’t feel ashamed. Third, it’s famous in the most stereotypical way possible, meaning plenty of monosodium glutomate and toxic colours. Your rival may be unprepared for this – and even put off completely by the incredible glowing orange of the sweet and sour chicken – but as an Itchy reader, we’re sure your obvious ingenuity and determination will see you through to victory.
Lunch (until 4pm) = £5.50
Happy Hour (until 6pm) = £6.50
Grand Buffet (evening) = £8.50
Additional deals for children.
Mon-Sun, 11:45am-10:30pm.
48-50 Whitworth Street, M1 6PA
(0161) 228 1313
BEST FOR HEALTHIES IN DENIAL
Efes Restaurant & Taverna
City Centre
A rare buffet option, being of the Mediterranean variety, Efes provides more non-fatty options than most – so those watching their waistlines can feel less guilty. But there’s so much to choose from, that trying everything on display suddenly seems imperative – meaning goodbye to moderation. Turkish in origin, Efes’ menu reaches far beyond just the expected kebabs and houmous, while happily retaining dancing waiters and live music. Resident musicians Hakan and Tony are proclaimed to be “the most talented entertainers in town”, complete with a belly dancer… so you could consider wriggling off the calories if you’re feeling really guilty.
Mon-Fri, 12pm-2pm = £6.95
Mon-Fri, 2pm-5pm = £5.00
Mon-Thu, 5pm-10pm = £8.50
Sun, 12pm-10pm = £8.50
www.efes.co.uk
46 Princess Street, M1 6HR
(0161) 236 18 24
BEST FOR SNEAKILY FILLING UP YER TUPPERWARE
Pizza Hut
Citywide
Thanks to the consistently disinterested staff at every Manchester Pizza Hut that Itchy has visited, you have a fair chance of getting away with thievery here. Plus it’s a capitalist chain, which removes most traces of guilt. The pizza is definitely the American kind rather than Italian, with a base that is not only deep-pan, but also seems deep-fried – so you wouldn’t need to take home many slices to ensure satisfying yourself with a second meal. Also bear in mind that pizza slices are quite tidy. No dripping sauces or marinades. Unless you try to take any pasta, which would be very foolish, not least because it’s crap – a sloppy, rather pathetic nod towards the Italian origins of the venue’s title. Pizza Hut can be very slow replenishing its ‘buffet’, so perhaps go prepared with elbow pads for the rush.
Weekday lunchtimes:
Pizza = £4.49
Pizza, pasta, salad = £5.99
www.pizzahut.co.uk
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