8 Georgia Buffets That Disappoint And 5 That Get Southern Comfort Just Right
Buffets in Georgia offer a tempting spread of Southern comfort food, from crispy fried chicken to buttery biscuits and slow-cooked greens.
As a Georgia native who’s sampled countless buffets across the state, I’ve encountered the full range—some places serve up rich, soulful flavors that feel like home, while others fall flat with bland dishes and tired offerings.
In this guide, I’ll take you through eight buffets that didn’t live up to the hype—leaving me hungry for quality rather than quantity—and five gems that truly embody the heart of Southern hospitality. These standout spots deliver mouthwatering flavors, warm service, and that unmistakable down-home charm that defines Georgia cuisine.
1. Golden Corral (Atlanta Location)
Yesterday’s meatloaf shouldn’t be today’s special! My family’s annual reunion brought us to this Golden Corral, and boy, was it a mistake.
The fried chicken sat under heat lamps so long it resembled dinosaur fossils rather than dinner. Mac and cheese had congealed into a rubbery yellow brick that could probably stop bullets.
Staff seemed more interested in their phones than refilling empty trays. When fresh food did appear, it triggered a stampede that would make Black Friday shoppers look civilized. Save your appetite and your dignity—this place is the buffet equivalent of a sad country song.
2. Country Buffet (Macon)
Bless their hearts, they’re trying—but not hard enough! The name promised down-home cooking, but delivered cafeteria-style disappointment.
Collard greens arrived swimming in so much salt water, I thought I’d accidentally ordered from the Dead Sea menu. Their biscuits could have moonlighted as hockey pucks, and the gravy had mysterious lumps I dare not investigate.
The sweet tea wasn’t sweet, the cornbread wasn’t corny, and the peach cobbler wasn’t peachy. For $16.99, I expected food that at least nodded at Southern traditions instead of waving vaguely in their direction from across the county line.
3. Magnolia Garden (Savannah)
What a cruel joke to name such a lackluster establishment after our state’s beautiful flower! My anniversary dinner here left both my wallet and taste buds feeling violated.
The buffet boasted “authentic Savannah cuisine” but delivered lukewarm shrimp and grits with the consistency of wet cement. Their famous fried green tomatoes had more breading than tomato and enough oil to lubricate a tractor engine.
The dessert section featured banana pudding that had clearly never met a real banana—just artificial flavoring that left a chemical aftertaste. Even the sweet tea tasted like it was made by someone who’d only heard about sugar in passing.
4. Dixie Delights (Augusta)
Stomach cramps shouldn’t be part of your dining experience! My golf buddies and I stopped here after a round at the nearby course, and we all ended up in the rough.
The chicken-fried steak had the texture of a boot sole and about as much flavor. Their famous “award-winning” Brunswick stew contained mysterious meat chunks that prompted philosophical discussions about their origin. Not what you want when you’re just trying to enjoy lunch!
The salad bar featured wilted lettuce that looked like it had been harvested during the Clinton administration. Even the rolls were stale. When the highlight of your meal is the packet of crackers you found in your pocket, you know you’ve made a terrible dining decision.
5. Southern Comfort Buffet (Marietta)
False advertising should be illegal in the restaurant industry! Nothing about this place was comfortable except maybe the worn-out booth cushions.
The buffet’s centerpiece—a sad display of fried chicken—looked like it had been cooked by someone whose culinary training consisted entirely of watching fast food commercials. Their mashed potatoes had more lumps than a bad mattress, and the gravy resembled muddy water from the Chattahoochee.
My mother-in-law kept shooting me accusatory glances throughout the meal, as if I’d personally insulted her by suggesting this place. The final insult? A dessert section featuring pies with crusts so tough they could have been used as roofing material.
6. Peachtree Plates (Atlanta)
Naming your restaurant after Georgia’s most famous street doesn’t automatically make your food good! My office chose this spot for our holiday party, and we’re still apologizing to the interns.
The buffet featured mac and cheese that had separated into oil and pasta—like a culinary divorce that should have been finalized months ago. Their pulled pork was so dry it seemed to absorb moisture from the air around it, creating a mini-drought at our table.
For a place charging premium prices, you’d expect better than instant mashed potatoes and canned green beans. The peach cobbler—their namesake dessert—tasted like it was made with peaches that had only heard rumors about sugar and cinnamon.
7. Country Kitchen Buffet (Columbus)
Grandma would roll over in her grave if she knew this place was calling itself a country kitchen! My road trip pit stop here became the low point of my journey through western Georgia.
Their fried okra resembled small grenades—dangerously hard on the outside, mysteriously mushy within. The cornbread was so dry it seemed to evaporate upon contact with my tongue. Even the butter couldn’t save it!
