8 Ohio Buffets That Miss The Mark And 8 That Are Absolute Hidden Gems

Ohio’s buffet scene is a wild rollercoaster of culinary hits and misses, a true test of both appetite and optimism.
I’ve spent years crisscrossing the Buckeye State with an empty stomach and high hopes, only to discover that not all all-you-can-eat establishments are created equal. Some places serve up lukewarm mediocrity under tired heat lamps, while others deliver magnificent spreads that make your taste buds do a standing ovation.
From mom-and-pop gems tucked away in small towns to sprawling buffets in bustling cities, I’ve tasted it all. Here’s my honest, no-holds-barred take on where to feast—and which spots are better left off your plate.
1. Golden Corral (Columbus) – Quantity Over Quality

Last summer, I dragged my family to this chain buffet promising them a feast fit for kings. Boy, was that a mistake! The food sits under heat lamps for what feels like centuries, transforming once-edible dishes into sad, dried-out versions of themselves.
The mac and cheese had formed that dreaded skin on top, and the fried chicken resembled prehistoric fossils rather than dinner. Sure, there’s variety – if you count fifty shades of beige as variety!
While the price seems reasonable at first glance, you’re essentially paying for quantity that nobody with functioning taste buds would want to eat in quantity. The salad bar was the only redeeming quality, and let’s be honest – nobody goes to a buffet for lettuce.
2. China Dynasty Buffet (Cincinnati) – Flavorless Far East

Whoever named this place ‘Dynasty’ clearly had a flair for irony. The only thing imperial about this establishment is its imperially bad attempt at Chinese cuisine. Walking in, I was immediately hit with that telltale smell of old frying oil that hasn’t been changed since the Obama administration.
The sweet and sour chicken contained neither sweetness nor sourness – just a concerning neon glow. Even the fortune cookies seemed pessimistic, with one actually telling me to “lower expectations” (I’m only half joking).
Service moves at glacial pace, with empty trays sitting barren for uncomfortable stretches. Save yourself the indigestion and the $14.99 – your future self will thank you for choosing literally anywhere else.
3. Pizza Palace Unlimited (Toledo) – Cardboard Crusts Galore

Holy pepperoni, Batman! The marketing wizards behind Pizza Palace Unlimited should be investigated for false advertising. Their “unlimited” refers not to enjoyment but to disappointment. My nephew summed it up perfectly: “Uncle, this tastes like someone described pizza to an alien who’d never seen one before.” The crust has the exact texture and flavor profile of the box it should’ve come in.
Their signature “supreme” pizza featured toppings so sparse, you’d need GPS to locate them. And don’t get me started on the pasta bar – those noodles were so overcooked they practically dissolved when I looked at them.
For $12.99, you’d be better off buying frozen pizzas and hosting your own buffet at home. At least then you could blame yourself for the culinary crimes.
4. Hometown Harvest (Akron) – Farm to Terrible

Yikes on bikes! Hometown Harvest claims to offer “farm-fresh” cuisine, but unless that farm specializes in growing disappointment, something’s amiss. The vegetables had clearly been frozen, thawed, and then cooked until they waved a white flag of surrender.
Their mashed potatoes – a dish that’s nearly impossible to mess up – somehow managed to be simultaneously lumpy AND watery. The “home-style” fried chicken had more breading than actual meat, creating a bizarre shell-to-substance ratio that defied culinary physics.
The dessert section featured puddings with that dreaded skin on top and pies that looked like they’d been sat on. At $16.99 per person, this place harvests money from unsuspecting customers far more efficiently than it harvests anything edible from farms.
5. Seafood Sensation (Cleveland) – Fishy Business

The ocean called – it wants its reputation back after what Seafood Sensation has done to it. Located suspiciously far from any major body of water, this Cleveland catastrophe should’ve been my first red flag.
The crab legs were so scrawny they looked like they came from malnourished spiders rather than crustaceans. Their shrimp cocktail featured rubber bands disguised as shrimp, and the “fresh catch of the day” had clearly been caught several weeks ago. The fishy smell permeating the place wasn’t appetizing – it was a warning.
My friend Debbie actually found a piece of plastic in her clam chowder, which the manager suggested was “extra garnish.” At $27.99 per person, this place should be investigated for highway robbery, not celebrated for seafood.
6. Breakfast Bonanza (Dayton) – Morning Mayhem

