14 Tennessee Buffets Locals Swear Serve Fried Chicken Better Than Diners
Tennessee knows its comfort food, and some buffets have earned a reputation for serving fried chicken that rivals even the coziest diners.
Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, each plate delivers flavor that keeps locals coming back for more.
From classic seasoning to secret family recipes, these buffets turn a simple meal into a crave-worthy experience. Visiting them proves that sometimes the best fried chicken isn’t at a diner… it’s here.
Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store (Jackson)
Tucked away in Casey Jones Village, this century-old establishment transforms fried chicken into an art form. The recipe hasn’t changed since Grandma Brooks first started cooking it in her cast iron skillet.
Locals arrive early on Sundays when the chicken is freshest. The secret lies in their double-dredging technique and special blend of eleven spices that creates that distinctive peppery crust Tennessee chicken is famous for.
Mama’s Farmhouse (Pigeon Forge)
Family recipes rule at this Smoky Mountain gem where fried chicken arrives at your table in heaping, all-you-can-eat platters.
The chicken emerges from the kitchen with a crackling exterior that somehow manages to lock in every drop of moisture.
Between the homemade biscuits and country sides, save room for seconds of the star attraction. What makes their chicken special?
A 24-hour buttermilk bath followed by a secret seasoning blend passed down through five generations.
Bea’s Restaurant (Chattanooga)
Since 1950, Bea’s has been serving chicken so good it’s practically become a Chattanooga landmark.
The no-frills dining room features lazy Susans loaded with Southern fixings, but everyone knows the fried chicken steals the spotlight.
Regulars swear by the distinctive crunch that gives way to juicy meat.
The chicken recipe remains unchanged since opening day – a closely guarded family secret that keeps generations of Tennesseans coming back for their fix of perfectly seasoned, pressure-fried poultry.
Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen (Pigeon Forge)
Butter makes everything better at Paula’s mountain outpost, where the fried chicken arrives with a crust so richly golden it practically glows.
The family-style service means unlimited refills of that famous fowl. Celebrity restaurants often disappoint, but locals confirm this spot lives up to the hype.
The chicken features that distinctive Southern-fried flavor profile – slightly sweet, perfectly salted, with hints of garlic and black pepper creating a crust that shatters satisfyingly between your teeth.
Monell’s Dining & Catering (Nashville)
Strangers become friends at Monell’s communal tables, where the legendary skillet-fried chicken has been bringing Nashvillians together since 1995.
Housed in a Victorian mansion, this Music City institution serves chicken with a crust so perfectly seasoned it’s almost addictive. Pass-the-dish style dining means you’ll want to grab chicken quickly when it comes around.
The secret? Chicken that’s brined overnight, then dredged in flour that’s been kissed with herbs grown right in Monell’s garden, creating a flavor profile impossible to replicate at home.
Golden Corral (Pigeon Forge)
Before you scoff at a chain making this list, the Pigeon Forge Golden Corral deserves special recognition.
Unlike other locations, this mountain outpost employs a dedicated chicken fry master who’s been perfecting his technique for over two decades.
Fresh batches emerge every fifteen minutes, ensuring you never encounter dried-out pieces.
The chicken features a uniquely textured coating with tiny ripples that capture just the right amount of seasoning. Locals bypass the endless other options and head straight for the chicken station.
Wood Grill Buffet (Pigeon Forge)
Hidden among endless tourist traps, Wood Grill stands out for chicken that rivals grandma’s Sunday best.
The massive buffet features dozens of items, but regulars make a beeline for the chicken station where fresh batches appear like clockwork.
The chicken sports a mahogany-colored crust with hints of paprika and black pepper. What makes it special?
A quick dip in brine spiked with apple cider vinegar before frying creates chicken with a subtle tang that cuts through the richness of the crispy coating.
Farmer’s Family Restaurant (Murfreesboro)
College students from Middle Tennessee State University spread the gospel of Farmer’s chicken far and wide. This unassuming spot serves up country cooking that tastes like Sunday at grandma’s house.
The chicken emerges with a shatteringly crisp exterior that somehow stays crunchy throughout your meal.
Their unique approach includes a quick steam after frying, which helps the seasoning penetrate deeper into the meat while maintaining that all-important crunch factor that makes Tennessee fried chicken legendary.
Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen (Nashville)
Nashville’s version of Paula’s empire delivers chicken with a slightly different twist than its Pigeon Forge sibling.
The Music City location infuses subtle hints of Nashville’s famous hot chicken seasoning into its regular fried chicken batter.
Country music memorabilia lines the walls, but your attention won’t stray from the chicken for long.
The pieces emerge with that signature Paula Deen richness – a buttery, golden exterior giving way to perfectly cooked meat that needs no sauce or embellishment.
Tilley’s Homestead Restaurant (Centerville)
Rural Tennessee hides this gem where the chicken recipe dates back to 1947. Hickman County locals guard this place jealously, almost reluctant to share their treasure with outsiders.
The chicken arrives with a deeply burnished, almost reddish crust that hints at the cayenne in their seasoning blend.
What elevates Tilley’s chicken? They exclusively use local, free-range birds from nearby farms, resulting in meat with flavor that puts factory-farmed chicken to shame.
Big Boys Country Kitchen (Newport)
Truckers traveling I-40 know to stop at Big Boys for chicken worth detouring for. This no-frills spot near the Smoky Mountains serves chicken that’s become the stuff of road trip legends.
The pieces emerge with an unusually thick, craggy crust that provides maximum crunch factor.
Their technique involves a double-dredge in seasoned flour with a buttermilk dip between, creating those coveted extra-crispy ridges. Despite the hearty coating, the chicken itself remains impossibly juicy.
Aunt Granny’s Restaurant at Dollywood (Pigeon Forge)
Named after Dolly Parton’s nickname, this theme park treasure serves chicken that keeps locals buying Dollywood tickets even when they’re not interested in riding roller coasters.
The all-you-care-to-eat format means unlimited access to some of Tennessee’s finest bird. The chicken sports a delicate, golden crust with hints of herbs visible in the coating.
Their signature move? A drizzle of honey-butter right as the chicken comes out of the fryer, creating a sweet-savory glaze that caramelizes slightly on the hot crust.
Farmer’s Family Restaurant (Columbia)
The Columbia outpost of this beloved mini-chain takes fried chicken so seriously they have a dedicated fryer that’s never touched anything but chicken.
Located in James K. Polk’s hometown, this spot draws visitors who come for the presidential history but stay for the legendary poultry.
The chicken features a distinctly flaky crust that shatters beautifully with each bite. Their secret weapon?
A specially-formulated flour blend with cornstarch that creates those coveted crispy shards that make Tennessee-style fried chicken so distinctive.
Loretta Lynn’s Kitchen (Hurricane Mills)
The Coal Miner’s Daughter’s restaurant serves chicken that rivals her platinum records for popularity.
Located at Loretta’s ranch complex, this spot attracts both country music pilgrims and fried chicken aficionados seeking authentic rural Tennessee cooking.
The chicken comes encased in a dark golden crust with pronounced pepper speckling.
Their signature touch involves a sprinkle of Loretta’s special seasoning blend (available for purchase in the gift shop) applied the moment the chicken leaves the fryer, ensuring maximum flavor absorption into that crackling crust.