12 Must Try New Mexico Soul Food Buffets That Feel Like Sunday Dinner
When you’re craving comfort food that reminds you of family gatherings and warm Sunday afternoons, New Mexico’s soul food buffets deliver exactly that experience.
These restaurants serve up heaping plates of fried chicken, collard greens, mac and cheese, and cornbread that taste just like grandma’s cooking. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, these buffet spots offer the kind of home-cooked meals that make you feel welcomed and satisfied.
I’ve gathered some of the best soul food buffets across New Mexico where every bite feels like a warm hug from home.
1. Southern Comfort Kitchen in Albuquerque
How does a buffet line stacked with golden fried chicken and buttery cornbread sound for lunch? Southern Comfort Kitchen brings authentic soul food flavors to Albuquerque with a buffet that changes daily based on what’s fresh and delicious. You’ll find classic dishes like smothered pork chops, candied yams, and green beans cooked with just the right amount of bacon.
The atmosphere feels welcoming, with wooden tables and friendly staff who treat you like family. Locals love coming here on Sundays after church because the buffet reminds them of home-cooked meals. Prices are reasonable, and you can go back for seconds without anyone judging your appetite.
If you’re new to soul food, start with their famous fried chicken and mac and cheese combo.
2. Big Mama’s Soul Food Buffet in Santa Fe
It’s hard to find a more authentic soul food experience than what Big Mama’s offers in Santa Fe. This family-owned restaurant has been serving the community for over fifteen years, and their buffet showcases recipes passed down through generations. Every dish tastes like it came straight from someone’s kitchen on a Sunday afternoon.
The buffet features rotating specials like oxtails, neck bones, and black-eyed peas that you won’t find everywhere. Their peach cobbler is legendary, with a flaky crust that melts in your mouth. The dining room has a homey feel with pictures of family members decorating the walls.
Arrive early on weekends because the buffet gets picked over quickly by hungry customers.
3. Gospel Bird Eatery in Las Cruces
Did you know that Gospel Bird is an old-fashioned nickname for fried chicken? This Las Cruces spot earned its name by serving some of the crispiest, most flavorful fried chicken in the state. Their Sunday buffet is the main attraction, featuring both traditional soul food and New Mexico-influenced dishes that create a unique fusion.
You’ll discover items like green chile mac and cheese alongside classic collard greens and cornbread dressing. The restaurant plays gospel music softly in the background, adding to the Sunday dinner atmosphere. Families fill the tables, and kids run around while adults catch up over sweet tea.
Their banana pudding is a must-try dessert that disappears fast from the buffet line.
4. Sister’s Kitchen Soul Buffet in Roswell
When three sisters decided to open a restaurant together in Roswell, they brought their grandmother’s recipes and a whole lot of love. Sister’s Kitchen Soul Buffet serves lunch and dinner buffets that change based on what the sisters feel like cooking that day. You might find smothered chicken one day and barbecue ribs the next.
The portions are generous, and the flavors are bold without being overwhelming. Their cornbread is slightly sweet and pairs perfectly with their tangy collard greens. The restaurant has a casual vibe where everyone feels comfortable, whether you’re dressed up or wearing jeans.
Regulars recommend trying whatever special the sisters are featuring because those dishes are always exceptional.
5. Sunday Soul Feast in Farmington
Though this restaurant is open all week, Sundays are when Sunday Soul Feast truly shines in Farmington. The buffet expands on weekends to include over twenty different dishes, from fried catfish to lima beans to sweet potato pie. Everything tastes homemade because it is, with cooks arriving early each morning to prepare the food fresh.
The restaurant’s name says it all this is a feast meant to be enjoyed slowly and shared with people you care about. You’ll see large groups celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and just regular Sundays together. The sweet tea is brewed perfectly, not too sweet but just right.
Save room for dessert because their red velvet cake is worth every calorie.
6. Comfort & Joy Soul Kitchen in Alamogordo
Are you tired of fancy restaurants with tiny portions and complicated menus? Comfort & Joy Soul Kitchen in Alamogordo keeps things simple and satisfying with a buffet that focuses on classic soul food done right. Their fried chicken is brined overnight before being fried to golden perfection.
