What makes a good buffet? It is pretty likely that greasy lángos, the combination of beer and hamburger stuffed with sauerkraut and pickles and the well known kitchen smell have become obligatory requirements for such an establishment by now. Opened in 2004, the Üvegtigris Buffet in Balatonfüred ticks all the boxes easily: a long queue snakes in front of the joint every day, waiting for the gloriously unhealthy manna to be handed out, which – unlike at its namesake (a trailer transformed into a buffet in a Hungarian comedy) – is prepared on the spot. We couldn’t resist either.
The Üvegtigris is relatively easy to sum up: lángos, hamburger, hake, beachside location and wallet-friendly prices. The family who owns the place smartly gravitated toward this winning combo, and family members have been running the legendary Balatonfüred buffet since 2004, sparing no time or effort.
In the beginning it was all about lángos, then came fish and the other delicious yet unhealthy beach dishes, prompting beachgoers everyday to jostle in long, crowded lines on their way to and from the beach. Some pick this spot specifically for lunch, but they don’t put on a shirt or even a T-shirt for the occasion, they often only don swimwear. Don’t worry, guests are welcome to take a seat in wet clothes as well.
Its shabbiness is the primary attraction of the buffet, which, enhanced by the kitchen smell filling the air in the summer heat, will build up the appetite of most people for hamburger (HUF 550), bream (HUF 390/10 dkg), hot dog (HUF 500), pancakes (HUF 160/pc.) or lángos (plain, HUF 400). If you feel like fish, you can choose which one you would like to see on your plate in fried form, but you can voice your personal preference with regard to other foods, too.
Despite the beach food profile, everything is cooked on the spot (unlike at its movie namesake) using fresh ingredients, so you’ll have to wait a little for the food to arrive.
The eatery is now at a point where there is not much room for improvement: the system with a tried and tested menu works seamlessly. That is not to say that there are no future plans cooking. Sooner or later they intend to serve food at festivals: their warm-up scheme of setting up shop at the Advent market in front of the Basilica in Budapest has added a great deal to their popularity. You have until October to visit the Üvegtigris at the Balaton, before it is time for winter hibernation.
