Cook's Buffet, Cafe, Bakery in DeLand is steeped with family heritage and tradition. Early on, Bob developed a special buffet style serving hand carved aged beef, fresh turkey, lamb and ham. To accompany the meat choices were freshly prepared vegetables, salads and homemade desserts. Soon there were 14 Holiday House Restaurants throughout Central Florida.
They probably never dreamed of how this simple restaurant in an old house, where the family called home, living upstairs during the 1960's would grow into a family tradition and a local chain of restaurants.
They probably never dreamed of how this simple restaurant in an old house, where the family called home, living upstairs during the 1960's would grow into a family tradition and a local chain of restaurants.
Services
Michael Cook is the son of the late Bob Cook. In 1984 Michael married Star Hubbard, daughter of Betty Hubbard and the late Johnny Hubbard. Michael and Star have two children, Michael Jr., born in 1985 is our Assistant Manager working along side his father. Channing, born in 1987 and her husband Andrew live in Stuart, Florida, where she teaches 3rd grade.
Take a plate and help yourself at the Salad Table. The Carver will serve you ONE MEAT ENTREE of your choice and you may help yourself to vegetables. Our salads and vegetables are endless. You may have a second meat entree for a slight extra charge (Dine-In Only.) BEVERAGES, SOUP, DESSERTS & SECOND MEAT ENTREE ARE EXTRA and will be served at your table.
Reviews (26)
Kaitlin S.
Jan 29, 2022
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If I could give 0 stars I would after the way some waitress Kim treated my grandmother today. She will never be back and she was a regular. My grandma was scooping out mashed potatoes and I guess they were falling off her plate so she scooped them off the side and back onto her plate and this waitress runs up to her snatched the spoon out of her hand and yells at her in front of the whole restaurant "you can't touch that spoon!" SHE DID NOT TOUCH THE SPOON. She was so embarrassed and upset that she couldn't even eat her food. We will NEVER be back.
Phoenix
Jan 12, 2022
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Went on Thanksgiving Day (crazy idea) and waited > 2 - 1/2 hours. Food is fabulous and staff is nice. Desserts are homemade and out of this world. We brought home a few meat pies (turkey and shephard's pie) which were absolutely delicious even after being in our freezer for > 1 month. I highly recommend this place 362 days out of the year. Just don't go on Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter unless you're prepared to wait > 2 hours.
Ed Z.
Jan 10, 2022
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Cooks is a buffet restaurant. It's meat offerings, which are handcuffs when you're ready for them, are always beef, pork and turkey, depending on the day there will also be fish, leg of lamb and usually one more choice. There is a small salad plate which you can carry along with you as you get your main course or fill it up and place it on your table. There is a large selection of vegetables also. We, and anyone else we've brought there, have always enjoyed the meal.
Mike C.
Jan 09, 2022
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Let me start off by saying my waitress Jennifer H. Was fantastic ! Energetic, engaging , made sure we had anything we needed. Thank you for your great job Jennifer. But the gentleman doing the carving and and handing out of meat seemed to be almost angry but was very short with the 2 people in front of me, myself and a little old lady behind me. Maybe he is burned out but what I do think is he needs to be in the back away from customers. Then we get to check out. No one in front or behind us so no rush. The lady basically snatched the bill from my hand , ran the card , gave me my receipt and never
L. B.
Dec 31, 2021
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Alot of people really enjoy this restaurant. I would say this is a place my grandparents and their brothers & sisters would have absolutely loved and would be the talk of their trip!!
I'd like to see better iced tea and a little more flavor in the food.
Their gardens and the atmosphere are very nice though.
I'd like to see better iced tea and a little more flavor in the food.
Their gardens and the atmosphere are very nice though.
Nick H.
Dec 10, 2021
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Courtney S.
Nov 03, 2021
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This place was so disappointing. the waitresses attitude matched our food choices.. dry and unpleasant. my son suffers from asthma and could hardly tolerate the looming odor of well water stench. After walking through a rather sad buffet I was looking forward to the meat carving station. I was given the driest portion of lamb I have ever received. When I looked up mentioned my small portion size, a Norman Bates look alike simply told me if I wanted more to pay for it, a $3 charge. When I came back the second time to do so he was missing, no one at the station at all. Do not recommend
P. T.
Oct 20, 2021
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I totally enjoy this establishment every single time I go there. It a Buffet style restaurant but in a very good way, I'm from Las Vegas and when you go to a Buffet in Vegas you always come out feeling stuffed, this place don't let you feel like that, you come out feeling good about what you ate. I love this place.