Mornings should be illegal until 10 AM, but I dragged myself to Breakfast Bonanza at 8 AM hoping their famous all-day breakfast buffet would make it worthwhile. Spoiler alert: it absolutely did not. The scrambled eggs had the consistency of wet cement and about as much flavor.
Their pancakes were so rubbery you could’ve used them as frisbees in an emergency. The bacon looked like it had been cooked, left out overnight, then reheated – achieving the impossible task of being both burned and undercooked simultaneously.
Coffee that tasted like it was filtered through an old sock completed this morning disaster. For $13.99, you’re better off hitting the drive-thru or, radical thought, learning to crack an egg at home. My morning was indeed bonkers, but not in the way their name suggests.
7. Sweet Treats Extravaganza (Cincinnati) – Dessert Disaster

My sweet tooth practically dragged me through the door of this dessert-only buffet. Thirty minutes later, that same tooth was filing for divorce. Sweet Treats Extravaganza manages to commit crimes against sugar that should be punishable by law. Their chocolate fountain contained a substance that was technically brown but bore no resemblance to chocolate in taste or texture.
The cakes had that distinct freezer-burn flavor that screams “I’ve been thawed and refrozen multiple times since 2019!”
Even the ice cream was a mystery – somehow both icy AND greasy. Children ran amok, high on food coloring and broken dreams, while parents stared vacantly into the middle distance. For $15.99, this sugar-coated nightmare leaves you with nothing but regret and a strange film on the roof of your mouth.
8. Mrs. Chen’s Kitchen (Cleveland Heights) – Homestyle Heaven

Holy wonton, I’ve found the promised land! Mrs. Chen (yes, she’s real and often visible in the kitchen) creates Chinese food so authentic you’ll swear you’ve been teleported to Shanghai. Unlike those sad mall food court imposters, this family-run gem serves dumplings that practically sing when you bite into them.
The hot and sour soup cleared my sinuses and my soul simultaneously. Their General Tso’s chicken achieves that mythical balance of crispy exterior and tender interior that most places only dream about.
The veggie options aren’t afterthoughts either – the garlic eggplant converted my vegetable-hating brother into an eggplant enthusiast! At $14.99 for lunch and $18.99 for dinner, it’s not the cheapest, but considering I’ve literally dreamed about their food, it’s worth every penny. Family recipes and care make all the difference.
9. Grandma’s Table (Toledo) – Comfort Food Paradise

Remember those Sunday dinners at grandma’s where everything tasted like it was made with love and butter – mostly butter? Grandma’s Table captures that essence perfectly. Walking in feels like getting a warm hug from your favorite relative who insists you’re too skinny even when you’re not.
Their fried chicken achieves that mythical crispy-on-the-outside, juicy-on-the-inside perfection that Colonel Sanders can only dream about. The mashed potatoes contain actual potatoes (revolutionary concept!) and enough garlic to ward off vampires for centuries.
Don’t miss their mac and cheese – I literally saw a grown man weep after his first bite. At $15.99 for all this homestyle goodness, it’s like paying for therapy and dinner simultaneously. Just wear stretchy pants – you’ll need them.
10. The Mediterranean Feast (Columbus) – Olive Oil Oasis

Opa! My Greek grandmother would throw her sandals at most “Mediterranean” restaurants, but The Mediterranean Feast earned her rare nod of approval. This family-owned treasure serves hummus so creamy it should be illegal – I watched the owner’s mother make it fresh while muttering something that sounded like ancient cooking wisdom.
Their gyro meat is carved from actual rotating spits (not those suspicious pre-sliced mysteries). The spanakopita’s flaky crust shatters perfectly, revealing spinach that tastes like it was picked that morning. Even their rice has personality – fragrant with lemon and herbs I can’t pronounce but thoroughly enjoy.
At $16.99, you’re not just paying for food but for a culinary passport to the Mediterranean without the airfare. The owners will likely adopt you by your third visit – resistance is futile.
11. Smoky Mountain BBQ (Akron) – Carnivore’s Dream

