Restaurant several years ago was dirty nasty, and absolutely unsanitary. I haven't been able to eat at a Ryans since. It was so bad, I did complain to customer service on the national level.
(1)
Sabrina D.
Ok restaurant. Good variety of food but you can tell the food has sat out a long time. Only a few options fur desserts but every time we tried them they were dried out & gross. I think you pay to much for what you get.
(3)
Kayte B.
It is what it is. We got the buffet, and it was pretty good. Not gourmet, but for a country style buffet, it had a wide variety, lots of meats, and everything was pretty tasty. My favorite part was the extensive dessert table and ice cream. Yum. Our glasses were never empty and our empty plates were immediately removed and replaced with fresh ones.
(4)
Deb S.
Traveling home, we stayed in the area and stopped thinking we could get a good variety that included some healthy offerings. It was the Saturday evening before Mother's Day, but I don't think that was the reason (is there ever any reason?) we found Ryan's to be a nightmare. First, it was filthy. Yes, and I don't use that word lightly. The floor, the buffet tables, the dining tables ... there were messes everywhere. When we finally found a table that was "clean," it was next to a stand with dirty trays stacked up. Hungry after a long day of travel, I managed to find a few trays that weren't ravaged and had for dinner some peas, some corn, some broccoli, some mashed potatoes and gravy. I tried a piece of steak but it was tough had a very strange taste. As soon as my hunger was slightly appeased, I really was repulsed by the whole scene and couldn't eat another bite, couldn't wait to leave. The "icing on the cake" was watching a server try to sweep up a mess and then go back to handling food. I'm surprised I didn't vomit. Disgusting.
(1)
Carl F.
For those of you not familiar with "Ryan's", it's important to know this is a country buffet style restaurant. With this being the case, you generally should not expect, white linens, smartly dressed wait staff, impeccably clean tables and a meal which is an epicurean delight. Nope... don't expect that! Rather lower your expectations to plastic plates, well used flatware, mismatched furniture, some untidy corners here and there and a hit or miss type of food, which may be freshly put out, or has been sitting a while. For my experience here, which was lunch time on a Thursday, I felt it went along very well. The rugs were clean (they look relatively new) the hostess was friendly and my waitress was very friendly and tentative. Most importantly, the buffet area was very clean and well stocked, with food ranging from full salad bar, three different soups, tacos, fish, pork, chicken (baked & grilled), pasta, pizza, several types of veggies, beans, rice and rolls. For this trip, I had some grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn, gravy and a few dinner rolls. The stuffing was a bit dry (but fixed with the gravy) and all the rest of the meal items were very good. In fact, I went up for seconds on the chicken and mashed potatoes & gravy. Then after the meal, I had a brownie topped with some ice-cream and although nothing great, it was good. All the wile, my waitress ensured my drink was never empty. In fact, I don't think it even had the chance to go below 1/2 full. I left as a happy customer and all it cost me was $7.59... can't beat that ! If your traveling through the area this location is close to the highway, and with a few gas stations around if you need to fuel up. In closing, I was satisfied with my first experience and I do plan on coming back here to give Breakfast and Dinner a try.
(3)
Makenzie H.
Food is definitely nothing to brag about. Very expensive, too - almost $30 for two people to eat gross food. The service was great, however, they were very short staffed. Not impressed and probably won't eat there for a very long time.
(2)
Diana G.
We stopped here for dinner on our long road trip to Texas. $9.99 for a steak buffet dinner. Selections wasn't very big. I tried the steak, a piece of fried chicken leg, corn, mashed potatoes and mac and cheese. The steak was ok and the fried chicken was actually crispy and good. The sides were eh. Desserts didn't look that appealing. Service was nice and friendly though. Seems family and truckers frequent this place.
(3)
Peggy H.
I'm not a fan of buffets, but you know every so often you get invited to go to one. This one does have a lot of items to chose from. But quantity over quality is not for me! They don't particularly cook anything well or exceptional. Honestly the only item that is remotely good would be their honey butter and I can make that at home myself. This location is always dirty. From the minute you walk in the door, you quickly notice how dirty the floors are. Thank God that IL no longer allows smoking indoors! This location used to have a huge smoking section in the back near the bathrooms. The smoke back there was horrific! I don't know how employees could stand it back there. The smoke was that bad. Yahoo for progress! Honestly, skip this place. It's dirty and the food isn't that great.
(2)
Elizabeth L.
I didn't know this was a buffet when I first walked in. In fact I didn't even know anything about Ryan's before walking in. I knew semis parked here but that's as far as my thinking about it went, so one fateful night I had the time and I thought "Hey, let's try Ryan's." When I walked in there was only one family in line at the register. I didn't think I'd wait that long but oh was I wrong. I guess it was a complicated order with 3 adults and 5 children. Eventually I got up to the register to pay and the lady couldn't have been nicer. She explained everything since I've never been and told me how the place card works and then she sent me on my way. First stop, the salad bar. I was expecting regular salad fixings. What I wasn't expecting to find was a tossed cobb salad. That was too tempting to pass up so I filled my plate and added some of the special parmasean dressing next to it. Great start to a dinner! Once back to my table I met my adorable little server Kelsey who asked if I'd like some dinner rolls. "Yes please!" Trip #2 was for actual food. I found the steak area and the guy said it's a little rare. Well honey, that's how I like it! Toss that cow on my plate, sweetheart! Then I hit up the veggies and some mashed potatoes. The steak, although it had a fair amount of fat on it, was tasty and juicy and seasoned just right. It almost didn't need A1 sauce. Third trip I went for some of the other offerings. Lasagna. Beef stew, which was incredible and so tender! Macaroni and cheese. Carrots. Spinach. Really though, that beef stew blew me away with how tender and it was for buffet food. Then I hit up the desserts. First up was the carrot cake I had been eyeing up. it was dry. That....is a shame. Determined to not let that bring me down I tried a small slice of the chocolate cake, which was yummy, some coconut cream pie which was....interesting. I ended the dinner with some lovely orange sherbert while listening to Kelsey and another employee talk about how they're treated better here than at other places they've worked. On the way out the lady at the register remembered this was my first time and asked me how everything was. That was a lovely parting touch of niceness.
(3)
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Address :1102 Ave of Mid America
Effingham, IL, 62401
Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Parking : Street Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : No
debbie b.
Restaurant several years ago was dirty nasty, and absolutely unsanitary. I haven't been able to eat at a Ryans since. It was so bad, I did complain to customer service on the national level.
(1)Sabrina D.
Ok restaurant. Good variety of food but you can tell the food has sat out a long time. Only a few options fur desserts but every time we tried them they were dried out & gross. I think you pay to much for what you get.
(3)Kayte B.
It is what it is. We got the buffet, and it was pretty good. Not gourmet, but for a country style buffet, it had a wide variety, lots of meats, and everything was pretty tasty. My favorite part was the extensive dessert table and ice cream. Yum. Our glasses were never empty and our empty plates were immediately removed and replaced with fresh ones.
(4)Deb S.
Traveling home, we stayed in the area and stopped thinking we could get a good variety that included some healthy offerings. It was the Saturday evening before Mother's Day, but I don't think that was the reason (is there ever any reason?) we found Ryan's to be a nightmare. First, it was filthy. Yes, and I don't use that word lightly. The floor, the buffet tables, the dining tables ... there were messes everywhere. When we finally found a table that was "clean," it was next to a stand with dirty trays stacked up. Hungry after a long day of travel, I managed to find a few trays that weren't ravaged and had for dinner some peas, some corn, some broccoli, some mashed potatoes and gravy. I tried a piece of steak but it was tough had a very strange taste. As soon as my hunger was slightly appeased, I really was repulsed by the whole scene and couldn't eat another bite, couldn't wait to leave. The "icing on the cake" was watching a server try to sweep up a mess and then go back to handling food. I'm surprised I didn't vomit. Disgusting.
(1)Carl F.
