David and I’ve set once a week as a date night for us which most of the time happens on a Wednesday giving us one-on-on time. Sometimes taking David out to dinner turns into much more than just going out to eat. That’s what happened when I took David to the Pizza Hut on Northside Drive. Because David had been reminiscing about there Buffet Pizza Hut used to offer but had stopped.
David and Charlie both love PIA which I can take or leave but this time I was really looking forward to having pizza without having to decide what kind of pizza I wanted ahead of time. For my family there is something I still love about a pizza buffet from try different pizzas, pasta and salad bars, to going back for another piece, and seeing what comes out fresh from the kitchen.
At this Pizza Hut, they change out the pizza about every 20 minutes, and you can also make special requests. On the day we went, though, they were running a little behind because they had to go by the bank. The manager wasn’t there that day, but another lady was there taking care of things, and she was so nice. I really enjoyed meeting her.
Then something happened that made the whole visit even more interesting. I met another customer who happened to be a film director. I never expected to walk into Pizza Hut for dinner with David and come out having met people I may actually work with both ladies in the future and honestly, that feels like a Godsend.
Sometimes God puts people in your path when you aren’t expecting it. And of course, we were there for the pizza too. The pizza was so good. It was fresh, it was hot, and it tasted really good. I especially loved the crust. There’s something about a good pizza crust that can make or break the entire pizza for me, and this one was definitely a winner.
The Meat Lovers Pizza was amazing and full of Meat. The Sausage on it wasn’t hot and I could see ordering a Sausage and Hamburger Pizza the next time we go. But there was one thing I was disappointed about. The salad bar. Not because the salad wouldn’t have been good. They’re getting ready to remodel and bring in a brand-new salad bar, so the current salad bar so Pizza Hut is going to be closed for a couple of weeks while they do the work.
I’m actually excited to go back and see the new one. In the meantime, the lady working that day did something incredibly nice. She brought everybody who was there a salad. And because David and I had already finished our pizza, we took our salads home. That meant I had dinner for the next two days!
Now that’s my kind of surprise. And this wasn’t just a bowl of lettuce. The salad had cucumbers, cheese, olives, and other toppings, and it came with ranch dressing. I really liked that it had enough on it to actually feel like a salad instead of somebody just putting a little lettuce in a container and calling it dinner.
If you want an additional side of ranch, though, I believe it’s 75 cents And I have to laugh about that because so many people like to dip their pizza in ranch. Once they get that new salad bar up and running, I have a feeling people will be going through plenty of ranch! Especially Charlie if I can get him to come for lunch with me because the night they have the Buffett he works and I’m sure it will be so busy we might not be able to get in.
The salad bar itself is small enough that children can reach it, which I think is helpful for families. Of course, parents should still help younger children because there are hot items around the buffet and you don’t want a little one getting burned. There was pasta on the buffet as well, which gives you another option if you’re not in the mood for just lettuce and vegetables.
And the buffet includes your choice of drink. I believe we paid around $10 for the buffet and drink, but prices and specials can change, so check with the restaurant before you go. Pizza Hut also has other specials that come and go. I believe they currently have a retro pizza deal for around $3 for a one-topping pizza, but again, check the current offer before making plans because promotions can change.
That’s one reason I recommend checking Pizza Hut’s website before you head out. You’ll be able to see their current specials, menu information, and updates. They may also have ordering options through a QR code at the restaurant, and there may be an app as well, but I don’t want to tell you something is available at this location when I haven’t personally confirmed it.
What I can tell you is that our visit was about much more than pizza. I got to take David out for dinner. We had fresh, hot pizza that we really enjoyed. I met a wonderful woman who was working there whom I believe could end up as a friend along with a really nice gentleman I enjoyed speaking to and can’t wait to go back and see if he is there.
I met a film director who may become part of something I’m working on in the future. And then I went home with enough salad to give me another couple of meals. That’s a pretty good dinner in my book. And now I’m already looking forward to going back after the remodel. I want to see that brand-new salad bar. And, of course, I want another piece of that pizza with that crust I liked so much.
Sometimes a restaurant review is about the food. Sometimes it’s about the service. And sometimes it’s about the people you meet along the way. This visit gave me all three. Have you tried the Pizza Hut buffet lately? Do you go for the pizza, the salad bar, or both? And tell me the truth: Are you one of those people who dips your pizza in ranch? Because if you are, I’m pretty sure you’re going to be happy when that new salad bar opens!
Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates