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All You Can Eat
"Unflinching and uncompromising, tough and talented, Shane McKenzie stands at the forefront of the next generation of horror writers." -Bentley Little, Stoker Award winning author of The Summoning , The Store , and The Haunted
"Edward Lee fans are going to dig All You Can Eat! My advice? Devour this in one sitting, before it eats you!" - J. F. Gonzalez, Author of Survivor and the co-author of the Clickers series.
Deep in Texas there is a Chinese restaurant that harbors a secret. Its food is delicious and the secret ingredient ensures that once you have one bite you'll never be able to stop. But when the food runs out and the customers turn to cannibalism, the kitchen staff must take up arms against these obese people-eaters or else be next on the menu!
"Edward Lee fans are going to dig All You Can Eat! My advice? Devour this in one sitting, before it eats you!" - J. F. Gonzalez, Author of Survivor and the co-author of the Clickers series.
Deep in Texas there is a Chinese restaurant that harbors a secret. Its food is delicious and the secret ingredient ensures that once you have one bite you'll never be able to stop. But when the food runs out and the customers turn to cannibalism, the kitchen staff must take up arms against these obese people-eaters or else be next on the menu!
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
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836 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
March 12, 2022
This guy can really write a fun as hell splatterpunk story. I had so much fun reading it... the ending was fantastic.
The American Dream from today's point of view.
The American Dream from today's point of view.
October 25, 2013
Juan wants a better life for his family and his pan-handling ways are not going to cut it. His cousin Manuel tells him about a job he can get him and Juan accepts the offer even though it will take him far from his family. He travels, not legally, across the border, making his entrance to America a rather frightful one.
Lola's a cop. A cop with issues. Daddy issues to be specific. She can't seem to chase away the memory of her father. It doesn't help that her partner Jennings reminds her of him with his comments and derogatory nature.
Mr. Chan's business was going under until he decided to change up the recipe. This new recipe worked wonders for his sales. His customer can't seem to stay away.
On one fateful night these characters will learn the true meaning of "all you can eat." Mr. Chan's customers are hungry and one serving is not enough.
The tale was solid on all fronts; skillful characterization, interesting dialogue, and quick pacing. Lola and her issues took point with me. One line stuck in my mind and I couldn't shake it; "Reach over here and rub Daddy's tummy, baby. Daddy don't feel good." It left a sour taste in my mouth and I wasn't the one drinking.
Its got blood and guts, and eating of said blood and guts so be forewarned, but for those who like that sort of thing, I think you'll find an equal balance of story vs gore.
A recommended fun read.
For more reviews and suggestions visit
http://ravenousreads.blogspot.com/
Lola's a cop. A cop with issues. Daddy issues to be specific. She can't seem to chase away the memory of her father. It doesn't help that her partner Jennings reminds her of him with his comments and derogatory nature.
Mr. Chan's business was going under until he decided to change up the recipe. This new recipe worked wonders for his sales. His customer can't seem to stay away.
On one fateful night these characters will learn the true meaning of "all you can eat." Mr. Chan's customers are hungry and one serving is not enough.
The tale was solid on all fronts; skillful characterization, interesting dialogue, and quick pacing. Lola and her issues took point with me. One line stuck in my mind and I couldn't shake it; "Reach over here and rub Daddy's tummy, baby. Daddy don't feel good." It left a sour taste in my mouth and I wasn't the one drinking.
Its got blood and guts, and eating of said blood and guts so be forewarned, but for those who like that sort of thing, I think you'll find an equal balance of story vs gore.
A recommended fun read.
For more reviews and suggestions visit
http://ravenousreads.blogspot.com/
June 13, 2021
What a fun, fat filled, disgusting trip this book was and I loved it! This was my first Shane McKenzie book but certainly won't be my last. 4/5 gluttonous skulls 💀
February 25, 2024
Un buen viaje de Splatterpunk. Cómo toda historia de este tipo, dependerá de tu estómago y tú sensibilidad hacia la violencia descrita con detalle morboso ( y si eres un defensor del 'Bodypositive', y un opositor apasionado de 'la gordofobia' puede que esta historia te requiera apagar un poco tu 'trigger mood').
