Hibachi Buffet Opening In Manchester, Ending Long Building Saga

MANCHESTER, CT — The long saga of the long-dormant Hometown Buffet building in the Buckland Hills commercial district of Manchester is finally coming to an end with the Friday opening of a new Hibachi-themed restaurant.

"We are open on Friday ... May 5," said the sign on the door of the new Hibachi Grill Buffet at 165 Slater St.

Signs for the buffet first emerged in September. Manchester building officials said it is a conforming use, so no special permits were required for the restaurant.

The Hibachi buffet emerged as a savior for the building after it had sat idle for many months.

The sign for the Hometown Buffet, which closed in January 2019, was still on the premises until recently, when it was replaced by the Hibachi sign. It has the sane red color as Hometown's marquee.

In July 2019, a sign appeared proclaiming that Crab DuJour was moving there amid an expansion effort in Connecticut. In November 2020, Crab Du Jour changed plans and, 11 months later, opened at the Shopped at Buckland Hills mall. It then closed after just more than a year.

The Hibachi Grill Buffet website is touting more than 350 different items "on the bar." The restaurant will also feature a hibachi section where diners can "pick and choose" to make up their own menu.

"So we can cook it on the hibachi for no additional charge," the billing says.

At $11.99 for the lunch buffet and $15.99 for the dinner and weekend buffets, the prices for adults seem relatively inexpensive.