Flick Fact: What Twin City dining tradition has largely disappeared?
Question: In Bloomington-Normal, what did Bishop's, Maverick, Sirloin Stockade, Shoney's, Old Country Buffet and Shooters all have in common?
Answer: They were once among B-N's busiest restaurants, all built around one irresistible word: buffet. By about 2000 - give or take a few years - they were all closing. Like shopping malls, the all-you-can-eat smorgasbord has largely become another local memory.
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This story was originally published July 9, 2026 at 2:26 PM.