5 North Carolina Buffets That Locals Say Have The Best Fried Chicken In The State
Nothing beats the satisfaction of biting into perfectly crispy, golden-brown fried chicken at a hometown buffet.
I’ve spent years traveling across North Carolina sampling what locals consider the absolute best in comfort food.
From coastal favorites to mountain hideaways, the Tar Heel State knows a thing or two about frying up chicken that keeps folks coming back for seconds (and thirds).
These five buffets have earned legendary status among North Carolinians for their exceptional fried chicken recipes.
1. Casey’s Buffet: Wilmington’s Southern Treasure
Last summer, I stumbled upon Casey’s Buffet while visiting family in Wilmington, and my taste buds haven’t been the same since. The moment you walk in, that heavenly aroma of perfectly seasoned fried chicken hits you like a warm Southern hug.
The chicken here isn’t just fried – it’s transformed into something magical through a generations-old recipe that owner Larry Casey guards like Fort Knox. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, with that distinctive peppery kick that keeps locals lined up out the door on Sundays.
What really sets Casey’s apart is their commitment to consistency. Whether you visit on a quiet Tuesday or busy weekend, that chicken maintains the same golden perfection. They’ve been serving up this Southern staple since 2005, and the regulars swear nothing has changed – except maybe the length of the waiting line!
2. Chason’s Buffet: Hope Mills’ Hidden Place
Y’all won’t believe the chicken at Chason’s! This unassuming buffet in Hope Mills nearly caused me to miss my cousin’s wedding because I couldn’t stop going back for “just one more piece.”
Chason’s magic comes from their distinctive double-dredging technique that creates a shatteringly crisp crust while locking in all those savory juices. The seasoning blend – rumored to contain eleven different spices – delivers a perfect balance of salt, pepper, and something mysteriously delicious that locals have been trying to decode for years.
Family-owned since the 1980s, Chason’s feels like eating at your grandmother’s house, if your grandmother happened to be the world’s best chicken fryer. The buffet itself isn’t fancy, but that chicken transcends the no-frills setting. Pro tip: Thursday is their fresh batch day, though honestly, it’s spectacular any day of the week.
3. Golden Corral “Favorites Concept”: Statewide Sensation
Hold onto your hats, folks! I know what you’re thinking – a chain restaurant on this list? Trust me, Golden Corral’s North Carolina locations deserve special recognition for their “Favorites Concept” that has revolutionized their fried chicken game.
Born right here in Fayetteville in 1973, Golden Corral’s NC locations honor their roots with a chicken recipe that outshines their locations in other states. The “Favorites Concept” means fresh batches emerge from the kitchen every twenty minutes, ensuring that crispy exterior never gets soggy under heat lamps.
My nephew works at the Raleigh location and spilled the beans – they brine the chicken for 24 hours before it even sees the fryer. The result? Juicy meat that practically falls off the bone. While other menu items come and go, this fried chicken remains the crown jewel that keeps North Carolinians fiercely loyal to this homegrown chain.
4. Pioneer Buffet: Archdale’s Country-Style Masterpiece
The first time I bit into Pioneer Buffet’s fried chicken, I actually closed my eyes and missed my friend’s marriage proposal happening across the table! That’s how transcendent this Archdale institution’s signature dish truly is.
Pioneer’s approach harkens back to simpler times – free-range chickens, buttermilk-soaked overnight, and hand-breaded in a cast-iron skillet by cooks who’ve been perfecting their technique for decades. The skin achieves that mythical texture: shatteringly crisp yet somehow melts on your tongue, while the meat remains tender enough to pull apart with just your fingers.
The buffet sits in an unassuming building that’s easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. Locals intentionally keep it under the radar, afraid their beloved chicken spot might get too crowded if word spreads. Well, sorry neighbors – some secrets are too delicious to keep!
5. K&W Cafeterias: The Carolina Classic
My grandmother introduced me to K&W’s legendary fried chicken when I was just knee-high to a grasshopper, and decades later, it still makes my heart sing. With locations peppered throughout North Carolina cities, this cafeteria-style institution has been serving up consistent comfort since 1937.
Unlike typical buffets, K&W’s line service means your chicken travels minimal distance from fryer to plate, preserving that perfect crispness. Their time-honored recipe features a lighter, less greasy coating that somehow manages to seal in more flavor than its heavier counterparts.
The Winston-Salem flagship location remains my favorite, where many of the staff have been frying chicken longer than I’ve been alive. When I asked Ms. Gladys, who’s worked there 32 years, about their secret, she just winked and said, “Honey, it’s not what we put in – it’s what we leave out.” Whatever their method, K&W’s chicken represents the gold standard of North Carolina tradition.