The topic for today’s post is [drum roll please] – do people clean up their own plates at Cici’s Pizza?
Let me just go ahead and answer this question right off the bat: No, customers don’t clean up their own plates at Cici’s. They have employees who are tasked to do that.
Now if you’re wondering whether the all-you-can-eat buffet at Cici’s means there should be no leftovers, then perhaps we can talk about this in detail in this post.
Does Cicis Pizza Charge You for Leftovers?
Cicis Buffet does not explicitly say what their policy is on leftovers. But based on what I’ve observed, particularly at their San Antonio, Texas locations, they generally don’t charge for leftovers.
Let’s say you’re at Cicis, enjoying their buffet offerings, and you end up with more on your plate than you can finish. It happens. In such cases, it’s OK to leave the food on your plate without incurring any additional charges.
But if you’re intentionally loading your plate with so much food you obviously cannot finish, a Cicis employee may approach you and tell you to stop what you’re doing as it’s clear as day you’re just wasting food.
While Cicis might not have an official policy regarding leftovers, this practice seems to align with their buffet-style service. They want to provide a relaxed dining experience where guests can enjoy as much as they like without worrying about facing extra fees for food they can’t finish… so as long as you don’t abuse it.
How to Get Your Money’s Worth at Cici’s Buffet
Just to be clear, a $9 buffet is cheap by anyone’s standard. A Big Mac Meal at McDonald’s already cost $12. At Cici’s you can eat to your heart’s content for less than ten bucks.
But there are ways you can get more than your money’s worth at Cici’s. Here are my tips:
1. Go to Cici’s at the right time.
Most Cici’s restaurants open around 10am to 11am. I recommend you go there during these times to make sure the pizza you get are still fresh. Pizza that’s freshly made taste better, while pizza that’s been sitting for a long time can turn dry and rubbery.
2. Next, don’t go there starving.
This is is because if you’re very hungry when you arrive at the buffet, you might end up eating a lot of food in a very short amount of time. As a result, you’ll become full much quicker.
3. Avoid peak hours.
Much like timing your visit, it’s wise to avoid peak dining hours if you want to make the most of your Cici’s experience. Lunch and dinner rushes can lead to crowded buffets and longer wait times. Consider visiting during off-peak hours to enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere and quicker access to freshly prepared signature dishes.
4. Stay hydrated.
With all the delicious food of high quality at Cicis, it’s easy to forget to stay hydrated. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout your meal to help aid digestion and prevent feeling too stuffed too quickly. Plus, staying hydrated can help you pace yourself and enjoy your food more without feeling overly full.
5. Practice mindful eating.
While it’s tempting to load up your plate with every dish you see at the buffet area, practicing mindful eating can help you savor each bite and prevent overeating. Take your time to appreciate the flavors and textures of each dish, and listen to your body’s cues to know when you’re comfortably satisfied.
6. Be strategic.
Sure, most people go to Cici’s for the pizza. But to truly get your money’s worth, try a bit of everything. Sample different pizzas, salads, and sides and desserts to experience what Cici’s has to offer.
Sharing My Cici’s Experience
A few weeks ago, I took my family to Cici’s here in San Antonio. The adult buffet price here is $8.99, while the kid’s price is $4.99. We have two kids age 7 and 9 so they were able to avail the kiddie price.
My 9-year-old son was very hungry and decided he wanted a bit of everything. But 30 minutes later declared that he was already full and couldn’t finish the food on his plate. We informed the staff about this, who was happy to take the plate of unfinished food from us. Of course that was after I gave my son a stern lecture about not wasting food.
An hour later, we left Cici’s completely full and happy to have eaten a good meal for just $40 for the 4 of us.
In a Nutshell
Cici’s Pizza Buffet does not have a strict policy on leftovers. However, as discerning customers, we should be responsible for our dining choices. While it’s often acceptable to leave leftovers if we can no longer finish the food, it’s important to avoid excessive waste and only take what we can reasonably consume.