11 Retro All-You-Can-Eat Spots In South Carolina That Still Feel Like A Sunday Tradition

Sunday dinners used to mean one thing: gathering around a table piled high with home-cooked comfort food that nobody had to clean up after.

South Carolina keeps that tradition alive through classic all-you-can-eat restaurants that transport you straight back to simpler times.

These aren’t trendy spots with fancy menus, but honest places where families still celebrate together over heaping plates and sweet tea.

1. The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood

Calabash-style seafood means lightly battered, perfectly fried, and served in quantities that make your eyes widen. This Myrtle Beach landmark has been feeding hungry beachgoers since way back when disco was still cool.

Their buffet stretches longer than most fishing piers, loaded with shrimp, flounder, oysters, and hush puppies that crunch just right. Families return year after year, making it part of their vacation ritual.

The atmosphere feels frozen in time, complete with nautical decorations and servers who remember regulars from decades past.

2. Carolina Buffet

West Columbia’s hidden treasure serves up Southern cooking that reminds you why your grandmother refused to share her recipes. Fried chicken sits next to collard greens, mac and cheese, and cornbread that crumbles perfectly.

This place doesn’t try to be fancy or modern, which is exactly why locals keep coming back every Sunday after church. The staff treats everyone like family, refilling sweet tea before you even notice your glass is empty.

Prices stay reasonable enough that feeding a whole crew won’t require a second mortgage.

3. Ginza Buffet

Greenville’s Ginza Buffet proves that retro buffet culture isn’t limited to Southern fare alone. Multiple stations offer everything from General Tso’s chicken to sushi rolls, all under one roof.

My nephew once counted how many different items they serve and gave up somewhere around eighty. The Mongolian grill lets you customize stir-fry combinations while chefs cook it fresh right in front of you.

Weekday lunch deals make it perfect for office groups looking to escape boring sandwich routines without breaking budgets.

4. Grand Buffet

North Charleston’s Grand Buffet lives up to its name with a spread that seems to stretch into next week. American classics share space with Asian favorites and seafood options that change based on what’s fresh.

The place gets packed during Sunday lunch when church crowds arrive in their best outfits, ready to tackle plates piled dangerously high. Nobody judges if you go back for thirds or fourths here.

Their coconut shrimp deserves its own fan club, crispy and sweet in all the right ways.

5. Shealy’s Bar-B-Que

Batesburg-Leesville’s legendary barbecue joint has been smoking meat since 1969, back when buffets were just called Sunday dinner. Their mustard-based sauce represents true South Carolina style, tangy and bold enough to wake up your taste buds.

Hash over rice, pulled pork, fried chicken, and lima beans create a buffet line that tells the story of Lowcountry cooking. Regulars know to save room for the peach cobbler.

The building itself looks like it hasn’t changed much in fifty years, which feels perfectly right.

6. Epic Buffet

Simpsonville’s Epic Buffet earned its name honestly by offering variety that borders on overwhelming in the best possible way. Asian dishes, American comfort food, and seafood all compete for attention across multiple islands of deliciousness.

Their sushi bar surprises people who don’t expect raw fish at a strip mall buffet, but the quality holds up better than you’d guess. The dessert section tempts even the fullest stomachs with soft-serve machines and cake varieties.

Families appreciate the something-for-everyone approach when picky eaters join the table.

7. Hibachi Grill Supreme Buffet

Taylors might seem like an unlikely spot for an extensive Asian buffet, but Hibachi Grill Supreme proves small towns deserve big variety too. The hibachi station lets diners pick ingredients and watch skilled cooks work their magic on sizzling grills.

Beyond the grill, you’ll find sushi, lo mein, fried rice, and American options for anyone not feeling adventurous. Weekend dinner service brings out crab legs and upgraded seafood selections.

The atmosphere stays casual and family-friendly, perfect for introducing kids to new flavors without pressure.

8. Mutts BBQ

Greer’s Mutts BBQ keeps things straightforward with a buffet focused on what they do best: smoking meat until it falls apart at the mere suggestion of a fork. Ribs, pulled pork, and brisket anchor a lineup of Southern sides that could stand alone as a meal.

Their green beans taste like someone’s grandmother snapped them fresh this morning, cooked low and slow with just enough seasoning. Cornbread comes out warm and pairs perfectly with their tangy barbecue sauce.

Lunch crowds from nearby offices know this spot delivers serious value.

9. Back Home BBQ

Murrells Inlet’s Back Home BBQ combines coastal location with inland barbecue traditions, creating a buffet that satisfies both seafood lovers and meat enthusiasts. Smoked ribs share buffet space with fried shrimp, proving you don’t have to choose sides.

I watched a tourist try to fit both crab cakes and pulled pork on one plate once, and honestly, I respected the commitment. Their coleslaw provides the perfect cool crunch against smoky meats.

The name promises comfort food, and every dish delivers on that simple pledge beautifully.

10. Olde House Cafe

Walterboro’s Olde House Cafe operates inside a building that’s seen more history than most textbooks cover. Their buffet focuses on traditional Lowcountry cooking that grandmothers would approve of without hesitation.

Fried chicken, butter beans, squash casserole, and okra create a lineup that represents South Carolina cooking at its most authentic. The lunch buffet draws locals who know good value when they taste it.

Portions stay generous, and the atmosphere feels like eating at a relative’s house during holiday gatherings.

11. Dukes Bar-B-Que

Aiken’s Dukes Bar-B-Que represents old-school barbecue culture where the buffet means loading up on smoked goodness without anyone counting trips. Their yellow mustard-based sauce defines South Carolina barbecue for anyone still confused about regional styles.

Hash and rice, a Midlands specialty, appears alongside ribs, chicken, and pulled pork that’s been smoking since early morning. Sweet tea flows freely, served in proper glasses that sweat in the Southern heat.

This place understands that barbecue buffets should feel like Sunday, no matter what day you visit.