The grocery buffet can be a treasure trove of fresh greens and guilty pleasures or a trash heap of crap. Each week, the Market Report samples a local grocery buffet and reports back. First up, the Tenleytown Whole Foods.

Buffet physical appearance
Pristine. All containers at least half full. All serving utensils in order, arranged at a 45 degree angle.

Variety

Excellent. Strong selection of vegetables and global cuisine. Nothing gross.

Price

$7.99 per pound.

Eating area
Dismal. “Café” area consists of a few tall chairs arranged at counter overlooking garage parking lot. Counter has trash on it. Unimaginative condiment bar. Poorly lit.

Foods sampled

“Pasta and cheese” (known to lay people as “macaroni and cheese)
Very good. Warm, soft, and gooey. No scrimping on the cheese. Tastes like mac n cheese is supposed to. Loses minor points for lack of baked crumbles on top.

Broccoli
Satisfactory. Extraordinarily green and appropriately crunchy.

Mini egg and veggie rolls
Adequate but not noteworthy. Poor choice for weighted buffet given their relative heft but slight culinary impact.

Hawaiian chicken
Excellent. Chicken moist and roasted to perfection. Served with large, luscious slices of pineapple.

Overall
Strong, diverse offerings outweigh sub-par seating area. Skip rolls, eat more pineapple.