by Dennis Dalman
The Creekside Buffet and Restaurant opened on Election Day in Sartell’s Riverside Plaza, and its owner, Chad Gross of St. Cloud, said his business has received “overwhelmingly positive” comments from the community.
Creekside is at 101 Seventh Ave. N. in the same building where the Cornerstone Restaurant and Buffet once did business.
Starting a new restaurant is not without its glitches and “hiccups,” as Gross dubbed them. Last Sunday, for example, there was the weekly breakfast buffet. A total of 30 people showed up throughout the morning, keeping Creekside’s small staff busy feeding that many people in a limited time, Gross said. The good news is he and his staff received excellent comments on the food and service.
“You can’t please everybody, though,” he said. “Two or three people had complaints. One woman said her bacon wasn’t cooked crisp enough. If she’d told us right away, we could have made it crispier just for her.”
Gross has chef experience at Timberland in St. Cloud, at The Waterfront in Annandale and briefly at Anton’s in Waite Park.
The Creekside staff is strict about following Covid-19 policies and procedures. Staff wear plastic gloves and sanitize surfaces constantly. Due to the pandemic, seating is limited to 15. Take-out and pick-up orders are available. Gross said there have been many such orders called in since the business opened.
One of its most popular dinner entrees is the classic chicken dinner, with chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy and corn. Another hit that has garnered raves is the prime-rib dinner, Gross noted.
The dinner buffet changes daily, according to themes: Taco Tuesday; Wednesday Pasta, Pizza, Wings; Thursday Stir Fry; Friday Surf and Turf; and Saturday Barbecued Ribs. Every Sunday is a breakfast buffet.
Creekside also offers a full menu of appetizers, soups, chicken, sandwiches, salads, beverages, full dinners and special-priced options for senior citizens.
Business hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays. It is closed Mondays.
The Creekside buffet always features a wide variety of foods.