Ryan's, HomeTown Buffet, Country Buffet, Old Country Buffet, Fire Mountain, and Granny's (all The Buffets, Inc. brand of restaurants) - are helping families celebrate the holidays with free and fun activities. Kids can send their Christmas wish lists to Santa via the Buffets North Pole Post Office, a free online site. There's even more fun in store at all 340 Buffets, Inc. restaurants throughout the month of December. Each Thursday from 5 pm to 8 pm is Family Night, and during the holidays, kids can decorate their own ornaments, color and personalize "chore coupon" books to gift to parents, and enjoy fresh baked holiday cookies. Plus, kids 11 and younger eat for just 99 cents during Family Nights and what's even better this month is that you can makes sure Santa received your wishlists and get a Free Kids Meal to boot:
Dear Santa
Everyone can connect with Santa Claus to share their Christmas wish lists by using the Buffets North Pole Post Office. Children may submit their top wish to their parents, who can send the request online. Santa will email a personalized response! Santa will be sure to respond to each letter and, as a special holiday treat, each response will include a Free Kids Meal Coupon that is good during December. The Free Kids Meal offer is valid with the purchase of an adult meal at regular price. Limit two free kids meals per adult purchase.
“The North Pole Post Office is a great way for parents and kids to connect during the hectic holiday time period,” said Alice Crowder, Vice President of Marketing for Buffets, Inc. “We are delighted to offer wholesome activities that the entire family can enjoy together.”
The “virtual” North Pole post office is available at any of the restaurant websites (www.ryans.com, www.
Our Review:
I had originally arranged for our family of five to head out to Family night together, but with two of the kids down for the count, instead of just being Liam and me, we invited my friend T and her kids K & T2 to join us for supper! What is great about Buffets Inc restaurants is that you don't have to wait for your meal - so meeting up after T2's dance class at 6:30 was no problem at all! We found a table - and wouldn't you know it - we were right beside the desserts... but that's a story for a little later...
It was busy but not packed - and we saw several people that we knew - some with kids, taking advantage of that sweet $.99 deal - and a few adults who braved the family night crowds - probably because of the yummy special desserts - like cotton candy - that were available on Kids Night! 
There were a ton of kid friendly meal choices - everything from pizza to tacos, fried chicken to spaghetti and more! And because it's buffet, you can control your child's portions! K tucked into a Corn Dog, some veggies and popcorn shrimp, while Liam was all about the Pizza and corn bread! I'm not entirely sure what T2 had - she ended up abandoning our little party to sit with a friend at the table beside us... so the it was boys and moms...
Even though the night was geared to family there was still lots of yummy things for us adults to eat! I tried to be good and had some salad and just a little of this and that - but it was all so yummy that I ended up stuffed... with just enough room for a tiny sliver of coconut cream pie...
We were disappointed that there were no crafts available at our location, but the kids got over it pretty quickly - and asked for seconds of dessert... because you know you have to have a soft serve cone or cup to finish your meal!
If you're looking for a fun way to get out with your family and blow off some steam before Christmas - or even between Christmas and New Years, then I recommend checking out The Buffet Inc. chain (www.ryans.com, www.
Disclaimer: I was provided with complimentary passes in exchange for my post. All opinions are my own.
