Trails End Buffeteria
Fort Wilderness Campgrounds & Resort
Lunch Buffet - August 2004

Sometimes Two Wrong Choices Do Make a Right

After walking up the boat ramp and into the small commerce area that is nestled on the shores of Bay Lake we quickly located Pioneer Hall, which is home to both the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue and the Trail End Buffeteria. The doors to the restaurant were lock so we wait patiently on the wooden porch seeking a little shade on this hot August day. I was not certain exactly what time lunch would be served but I felt it was getting close, as the few guests that were waiting with us quickly began to grow into a small crowd. With sudden and loud “Hoody Doo” a cast member swung open the double doors and invited us all in for some “fixins”. I took that to mean that lunch was being served so I wandered in and quickly found a table.

Our server Phyllis was quick to take our drink order and give us the green light on the buffet that was waiting for us. As I looked over the buffet I had two thoughts concerning its offerings. It had the interesting characteristic of being both modest and substantial. Although the overall number of offerings was not that impressive the items that were presented allowed you to feel that you would not be leaving hungry.

There was a reasonable salad bar that included fresh fruit and soup bar that offered chili, New England Clam Chowder and both corn bread and biscuits. Further on there was a tempting meat loaf and mashed potato combination, as well as a fried chicken dish available. For the veggie lovers in the crowd there were both broccoli and mix vegetables. If lunch is best defined for you by a sandwich you would have had three to choose from, including BBQ beef on a bun, Southwestern turkey wraps or a ham and cheese sandwich. For the kids there was Macaroni and cheese and pizza.

The stand outs were the fried chicken that was moist and lightly breaded and the chili with the side of corn bread.

There were several things that made our lunch excursion worth the trip across Bay Lake. The price was certainly right which for three adults only totaled around $30.00, (beverages are included in the price of lunch). Also, the simple fare offered enough diversity to satisfy everyone in our group, and finally the service and atmosphere was both friendly and comfortable.