Vegetarians, avert your eyes! Smoky Mountain BBQ is where meat goes to fulfill its delicious destiny. The owner, Big Jim (aptly named for both his stature and personality), tends to four massive smokers behind the restaurant like they’re his children.
The brisket spends 16 hours getting acquainted with applewood smoke before meeting your plate. Their pulled pork practically melts on contact with your tongue, and the ribs require no sauce – though their homemade options range from sweet-with-a-kick to holy-moly-call-the-fire-department hot.
The sides aren’t afterthoughts either – the cornbread contains actual corn kernels, and the baked beans have chunks of burnt ends mixed in. At $22.99, it’s pricier than some buffets, but considering the meat sweats and food coma that follow, it’s dinner and entertainment combined.
12. Little India (Cincinnati) – Spice Spectacular

Forget everything you think you know about Indian buffets. Little India doesn’t water down flavors for timid American palates – they bring the heat and complexity that makes this cuisine magical. My first visit changed my life and possibly rearranged my taste buds permanently.
Their butter chicken achieves that perfect tomato-cream balance, and the paneer tikka masala features cheese so fresh they make it in-house daily. The naan comes out in continuous hot batches – I watched a teenager demolish seven pieces while his impressed father looked on with pride.
Don’t miss their chutneys – the mint one cleared my sinuses in the best possible way. At $17.99 for lunch and $21.99 for dinner, it’s a small price to pay for a religious experience disguised as a meal. Pro tip: their weekend buffet includes mango lassi!
13. Osaka Sushi & Hibachi (Dayton) – Fresh Fish Fantasy

Sushi buffets usually make me nervous – raw fish and “all you can eat” aren’t naturally compatible concepts. Osaka shattered my preconceptions faster than their chefs slice sashimi. Their fish is delivered daily, and anything that doesn’t meet their standards gets rejected – I witnessed this firsthand when the owner sent back half a tuna delivery.
The sushi chefs work in full view, crafting pieces with the precision of surgeons and the creativity of artists. Their dragon roll actually looks like a dragon! Beyond raw offerings, the hibachi section features chefs who cook your selection to order – my teriyaki salmon was still sizzling when it hit my plate.
At $24.99, it’s one of the pricier buffets, but considering the quality and freshness, you’re essentially stealing from them. Don’t tell them I said that.
14. Farm & Table (Columbus) – Locavore’s Delight

Picture a farmers market that decided to cook everything for you – that’s Farm & Table in a nutshell. Their chalkboard proudly lists the farms supplying their ingredients, most within 50 miles of Columbus. My salad contained lettuce harvested that morning – a fact I know because the farmer herself was eating lunch there when I visited!
Their rotating seasonal menu means you never get bored. Summer brings heirloom tomato salads that taste like sunshine, while fall ushers in squash soups that wrap you in a warm hug.
The meat section features proteins from humanely raised animals – their roast chicken tastes like chicken used to taste before industrial farming. At $23.99, it’s not cheap, but you’re paying for quality, ethics, and food that actually tastes like food. Your body will thank you.
15. Sweet Potato Soul Food (Cleveland) – Southern Comfort

Hallelujah and pass the cornbread! Sweet Potato Soul Food brings authentic Southern cooking so good it made my Tennessee grandmother nod in approval – the highest praise possible. Owned by Miss Earlene, who learned to cook from her great-grandmother (a former plantation cook), this place serves history on a plate.
The fried catfish has a cornmeal crust that provides the perfect crunch-to-tender ratio. Their collard greens simmer with smoked turkey wings instead of traditional ham hocks – a small change that makes a world of difference.
Don’t miss the mac and cheese, which contains four different cheeses and will ruin all other versions for you forever. At $18.99, you’re paying for generations of culinary wisdom and dishes that require hours of preparation. Come hungry and prepare to waddle out.
16. The Hungry Bavarian (Cincinnati) – German Gem

Lederhosen not required, but a serious appetite is! The Hungry Bavarian serves German cuisine that transported me straight to Munich without the jetlag. The owner, Herr Schmidt, emigrated from Bavaria in the 1980s and brought his family recipes with him – thank goodness he did! Their schnitzel achieves that perfect golden crispiness while remaining tender inside.
The spaetzle (tiny egg noodles) are made fresh daily and tossed with brown butter and herbs. Their sauerkraut ferments in the basement for weeks – a fact that sounds suspicious but results in tangy perfection that converts even fermentation skeptics.
At $19.99, you’re getting authentic German cuisine that would cost twice as much in the homeland. Bonus: they rotate seasonal German beers that pair perfectly with their hearty fare. Prost!