La historia nos sugiere una suerte de "invasión" zombi pero no de infectados, muertos insurrectos, poseídos o maldición vudú. El concepto se traslada a la "zombificación" por hambre; a lo que ocurriría si la desoladora condición de la falta de alimentos fuera una destinada a nunca menguar o desaparecer. Sin importar cuánto ingieras, cuántas tallas aumentes y cuánto daño debas hacer; nunca será suficiente. La historia nos presenta un número pequeño de personajes pero cuyos miedos y traumas les hacen sentirse importantes en el transcurso de la trama. Particularmente el pasado atormentado de Lola, cuyo padre pedófilo y obeso perfectamente podría haber encajado en el Derry de IT. La forma en que se entremezcla el deseo sexual de este con la metáfora de 'comer'/'tener hambre de alguien', es inquietante. Espero volver al Splatterpunk pronto.
La historia nos sugiere una suerte de "invasión" zombi pero no de infectados, muertos insurrectos, poseídos o maldición vudú. El concepto se traslada a la "zombificación" por hambre; a lo que ocurriría si la desoladora condición de la falta de alimentos fuera una destinada a nunca menguar o desaparecer. Sin importar cuánto ingieras, cuántas tallas aumentes y cuánto daño debas hacer; nunca será suficiente. La historia nos presenta un número pequeño de personajes pero cuyos miedos y traumas les hacen sentirse importantes en el transcurso de la trama. Particularmente el pasado atormentado de Lola, cuyo padre pedófilo y obeso perfectamente podría haber encajado en el Derry de IT. La forma en que se entremezcla el deseo sexual de este con la metáfora de 'comer'/'tener hambre de alguien', es inquietante. Espero volver al Splatterpunk pronto.
June 19, 2023
This book is absolute madness!
If you are looking for a book about a Chinese buffet with a secret ingredient that turns its customers into a rampaging horde of inflated zombies, look no further!
As extreme as this story is, I couldn't help but visualise this nightmare as a bleak reflection of humanity!
If you are looking for a book about a Chinese buffet with a secret ingredient that turns its customers into a rampaging horde of inflated zombies, look no further!
As extreme as this story is, I couldn't help but visualise this nightmare as a bleak reflection of humanity!
April 26, 2025
3.5 ⭐️…this wasn’t bad but it didn’t really stand out neither, very gross though.
November 26, 2017
Regarding All You Can Eat, there are several things of which I'm certain.
1. Shane McKenzie is rad.
2. I'm never, ever, eating at a Chinese buffet again.
3. Shane McKenzie is super rad.
This will be a short review. This book achieves maximum fun and total awesomeness right from the start. Like the best gore grind songs, it hits hard, makes you smile, and leaves a mark. I could go on about the themes of gluttony and bodily abuse that may or may not be present, but that may or may not be beside the point. Who knows? Read this wonderful book and decide for yourself! :) I know that, as for me, I suddenly feel much more motivated to eat right and take better care of myself, and to stay the hell away from American feeding troughs known as All You Can Eat buffets.
(Burp)
Mmmmm, that was yummy! :)
1. Shane McKenzie is rad.
2. I'm never, ever, eating at a Chinese buffet again.
3. Shane McKenzie is super rad.
This will be a short review. This book achieves maximum fun and total awesomeness right from the start. Like the best gore grind songs, it hits hard, makes you smile, and leaves a mark. I could go on about the themes of gluttony and bodily abuse that may or may not be present, but that may or may not be beside the point. Who knows? Read this wonderful book and decide for yourself! :) I know that, as for me, I suddenly feel much more motivated to eat right and take better care of myself, and to stay the hell away from American feeding troughs known as All You Can Eat buffets.
(Burp)
Mmmmm, that was yummy! :)
April 11, 2022
Another awesome Shane Mckenzie gem. This story is a refreshing take on zombies. It was very funny and gruesome.
January 23, 2022
Disgusting...and delicious. Reading this book made me hungry! 5 out of 5 chopsticks.
April 3, 2023
Loved this book. So many different ways of describing shovelling food in your mouth lol. Great take on the zombie genre while also having something to say, in a brutal manner.
June 6, 2021
The premise was interesting and the plot was fast paced. This was certainly a gruesome and disturbing read.