The buffet includes all the sides you’d expect mac and cheese, green beans, potato salad, and buttery rolls. What sets this place apart is their attention to seasoning; every dish has layers of flavor that make you want another bite. The staff refills the buffet constantly, so you always get hot, fresh food.
Locals suggest coming on Thursdays when they add fried pork chops to the regular lineup.
7. Nana’s Table Soul Buffet in Clovis
If Nana were still cooking Sunday dinners, this is exactly what her table would look like in Clovis. Nana’s Table Soul Buffet serves food that tastes like it came from a grandmother’s kitchen, with recipes that emphasize flavor and love over fancy presentation. The pot roast is fall-apart tender, and the gravy is rich enough to make you want to drink it.
Their buffet changes seasonally, incorporating fresh vegetables and ingredients when they’re at their best. The restaurant has a small dining room that fills up quickly during lunch and dinner rushes. Regulars know to arrive right when they open to get first pick from the buffet.
Don’t skip the bread pudding it’s soaked in a bourbon sauce that’s absolutely incredible.
8. Blessed Plate Buffet in Hobbs
Where can you find food that feeds both your stomach and your soul? Blessed Plate Buffet in Hobbs answers that question with a buffet that feels like a blessing on your plate. The owners are active in their church community, and that sense of fellowship carries over into their restaurant atmosphere.
You’ll find traditional soul food favorites plus a few surprises like fried okra and chitterlings for the adventurous eaters. Their biscuits are made from scratch every morning and served warm throughout the day. The restaurant hosts live gospel music on some Sunday afternoons, making the experience even more special.
First-timers should try the sampler plate to taste a little bit of everything available.
9. Down Home Soul Buffet in Silver City
It’s amazing how food can transport you back to childhood memories of family dinners. Down Home Soul Buffet in Silver City creates that nostalgic feeling with every meal they serve. The buffet features comfort foods like meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and butter beans that remind you of simpler times.
The restaurant occupies a converted house, which adds to the homey atmosphere and makes you feel like you’re eating in someone’s dining room. Their fried chicken is crispy on the outside and juicy inside, seasoned with a secret blend of spices. The portions are generous, and the prices won’t break your budget.
Make sure to try their chess pie for dessert it’s a Southern classic done absolutely right.
10. Praise Kitchen Soul Buffet in Carlsbad
When the owners of Praise Kitchen decided to open their Carlsbad restaurant, they wanted to recreate the meals served at church potlucks and family reunions. Their buffet succeeds in capturing that communal dining spirit with dishes meant to be shared and enjoyed together. The baked ham is glazed with brown sugar and studded with cloves.
Their collard greens are cooked low and slow with smoked turkey, making them flavorful without being too heavy. The restaurant has long tables that encourage strangers to sit together and become friends over good food. The staff treats everyone like honored guests at a family gathering.
Sunday buffets include special desserts like sock-it-to-me cake that sell out quickly.
11. Homestyle Soul Spread in Gallup
How do you turn a regular meal into a memorable experience? Homestyle Soul Spread in Gallup does it by treating every customer like family and serving food made with genuine care. Their buffet includes both land and sea options, with fried catfish being just as popular as their fried chicken.
The hush puppies are crispy and slightly sweet, perfect for dipping in their homemade tartar sauce. Their cabbage is cooked with just enough seasoning to enhance the natural flavor without overpowering it. The restaurant has been featured in local magazines for having some of the best soul food in northwestern New Mexico.
Regulars insist you must try the pecan pie, which has a gooey filling and crunchy topping.
12. Sunday Supper Soul Buffet in Ruidoso
Are mountain towns known for soul food? They are in Ruidoso, thanks to Sunday Supper Soul Buffet bringing Southern comfort to this scenic destination. The restaurant combines the cozy cabin atmosphere of the mountains with the warm flavors of traditional soul food cooking.
Their buffet features smothered chicken, dirty rice, and turnip greens that taste like they’ve been simmering all day. The restaurant’s large windows offer beautiful views while you eat, making the experience even more enjoyable. Tourists and locals alike appreciate the generous buffet that lets you try multiple dishes without ordering separately.
Their bread pudding with whiskey sauce is the perfect way to end your meal on a sweet note.
