mmm-yoso!!!, the food blog, is where you have found yourself. Kirk is still vacationing (literally at the top of the globe), Ed (from Yuma) is just East of us, enjoying his retirement and mini vacations in places other than California and Cathy is writing this post.
My job is odd, I can meet with clients at their home, office or in a public place. The 'ambiance' of an all you can eat buffet is such that there is less pressure to turn over a table quickly (unless there is a line out the door waiting to get in, which usually isn't the case during the week). One client in particular enjoyed (very much) the now closed chain of Hometown Buffet restaurants in the county, and I would meet him there primarily to eat all the fried chicken with the unique side dish 'Spinach Marie' that I could.
There are still 'all you can eat' places around, mostly Chinese buffets and San Diego based Souplantation.
My client discovered Onami, the all you can eat Japanese sushi/seafood buffet at the Westfield Mission Valley Mall. 
While waiting to be seated, you can see a 'Ramen and Udon Bar' just to the left.
You can have a bowl prepared and a choice of five (do it yourself) toppings are available. 
Right around the corner is a cold noodle area, which offers the only toppings needed: green onion and shredded radish.
Seating areas are varied and interspersed next to the variety of hot and cold food areas. 
Near the back of the restaurant are the hot foods, with many seafood choices.
There is an area where you can choose various vegetables, fish pieces and shrimp to be freshly battered and fried.
There is a cold area with a selection of twelve prepared salads. Along the other side is the sushi area, with item choices being prepared and refilled constantly. 
Then there was the dessert area, with a tremendous, portion controlled selection available.
Everything was fresh and tasty and quite nice. The space is quiet enough in some areas for conversation. The cost for weekday lunch was less than $15 each, which I though was good for the quality and variety.
Onami 1640 Camino Del Rio N Ste 206 San Diego, CA 92108 Phone number (619) 295-9774 Hours: Mon-Thurs 11:30 am-2:30 pm, 5:30 pm-9 pm Fri 11:30 am-2:30 pm, 5 pm-9pm Sat 11:30-9:30 Sun 11:30-9