5 Alabama Buffets Not Worth It And 5 That Hit The Sweet Spot
Alabama knows a thing or two about good eating, especially when it comes to all-you-can-eat buffets. But not all buffet spots are created equal in the Heart of Dixie. Some leave you wishing you’d saved your hard-earned cash, while others offer spreads so delicious you’ll be planning your next visit before you’ve even finished your first plate.
1. Feast Buffet – Mobile: Quantity Over Quality
Located in a strip mall with faded signage, Feast Buffet promises abundance but delivers disappointment. The food sits under heat lamps for hours, resulting in dried-out chicken and soggy vegetables that have lost all nutritional value.
The seafood section, despite being in Mobile with access to fresh Gulf catches, features freezer-burned shrimp and mystery fish that tastes nothing like what the labels claim. Service staff rarely refill empty trays.
2. Buffet City – Tuscaloosa: A College Town Letdown
College students flock here for cheap eats, but even at budget-friendly prices, Buffet City fails to deliver value. The restaurant’s signature dishes consist mostly of heavily battered meats drowning in overly sweet sauces with artificial flavors.
Vegetables come from industrial-sized cans rather than fresh produce, evident in their mushy texture and metallic aftertaste. The dessert section features puddings with strange skin formations and stale cookies that could double as hockey pucks.
3. Super Hibachi Buffet Grill – Gadsden: Super Disappointment
The name suggests greatness, but Super Hibachi Buffet Grill falls dramatically short. Their hibachi station, the supposed centerpiece, features a cook who barely interacts with customers and uses pre-chopped ingredients that lack freshness.
Sushi offerings sit out so long the rice hardens and the fish develops concerning color changes. The American food section doesn’t fare better, with hamburger patties that resemble cardboard and french fries that somehow manage to be both soggy and stale simultaneously.
4. 88 Buffet – Huntsville: Numerical Nightmare
Situated near Huntsville’s shopping district, 88 Buffet attracts hungry shoppers who soon regret their dining decision. The restaurant’s overwhelmingly greasy offerings leave an unpleasant film on the roof of your mouth that persists long after you’ve paid the bill.
Their crab legs, available on weekends for an upcharge, are consistently overcooked and difficult to extract from the shell. The salad bar features wilted lettuce and dressings in crusty containers that haven’t been properly cleaned in what appears to be weeks.
5. New China Buffet & Grill – Huntsville: Nothing New or Noteworthy
Despite its name suggesting innovation, New China Buffet & Grill serves the same tired dishes found at countless subpar Chinese buffets across America. Their egg rolls contain mysterious filling that bears little resemblance to vegetables, while the rice dishes clump together in starchy masses.
The restaurant’s attempt at American classics fares even worse, with fried chicken that’s all breading and no meat. Dessert options consist mainly of artificially colored jellos and stale fortune cookies.
6. Nelson’s Barnyard Buffet – Saraland: Southern Comfort Paradise
Family recipes shine at this charming Saraland institution where generations of locals have gathered for authentic Southern cooking. The warm, rustic atmosphere immediately puts diners at ease with its farmhouse décor and friendly staff who treat everyone like neighbors.
Their legendary fried chicken achieves that perfect balance of crispy exterior and juicy meat that keeps people coming back weekly. Seasonal vegetables sourced from local farms change throughout the year, giving regulars something new to sample alongside staple dishes.
7. Martha’s Place – Montgomery: Soul Food Heaven
Walking into Martha’s Place feels like coming home for Sunday dinner at grandma’s house. The aroma of freshly baked cornbread and slow-cooked collard greens greets you at the door, promising authentic Southern comfort on every plate.
Owner Martha Hawkins transformed her personal struggle into a culinary triumph, creating a Montgomery institution where politicians and everyday folks rub elbows over heaping plates of crispy fried chicken and buttery sweet potatoes. The mac and cheese alone is worth the trip – creamy, gooey, and perfectly baked with that golden-brown crust on top.
8. City Market Grill and Buffet – Pell City: Hometown Flavor Haven
Tucked away in charming Pell City, this local gem serves up authentic Southern comfort food that keeps locals coming back week after week. The fresh-made cornbread alone is worth the trip!
What sets City Market apart is their commitment to quality over quantity. Unlike many buffets that sacrifice flavor for volume, each dish here tastes homemade. The fried chicken stays crispy even under heat lamps, and their collard greens would make any grandmother proud.
The friendly staff remembers regulars by name, adding a personal touch that chain restaurants can’t match.
9. The Gift Horse Restaurant – Foley: Homestyle Heaven
Family-owned since 1995, The Gift Horse Restaurant stands as Foley’s crown jewel of buffet dining. Their steam tables overflow with Southern classics prepared from scratch daily – crispy fried chicken with perfectly seasoned crust, buttery field peas, and cornbread that melts in your mouth. What sets this place apart isn’t just the food quality but the consistency.
Regular diners rave about how the macaroni and cheese tastes exactly the same as it did on their first visit years ago. The dessert section deserves special mention with its rotating selection of homemade cobblers and pies.
10. Filet & Vine – Montgomery: A Deli Treasure Worth Every Penny
Hidden in Montgomery’s historic district, Filet & Vine combines a gourmet market, wine shop, and stellar lunch buffet that locals protect like a family secret. The daily-rotating selection features Southern classics with unexpected twists – think cornbread dressing with cranberry relish or squash casserole elevated with fresh herbs.
The modest buffet size belies its quality; everything is prepared from scratch daily using local ingredients whenever possible. Unlike massive chain buffets, nothing sits under heat lamps for hours.
The friendly staff remembers regulars by name, creating a community atmosphere that’s increasingly rare. Pro tip: Thursday’s fried chicken day draws the biggest crowds, so arrive early or prepare to wait!
