The Battling Buffets of Rangeline Road in Joplin, MO

In the far southwest corner of Missouri, the small city of Joplin draws customers from a wide area in four different states. Ranked as the fourth largest metropolitan area in Missouri, Joplin brings in shoppers and diners from Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and even Arkansas. When the dinner bell rings, there are multiple choices along the city's busiest thoroughfare of Rangeline Road. Many of the restaurants feature all-you-can-eat buffet meals and competition is fierce. This guide will help the uniniatiated to determine at which buffet they might find their favorite fixings.

One of the newest and most popular buffets can be found at Golden Corral. This chain restaurant offers nothing but buffet with an amazing variety. Depending on the day and hour, diners can choose from entrees that can include steak, shrimp, fried chicken, fire roasted chicken, fish, roast beef, pork chops, hamburgers, pasta dishes, and more. An extensive salad bar offers diners the chance to build their own salad with basic lettuce and trimmings or create a Caesar salad. Hot soups are also offered along with every relish available. Look for hot side dishes, fresh baked hot rolls and breads, and a full dessert bar that offers pecan pie, brownies, soft-serve ice cream, carrot cake, and more.

If the Golden Corral's line-up doesn't tempt your taste buds, drive down Rangeline to Ryan's. Ryan's is another chain found throughout many parts of the United States. Their buffet menu changes daily but includes at various times, roast turkey, carved ham, home made chicken pot pie, fried fish, salmon filets, baked salmon, pizza, seafood, and more items than anyone could list. Like the Golden Corral, the eaterie offers fresh baked rolls and desserts along with an amazing variety of food.

If Oriental food is a favorite, try the Great Wall. This chain has local restaurants each owned by individuals and offers the most wonderful selection of food anywhere. Look for Mongolian barbecue here - the staff will prepare your individual choices of raw foods before your eyes - or graze the buffet. Multiple shrimp dishes, countless chicken dishes, and every Oriental delicacy is found here along with American favorites like fried catfish, chicken tenders, smoked sausage, and much more.

For those who would rather put beans in their belly, visit the Casa Montez weekdays for a lunch buffet that offers the best Mexican style food in the area. The ambiance in this long-time Joplin favorite is nice, very Southwestern with secluded booths and quiet music. The daily lunch buffet features burritos, tacos, sizzling fajitas, and more. All of the food is prepared here and every table is served complimentary tortilla chips with salsa. Delicious Margaritas are also available and so is your favorite beers. Casa Montez is not a chain.

One of the most inexpensive buffets can be found at CiCi's at Rangeline and 20th Street. Cici's, another chain, puts out an array of fresh, hot pizza, pastas, salad, and dessert pizzas. If you don't see something you like, ask and the staff will prepare a pizza to your order for the buffet or deliver it to your table for no additional charge. Families like Cici's for the low price and the variety of kid friendly foods.

Made-from-scratch pizza can be found on the buffet along with broasted chicken and other offerings at Pizza by Stout, another long term resident along busy Rangeline. Thick pan style pizza, to die for cinnamon rolls, and perfect broasted chicken are just some of what can be found on the buffet at this family operation.

Homestyle dining can be found at Dowd's Catfish House. Although they don't offer a buffet, they do serve catfish, chicken, fish or frog legs family style, all you can eat. The friendly, helpful staff will keep bringing the food as long as you ask. The catfish is tender and crisp with perfect seasoning developed from a family recipe. Dowd's is a real family operation, owned and operated by the Dowd family.

There are many other restaurants along this busy road but if you prefer all-you-can-eat, look for these restaurants and enjoy.