For those of you not familiar with "Ryan's", it's important to know this is a country buffet style restaurant. With this being the case, you generally should not expect, white linens, smartly dressed wait staff, impeccably clean tables and a meal which is an epicurean delight. Nope... don't expect that! Rather lower your expectations to plastic plates, well used flatware, mismatched furniture, some untidy corners here and there and a hit or miss type of food, which may be freshly put out, or has been sitting a while. For my experience here, which was lunch time on a Thursday, I felt it went along very well. The rugs were clean (they look relatively new) the hostess was friendly and my waitress was very friendly and tentative. Most importantly, the buffet area was very clean and well stocked, with food ranging from full salad bar, three different soups, tacos, fish, pork, chicken (baked & grilled), pasta, pizza, several types of veggies, beans, rice and rolls. For this trip, I had some grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn, gravy and a few dinner rolls. The stuffing was a bit dry (but fixed with the gravy) and all the rest of the meal items were very good. In fact, I went up for seconds on the chicken and mashed potatoes & gravy. Then after the meal, I had a brownie topped with some ice-cream and although nothing great, it was good. All the wile, my waitress ensured my drink was never empty. In fact, I don't think it even had the chance to go below 1/2 full. I left as a happy customer and all it cost me was $7.59... can't beat that ! If your traveling through the area this location is close to the highway, and with a few gas stations around if you need to fuel up. In closing, I was satisfied with my first experience and I do plan on coming back here to give Breakfast and Dinner a try.
(3)Makenzie H.
Food is definitely nothing to brag about. Very expensive, too - almost $30 for two people to eat gross food. The service was great, however, they were very short staffed. Not impressed and probably won't eat there for a very long time.
(2)Diana G.
We stopped here for dinner on our long road trip to Texas. $9.99 for a steak buffet dinner. Selections wasn't very big. I tried the steak, a piece of fried chicken leg, corn, mashed potatoes and mac and cheese. The steak was ok and the fried chicken was actually crispy and good. The sides were eh. Desserts didn't look that appealing. Service was nice and friendly though. Seems family and truckers frequent this place.
(3)Peggy H.
I'm not a fan of buffets, but you know every so often you get invited to go to one. This one does have a lot of items to chose from. But quantity over quality is not for me! They don't particularly cook anything well or exceptional. Honestly the only item that is remotely good would be their honey butter and I can make that at home myself. This location is always dirty. From the minute you walk in the door, you quickly notice how dirty the floors are. Thank God that IL no longer allows smoking indoors! This location used to have a huge smoking section in the back near the bathrooms. The smoke back there was horrific! I don't know how employees could stand it back there. The smoke was that bad. Yahoo for progress! Honestly, skip this place. It's dirty and the food isn't that great.
(2)Elizabeth L.
I didn't know this was a buffet when I first walked in. In fact I didn't even know anything about Ryan's before walking in. I knew semis parked here but that's as far as my thinking about it went, so one fateful night I had the time and I thought "Hey, let's try Ryan's." When I walked in there was only one family in line at the register. I didn't think I'd wait that long but oh was I wrong. I guess it was a complicated order with 3 adults and 5 children. Eventually I got up to the register to pay and the lady couldn't have been nicer. She explained everything since I've never been and told me how the place card works and then she sent me on my way. First stop, the salad bar. I was expecting regular salad fixings. What I wasn't expecting to find was a tossed cobb salad. That was too tempting to pass up so I filled my plate and added some of the special parmasean dressing next to it. Great start to a dinner! Once back to my table I met my adorable little server Kelsey who asked if I'd like some dinner rolls. "Yes please!" Trip #2 was for actual food. I found the steak area and the guy said it's a little rare. Well honey, that's how I like it! Toss that cow on my plate, sweetheart! Then I hit up the veggies and some mashed potatoes. The steak, although it had a fair amount of fat on it, was tasty and juicy and seasoned just right. It almost didn't need A1 sauce. Third trip I went for some of the other offerings. Lasagna. Beef stew, which was incredible and so tender! Macaroni and cheese. Carrots. Spinach. Really though, that beef stew blew me away with how tender and it was for buffet food. Then I hit up the desserts. First up was the carrot cake I had been eyeing up. it was dry. That....is a shame. Determined to not let that bring me down I tried a small slice of the chocolate cake, which was yummy, some coconut cream pie which was....interesting. I ended the dinner with some lovely orange sherbert while listening to Kelsey and another employee talk about how they're treated better here than at other places they've worked. On the way out the lady at the register remembered this was my first time and asked me how everything was. That was a lovely parting touch of niceness.
(3)