North Carolina has plenty of buffet restaurants, but not all of them are worth your time or money. Some places serve stale food, have cleanliness issues, or just don’t deliver good value for what you pay. However, there are also some amazing buffets across the state that offer fresh, delicious food and great dining experiences that make the trip worthwhile.
1. Golden Corral (Multiple locations)
Walking into any Golden Corral feels like stepping into a food lottery where you never know what you’ll get. The chain has locations throughout North Carolina, including Raleigh and Charlotte, but consistency remains their biggest problem. One day the fried chicken might be crispy and hot, the next it could be sitting under heat lamps for hours. The salad bar often looks tired, and the dessert section can be hit or miss. While affordable, the unpredictable food quality makes this buffet more of a gamble than a guaranteed good meal for your family.
2. Shoney’s Breakfast Bar (Asheville, Hickory)
Once famous for their all-you-can-eat breakfast spreads, Shoney’s locations in Asheville and Hickory have sadly shrunk their buffet offerings. What remains feels more like leftovers than a proper buffet experience. Recent visitors complain about eggs that taste like they’ve been sitting out too long and bacon that’s either burnt or undercooked. The fruit selection looks sad, and the pancakes often arrive cold from the warming trays. For the price they charge, you’d expect much fresher food and better variety than what currently sits on their limited buffet line.
3. CiCi’s Pizza (Raleigh, Fayetteville)
CiCi’s Pizza markets itself as an affordable family option, but their 3-star average rating in Raleigh and Fayetteville locations reveals the truth about their bland offerings. The pizza crust tastes like cardboard, and the toppings seem to lack any real flavor. Kids might not mind the cheap price, but adults will find themselves wishing they’d spent a few extra dollars elsewhere. The salad bar is basic, and the dessert pizza options are overly sweet without being actually good. While budget-friendly, the poor food quality makes this buffet feel like you’re paying for quantity over any semblance of taste or freshness.
4. Ryan’s Buffet (Gastonia)
Ryan’s Buffet in Gastonia holds the unfortunate distinction of being the last remaining location in North Carolina, and recent 2024 reviews explain why the chain has mostly disappeared. With a dismal 2.8-star rating, visitors describe the place as “run-down” and depressing. The food sits under heat lamps far too long, creating that dried-out buffet taste that ruins even potentially good dishes. The dining room feels dated, and the overall atmosphere makes eating feel like a chore rather than enjoyment. This location serves as a sad reminder of what happens when restaurants stop caring about food quality and customer experience.
5. Morris Barbeque Buffet (Hookerton)
Hidden in the small town of Hookerton, Morris Barbeque Buffet represents everything great about Eastern North Carolina barbecue culture. This cash-only, family-run establishment has earned an impressive 4.7-star rating by doing one thing exceptionally well: authentic barbecue. The pulled pork melts in your mouth with that perfect vinegar-based sauce that defines Eastern NC style. Their sides include creamy coleslaw, perfectly seasoned green beans, and cornbread that tastes homemade because it actually is. As of June 2024, this gem continues serving locals and lucky travelers who discover that the best buffets often hide in the smallest towns.
6. The Buffet at Harrah’s Cherokee (Cherokee)
Luxury meets all-you-can-eat at Harrah’s Cherokee, where their upscale buffet justifies its $35 per person price tag with premium ingredients and professional presentation. The prime rib station alone makes this buffet worth the drive to Cherokee. Fresh seafood selections include properly prepared crab legs, grilled salmon, and shrimp that actually tastes like it came from the ocean recently. The dessert section rivals high-end restaurants with professionally made cakes and pastries. With a solid 4.5-star rating, this buffet proves that sometimes paying more gets you significantly better food quality, service, and overall dining experience that feels special rather than routine.
7. King’s Buffet (Charlotte, Hickory)
King’s Buffet locations in Charlotte and Hickory have mastered the art of fresh, diverse Asian cuisine that keeps customers coming back for more. Their 4+ star ratings reflect consistent quality across multiple food stations. The sushi bar features rolls made throughout the day, ensuring freshness that rivals dedicated sushi restaurants. Crab legs are properly steamed and served hot, while the Chinese dishes include both familiar favorites and more adventurous options for curious diners. What sets King’s apart is their attention to turnover – popular dishes get replaced quickly, so you’re rarely eating food that’s been sitting under heat lamps for hours like at lesser buffets.
8. Hibachi China Buffet (Raleigh)
Hibachi China Buffet in Raleigh has stepped up to fill the gap left by other restaurants that abandoned their buffet formats, and they’re doing it right with a solid 4-star reputation. Their approach focuses on reliable Chinese-American favorites done well. The General Tso’s chicken stays crispy, the lo mein noodles don’t get mushy, and the fried rice actually has flavor instead of just being colored white rice. Their soup selection includes hot and sour that has the right balance of spice and tang. While not revolutionary, Grand China Buffet delivers exactly what most people want from a Chinese buffet: familiar foods prepared properly and served at the right temperature consistently.
9. Hutchins Garage (Durham)
Hutchins Garage in Durham takes a unique approach to buffet dining with their pop-up BBQ buffet events that create excitement rather than routine. Following their Facebook page becomes essential for catching these special occasions. When they do host buffet events, the food quality rivals the best barbecue restaurants in North Carolina. Their brisket has that perfect smoke ring, and the ribs fall off the bone without being overcooked. The pop-up format means everything is prepared specifically for that event, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor. This innovative approach proves that buffets don’t have to be everyday affairs to be exceptional – sometimes the best experiences are worth waiting for and planning around.
