A 50-foot salad bar sits at the heart of this buffet. That’s longer than a city bus, and it’s loaded with greens, toppings, dressings, and about 25 vegan items.
I noticed the hot bar rotates daily with dishes like homemade pot roast and chicken lasagna. Four scratch-made soups join the lineup every single day. At least one of them is always vegetarian.
I’m particularly drawn to how this Minnesota spot solves the classic group dinner problem. The vegan friend eats well. The kid who only wants pizza eats well too.
Then there’s the dessert bar, with soft serve and a hot cherry topping waiting at the finish line. Add lake views from the windows, and the picture gets even better.
The Hot Bar Changes Daily, So Check Before You Go
Pot roast on one visit, beef barbacoa on the next. The hot entree bar keeps things moving with a daily rotating lineup for lunch and dinner.
Both meat and vegetarian dishes show up regularly. Past rotations have included baked chicken, creamy parmesan chicken, homemade meatballs, and garlic shrimp pasta.
Comfort food fans will feel right at home. Mashed potatoes, glazed baby carrots, American fries, and macaroni and cheese have all made appearances.
Kids who live on a strict beige diet are covered too. Fish sticks and tater tots have been part of the mix, which could save a family dinner.
The chicken lasagna deserves a special mention. It shows up as one of the most talked-about dishes connected to this restaurant.
Vegetarian diners aren’t stuck with sides alone. Vegetarian baked pasta, vegetarian rice, and vegetarian refried beans have all rotated through the lineup.
Because the menu shifts, a little planning goes a long way. The restaurant shares its hot bar rotation online, so you can peek ahead.
That’s handy if someone in your group is waiting for meatball night. Picky eaters love knowing what’s coming, and this makes it easy.
Four Scratch-Made Soups Are Simmering Every Day
Soup lovers, take note. The kitchen at Q. Cumbers makes four signature soups from scratch every single day.
At least one of those four is vegetarian. That small promise makes a big difference for anyone avoiding meat.
The past lineup reads like a tour around the world. Chicken Pozole, Caribbean Chicken Chili, and Garbanzo Bean with Cactus have all appeared.
Classic picks keep things cozy. Chicken Noodle, Tomato Basil, and Artichoke Soup have taken turns in the kettles too.
And yes, Wild Rice Soup has been on the list. Few things feel more Minnesota than that creamy bowl on a chilly afternoon.
Soup also works as a sneaky tool for selective eaters. Someone nervous about bold flavors can start with a familiar choice and branch out later.
Adventurous eaters get the opposite benefit. A small bowl of cactus soup lets you try something new without committing a whole meal.
Try this approach on your next trip. Grab a few small cups instead of one big bowl, and sample your way through all four.
Pair one with fresh breadsticks from the bakery. That’s a simple combo that feels like a warm hug.
Pizza and Fresh Bread Keep the Little Critics Happy
Every family has that one kid who only trusts pizza. Good news, because the bakery here serves several kinds.
Pizza sits alongside freshly baked breads like breadsticks and petit pains. It’s a simple corner, but it does heavy lifting for picky diners.
Gluten-free guests aren’t left out either. The restaurant offers gluten-free pizza, which is not something every buffet bothers with.
A vegan, gluten-free pizza has been part of the lineup as well. That’s a rare find for anyone juggling more than one food rule.
Parents can use the bakery as a safe home base. Let kids grab a slice first, then nudge them toward the fruit bar or a few veggies.
Nobody has to make a separate meal at home later. Everyone eats from the same buffet, and everyone leaves full.
Bread fans have their own reasons to linger. Breadsticks pair nicely with a bowl of soup, especially on a cold Minnesota evening.
Petit pains are small French-style rolls, perfect for a quick bite. They’re easy to grab without crowding the plate.
Keep portions small here. Bread fills you fast, and there’s still dessert ahead.
A Salad Bar So Long It Needs Its Own Zip Code
Fifty feet of fresh food makes a bold first impression at Q. Cumbers. The salad bar here is the star, and it’s easy to see why.
Fresh greens start the parade. After that, you’ll find a wide spread of toppings, dressings, pasta salads, and vegetable salads waiting down the line.
Selective eaters can relax here. You build the plate yourself, so nothing lands on it that you didn’t choose.
Hate onions? Skip them. Love cucumbers more than life itself? Pile them up and nobody will judge you.
Vegan diners get special treatment too. Around 25 of the salad bar items are vegan, which is a serious number for any buffet.
That variety matters for mixed groups. One person can build a crunchy veggie tower while another sticks to pasta salad and a few olives.
Here’s a smart strategy for your first visit. Walk the full length before grabbing a plate, so you know every option.
Otherwise, you might fill up early and spot something better at the end. That’s a rookie move, and this bar rewards patience.
Take a small first plate and plan to return. After all, unlimited trips are the whole point of an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Save Room, Because Hot Cherry Topping Is Waiting
Dessert at Q. Cumbers comes with a twist. The low-fat ice cream can be topped with hot cherry topping, and that combo is hard to resist.