You got to ask for Christine section, she always provide wonderful service. 4 Thumbs Up to Cook's .
You got to ask for Christine section, she always provide wonderful service. 4 Thumbs Up to Cook's .
Angela G.
Sep 13, 2021
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Luz Stella Kimpling
Aug 03, 2021
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Sharon S.
Jul 29, 2021
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I'm a fan of buffets, like Golden Corral or Chinese. A friend and I had lunch at Cook's on Tuesday, July 27th. The $10.95 price sounds good till you add $3 for a drink and an additional amount for dessert. $14.95 for one lunch. The salad bar was well stocked. You only get one meat or pay an additional fee for another. My friend had a meager portion of prime rib, I had a seasoned chicken breast. There was a meager choice of vegetables. We both had mashed potatoes, green beans and a tiny ear of corn. The food generally lacked seasoning, so I'm guessing they probably cater to an older
Jo Warren Long
Jul 23, 2021
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Bryan Forstner
Jul 19, 2021
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Sarah Ashleigh
Jul 19, 2021
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John M.
Jul 07, 2021
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One of the big advantages of Cook's, at least for me, is that they offer lamb.
This place is definitely a glimpse from a different era and the customer base definitely reflects that older demographic, but for what it is, it is not bad.
I would not necessarily call it a buffet though. They offer you one meat entree and then you can help yourself to the vegetables and the salad bar. Desserts are also not included with the meal. Price is about what you would pay at a buffet, though, so it really is not the best when looking at it from a value point. Also, one of the good things about a buffet
This place is definitely a glimpse from a different era and the customer base definitely reflects that older demographic, but for what it is, it is not bad.
I would not necessarily call it a buffet though. They offer you one meat entree and then you can help yourself to the vegetables and the salad bar. Desserts are also not included with the meal. Price is about what you would pay at a buffet, though, so it really is not the best when looking at it from a value point. Also, one of the good things about a buffet
Ginny P.
Jun 21, 2021
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I'm So excited!!!!! I have found my new favorite buffet!!!!! Just like the " ole holiday house" THANK GOODNESS!!!!!!
I had the lamb hubby the Turkey!! Pick your veggies and salad and sit down and enjoy a fabulous home cooked meal
Very busy place. Parking is limited on the weekends. There is handicap parking but it's kind of on a hill no problem sitting handicap inside.
Various desserts are available for purchase but not included in your Buffet meal.
Perfect for families, children, young and old. This will definitely become your new favorite and a family tradition
I had the lamb hubby the Turkey!! Pick your veggies and salad and sit down and enjoy a fabulous home cooked meal
Very busy place. Parking is limited on the weekends. There is handicap parking but it's kind of on a hill no problem sitting handicap inside.
Various desserts are available for purchase but not included in your Buffet meal.
Perfect for families, children, young and old. This will definitely become your new favorite and a family tradition
Infamous Pypernate
Jun 15, 2021
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Love this place! We come here often. The food is always on point and the staff is pleasant.
Would’ve given 5 stars but our server…she was probably new and I understand that; However, I suggest to still check on your table after you place their desserts and check down on the table. It would’ve been nice to have drinks with our desserts. 🤦♂️
Our desserts were amazing by the way! We even got pieces to-go! 😎
Would’ve given 5 stars but our server…she was probably new and I understand that; However, I suggest to still check on your table after you place their desserts and check down on the table. It would’ve been nice to have drinks with our desserts. 🤦♂️
Our desserts were amazing by the way! We even got pieces to-go! 😎
Jessica G.
Jun 12, 2021
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Chris D.
May 14, 2021
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Had a RAINY THURSDAY OPPORTUNITY to visit Cook's during LUNCH TIME (since my previous COVID Life)!
Boy, am I glad I did. So MANY FRESH CHOICES on the Salad Bar that INCLUDED HOMEMADE Blackberry Vinegarette Dressing and SPROUTS! WOW!
My Server, Jamie, was new and very attentive.
The Manhattan Seafood Chowder caught my attention as TODAY SPECIAL. So did the Leg of Lamb and rare Roast Beef CARVINGS!
