Dinner -- 09/18/08

Ryan's of Waco (#2253)
301 S. Valley Mills Dr.
Waco, TX 76710

254.751.7595

http://www.ryans.com/

$

5:30 - 6:15 p.m.

Jim: Buffet (Turkey breast, cranberry sauce, candied yams, corn on the cob, salad bar), cantaloupe, chocolate pudding, banana pudding, jello, iced tea

Ramona: Buffet (Turkey breast, cranberry sauce, candied yams, lima beans, fried okra, cole slaw), carrot cake, iced tea

Shared: rolls, a tasting of fried chicken, grilled salmon, beef and chicken fajitas meat, potato wedge

Both of us had been to Ryan's at least once before, but not since we started doing the blog, so we thought a return visit was in order. For someone with a large appetite, an all you can eat buffet is a good deal. The fare at Ryan's offered lots of options and for the sake of the blog, we tried lots of things.

We were both excited to have turkey, since it's one of our favorite foods and there are few places in Waco that serve it. The turkey was fine and, after asking, we were brought a bowl of cranberry sauce from the kitchen. However, the absence of gravy and stuffing/dressing/filling (we have a family feud going on about the correct term) disqualifies Ryan's as a place to go for a true turkey dinner. Cracker Barrel on Thursday nights is perhaps the only place to go for that (maybe Luby's if I can talk Jim into going there!). Jim wasn't crazy about them but I liked the candied yams; they're made with a marshmallow topping similar to the way my mother used to make them years ago.

After the turkey, we got another plate and sampled a few of the other meat items. We both thought the fried chicken was good, but we didn't care for the salmon or the fajita meat. Jim had a salad from the salad bar and I tried the cole slaw; those were nice and fresh. The yeast rolls were good but we could have used more. I'm sure we could have gotten them if we had asked.

There were several desserts to choose from: bread pudding, apple cobbler, several cakes and pies, puddings and fruit. I chose the carrot cake and Jim got a sample of puddings, jello and fruit.

Over all, we thought the food at Ryan's was good. There was nothing really outstanding, although we did leave with our stomachs full. The price is comparable to other buffets; dinner for two was less than $25.

Ramona