The fruit and dessert bar covers a lot of ground. Watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe, and grapes give fruit lovers plenty of fresh options.
Fruit salad joins the spread too. So do chocolate and vanilla puddings, plus lime and berry jello.
Jello might sound like a throwback, and honestly, that’s part of the charm. It’s a wobbly little treat that kids and grandparents both seem to understand.
Chocolate chip cookies are another popular pick. Unlimited cookies might be the most dangerous phrase in the English language.
Selective eaters get flexibility here as well. Want just fruit? Done. Want only pudding and cookies?
Nobody is checking your plate.
A smart move is splitting dessert into stages. Start with fruit, then circle back for ice cream once your dinner settles.
The hot cherry topping deserves your full attention. Warm sauce on cold soft serve is a small joy that makes the whole meal feel complete.
Go ahead and grab a spoon for the road.
Sunday Brunch Brings Waffles and Cinnamon Rolls
Sunday mornings start a little earlier here. Doors open at 10 a.m., an hour ahead of the usual 11 a.m. start.
That extra hour means brunch. Sundays may feature waffles, croissants, and warm cinnamon rolls on the fruit and dessert bar.
Orange juice shows up during brunch as well. It joins the regular drinks, which include Pepsi products, iced tea, coffee, decaf, and milk.
Tea fans get a selection of Tazo hot teas too. That’s a nice upgrade from the usual single tea bag in a basket.
Brunch is a sweet spot for mixed groups. Breakfast fans grab waffles, while lunch lovers head straight to the salad bar.
Nobody has to argue about whether it’s time for eggs or entrees. Everybody wins, and nobody sulks over menus.
Here’s a helpful tip for big families. Reservations are recommended for parties of seven or more, so call ahead before a group outing.
Sunday hours run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. That leaves plenty of room for a late lunch if your morning gets away from you.
Warm cinnamon rolls make an excellent excuse to show up early.
Bring the Whole Family, Toddlers Included
Kids under three eat free. That alone might be the best deal for parents of tiny eaters in the Twin Cities.
Q. Cumbers goes further with special pricing for children ages 3 to 12 on Monday evenings. That turns the start of the week into a family dinner night.
The kid comforts don’t stop at food. High chairs are available, and the restaurant offers coloring sheets, storybooks, and balloons.
Those small extras matter more than they sound. A busy crayon can buy parents a few calm minutes to finish their salad.
Picky kids get a strong lineup too. Pizza, ice cream, tater tots, and macaroni and cheese can turn a reluctant eater into a happy one.
Multigenerational groups are a common sight here. Grandparents, parents, and kids can all share one table and still eat what they like.
That flexibility makes it a natural pick for birthdays and family gatherings. Everyone builds their own plate, so no single menu has to please everyone.
Plan Monday dinner if you’re feeding several kids. Your wallet will appreciate the break.
Then let the balloon do its job of keeping little hands busy.
Grab a Window Seat for Those Lake Views
Bright, airy, and full of windows. The dining room offers views of Centennial Lakes Park and its lake, which beats staring at a parking lot.
You’ll find Q. Cumbers at 7465 France Ave S, Edina, MN 55435, inside Centennial Lakes Plaza. The 24-acre park sits just steps away.
That park packs a lot into a small space. Paddle boat rentals, fishing, a putting course, lawn games, and walking paths are all part of it.
There’s also a lakeside maze and an outdoor amphitheater with live entertainment. It’s a pretty easy way to turn lunch into a full afternoon.
Try pairing a meal with a park visit. Walk the paths before eating, or stroll afterward to make room for a second cookie.
Getting there is simple. Parking options include a public lot, a parking garage, and an underground garage.
Free Wi-Fi is available inside too. That’s handy if you’re meeting a friend and arrive a few minutes early.
The room holds 210 seats, so there’s space to spread out. Still, a window table is worth asking for whenever one opens up.
Three Decades of Healthy Eating Started in 1990
June 1990 marks the beginning. That’s when Mickey and Sheila McCabe opened Q. Cumbers, and the restaurant has been recognized for healthy food since its early days.
The McCabes acquired the business from a group of investors in 1995. The restaurant celebrated its 25th anniversary in June 2015.
A big refresh came in 2018. The seven-week remodel was its third and most extensive, updating seating, tables, kitchen equipment, and the interior.
One detail stands out from that project. Mickey McCabe kept his staff on payroll during the closure, which says plenty about the team spirit.
After the renovation, the restaurant signed a new 10-year lease. It also included options for two more five-year extensions.
The overall vibe balances nostalgic comfort with a vegetable-forward approach. It feels familiar, yet the salad bar keeps things fresh.
Hours are easy to remember. The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday, closing at 8 p.m. weekdays and 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
One practical tip before you go. Paying with cash lets you skip a small service fee on card transactions.
For picky eaters across Minnesota, that’s decades of proof that choice never goes out of style.