Our only female character was not very well written and her character arc was disappointing. There was a lot of focus on her previous abuse/trauma and there is a sexual assault component that is heavily focused upon. The abuse she suffered is brought up in all of her chapters. The graphic depictions of her abuse as a child were unnecessary. Overall her character was very “men writing women”
In addition, a lot of characters seemed to be caricatures of their ethnicity.
Our only female character was not very well written and her character arc was disappointing. There was a lot of focus on her previous abuse/trauma and there is a sexual assault component that is heavily focused upon. The abuse she suffered is brought up in all of her chapters. The graphic depictions of her abuse as a child were unnecessary. Overall her character was very “men writing women”
In addition, a lot of characters seemed to be caricatures of their ethnicity.
June 7, 2024
Who goes to buffets anyways?
In this story we follow a man who just came to American and is trying to make a living to be able to get his wife and daughter into American with him. He starts to work a job with his cousin, in a buffet. The buffet wasn’t doing that good, that was until the owner switched up the recipes. Now, people were at the buffet from open to close, mindlessly eating like it was never enough. The food had something in it, something that was turning them into mindless Chinese food zombies.
This was genuinely such a fun read! The characters in this story were written so well, being able to care for a character is one of my favorite things in books and a rare thing to find. Not only did o care about the characters but their personalities were written so well. The imagery was downright disgusting. The concept was new and fresh, something I haven’t read before. Definitely a must read!
In this story we follow a man who just came to American and is trying to make a living to be able to get his wife and daughter into American with him. He starts to work a job with his cousin, in a buffet. The buffet wasn’t doing that good, that was until the owner switched up the recipes. Now, people were at the buffet from open to close, mindlessly eating like it was never enough. The food had something in it, something that was turning them into mindless Chinese food zombies.
This was genuinely such a fun read! The characters in this story were written so well, being able to care for a character is one of my favorite things in books and a rare thing to find. Not only did o care about the characters but their personalities were written so well. The imagery was downright disgusting. The concept was new and fresh, something I haven’t read before. Definitely a must read!
May 11, 2013
Imagine being addicted to food like a junkie is addicted to Meth or Heroin? Maybe worse! You have such a hunger that you would do anything to keep that hunger at bay and get your next fix. A hunger so bad that you would even turn to human flesh, even the flesh of your own family. Whatever "special" ingredient is being put in the food has deep fried everyone's brain. Let me tell you, this buffet is no paradise, just one taste and you are hooked!
This book goes to show we can all have the ability to be a little greedy sometimes.
I really enjoyed this book, I thought it was well written and will definitely be reading more of Shane McKenzie's work.
This book goes to show we can all have the ability to be a little greedy sometimes.
I really enjoyed this book, I thought it was well written and will definitely be reading more of Shane McKenzie's work.
October 22, 2023
jsjs la neta es un 1.5, pero mieh cumplió su función (se lee bastante rápido y me sirvió de break mental) xd no esperaba la gran cosa evidentemente, pero igual siento que está bieeen básico jsjs todo era súper repetitivo y predecible y chafa JAJAJJA
entiendo que pues el punto del libro es simplemente ser gore y estar lleno de shock value, pero siento que ni siquiera hizo el mínimo esfuerzo de querer construir una trama fuera de gordofobia, misoginia y racismo (digo, también es mi culpa por esperar algo diferente de un libro así vdd xdxd)
entiendo que pues el punto del libro es simplemente ser gore y estar lleno de shock value, pero siento que ni siquiera hizo el mínimo esfuerzo de querer construir una trama fuera de gordofobia, misoginia y racismo (digo, también es mi culpa por esperar algo diferente de un libro así vdd xdxd)
March 3, 2025
Gordofobia lit! Trigger si tienes algún tca, me encanta como hacen que una acción tan normal como comer la describen de una manera tan asquerosa.
Es algo muy gringo eso de la cultura de la obesidad y comer porquerías, así que el punto de vista del latino me identifica me cae bien al final pienso good for him.
Y por otro lado cómo gorda con atracones describe muy bien el sentimiento de no dejar de pensar en comida como te nublas hasta que te hartes todo y una culpa inmensa despues. Todo llevada obviamente al maximo extremo.
