13 Things You Should Never Eat at a Buffet

Let’s be real—buffets are a bit of a germ-fest. From everyone pawing at the serving spoons to food sitting under those heat lamps for who knows how long, it’s not exactly the place for fresh, gourmet dining. But hey, that’s part of the charm, right?

Now, don’t get us wrong—there are some buffets out there serving up legit delicious dishes. Even at the fanciest spots with glowing reviews, though, you should still steer clear of a few items. Whether it’s about dodging a case of food poisoning or just saving room for the good stuff, here are thirteen things you’re better off leaving off your plate.

Think of that fondue fountain at the buffet as Willy Wonka's sacred chocolate waterfall and river. The chocolate must go untouched by human hands, or it will be ruined. Don't think for one second that the self-serve chocolate cascading in front of you at the dessert bar hasn't been sneezed on, touched by grubby fingers, or been otherwise tainted. 

If cross-contamination skeeves you out, you might want to leave the fried foods in the buffet line alone. The oil used for those onion rings is likely the same that they're dumping the chicken tenders in. Do your french fries taste a tad shrimp-y? We warned you.

If you aren't questioning the freshness of the freshness of the crawfish sitting out in that midwestern buffet, you probably should be (and you might want to question your judgment while you're at it). You're better off eating these little guys where they're fresh and safely handled and prepared.

As a general rule of thumb, you're better off avoiding certain cold foods at buffets. The reason? You can't bank on the fact that they're being held at a temperature that ensures they're safe to eat. For these reasons, mayo-based salads are at the top of the list of cold foods to avoid. 

Plus, you can't easily pinpoint each ingredient included in the tuna salad or chicken salad you'll find among the little pickles and other random options at the end of the salad bar — and we prefer to know what's in these particular types of salads before digging in. 

We hate to burst your sushi buffet-loving bubble, but eating raw seafood at a buffet isn't necessarily the most risk-free choice you can make. From oysters to sashimi, you're generally better off indulging in this sort of thing at a restaurant that specializes in raw seafood. There, you can feel a bit more confident that they are storing foods at the appropriate temperatures and diminishing foodborne illness risks and contaminations as much as possible. 

Plus, buffet sushi might be heavier on the rice and seaweed and lighter on the fish to get you fuller faster, so the quality probably won't be up to snuff either. 

We know: Those shiny, butter-brushed, soft and fluffy rolls at buffets are tantalizing. Especially when they're warm and fresh to the point that they practically melt in your mouth. We are not saying to avoid them because they're gross. Rather, we're hearing the voice of our grandmothers in our heads warning us not to fill up on bread. If you want to get your money's worth at a buffet, skip the buns, hun. 

Oof, this one hurts. We love a good salad bar. But if we're talking about foods commonly contaminated with E.coli, romaine and friends are at the top of that list. Salad bars are also sometimes kept at improper temperatures which can further contribute to the risk of foodborne illnesses. 

We don't know how many of you are hitting up the seemingly fresh fruits when you head to the buffet, but be cautious about cantaloupe. The melon is strangely more susceptible to salmonella contamination than the average fruit and we imagine sitting out in a buffet for hours doesn't do this fruit any favors.

Remember when getting a lemon with your water was commonplace? Some restaurants never asked, they just put that cute little yellow slice on the rim of your glass and you tossed it in and swirled it together with your ice water. Nowadays, we're supposed to know better. Lemons in restaurants and buffets have been building a reputation as bacteria-breeders, and it's best to avoid them unless you're slicing your own at home.

Related: 35 Foods That Are Dangerous If Not Prepared Properly

Alright, not only are we questioning the build-up of sludge and goop that undoubtedly occurs in those metal condiment dispensers, but just think about how many unwashed hands are caressing these things at buffets. We shudder at the thought. Ask for your own bottle of ketchup for the table. Someone else has certainly touched it before, but probably nowhere near as many someone else's hammering down on the ketchup pump.

Related: 10 Innocent-Sounding Ingredients That Are Potentially Dangerous

You're going to be eating plenty if you're having a meal at a buffet. That's plenty of calories, carbs, sugar ... all of it. Don't bring pop into the mix. 

Plus, it's not worth tacking on extra charges if you're trying to capitalize on the value concept of the buffet.

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Alright, let’s talk about soft-serve ice cream machines at buffets. Sure, they’re a nostalgic staple, but do you really want dessert served with a side of ick? Those machines are a nightmare to clean properly, and if they’re not maintained regularly, they’re basically playgrounds for bacteria and mold. Now, add in a parade of sticky, germ-covered hands gripping the handle before you—yeah, we’ll pass. 

If you’re craving ice cream, grab a pre-packaged cup instead. It might not have the same swirl, but it also doesn’t come with a health gamble.

Buffets are not innocent, you guys. They have a business model to uphold. They can't just offer customers a smorgasbord of food at a reasonable price and lose money on every mouth they feed. There's thought that goes behind what food they offer and where they arrange it. 

Many buffets will put more filling items at the head of the buffet line. Before you know it, you don't have anymore room on your plate, so you go sit down and consume all of the most filling dishes first, setting the scene for the rest of the culinary experience. Spoiler alert: It's a scene that leaves you too full to get your money's worth.

Related: 22 All-You-Can-Eat Seafood Restaurants Reviewers Love