Service moved at a pace that would make a turtle seem hasty. One poor family with small children waited 20 minutes for clean plates. When the manager finally appeared (after I asked three times), he seemed genuinely surprised that people expected edible food at a restaurant. Revolutionary concept, I know!
8. Plantation Buffet (Brunswick)
Charging premium prices for dollar store quality should be criminal! My coastal drive took an unfortunate detour when I stopped at this tourist trap near the interstate.
Their seafood buffet featured shrimp so rubbery you could bounce them off the walls. The hush puppies were anything but quiet—I heard my arteries screaming with each bite of the greasy, undercooked dough balls. Their gumbo contained precisely three molecules of actual seafood, floating sadly in what tasted like dishwater.
The dessert section featured a banana pudding that had clearly come from a box and pecan pie with a filling that reminded me of solidified corn syrup. Even the sweet tea tasted like it had been brewed with artificial sweetener and regret.
9. Mary Mac’s Tea Room (Atlanta)
Heaven exists on Ponce de Leon Avenue! My first bite of fried chicken at Mary Mac’s nearly brought tears to my eyes—it was exactly how my grandmother used to make it.
While not technically a buffet, their “all you can eat” option delivers plate after plate of Southern perfection. The collard greens strike that perfect balance between tender and toothsome, with pot likker so good you’ll want to drink it straight. Their cornbread arrives steaming hot, crumbling at the slightest touch.
What makes this place special isn’t just the food—it’s the hospitality. Miss Jo, our server, insisted I try the tomato pie, a dish I’d normally skip. Her recommendation changed my life! This Atlanta institution has been serving comfort since 1945, and it shows.
10. Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room (Savannah)
Prepare to make friends with strangers over the best meal in Savannah! Mrs. Wilkes doesn’t offer a traditional buffet—instead, they seat you at tables for ten with massive platters of Southern classics passed family-style.
The fried chicken achieves that mythical status of perfectly crispy outside and juicy inside. Black-eyed peas, creamed corn, and candied yams arrive in bowls big enough to feed a small army. Their biscuits are so light they might float away if not weighted down with cane syrup.
Last summer, I found myself sharing this feast with a couple from Minnesota who’d never experienced real Southern cooking. Watching their eyes widen at the first bite of chicken and dumplings was worth the 30-minute wait in line. Cash only, and worth every penny!
11. The Dillard House (Dillard)
Mountain magic happens on these plates! Nestled in Georgia’s gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains, The Dillard House serves country cooking that would make your grandma jealous.
Their all-you-can-eat country breakfast might require you to skip lunch AND dinner. Fluffy buttermilk pancakes, country ham sliced thin enough to read through, and eggs from chickens that must be living their best lives based on those vibrant yolks. My personal kryptonite? Their apple butter—sweet, spiced, and chunky enough to stand up to their cathead biscuits.
During my last visit, I watched a thunderstorm roll across the mountains from their dining room windows while sampling five different kinds of homemade jam. Some experiences are worth the drive, and this is definitely one of them.
12. Fresh Air Barbecue (Jackson)
Smoke signals from BBQ heaven! This unassuming roadside joint between Atlanta and Macon has been smoking meat since 1929, making it Georgia’s oldest barbecue restaurant.
Their weekend buffet is a carnivore’s dream—Brunswick stew simmered to perfection, pulled pork so tender it falls apart with a stern glance, and ribs that leave just the right amount of sauce on your fingers. The vinegar-based slaw provides the perfect tangy counterpoint to all that smoky meat.
My uncle Jimbo, a self-proclaimed BBQ expert who’s traveled across the South sampling smokehouses, declared this “the real deal” after his first bite. Coming from a man who once drove 200 miles for a sandwich, that’s high praise! Their simple approach—good meat, wood smoke, time, and attention—creates BBQ transcendence.
13. Blue Willow Inn (Social Circle)
Time travel is possible—just drive 45 minutes east of Atlanta to this Victorian mansion turned Southern food paradise! The Blue Willow Inn’s buffet is what happens when grandmothers are put in charge of feeding the masses.
Their fried green tomatoes achieve that perfect balance of tartness and crunch. The peach cobbler—made with Georgia peaches, naturally—arrives warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting into its nooks and crannies. My personal obsession is their squash casserole, a dish I’ve tried (and failed) to recreate at home despite multiple attempts.
During my cousin’s wedding weekend, I brought the entire bridal party here. The bride, a California native, declared the macaroni and cheese “life-changing” and nearly missed her rehearsal because she wanted thirds. Worth the potential matrimonial disaster!