Resumen:
La poli que le dan asco los gordos porque le recuerdan a su difunto papá que la violín 🎻 así que es medio gatillo alegre en un punto del libro, la llaman por un zaperoco en un restaurante y era que un gordo se estaba comiendo la pierna de su esposa ella y su compañero también gordo acosador y desagradable lo arrestan y hay una escena incómoda en el que el gordo se come las sobras de lo que come el poli, en la estación ella lo interroga le quita las esposas el se la trata de comer y le dispara, nadie le parece raro y ella investiga a la familia también todos zombies y todos los gordos zombies van en la noche al local mientras ella decide enfrentar su trauma que es el miedo a los gordos por otro lado el mexicano recién llegadito consigue chamba donde su primo en un bufet chino ve el ambiente laboral más raro se da cuenta al toque que la comida tiene algo y el vino despide a todo después de que viene la policía exepto al pana porque fue el único que no comió porque le da asco esa comida y el chino ahí pues dice que se pasó con la receta del abuelo... Nada llama a su familia luego va donde el primo y el primo se comió a una cariñosa y le dice llévame al bufet el pana dice bueno ya que tengo la llave se van y se encuentra todos la poli los gordos los mexicanos y el chino, el chino es comido el primo muere la poli llama refuerzos y los encierran a todos para que se coman entre si y acabar con todo y el mexicano se lleva la receta y abre su negocio exitoso y trae a su familia ! 🥳
TA bien pudo ser más corto pero me gusto
Es algo muy gringo eso de la cultura de la obesidad y comer porquerías, así que el punto de vista del latino me identifica me cae bien al final pienso good for him.
Y por otro lado cómo gorda con atracones describe muy bien el sentimiento de no dejar de pensar en comida como te nublas hasta que te hartes todo y una culpa inmensa despues. Todo llevada obviamente al maximo extremo.
Resumen:
La poli que le dan asco los gordos porque le recuerdan a su difunto papá que la violín 🎻 así que es medio gatillo alegre en un punto del libro, la llaman por un zaperoco en un restaurante y era que un gordo se estaba comiendo la pierna de su esposa ella y su compañero también gordo acosador y desagradable lo arrestan y hay una escena incómoda en el que el gordo se come las sobras de lo que come el poli, en la estación ella lo interroga le quita las esposas el se la trata de comer y le dispara, nadie le parece raro y ella investiga a la familia también todos zombies y todos los gordos zombies van en la noche al local mientras ella decide enfrentar su trauma que es el miedo a los gordos por otro lado el mexicano recién llegadito consigue chamba donde su primo en un bufet chino ve el ambiente laboral más raro se da cuenta al toque que la comida tiene algo y el vino despide a todo después de que viene la policía exepto al pana porque fue el único que no comió porque le da asco esa comida y el chino ahí pues dice que se pasó con la receta del abuelo... Nada llama a su familia luego va donde el primo y el primo se comió a una cariñosa y le dice llévame al bufet el pana dice bueno ya que tengo la llave se van y se encuentra todos la poli los gordos los mexicanos y el chino, el chino es comido el primo muere la poli llama refuerzos y los encierran a todos para que se coman entre si y acabar con todo y el mexicano se lleva la receta y abre su negocio exitoso y trae a su familia ! 🥳
TA bien pudo ser más corto pero me gusto
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2023
To be completely fair, I wasn’t expecting this to be that good. I’m not reading splatterpunk to be wowed by symbolism or compelling character arcs or anything. I’m reading it to be yucked out and taken away by detailed descriptions of viscera. But this book is pretty bad even by the standards of the subgenre.
It does succeed in being pretty stomach-turning based on the subject matter alone. That said, the writing ranges from middling to downright awful. Descriptions get VERY repetitive. If I have to hear about Juan’s moustache twitching one more time, I’m gonna eat my phone.
Also, McKenzie cannot even be bothered to google how to spell ‘koi’. There were other typographical errors, but they were mostly to do with spacing and weird punctuation, so those may have just been a result of the ebook displaying incorrectly. Hard to say.
