Diners in Bradenton give thanks for Duff's restaurant

BRADENTON -- A line of hungry people waited outside Duff's Original Buffet on Thanksgiving Day, but it didn't take them long to join those in the three big dining rooms, where a feast awaited them.

They all had their reasons for eating out, versus dining at home: "She's a good cook, but not today," explained Paul Pardi, 53, of Bradenton, remarking about his companion in line at the popular restaurant at 6010 14th St. W. Accompanying the couple was 10-year-old Camila, a Moody Elementary fifth-grader, who was looking forward to turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie.

A group of snow birds from Iowa waited farther back in line.

Asked why they were dining out, they gave a simple reason: "Cause it is so good!" said Marcy Stephen, 73, who resides part of the year in Palmetto.

She said her favorite dish is fried green tomatoes, but she would also be eating turkey, ham and lasagna.

"It is so good, and they have a terrific salad bar, too," she added.

Stephen said she is a regular at the restaurant each year during the Thanksgiving holiday and at Christmas. Her dining companion confessed, "I cook, but this is so much better."

The restaurant's Thanksgiving meal cost $13.29 per person, plus tax and beverage, said cashier Barb Boyd. Owner Randy Kiser said he expected to serve more than 1,000 people on Thursday.

At the back of the dining area were buffet tables loaded with the typical Thanksgiving fare, such as turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and gravy, but the restaurant certainly didn't stop there.

Along with traditional foods, it offered an amazing variety of other dishes, everything from pizza to roast beef, and an array of desserts.

Like with any other Thanksgiving meal, you couldn't walk away hungry if you tried.

Sara Kennedy, Herald reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7031. Follow her on Twitter@sarawrites.

This story was originally published November 28, 2014 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Diners in Bradenton give thanks for Duff's restaurant ."