14 Virginia Buffets Where Locals Insist The Fried Chicken Is Unmatched
Virginia is home to buffets where fried chicken reigns supreme, drawing locals who know a perfectly crispy, juicy piece when they taste one.
I visited spots where the chicken comes golden, flavorful, and impossible to resist, with sides that make every plate feel like a feast.
From bustling community favorites to tucked-away gems, each buffet proves why people keep coming back. The devotion to fried chicken here is serious, and every bite explains why.
1. Michie Tavern – Charlottesville
Step back in time at this 18th-century tavern where history meets comfort food. The fried chicken here has been a crowd favorite since the 1700s, served family-style with all the Southern fixings you can handle.
Locals swear the crispy coating and tender meat taste exactly like grandma’s recipe.
The colonial atmosphere makes every meal feel like a celebration, and the all-you-can-eat format means you can go back for seconds without judgment.
2. Graves Mountain Lodge – Farmhouse Restaurant – Syria
Nestled in the Blue Ridge foothills, this farmhouse restaurant delivers country cooking at its finest.
Their fried chicken arrives hot and crackling, seasoned with a secret blend that has folks driving hours just for a taste.
Everything here screams authenticity, from the checkered tablecloths to the endless platters of homestyle sides.
The lodge setting adds charm, making dinner feel like a mountain retreat rather than just another meal out on the town.
3. Wood Grill Buffet – Charlottesville
Variety reigns supreme at this bustling spot, but regulars know the real star is the fried chicken station.
Perfectly seasoned drumsticks and thighs sit under heat lamps, calling your name from across the dining room.
The buffet format means you can sample everything, but most plates end up piled high with chicken anyway.
Crispy skin gives way to juicy meat that stays moist even after sitting out, proving their kitchen knows exactly what they’re doing with a fryer.
4. The Village Inn Restaurant & Lounge – Harrisonburg
Harrisonburg locals have kept this gem a secret for decades, but word is finally getting out. The fried chicken here boasts a peppery kick that sets it apart from the usual bland buffet fare you find elsewhere.
Generous portions and reasonable prices keep families coming back week after week.
The lounge vibe adds a relaxed touch, perfect for unwinding after work while demolishing a plate of some of the crunchiest, most flavorful chicken in the Shenandoah Valley area.
5. King’s Korner Restaurant – North Chesterfield
For years, this neighborhood spot served up fried chicken that rivaled any fancy establishment.
The buffet line once moved fast, but everyone paused at the chicken tray to grab extra pieces. Regulars raved about the consistent quality and the fact that fresh batches came out every 20 minutes.
The crispy coating practically shattered when you bit down, revealing meat so tender it practically fell off the bone without any effort required.
Although the dine-in restaurant has since closed and King’s Korner now focuses on catering, locals still talk about that chicken like a legend.
6. Nanny’s Restaurant & Catering – Petersburg
Named for someone’s beloved grandmother, this spot lives up to its homestyle promise.
The fried chicken tastes like Sunday dinner at your favorite relative’s house, complete with that perfect balance of seasoning and crunch everyone craves.
Petersburg residents consider this their go-to comfort food headquarters.
The buffet spreads out generously, but most folks admit they come primarily for the chicken and maybe some mac and cheese if there’s room left on the plate afterward.
7. Cooper’s Restaurant & Lounge – Portsmouth
Portsmouth’s best-kept secret sits right in plain sight, serving fried chicken that has sailors and civilians alike singing praises.
The coating delivers maximum crunch without being greasy, a feat many restaurants attempt but few actually achieve successfully.
The lounge atmosphere makes it perfect for casual dinners or weekend gatherings with friends.
Fresh batches emerge from the kitchen regularly, ensuring you never get stuck with dried-out pieces that have been sitting under lamps for too long.
8. Great American Buffet – Fredericksburg
Everything about this place screams abundance, from the massive dining room to the endless food stations. But savvy diners head straight for the fried chicken before filling their plates with anything else on offer.
The chicken here stays remarkably crispy despite the buffet format, thanks to frequent restocking and proper heat management.
Fredericksburg families treat this spot like their personal cafeteria, stopping by weekly to load up on comfort food without breaking the bank or their waistbands.
9. Fiddler’s – Abingdon
Music and mountains define this Southwest Virginia treasure where the fried chicken plays second fiddle to nothing.
The recipe has remained unchanged for years, earning a devoted following among locals and tourists passing through town alike.
Crispy on the outside, impossibly juicy inside, each piece comes out perfectly cooked every single time.
The rustic setting adds character, making your meal feel special even though you’re basically just eating really good chicken from a buffet line with strangers.
10. Country Kitchen – Christiansburg
Simple name, extraordinary chicken. This Christiansburg staple has been feeding hungry diners for decades with food that tastes like home should.
The fried chicken receives constant praise on local food forums and community Facebook groups. Each piece gets the attention it deserves, from proper seasoning to ideal frying time.
The buffet offers plenty of sides, but regulars know to save maximum stomach space for multiple trips back to the chicken station where the real magic happens daily.
11. Virginia Diner – Wakefield
Famous for peanuts but beloved for fried chicken, this roadside icon has been feeding travelers since 1929.
The chicken here carries a subtle nutty flavor that makes perfect sense given their signature product sitting on every table. Stopping here has become a ritual for anyone traveling through Wakefield.
The buffet setup lets you sample everything, but the fried chicken remains the undisputed champion, crispy and flavorful enough to make you consider taking the long way home next time.
12. Captain George’s Seafood – Virginia Beach
Seafood gets top billing here, but the fried chicken quietly steals the show.
Beach visitors expecting only fish and crab get pleasantly surprised by some of the best poultry on the coast, crispy and perfectly seasoned every time.
The massive buffet offers over 70 items, yet locals know to grab chicken first before the tourists figure it out.
Golden brown perfection awaits under those heat lamps, proving that seafood restaurants can absolutely nail landlocked comfort food when they try hard enough.
13. Hibachi Grill Buffet – Richmond
Asian fusion meets Southern comfort at this Richmond favorite where the fried chicken holds its own against sushi and stir-fry.
The kitchen manages to nail both Eastern and Western dishes, creating an unusual but wildly successful combination. Crispy chicken sits right next to spring rolls, and somehow it all works perfectly.
Richmond residents appreciate the variety, but many admit they pile their plates high with chicken before even glancing at the hibachi station across the room.
14. Teppanyaki Grill & Supreme Buffet – Richmond
Another Richmond gem proving that Asian buffets can absolutely dominate the fried chicken game.
The Supreme Buffet lives up to its name with stations stretching across the entire dining room, but chicken remains the surprise MVP.
Perfectly fried pieces compete for attention with dozens of other dishes and somehow still manage to win.
The teppanyaki show provides entertainment, but smart diners know to stock up on chicken first before getting distracted by the flashy knife work and flying shrimp across the room.