And my God, the racism! It’s constant! A certain amount of it I get, but there are racial slurs ALL throughout the book. Mr. Chan is referred to almost exclusively as “the chinaman”. Fatphobia I was fully expecting considering the plot of the book, and I could handle that, but the racial epithets are EXTREMELY prominent and did not really need to be there in such astounding numbers.
It does succeed in being pretty stomach-turning based on the subject matter alone. That said, the writing ranges from middling to downright awful. Descriptions get VERY repetitive. If I have to hear about Juan’s moustache twitching one more time, I’m gonna eat my phone.
Also, McKenzie cannot even be bothered to google how to spell ‘koi’. There were other typographical errors, but they were mostly to do with spacing and weird punctuation, so those may have just been a result of the ebook displaying incorrectly. Hard to say.
And my God, the racism! It’s constant! A certain amount of it I get, but there are racial slurs ALL throughout the book. Mr. Chan is referred to almost exclusively as “the chinaman”. Fatphobia I was fully expecting considering the plot of the book, and I could handle that, but the racial epithets are EXTREMELY prominent and did not really need to be there in such astounding numbers.
April 25, 2025
Imagine if your favorite greasy spoon had a secret ingredient that made the food so addictive, you'd do anything for another bite—even if it meant turning into a ravenous cannibal. Welcome to Shane McKenzie's All You Can Eat, where the menu is madness, and the special of the day is your neighbor.
Set in a quaint Texas town, this novella introduces us to a Chinese restaurant with a culinary concoction so compelling, customers can't stop eating. But when the kitchen runs out of ingredients, the patrons' hunger doesn't wane—it evolves. Suddenly, the staff finds themselves battling an army of obese, insatiable diners who've developed a taste for human flesh.
McKenzie's writing is a delightful blend of horror and humor. As one Amazon reviewer aptly put it, "I expected popcorn for the mind: a light, gory, crazy read... It was also great. I was expecting shock prose... but it has something else. Something special: Shane McKenzie.
Set in a quaint Texas town, this novella introduces us to a Chinese restaurant with a culinary concoction so compelling, customers can't stop eating. But when the kitchen runs out of ingredients, the patrons' hunger doesn't wane—it evolves. Suddenly, the staff finds themselves battling an army of obese, insatiable diners who've developed a taste for human flesh.
McKenzie's writing is a delightful blend of horror and humor. As one Amazon reviewer aptly put it, "I expected popcorn for the mind: a light, gory, crazy read... It was also great. I was expecting shock prose... but it has something else. Something special: Shane McKenzie.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2024
Brutal since the beginning. When obsession leads you to commit perverse acts…
A repulsive story that will keep you immersed while reading.
On several times I found myself with an upset stomach while reading. It contains a slight criticism of the American dream and, of course, blood, guts and violence.
The author does an excellent job describing the environment in which the events take place.
There were a couple of things I didn't like; I think the body horror resource is addressed quite well, but I didn't really like how post-traumatic stress was represented. The only female character feels very much written by a man.
I usually like the cannibalism topic in fiction because they are usually quite sinister stories, but in this book I felt it more like a zombie story; People who completely lose their reasoning and begin to instinctively attack everything that comes their way...
I expected a little more from the book since the plot is quite good, however if you like the Splatterpunk genre you might enjoy this story quite a bit. It is a book with a quick and entertaining read if you’re looking for a short and interesting story.
A repulsive story that will keep you immersed while reading.
On several times I found myself with an upset stomach while reading. It contains a slight criticism of the American dream and, of course, blood, guts and violence.
The author does an excellent job describing the environment in which the events take place.
There were a couple of things I didn't like; I think the body horror resource is addressed quite well, but I didn't really like how post-traumatic stress was represented. The only female character feels very much written by a man.
I usually like the cannibalism topic in fiction because they are usually quite sinister stories, but in this book I felt it more like a zombie story; People who completely lose their reasoning and begin to instinctively attack everything that comes their way...
I expected a little more from the book since the plot is quite good, however if you like the Splatterpunk genre you might enjoy this story quite a bit. It is a book with a quick and entertaining read if you’re looking for a short and interesting story.
Read
June 11, 2024CW: CSA, fatphobia, disordered eating. do NOT read this book if you have issues with food.
