These North Carolina Buffets Still Feel Like The ’80s (And Locals Wouldn’t Have It Any Other Way)
North Carolina still rocks some buffets that time forgot, and locals wouldn’t have it any other way. Step inside and you’ll see the wood paneling, patterned carpet, and buffet trays piled high with fried chicken, mac and cheese, and banana pudding.
People keep coming back for that cozy, familiar feeling that never went out of style. Nothing flashy, just good food and easy comfort.
North Carolina’s retro buffets prove that sometimes the best meals are the ones that never needed changing.
1. K&W Cafeteria, Winston-Salem
Walking through the serving line at K&W feels like stepping into a time machine. The trays slide along metal rails while you point at fluffy yeast rolls, creamy mac and cheese, and perfectly seasoned green beans.
Founded in 1937, this cafeteria chain became a North Carolina institution by the 1980s. The Winston-Salem location keeps that decade alive with its no-frills approach and recipes that haven’t changed in generations.
Regulars know to arrive early for the best selection and save room for banana pudding. The prices remain shockingly reasonable compared to modern restaurants.
2. Casey’s Buffet, Wilmington
Seafood lovers find paradise at this Wilmington institution that refuses to modernize. Casey’s serves mountains of fried shrimp, hush puppies, and coleslaw on tables covered with plastic checkered cloths.
The walls display faded photographs of fishing boats and local landmarks from decades past. Ceiling fans wobble overhead while families pile their plates high with Southern classics.
Kids still get excited about the soft-serve ice cream machine in the corner. The staff treats everyone like neighbors, remembering orders and asking about grandkids without missing a beat.
3. Granny’s Kitchen, Cherokee
Nestled in the Smoky Mountains, Granny’s Kitchen serves the kind of country cooking that makes you loosen your belt. Biscuits arrive hot from the oven while gravy boats make endless rounds.
The knotty pine walls and red gingham curtains haven’t been updated since the Reagan administration. Locals appreciate this commitment to authenticity, especially when tourist traps surround them.
My aunt swears the chicken and dumplings here taste exactly like her grandmother made them. The portions could feed a lumberjack, and somehow there’s always room for cobbler.
4. Captain George’s Seafood Buffet, Outer Banks
This seafood palace has anchored the Outer Banks dining scene since before cell phones existed. Captain George’s spreads out more than 70 items across steaming buffet islands.
Crab legs pile high next to fried flounder, while the salad bar stretches longer than some fishing boats. The nautical theme borders on overwhelming, with ropes, nets, and ship wheels decorating every available surface.
Vacationing families make this a yearly tradition, kids racing to claim the same booth they sat in last summer. The early bird special remains legendary among savvy travelers.
5. Western Steer Family Steak House, Newton
Steak and buffet might sound fancy, but Western Steer keeps things refreshingly simple. The salad bar features iceberg lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and those little corn nuggets that disappeared from most places years ago.
Newton locals pack this spot on Sunday afternoons after church, still dressed in their best clothes. The carpet pattern defies description, a swirling mix of burgundy and teal that perfectly captures 1980s design choices.
Servers refill sweet tea faster than you can drink it. The ribeye comes cooked exactly how you order it, no questions asked.
6. Western Sizzlin Steakhouse, Wilson
Another Western-themed chain that peaked in the 1980s, this Wilson location soldiers on while others closed their doors. The sizzle of steaks hitting the grill announces dinner better than any bell could.
Brass railings separate the buffet sections, polished to a shine despite their age. Regulars know Tuesday nights bring prime rib to the carving station, a secret worth keeping.
The dessert bar tempts with chocolate pudding cake and strawberry shortcake made from actual pound cake. Nobody leaves hungry, and the doggy bag shame doesn’t exist here.
7. Meadow Village Restaurant, Benson
Benson’s best-kept secret hides in plain sight along the main drag. Meadow Village Restaurant feeds farmers, factory workers, and families with the same hearty fare it’s served for decades.
The floral wallpaper might give decorators nightmares, but it feels like eating at a beloved relative’s house. Fried okra, collard greens, and cornbread appear fresh throughout lunch and dinner service.
I once watched a regular customer walk straight to the kitchen to hug the cook. That’s the kind of place this is, where recipes pass between generations like heirlooms.
8. Moore’s Olde Tyme Barbecue, New Bern
Eastern North Carolina barbecue doesn’t mess around, and neither does Moore’s. The vinegar-based sauce cuts through smoky pulled pork that’s been perfected over decades of practice.
This family operation started in 1945 but hit its stride during the 1980s when the current building opened. The buffet line moves fast, with workers piling on coleslaw, hush puppies, and Brunswick stew without being asked.
Tourists often stumble in by accident and leave as converts to Eastern-style barbecue. The plain brick exterior hides some of the state’s most authentic flavors inside.
9. Village Inn Pizza Parlor, Statesville
Pizza buffets ruled the 1980s, and Village Inn refuses to surrender that crown. Pies rotate constantly from kitchen to buffet, ensuring every slice comes out hot and stretchy.
The salad bar includes those weird pink pickled eggs that kids dare each other to try. A few vintage arcade games still blink in the corner, though they now cost a dollar instead of a quarter.
Birthday parties happen here every weekend, complete with staff singing and free dessert pizza. The cinnamon streusel version remains the stuff of local legend among former kids.
10. Golden Corral Buffet & Grill, Fayetteville
Golden Corral might have locations nationwide, but the Fayetteville spot holds special meaning for military families stationed at Fort Bragg. The chain exploded during the 1980s with its all-you-can-eat promise.
This location maintains that decade’s generous spirit, with carvers slicing roast beef to order and the chocolate fountain flowing endlessly. Soldiers in uniform get thanked by strangers between trips to the buffet.
The sheer variety overwhelms first-timers who try sampling everything in one visit. Regulars develop strategies, mapping out their plate architecture like battle plans.
11. Pizza Inn, Selma
Before pizza chains became cookie-cutter operations, Pizza Inn locations had personality. The Selma spot preserves that individuality with recipes and service that feel refreshingly personal.
Lunch crowds pack the place for the buffet, where pizzas emerge topped with everything from traditional pepperoni to experimental combinations. The thin crust crackles perfectly, just like it did when your parents brought you here as a kid.
Staff members know regular customers by name and pizza preference. That kind of connection can’t be manufactured or franchised, no matter how hard corporate tries.