{"id":374142,"date":"2026-06-25T07:13:13","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T07:13:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/374142\/"},"modified":"2026-06-25T07:13:13","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T07:13:13","slug":"buds-buffet-reopens-in-downtown-sacramento-under-new-owner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/374142\/","title":{"rendered":"Bud’s Buffet reopens in downtown Sacramento under new owner"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bud\u2019s Buffet, a once-bustling lunch favorite for the downtown crowd, shuttered in September 2020, during the height of the pandemic lockdown. As of last Wednesday, its doors are once again open<\/a>.<\/p>\n

However, do not expect any of the former restaurant\u2019s roasted meat sandwiches or mashed potatoes smothered in gravy. This iteration of Bud\u2019s is an entirely new concept with entirely new ownership.<\/p>\n

Under owner-manager Haroon Khan, the current restaurant is a Chipotle-esque fast casual Tex-Mex concept, with customizable tacos, burritos and burrito bowls, all with halal meats.<\/p>\n

\"Owner Owner and manager Haroon Khan poses for a portrait at Bud\u2019s Buffet in Sacramento on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. HANNAH RUHOFF hruhoff@sacbee.com <\/p>\n

That didn\u2019t stop people on social media from breathlessly proclaiming that Bud\u2019s was back. Instagram user @jimamen posted a reel<\/a> with the caption including, \u201cSacramento\u2019s most beloved lunch spot just came back from the dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

This has generated some confusion in the community, and sparked outrage from the owners of the previous Bud\u2019s, which was run by the Ziyadeh family for over 30 years. They posted their protest on the old business\u2019s social media<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Marian Zakharia, a representative for the Ziyadeh family, shared a message from them.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are deeply saddened by the entire situation surrounding the Bud\u2019s Buffet name. We feel it is misleading to customers and unfair to suggest that \u2018Bud\u2019s is back\u2019 when it is not,\u201d it read.<\/p>\n

Khan says they reached out to the Ziyadeh family with an offer to purchase the recipes but were rebuffed.<\/p>\n

The Ziyadehs\u2019 statement confirmed this, clarifying that they rejected the offers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe made it very clear that we did not want our name associated with another business\u2026 We believe they should build their own brand and reputation rather than rely on a name that took our family 33 years to establish. Even if the name was legally available to use, we still believe it creates confusion and misleads customers into thinking the original Bud\u2019s Buffet has returned.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, with the LLC and Fictitious Business Name registrations lapsed, the Ziyadehs had little recourse other than to voice their discontentment.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe name was up there, and we stuck with it. We completely rebranded it, though, and we\u2019re trying to build our own legacy,\u201d Khan said.<\/p>\n

Getting the new business ready for launch was a significant undertaking. In the six years of vacancy, the space had fallen derelict.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had to do a complete remodel. There was mold everywhere. We had to call the restoration company. There was a rat infestation too. It took about six months to get it all done,\u201d Khan said.<\/p>\n

\"Customers Customers dine at Bud\u2019s Buffet in Sacramento on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. HANNAH RUHOFF hruhoff@sacbee.com <\/p>\n

The finished space is austere, with mirrored walls, circular crystalline chandeliers and lucite chairs. If it reminds you of a banquet hall, it\u2019s because it is.<\/p>\n

The Khans own multiple event spaces, including the Downtown Event Center across the street, the Town & Country Event Center in Arden Arcade and another space attached to their Pakistani restaurant Al-Maidah in Rancho Cordova<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Catering is their stock in trade. In fact, it\u2019s what inspired them to launch a Mexican restaurant. While the family is Pakistani, they have hosted many events for the local Latino community.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been very involved with the Hispanic community since we moved to Sacramento. We do a lot of quincea\u00f1eras, a lot of Spanish weddings. The culture has really grown on us. My brother is actually married to a Hispanic woman, and so my niece is Hispanic. So the tradition is there, and we embrace it,\u201d Khan said.<\/p>\n

\"The The burrito bowl at Bud\u2019s Buffet in Sacramento on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Bud\u2019s Buffet serves halal Mexican food in an assembly line similar to Chipotle. HANNAH RUHOFF hruhoff@sacbee.com <\/p>\n

Just one week since launch, business is bubbling up organically. Foot traffic is vibrant, and with the potential for state workers to return to office, that could increase significantly. Khan has spent time talking to people on the street, even giving out free tacos to drive interest. It may not be the original Bud\u2019s Buffet, but it\u2019s the Bud\u2019s that\u2019s there.<\/p>\n

\u201cTimes have kind of changed since the early 2020s. People want an on-the-go meal, so we feel the halal, authentic style Mexican food is kind of the way to go. People are loving it. We\u2019re getting great feedback.\u201d<\/p>\n

This story was originally published June 24, 2026 at 10:47 AM.<\/p>\n


\n \"Profile
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Sean Timberlake<\/a><\/p>\n

The Sacramento Bee<\/p>\n

Sean Timberlake is the food and dining reporter for The Sacramento Bee. He has been writing professionally about food for over 20 years.\n <\/p>\n