Sometimes you don't want something intellectual. You don't want elevated horror, or philosophy, or any of the stuff that would normally appeal to your brain. You want something that will grab your gag reflex and shake it like a dog until whatever is troubling you is gone.
This book delivers that in spades. EXTREMELY problematic, and *very* tasteless in a lot of aspects. but we all have our problematic faves, and this one is mine. I still reread it sometimes to get myself out of food cravings or anxious episodes.
Sometimes you don't want something intellectual. You don't want elevated horror, or philosophy, or any of the stuff that would normally appeal to your brain. You want something that will grab your gag reflex and shake it like a dog until whatever is troubling you is gone.
This book delivers that in spades. EXTREMELY problematic, and *very* tasteless in a lot of aspects. but we all have our problematic faves, and this one is mine. I still reread it sometimes to get myself out of food cravings or anxious episodes.
August 11, 2023
Me morí.
Hace mucho no leía. Fue increíble lo atrapante que este libro fue. Sigo muy shockeada, por todo absolutamente todo. Tuvo unos personajes muy bien escritos a pesar de aparecer en tan pocas hojas. Tuvo escenas que me provocaron asco (aunque no tantas) pero sobre todo, que me provocaban tensión.
Increíble libro 10/10
Waalqbeowbeoe pe foenrpwbeowbeownlsdn
pd: había errores en las frases del español. Se notaba que usaron traductor jaja
Hace mucho no leía. Fue increíble lo atrapante que este libro fue. Sigo muy shockeada, por todo absolutamente todo. Tuvo unos personajes muy bien escritos a pesar de aparecer en tan pocas hojas. Tuvo escenas que me provocaron asco (aunque no tantas) pero sobre todo, que me provocaban tensión.
Increíble libro 10/10
Waalqbeowbeoe pe foenrpwbeowbeownlsdn
pd: había errores en las frases del español. Se notaba que usaron traductor jaja
August 11, 2021
Omg
OMG I could not wait to read this one. This is one sick and I mean sick book. I loved the ending also. A story about an all you can eat Chinese buffet where the owner changes the recipe and has some horrific side effects! I will have to check more of this author’s books. This was great!!!!
OMG I could not wait to read this one. This is one sick and I mean sick book. I loved the ending also. A story about an all you can eat Chinese buffet where the owner changes the recipe and has some horrific side effects! I will have to check more of this author’s books. This was great!!!!
December 27, 2024
Creo que en sí, el libro cumple su cometido, crear asco y repulsión a estos gordos hambrientos por cualquier tipo de alimento, describiendo muy bien su forma horrible de comer y atragantarse. Tuve que darme una pausa a la mitad para Leer después, ya que es un poquito feo leerlo si estás comiendo, en especial cuando mueren y se les suelta la tripa, jaja.
May 7, 2023
McKenzie has this excellent writing style where as I was reading this I could play it out vividly like a movie in my mind.
If anyone wants a food or cannibal horror rec, this would be the one for sure.
It’s wild, gory, action-packed ride!
If anyone wants a food or cannibal horror rec, this would be the one for sure.
It’s wild, gory, action-packed ride!
May 12, 2023
There are a lot of reviews here adressing the "racism" of this book, and my best guess is that they come from white people who have a hard time understanding the actual context of some of the depictions written here.
May 31, 2023
Shane McKenzie won the Gross Out Contest at Killercon in Austin a bunch of years in a row and it's no surprise reading this book. He knows how to find the perfect detail to make you throw up your lunch. Very talented writer. This book isn't for the faint of heart.
December 3, 2025
“Also, Dude, ‘chinaman’ is not the preferred nomenclature. Asian-American, please.”
A mustache twitchin’, teeth barin’, masticatin’ good read… with a lot of repeated phrases. Besides that, one of the better “splatterpunk” books I’ve read!
A mustache twitchin’, teeth barin’, masticatin’ good read… with a lot of repeated phrases. Besides that, one of the better “splatterpunk” books I’ve read!
April 11, 2020
Disturbingly gruesome and detailed and didn't disappoint in that respect. The phrasing was a bit odd, making it a clumsy read in places. It detracted from the scenes.
October 5, 2022
It was okay. This book was a fun, gory mess, but it was still just okay.
October 31, 2022
I’m so glad this was over
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews