Burgher Haus — Restaurant in California

Grandparents lived in California when they were still alive. I have visited the restaurant on numerous occasions. Have been reading some recent reviews some good, some bad. My response to low reviews, mention the issue to the staff, most likely they will correct it on the spot. If not, ask to see a manager or the owner, almost guarantee they will fix the issue. For the 2-3 stars, most seem to revolve around seasoning on beans, corn, etc. If you take two seconds to understand what a buffet is all about you will realize that the food is for many different people with many different tastes. Maybe one customer has a condition that prevents them from having salt, another may not like pepper? About any buffet I have ever been to is a "season to taste" for this very reason! For the 4 & 5 star, you guys experienced how the restaurant has been functioning for over 30 years. From the time it started as the local mom and pop hamburger stand with very minimal seating, then expanded and offering the buffet to give the town that family type restaurant that it is today. (At that time, the town didn't have this option). Since my grandparents aren't with us and I don't get to California hardly at all anymore, things may have changed some. Used to be that all the town folk understood it was a "family" place with a fast food side. I have witnessed patrons serve coffee, take an empty plate, or just welcome a face they didn't recognize. This was small town Missouri at its best.

I recently got to go in and have lunch when my son had a break during the day due to the baseball tournament schedule in Columbia area. He was wearing a shirt from his High School (KC area), someone asked where that was as it only had the high school name and no town on it. We ended up talking to the guy that asked and some friends he had with him for quite a while.

Bet most can't get that kind of atmosphere at the large chain fast food or restaurants!!

For clarity, I know the family that owns the establishment quite well and know they will go out of their way to make your experience what it should be. It is now in the hands of the second generation so things are likely to change somewhat. New ideas might bring better experiences and some ideas not all will like.

Reach out. I am certain they would like to hear all the good or bad experiences to know what they are doing well and what they need to look at for improvement. Since the Covid issue I know they have not raised prices to the consumer as much as the suppliers have raised on them. They feel like they can absorb some of the storm to keep customers happy and coming back!

Burgher Haus has been a stable in the community for decades, employed many high school students, taught the treat you like family ideals instead of the run 'em in and out like many competitive fast...

Update: So we came by and I'm pleased to see at least the inside still looks the same as it always had. However, I'm a disappointed in the mashed potatoes and gravy.. they tasted horrible as well did the taco meat. I noticed the chicken pieces are now chicken strips, which was fine, they tasted really good and very filling. 😋 The rolls were so delicious too. Everything tasted great, just not the potatoes, gravy, taco meat, and ice cream. Last time we were there, there were more food choices on the buffet, but I figured that was due to costs of food for everyone. You can't help that unfortunately. 😔 The staff were very friendly still, and your cashier welcomed me back to California. 🥰 I believe the owners are the previous owner's son, Ross? Thank you again for another pleasant meal.

I grew up in California back in the 80s, and this place was always the Haldiman family meeting place. Everyone in town knew us, and the staff always knew us. Generation after generation of family grew up in Moniteau County. We have a large family. Burger Haus has never let us down. The food is always amazing, and the staff are always incredible. Now that we moved towards Kansas City, I still have a sister that never left, and so when we visit her, we would stop by for a bite to eat. This place is history to us. Many memories in this place. However, it's been many years since we've been here as our lives got busier, so we just leave our sister's and go straight home. I'm planning on making a visit today, so I hope they kept that hometown feel and hoping for memories to be flooding back. My husband has never been. It's our anniversary, so what better way to show my childhood than the best buffet in the state...

Warning: if you don't like being hemmed in a little space bumping into and rubbing elbows with everyone every time you turn around, this place might not be for you. Especially on a Saturday around lunch time. It is cramped, for a place with a buffet and salad bar. I get anxious in situations like that and I had to grit my teeth and work to get through the experience. (To be fair, California isn't my hometown, and the locals are probably used to it. The local people seem to love the place) Also, you order at the counter. We weren't sure if you wait there for your order or if someone brings it out. No one specified that. Finally asked and found out they bring it. There was confusion twice. Wrong food for one of our group and one trying to give us someone else's food, when we already had all of ours. One friend's burger was supposed to be no onion. So they gave her pickles and ketchup. No cheese, no tomato or lettuce. And it was supposed to be a CHEESEburger. She found the patties are very thin she wished she'd ordered a double. By that time we just wanted out, not to complain and wait for different food. That said, the monterey ranch chicken sandwich I ordered was good, although the fact it was 2 chicken strips instead of one piece of chicken was a surprise) the salad bar my friend ate...