The Buffet Wars Of Rio Grande New Jersey

Never let it be said that competition in business yields no net effects for the customer. One prime example lies in a local neighboring town a few miles from me (from one of my "home bases") in Wildwood, NJ known as Rio Grande. There is nothing remotely exotic about Rio Grande, New Jersey in any sense. It does not have a pronounced Hispanic element or influence. Hell, there's not even a Mexican restaurant there. The only distinction about this particular Rio Grande is that it serves as something of a nexus for local shopping and eating - and up until very recently, that is quite a stretch.

Back in the late, great 1980s when I initially relocated to this area as a teenager, the most outstanding thing about our Rio Grande was a local K-Mart and what was once known as The Rio Mall. As far as malls went, this was anything but. Just a smattering of stores in an enclosed interior environment with a movie theater and access to K Mart.

For the sake of scale comparison and for those in the know, The Rio Mall was completely eclipsed and dwarfed in scope by The MacDade Mall of which was anything but "ginormous". The only benefit I ever received from my visits to this place was getting some post dated free Billboard magazines from the record store there (Krown Records) and the very occasional movie. It was a quaint place, even by 1986 or 1975 standards. But (sniff!) it was the only mall we had at our immediate disposal.

Nothing remains of this "mall" but a gutted vestige and a jewelry store that opens when the wind blows in the right direction. But as for Rio Grande itself, in the last few years it has exploded as businesses of all sorts (namely retail chains) have flocked there in an attempt to recast the town as a hotspot for shopping and eating. Wal*Mart, Boater's World, Lowes, Ross For Less, Office Depot, and even a Sonic now populate these parts with a Starbucks and other bastions of contemporary retail. The mainstream has made it here at last, since up until very recently a drive of 40 miles was required just to find a Wal*Mart (not that I particularly care for Wal*Mart myself really). And just for the sake of Carol, there is also a Michael's & Crafts store here as well.

Most recently, a brand new Chinese buffet opened here known as *"Happy Buffet" (* not the real name). Since its inception in late July, I have frequented this place finding it primarily a well...a happy experience. It's not uncommon to find a line snaking out of the door with patrons securing a number in wait to feast for the goods. Though not substantial in stature compared to numerous other Chinese buffets across the country (the best one I have ever found so far is located in Grand Junction, Colorado that was absolutely enormous in size and offerings), this place has given a definite "run for the money" to longtime local stalwart and mainstay, *"Chongo's Buffet" (*not the real name).

Chongo's has been around since the early 90s and reinvented itself as a buffet sometime in 1996. This at a time when Chinese buffets were more nascent and a novelty. Chongo's never failed to draw huge crowds from both locals and tourists. Over the years however as other competitors jumped into the fray, Chongo's managed to maintain the "big dog" status (usually by word of mouth or buying out its competition) never wavering. I have noticed however that in terms of selection, Chongo's remained at a basic and somewhat limited state compared to some of the newer upstarts elsewhere.

In general, the stuff there in my opinion was good enough overall - but fell short somewhat in variety of many of the other regional buffets I sampled from (such as The Dynasty in Springfield, PA). The only real thing that changed for Chongo's was its prices - in the upward direction. Without any real and lasting competition, obviously Chongo's had no incentive to get "hip" and improve substantially...until now.

Happy Buffet has impacted Chongo's like no other. It has managed to change the game in Rio Grande entirely, causing various eateries there to compete for your dollar. This effect is not restricted to merely Chinese food as other places in the area are offering all sorts of "goodies" as well. Such "improvements" are "buy one get one free" or "half price with a guest" and even a pizza buffet. It's great news for the customer, indeed (except for potential gluttony I imagine).

As for Chongo's, they have "improved" dramatically via numerous upgrades at a rate completely unprecedented. In essence, they have revised themselves more in the last few weeks combined than in the last dozen years. Quite impressive.

Though I still give a slight nod to Happy Buffet, I will still pay Chongo's a visit. I always root for the underdog (if the underdog is worth rooting for). Chongo's is working its ass off at present offering more "exotic" fare and expanding its interior. In addition, Chongo's now offers a "buy one get one dinner half off" special on an ongoing basis - something of which Happy Buffet is now duplicating. I love it. It's a great feeling to be catered to in this respect. My compatriots and I are enjoying the spoils of this "buffet war", even if it means I may have to power bike around a few extra miles as a result in a vain attempt to work off the excesses.

Note to Chongo's - good work, keep it up. Note to Happy Buffet - nice job, welcome to to fold. To both - keep making me offers I can't refuse and I promise I'll keep patronizing you. Well, for as long I am around this area at least.