What CiCi's Pizza Is and How the Buffet Service Works
CiCi's Pizza is a casual dining chain that operates an all-you-can-eat pizza buffet model. You pay one flat price at the register, then help yourself to pizza, pasta, salad, and dessert from the buffet line for as long as you stay in the restaurant. There is no server taking your order — you walk up to the hot cases, select the slices you want, and return to your table as many times as you like during your visit.
The buffet includes several types of pizza that rotate throughout the day. Most locations offer cheese, pepperoni, and specialty pizzas that change seasonally or weekly. The pasta bar typically has options like spaghetti with meat sauce or alfredo. The salad bar includes lettuce, toppings, and dressing. Dessert pizza — usually cinnamon roll or brownie varieties — sits at the end of the line. Drinks are either included in the buffet price or purchased separately, depending on the location.
Unlike a traditional restaurant, you do not order from a menu or wait for food to arrive at your table. The pace is entirely up to you. You can eat quickly and leave, or stay for an hour. Staff clears plates from your table periodically, but you manage your own trips to the buffet.
Key Takeaways
- CiCi's charges one flat price for unlimited pizza, pasta, salad, and dessert rather than charging per item or per slice.
- You serve yourself from hot buffet cases and can return to the line as many times as you want while you are in the restaurant.
- Most locations do not include drinks in the buffet price, so you order beverages separately at the register or at your table.
- The restaurant is designed for casual, self-paced dining — there is no server taking orders or bringing food to your table.
- Pricing and available items vary by location, so calling ahead or checking the website for your nearest CiCi's tells you what to expect.
Pricing and What the Buffet Price Includes
CiCi's charges a single buffet price per person, which covers all the pizza, pasta, salad, and dessert you can eat during your visit. The exact price varies by location and sometimes by time of day — lunch buffets are often cheaper than dinner buffets at the same restaurant. Some locations offer lower prices during specific hours, such as weekday lunch specials.
Drinks are typically not included in the buffet price. You order beverages at the register when you pay for your buffet, or a server brings you a drink menu at your table. Refills on soft drinks are usually included once you have purchased a drink, but this varies by location.
Children's pricing is often lower than adult pricing. Some locations charge by age or height, while others have a flat children's rate. It is worth asking the staff what the children's price is when you arrive, since this can affect your total bill.
How to Order and Pay at CiCi's
When you walk in, you go directly to the register rather than waiting to be seated. You tell the cashier how many people are in your group and whether anyone qualifies for a children's price. You pay the buffet price per person upfront, plus any drinks you want to order. Once you have paid, the staff seats you at a table or you choose your own, depending on the location.
Some CiCi's locations accept reservations for large groups, but most operate on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are bringing a group of 10 or more people, calling ahead is a good idea to make sure the restaurant can accommodate you and to ask about any group pricing options.
Payment methods vary by location, but most CiCi's accept cash, credit cards, and debit cards. Some locations may also accept mobile payment apps. If you have questions about payment options, ask the cashier when you arrive.
What to Expect When You Arrive
CiCi's locations are typically bright, casual spaces with a buffet line running along one side of the dining area. The buffet cases are heated and labeled so you can see what each pizza or pasta option is before you take it. Plates, napkins, and utensils are usually located near the buffet line or at your table.
The dining area is often busy during peak times — lunch between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., and dinner between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. If you prefer a quieter experience, arriving outside these windows usually means shorter buffet lines and more available seating. Weekday afternoons and early evenings tend to be less crowded than weekends.
The restaurant is designed for families and casual groups. You will see high chairs at some tables, and the noise level is typically higher than at a full-service restaurant. Staff clears plates regularly, but you are responsible for returning your plate to the buffet area or leaving it on the table for staff to collect.
Dietary Restrictions and Menu Transparency
CiCi's does not provide detailed nutritional information or allergen lists on its website for most locations. If you have a food allergy or dietary restriction, ask a manager at the restaurant directly. They can tell you which pizzas contain specific ingredients and whether any items are prepared in a way that avoids cross-contamination.
The buffet model makes it harder to avoid certain ingredients because items are prepared in shared kitchen spaces. If you have a severe allergy, the staff can point you to items that are least likely to contain the allergen, but they cannot may provide zero exposure in a buffet environment.
Vegetarian options are available at most CiCi's locations — typically cheese pizza and vegetable-based pasta dishes. Vegan options are more limited and depend on the specific location. Calling ahead to ask what vegetarian or vegan items are available that day is the most reliable way to know what you can eat.
Differences Between CiCi's Locations and What Varies
CiCi's has locations across multiple states, and each restaurant is independently operated or franchised. This means buffet prices, hours, and available menu items can differ significantly from one location to another. One CiCi's might offer a specific specialty pizza that another location does not have.
Hours of operation also vary. Some locations are open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, while others may have limited weekend hours or be closed on certain days. Checking the hours for your nearest location on Google Maps or the CiCi's website before you go prevents a wasted trip.
Some locations have party rooms available for rent if you are planning a birthday or group event. Others do not. If you are interested in hosting an event at CiCi's, call the specific location to ask about availability and pricing.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Visit
Take smaller portions on your first trip to the buffet so you can try more varieties without wasting food. The pizza cools quickly once it is on your plate, so eat what you take before returning for more. If you see a pizza you like that is running low, grab a slice while it is available — the kitchen may not replace it when ready.
Arrive during off-peak hours if you want shorter lines and fresher food. Buffet items that sit in the hot cases for a long time dry out. Early lunch (before 11:30 a.m.) or mid-afternoon (2 p.m. to 4 p.m.) usually means the buffet has been recently restocked.
If you have young children, bring wet wipes or napkins. Pizza and pasta can be messy, and the buffet environment means kids are moving around more than they would at a table-service restaurant. Asking for extra napkins at the register when you pay is also a good idea.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to order before I sit down, or can I just go to the buffet?
You pay at the register first, then sit down. The cashier tells you the buffet price, you pay for your group and any drinks, and then you are seated. After that, you go to the buffet line whenever you are ready to eat.
Can I bring my own food or drinks into CiCi's?
Most CiCi's locations do not allow outside food or drinks, similar to other buffet restaurants. This policy varies by location, so if you have a specific reason for needing to bring something (such as a medical dietary need), call ahead and ask the manager.
How long can I stay at CiCi's?
There is no official time limit at most CiCi's locations, but the restaurant expects you to leave once you have finished eating. During busy times, staff may politely ask you to leave if there is a line of people waiting for tables. Staying for two to three hours is reasonable; staying significantly longer may be asked to end.
What if I do not like something on the buffet?
You do not have to eat anything you do not want. The buffet includes multiple pizza varieties, pasta options, and salad, so there is usually something for different tastes. If nothing appeals to you, you have already paid the buffet price, so you can eat what is available or leave and try another restaurant.
Are there CiCi's locations near me?
CiCi's has restaurants in multiple states, primarily in the South and Southwest. Use the location finder on the CiCi's website or search Google Maps for "CiCi's Pizza" plus your city to find the nearest restaurant, hours, and phone number.