AREN'T WE LUCKY?
Homemade Mashed potatoes and gravy and homestyle Green beans completed my homemade COMFORT LUNCH today!
I'm SO GRATEFUL Cook's is STILL AROUND!
Boy, am I glad I did. So MANY FRESH CHOICES on the Salad Bar that INCLUDED HOMEMADE Blackberry Vinegarette Dressing and SPROUTS! WOW!
My Server, Jamie, was new and very attentive.
The Manhattan Seafood Chowder caught my attention as TODAY SPECIAL. So did the Leg of Lamb and rare Roast Beef CARVINGS!
AREN'T WE LUCKY?
Homemade Mashed potatoes and gravy and homestyle Green beans completed my homemade COMFORT LUNCH today!
I'm SO GRATEFUL Cook's is STILL AROUND!
Chris T.
Apr 25, 2021
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If you like bland tasteless food with rules on how many times you go up and get food at a Buffett, this is your place.
Never been to a Buffett where you can only get one serving of meat and dessert. That's not a Buffett so stop calling this place one.
The food had no flavor but I think it appeals to the older clientele, so there's that.
Never been to a Buffett where you can only get one serving of meat and dessert. That's not a Buffett so stop calling this place one.
The food had no flavor but I think it appeals to the older clientele, so there's that.
Maryellen B.
Apr 16, 2021
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Lisa M.
Feb 22, 2021
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Love the concept, food needs work though. If you remember the cafeteria days of the 70s where the blue plate special was born you'll feel right at home. It's like that concept met a Sizzler and had a baby.
There's a few variations of the buffet depending on how much you want but it can be broken down into salad, veggies, meats and desserts with the option of adding soups. We got the full buffet minus the dessert and our waitress explained it very well: go through the salad line first, we'll grab your salad plate when you've filled it and then you can grab your meat and
There's a few variations of the buffet depending on how much you want but it can be broken down into salad, veggies, meats and desserts with the option of adding soups. We got the full buffet minus the dessert and our waitress explained it very well: go through the salad line first, we'll grab your salad plate when you've filled it and then you can grab your meat and
Jose A.
Dec 12, 2020
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Visually appealing, inside and out, the food is good as well...
Eating here as guests to a wedding rehearsal dinner, we enjoyed their clipboard buffet. A very impressive spread of both salad bar, dinner, and dessert you could take as little to as much as you want. (I will note however that they had a regular menu of items to choose from but we stuck with the special.
The salad bar had all the usual offerings - fresh and plenty. For dinner my wife chose the roast beef while I had the stuffed peppers. Sides of mac and cheese, beets, green beans and other faves were delicious. Dessert varied on
Eating here as guests to a wedding rehearsal dinner, we enjoyed their clipboard buffet. A very impressive spread of both salad bar, dinner, and dessert you could take as little to as much as you want. (I will note however that they had a regular menu of items to choose from but we stuck with the special.
The salad bar had all the usual offerings - fresh and plenty. For dinner my wife chose the roast beef while I had the stuffed peppers. Sides of mac and cheese, beets, green beans and other faves were delicious. Dessert varied on
Daniel P.
Oct 29, 2020
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We were checking out houses in the area, told our friends about Deland, they all recommended Cook's. We decided to try it and we were very pleased. The waitress was very nice and a great server, food was fresh I had the brisket! And good mashed potatoes and salad .and it came with a dessert, yummy brownie! Love this place
Iyana M.
Jan 03, 2020
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Went here for my Boyfriend mom's birthday, she loves Cooks so much we drove 40 minutes from Oviedo to DeLand and I'm glad we did. The food was yummy and our server was sooo sweet. The lamb was flavorful and tender and they had a good variety of sides. His mom raves about the cakes at Cook's but I was too full. I will definitely be back for some relaxing home cooking
Mickey B.
Dec 15, 2019
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Wow! This was our first visit to Cook's and we are loving it. The restaurant is charming as it feels like we are dining in an old house. The buffet is delightful with an extensive salad bar, choice of at least 5 or 6 meats to choose from and a small selection of sides. You walk past the dessert selections made up of several decadent cakes and pies. You can get the Buffet with one serving of meat, unlimited salad and sides for $10.99. Today we got the Turkey Pot Pie and the medium rare beef. Both were very very good. The salad bar is very fresh and constantly being refilled. The sides we chose
