What CiCi's Pizza Is and How the Buffet Works

CiCi's Pizza is a pizza chain that operates on an all-you-can-eat buffet model rather than ordering individual items. You pay one price at the door, then eat as much pizza, pasta, and salad as you want during your visit. The buffet stays open the entire time you're there — you don't order ahead or wait for food to arrive at a table.

When you walk in, you'll see a counter where staff take payment. After you pay, you can sit anywhere in the dining room and walk to the buffet line whenever you want. The buffet includes several pizza varieties that rotate throughout the day, a pasta bar with different sauces, a salad bar, and usually breadsticks or garlic bread. You grab a plate, serve yourself, and return to your table. You can make as many trips as you want.

Most locations also have a game room or arcade area with coin-operated machines, which is why CiCi's is popular with families and groups. Some locations offer dine-in only, while others have takeout windows where you can order pizza by the slice or box to take home.

Key Takeaways

  • CiCi's charges one flat price for unlimited pizza, pasta, salad, and breadsticks during your visit, with no separate ordering required.
  • Prices vary by location and time of day — lunch buffets are typically cheaper than dinner, and some locations offer different rates for children.
  • You serve yourself from a continuous buffet and can eat as many trips as you want during your stay.
  • Most CiCi's locations have arcade games and are set up for families and groups rather than quick solo meals.
  • Takeout pizza is available at most locations but is ordered and priced separately from the buffet.

Typical Pricing and What It Covers

CiCi's charges by the person, not by the amount you eat. The price per person varies by location and time of day. Lunch buffets are generally less expensive than dinner buffets. Many locations also offer a lower price for children under a certain age, and some have senior discounts.

The buffet price includes all the pizza varieties available that day, pasta with your choice of sauce, the salad bar, and breadsticks or garlic bread. Drinks are usually not included — you order beverages separately at the counter or from your table. Some locations charge extra for premium drinks like bottled sodas or specialty beverages.

If you want to take pizza home by the box, that's a separate transaction with its own pricing. Takeout pizza is ordered at the counter and priced per box, not as part of the buffet rate. Prices and what's included can differ between locations, so it's worth checking with your local CiCi's about their specific rates and offerings.

How to Order and Pay

For the buffet, you pay at the counter when you arrive. Staff will ask how many people are in your group and whether anyone qualifies for a child or senior rate. You pay the total upfront, and then you're free to sit down and eat. There's no table service or ordering from a menu during your meal.

If you want takeout pizza, you order at the same counter. You tell the staff what type of pizza you want and how many boxes, and they'll give you a price. Takeout orders are usually ready within a few minutes. Some locations allow you to order takeout pizza while you're eating the buffet, so you can pick it up on your way out.

Most CiCi's locations accept cash and card payments. Some may have a minimum card payment or prefer cash for small transactions, so it's worth asking if you're paying with a card.

What Pizza and Food Options Are Usually Available

The pizza varieties change throughout the day and vary by location. A typical CiCi's might have pepperoni, cheese, a meat lovers option, a vegetable pizza, and one or two specialty pizzas that rotate. The exact selection depends on what the location has prepared that day. Staff keep the buffet stocked, so if a pizza runs out, a fresh one usually comes out within a few minutes.

The pasta bar typically offers two or three pasta shapes with a choice of red sauce, white sauce, or meat sauce. You serve yourself the pasta and sauce combination you want. The salad bar usually has lettuce, vegetables, and dressing options. Breadsticks and garlic bread are self-serve as well.

CiCi's does not have a full menu like a traditional restaurant. The buffet is the main offering. If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, you should ask staff about ingredients, as they can tell you what's in each pizza or sauce.

Timing, Wait Times, and Busy Periods

CiCi's is busiest during lunch (around 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and dinner (around 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.), especially on weekends. If you go during these times, expect a wait at the counter to pay and possibly a wait to find a table. Off-peak times like mid-afternoon or late evening are usually quieter.

Once you've paid and sat down, there's no wait for food — the buffet is already set up. However, if a particular pizza runs out, it may take a few minutes for staff to bring out a fresh one. Most people spend 45 minutes to an hour at CiCi's, though you can stay longer if you want.

If you're going with a large group, it's worth calling ahead to let the location know you're coming. Some CiCi's locations can reserve a section of tables or prepare extra food if they know a big party is on the way.

What to Know Before You Go

CiCi's is designed for eating in the restaurant, not for a quick grab-and-go meal. The buffet model means you're expected to sit down and eat there. If you're in a hurry, takeout pizza is faster, but the buffet itself requires time to enjoy.

The arcade games are coin-operated and not included in the buffet price. If you want to play games, bring quarters or dollar bills, or ask staff if they have a change machine. Some locations have a ticket redemption system where you can win small prizes.

CiCi's locations vary in cleanliness and food quality, so if you're visiting a new location, check recent reviews online first. The buffet experience is generally consistent across locations, but individual restaurants can differ in how well they maintain the food and dining area.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 is in place to protect the business model. However, policies can vary by location, so it's worth asking staff if you have a specific need, such as bringing a birthday cake.

Is there a time limit on how long I can stay?

CiCi's does not typically enforce a strict time limit, but the expectation is that you'll eat and leave within a reasonable period — usually an hour or so. During very busy times, staff may ask you to finish up if there's a line of people waiting for tables. Off-peak times are more relaxed.

What if I don't like the pizza varieties available that day?

The pizza selection changes throughout the day as batches are prepared. If you arrive and don't see something you want, you can ask staff what's coming out next, or you can focus on the pasta bar and salad bar instead. You could also return at a different time when different pizzas are available.

Do I have to eat at a table, or can I take food to go while I'm there?

You're expected to eat at a table in the dining room as part of the buffet experience. The buffet price is for eating there, not for taking food home. If you want pizza to take home, you order it separately at the counter as a takeout purchase.

Are there any dietary options for vegetarians or people with allergies?

Most CiCi's locations have vegetarian pizza options and a salad bar, so vegetarians can find food. For allergies, ask staff about ingredients in the pizzas and sauces. They should be able to tell you what's in each item. However, CiCi's is not a specialized restaurant for dietary restrictions, so options may be limited depending on what's available that day.