12 North Carolina BBQ Buffets Where September Plates Feel Like Pure Comfort Food
September in North Carolina brings cooler evenings and the perfect excuse to pile your plate high with smoky barbecue goodness.
Nothing beats the comfort of a BBQ buffet where you can sample everything from tender pulled pork to creamy coleslaw without having to choose just one favorite.
These twelve buffet spots across the Tar Heel State serve up authentic flavors that make every September meal feel like a warm hug from grandma’s kitchen.
1. Casey’s Buffet BBQ & Home Cooking, Wilmington
Port city comfort food reaches new heights at this coastal gem where BBQ meets Southern hospitality.
Fresh seafood mingles with smoky pork on steam tables that stretch like a delicious horizon. Local families pack the dining room every weekend, creating a buzzing atmosphere that feels more like a community gathering than just dinner out.
September visitors often rave about the hush puppies that disappear faster than summer vacation.
2. Fuller’s Old Fashioned BBQ, Fayetteville – Eastern Blvd
Military families and barbecue lovers unite at this Eastern Boulevard institution that’s been feeding Fort Bragg for decades.
Whole hogs slow cook over hickory wood while green beans simmer in ham hocks nearby. The buffet line moves like a well-organized mission, with servers who remember your sweet tea preference after just two visits.
September brings back college students craving a taste of home cooking.
3. Fuller’s Old Fashioned BBQ, Fayetteville – Raeford Rd
Sister location to Eastern Boulevard, but this Raeford Road spot brings its own personality to the Fuller’s family legacy.
Banana pudding disappears before noon most days, causing friendly competition among regular customers who time their visits accordingly. The mac and cheese recipe supposedly came from the owner’s great-grandmother, though nobody’s confirming or denying those delicious rumors.
September crowds often include three generations sharing one big table.
4. Fuller’s Old Fashioned BBQ, Pembroke
Small town charm meets big flavor at Fuller’s Pembroke location, where university students and locals create an interesting dining mix.
The buffet may be smaller than its Fayetteville siblings, but the quality never wavers from the Fuller’s standard. Cornbread comes out hot every twenty minutes, and smart diners learn to time their visits around these golden moments.
September brings UNC Pembroke students discovering real Carolina barbecue for the first time.
5. Ralph’s Barbecue, Weldon
Highway travelers and barbecue pilgrims make special detours to reach this Weldon treasure that’s worth every extra mile.
Whole chickens rotate on spits while pork shoulders rest under warming lights, creating an aromatic welcome that hits you before the front door closes. The buffet features both Eastern and Western style sauces, settling the great North Carolina barbecue debate by letting customers choose their own adventure.
September road trips often include mandatory Ralph’s stops.
6. McCall’s Bar-B-Q & Seafood, Goldsboro
Surf meets turf at this Goldsboro favorite where barbecue shares buffet space with fresh seafood in perfect harmony.
Friday fish fry brings lines out the door, but the barbecue holds its own every day of the week. Coleslaw gets made fresh twice daily using a recipe that’s been in the family longer than anyone wants to admit.
September diners often debate whether to fill up on pork or save room for the seafood specials.
7. King’s BBQ Restaurant, Kinston
Eastern Carolina barbecue royalty reigns supreme at this Kinston landmark where whole hogs meet their delicious destiny daily.
The buffet stretches longer than a country mile, featuring every side dish imaginable plus a few that might surprise newcomers. Collard greens cook low and slow with just enough pepper vinegar to make your taste buds dance without setting your mouth on fire.
September brings barbecue contest judges who use King’s as their flavor standard.
8. Bum’s Restaurant, Ayden
Don’t let the quirky name fool you because this Ayden institution serves serious barbecue that draws crowds from three counties over.
The building might not win any beauty contests, but the food inside creates converts out of barbecue skeptics every single day. Potato salad disappears faster than gossip at a church social, and the green beans taste like somebody’s grandmother spent all morning snapping them fresh.
September visitors often become lifelong fans after one meal.
9. Murray’s BBQ & Seafood, Goldsboro
Goldsboro’s barbecue scene gets even better with Murray’s combination of smoky pork and fresh catches from the Carolina coast.
The lunch buffet attracts business folks who appreciate quick service without sacrificing quality or flavor. Sweet potato casserole appears on the buffet line every day, not just during holidays, because Murray’s believes comfort food shouldn’t wait for special occasions.
September lunch crowds often include repeat customers who’ve been coming for decades.
10. Chason’s Buffet, Fayetteville – Owen Drive
Owen Drive diners know that Chason’s delivers consistent comfort food that never disappoints even the pickiest eaters in the family.
The dessert section alone could justify the trip, featuring homemade pies that rotate daily and keep customers guessing what sweet surprise awaits. Fried chicken shares space with barbecue on the steam tables, creating tough decisions for diners who want to try everything.
September brings families celebrating everything from birthdays to homecomings around these tables.
11. Grandsons Buffet, Smithfield
Small town hospitality meets big city variety at this Smithfield spot where three generations of the same family often dine together weekly.
The salad bar actually competes with the hot food for attention, featuring fresh vegetables that look like they came straight from somebody’s backyard garden. Meatloaf appears on Wednesdays like clockwork, drawing a faithful following of customers who plan their week around this comfort food classic.
September brings harvest season vegetables that make the salad bar even more tempting.
12. Grandsons Buffet, Hope Mills
Hope Mills location brings the same family recipe success to a different zip code, proving good food travels well between towns.
Sunday after church crowds pack the dining room with families still dressed in their finest, creating a scene that belongs in a Norman Rockwell painting. The buffet expands on weekends to accommodate the rush, featuring special dishes that only appear when the whole family’s expected for dinner.
September Sundays often require patience but reward diners with exceptional comfort food.