10 Retro All-You-Can-Eat Spots In Georgia Where Every Meal Feels Like Sunday Supper
There’s something magical about Sunday suppers at grandma’s house—the bottomless platters of comfort, the easy hospitality, and that unmistakable feeling of home. Across Georgia, a handful of beloved restaurants still recreate that nostalgia with all-you-can-eat spreads.
I’ve spent years tracking down these treasures where lazy Susans spin with Southern delights and second, even third, helpings are encouraged.
Think crispy chicken, catfish, buttered corn, fluffy biscuits, collards, and cobblers bubbling under sugar. Bring a big appetite and unhurried pace as we explore these time-capsule eateries, where the tea is sweet, the smiles are warmer, and every day tastes like Sunday dinner.
1. Buckner’s Family Restaurant: Where Lazy Susans Dance With Delight
The moment those spinning Lazy Susans arrive at your table at Buckner’s, time seems to slow down. Founded in 1980, this Jackson institution serves up feasts family-style with plates that never seem to empty.
I still remember my first visit—the table practically groaned under bowls of creamed corn, green beans seasoned with country ham, and that legendary fried chicken with skin so crispy it practically sings. The wood-paneled dining room hasn’t changed in decades, and frankly, I hope it never does.
Meals here aren’t rushed affairs; they’re celebrations where everyone passes dishes clockwise and conversations flow as freely as the sweet tea.
2. The Smith House: Mountain Hospitality Since 1922
Gold may have put Dahlonega on the map, but The Smith House’s family-style feasts have kept folks coming back for a century. Walking through the door of this white clapboard inn feels like stepping into your great-grandmother’s dining room.
The ritual here is beautiful in its simplicity. Take a seat at a communal table beside strangers who’ll be friends by dessert. Platters arrive without menus or fuss—just mountains of crispy fried chicken, country ham, and at least ten vegetable sides that change with the seasons.
My favorite part? Discovering the actual gold mine shaft under the dining room during a post-meal tour—a sweet reminder of this mountain town’s rich history.
3. The Dillard House: A Mountain Feast With A View
Nestled in Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, The Dillard House has been feeding hungry travelers since 1917. The mountain views outside are only rivaled by the parade of dishes that grace your table inside.
My family makes our annual pilgrimage here every fall when the leaves turn. We’ve learned to arrive hungry—really hungry. Without ordering a single item, servers bring out everything the kitchen prepared that day: country ham, rainbow trout from nearby streams, and vegetables grown in the garden you passed on your way in.
Pro tip: Request a window seat for breathtaking mountain vistas, and pace yourself through the meal—the dessert course alone is worth saving room for.
4. Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room: Savannah’s Communal Table Legend
The line forms early outside this unassuming Savannah townhouse, but trust me—the wait for Mrs. Wilkes’ is a rite of passage worth every minute. What began as a boarding house in 1943 has become a Southern food pilgrimage site.
Seated at tables for ten with perfect strangers, you’ll soon be passing bowls and making friends. I’ve broken cornbread with tourists from Japan, businesspeople from Chicago, and locals celebrating special occasions. The spread is staggering: twenty-plus dishes including butter beans, collards, fried chicken, and beef stew.
Remember cash only, and the house rule—when you’re done, carry your plate to the kitchen just like family would.
5. Ole Times Country Buffet: Macon’s Comfort Food Paradise
Some folks might drive past this place thinking it’s just another buffet, but locals know better. Ole Times in Macon is where grandma-worthy cooking meets all-you-can-eat convenience.
Last summer during a road trip, I stumbled in desperate for a real meal after highway fast food fatigue. What I discovered was a wonderland of Southern classics. The fried chicken stays crispy under the heat lamps (a minor miracle), and the turnip greens taste like they were picked that morning.
The dessert bar alone deserves its own zip code—banana pudding with those perfect vanilla wafers that somehow stay crisp, peach cobbler that captures Georgia sunshine, and chocolate chess pie that’ll haunt your dreams.
6. Mama June’s Home Cookin’: Valdosta’s BBQ & Seafood Heaven
Mama June doesn’t just feed you—she adopts you for the duration of your meal. This Valdosta gem hits that perfect sweet spot between down-home cooking and indulgent feast.
The first time I visited, a Friday night when the seafood bar was in full swing, I witnessed three generations of a family celebrating together. The grandfather, eyes twinkling, told me he’d been coming since the place opened. Unlike fancy establishments where small portions reign supreme, Mama’s encourages exploration.
Don’t miss the smoked ribs that practically surrender from the bone, the catfish that tastes like it was swimming that morning, and hushpuppies so perfect they should be illegal in at least seven states.
7. Family Tradition Steakhouse & Buffet: Jesup’s Hidden Gem
In the heart of Jesup, Family Tradition lives up to its name with recipes passed down through generations. The moment you walk in, the aroma of yeast rolls baking wraps around you like a warm hug from your favorite aunt.
During my visit last spring, I watched as the owner personally carved prime rib at the buffet line, chatting with each guest like an old friend. The buffet stations seem endless—from the soup and salad bar to the hot foods section where steam rises from perfectly seasoned collards and mac and cheese with that essential crispy top.
The locals have a strategy: start with a small sampling of everything, then go back for favorites. Smart folks save the homemade coconut cake for last.
8. Sweet P’s at the Palladium: Rome’s Historic Feast Hall
Housed in a converted 1920s theater, Sweet P’s serves Sunday dinner spectacle with a side of history. The soaring ceilings and original architectural details provide a dramatic backdrop for some seriously soulful cooking.
My first Sunday buffet here felt like walking into the family reunion of my dreams. Church crowds still arrive after services, ladies in their Sunday best and gentlemen in ties, creating an atmosphere that’s both reverent and joyful. The buffet line stretches impressively, anchored by crispy fried chicken that would make any Southern grandmother proud.
The true magic happens at the dessert table where Sweet P herself often stands, recommending her famous banana pudding or seasonal cobblers with the enthusiasm of someone sharing family secrets.
9. Western Sizzlin Steakhouse & Buffet: Pooler’s Retro Steakhouse Classic
Some places just refuse to change with the times, and thank goodness Western Sizzlin in Pooler is one of them! This throwback steakhouse with its wood-paneled walls and salad bar longer than a country mile delivers nostalgia by the plateful.
I took my kids here recently, watching their eyes widen at the sight of the flame-grilled steaks and endless buffet. “This is how restaurants were when I was your age,” I told them, feeling suddenly ancient but happy to share this time capsule experience.
The hot rolls with honey butter remain my weakness, followed closely by the loaded baked potato bar where you can pile on toppings with gleeful abandon. Some things just shouldn’t be modernized.
10. Fried Tomato Buffet: Kennesaw’s Country Comfort Feast
The name alone makes me smile. Fried green tomatoes might be the signature dish, but this Kennesaw buffet delivers country cooking that feels plucked straight from a rural farmhouse kitchen.
My neighbor raved about this place for months before I finally visited. “The macaroni and cheese will change your life,” she promised. She wasn’t exaggerating—it’s creamy, sharp, with that perfect breadcrumb crust that makes you consider asking for the recipe (which they won’t share, I’ve tried).
The weekday lunch rush brings a fascinating mix of construction workers, office folks, and retirees all bonding over plates piled high with comfort classics. Their banana pudding, topped with perfectly toasted meringue, is worth every calorie.