Where Fried Chicken Reigns: 16 North Carolina All-You-Can-Eat Buffets

North Carolina knows how to do comfort food right, and nothing proves it better than the state’s legendary all-you-can-eat buffets. From crispy fried chicken piled high to mountains of mashed potatoes and gravy, these spots serve up Southern hospitality on every plate.

Whether you’re craving classic country cooking or want to explore endless flavor combinations, these buffets deliver big portions and even bigger smiles.

1. Dan’l Boone Inn

This place isn’t just a meal, it’s a time machine to 1760s Appalachia. Dan’l Boone Inn brings that legendary family-style energy where strangers become dinner companions over shared platters.

Skillet-fried chicken arrives crispy and crackling, paired with country ham biscuits that’ll make you weep tears of joy. Stewed apples and buttery mashed potatoes round out the feast with mountain-style authenticity.

Located in historic Boone, the atmosphere screams old-school charm without trying too hard. You’ll leave stuffed, satisfied, and probably planning your next visit before you hit the parking lot.

2. Granny’s Kitchen

Where else can you fuel up before conquering the Smokies with proper mountain food? Granny’s Kitchen sits near Cherokee, dishing out the kind of comfort that only Appalachian grandmothers truly understand.

Fried green tomatoes hit different here, tangy and crispy with just the right crunch. Country ham and skillet-fried chicken dominate the spread, backed by sides that taste like Sunday dinner at your coolest relative’s house.

The vibe? Pure mountain hospitality without the fuss. Come hungry, leave happy, and maybe grab seconds of those tomatoes because you absolutely should.

3. Chason’s Buffet

Down-home Southern cooking gets the spotlight here without any pretense or unnecessary frills. Chason’s Buffet keeps things real in Fayetteville, serving up country classics that locals swear by.

Variety rules the steam tables with multiple meats rotating daily alongside vegetables cooked low and slow. Classic sides fill every gap, ensuring your plate becomes a colorful masterpiece of Southern tradition.

The relaxed dining room makes you feel like you’re eating at a beloved neighbor’s place. Nothing fancy, nothing forced, just honest food that hits the spot every single time you visit.

4. Golden Corral Buffet & Grill

When you need options and you need them now, this Greensboro location delivers the goods. Golden Corral has perfected the art of pleasing every palate in your crew, from picky toddlers to adventurous eaters.

Roasted meats share space with perfectly fried chicken while mashed potatoes swim in rich gravy. Salads offer a breather before you attack the dessert bar, which frankly deserves its own zip code.

Family-friendly doesn’t mean boring here. The energy stays upbeat, the food stays fresh, and your belly stays wonderfully, gloriously full throughout your entire visit.

5. Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q

Quick service meets serious flavor at this North Carolina institution with 41 locations statewide. Smithfield’s proves you don’t need fancy tablecloths when your fried chicken speaks fluent delicious.

Eastern North Carolina barbecue joins forces with crispy fried chicken, creating a dream team of regional specialties. The vinegar-based sauce brings that tangy punch while the chicken stays juicy under its golden crust.

Fast doesn’t mean compromised quality here. Grab your tray, load up, and experience why this chain has become a Tar Heel State treasure worth seeking out wherever you roam.

6. Ichiban Grill Supreme Buffet

Asian cuisine takes center stage at this sizable Greensboro destination that knows variety is the spice of life. Ichiban Grill Supreme Buffet stretches beyond expectations with seafood, sushi, and everyday Asian favorites.

Sushi rolls sit fresh and inviting while shellfish adds a touch of coastal luxury to your plate. Traditional Asian dishes mingle with recognizable American options, making everyone at your table ridiculously happy.

The straightforward setup means less confusion and more eating time. With over 4,400 reviews averaging 4.2 stars, this place clearly knows how to keep Greensboro coming back for more delicious rounds.

7. K&W Cafeteria

Cafeteria-style dining gets elevated to an art form at this North Carolina classic. K&W has been feeding generations with honest Southern cooking that never goes out of style or loses its soul.

Choose your adventure down the serving line where fried chicken glistens alongside mac and cheese that could win awards. Vegetables actually taste like vegetables here, cooked with care rather than boiled into oblivion.

Homemade desserts wait at the end like edible trophies for making it through the savory gauntlet. The nostalgic vibe reminds you that some traditions absolutely deserve to stick around forever and always.

8. Mamaw’s Kitchen

Homestyle cooking reaches peak comfort levels at this aptly named treasure. Mamaw’s Kitchen channels that grandmother energy where every dish tastes like it was made specifically for your personal happiness.

Fried chicken arrives with that perfect crackle while biscuits threaten to steal the entire show. Traditional Southern sides surround your plate like edible hugs, each one more comforting than the last bite.

The cozy atmosphere wraps around you like your favorite blanket on a chilly evening. Portions come generous, flavors come bold, and memories come automatically when food tastes this genuinely good and heartfelt.

9. Keaton’s BBQ

Barbecue and fried chicken join forces here like the dynamic duo of Southern cuisine. Keaton’s BBQ understands that sometimes you want smoky pulled pork AND crispy fried poultry on the same glorious plate.

Hush puppies arrive golden and slightly sweet, perfect for soaking up all those flavorful juices. Carolina-style sides bring regional authenticity while the rustic atmosphere keeps things refreshingly unpretentious and totally approachable.

Smoke-stained walls tell stories of countless meals served with pride and passion. This isn’t just eating, it’s experiencing North Carolina’s culinary heritage one satisfying, finger-licking bite at a delicious time.

10. Sagebrush Steakhouse

Western vibes meet Southern favorites at this unexpected buffet champion. Sagebrush Steakhouse throws fried chicken into the mix alongside steaks, creating a protein paradise for serious carnivores everywhere.

Grilled meats sizzle with flavor while baked potatoes come loaded with all the fixings imaginable. Country-style sides bridge the gap between ranch and farmhouse, satisfying cravings you didn’t even know existed yet.

Rustic decor sets the mood without going overboard on the cowboy theme. Whether you came for beef or poultry, your taste buds win either way at this surprisingly versatile North Carolina destination spot.

11. Shoney’s

All-day breakfast meets all-you-can-eat glory at this American institution. Shoney’s has mastered the art of serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner simultaneously without creating chaos or compromising quality anywhere.

Fried chicken holds its own next to pancakes and scrambled eggs in a beautiful display of culinary democracy. Hot food stations rotate comfort classics while the breakfast bar tempts you regardless of what time you arrived.

Family-friendly atmosphere welcomes everyone from solo diners to massive extended family gatherings. The variety ensures nobody leaves disappointed, and the consistent quality keeps North Carolina locations packed daily with happy, hungry customers.

12. Ryan’s Grill Buffet & Bakery

Freshly baked rolls hit different when they’re unlimited and still warm from the oven. Ryan’s Grill Buffet & Bakery combines homestyle cooking with an in-house bakery that produces carb-loaded temptation all day long.

Fried chicken competes for attention with grilled options while hot food bars stretch endlessly before your eyes. The bakery section becomes dangerous territory where willpower goes to die a delicious, sugar-dusted death.

Spacious dining areas accommodate crowds without feeling cramped or overwhelming to navigate. Everything from the grill to the dessert station maintains solid quality, making repeat visits feel like reuniting with an old, reliable friend.

13. Country Cookin’

Authenticity oozes from every corner of this no-nonsense Southern establishment. Country Cookin’ delivers exactly what the name promises without trying to reinvent the wheel or impress food critics unnecessarily.

Collard greens simmer with smoky flavor while cornbread crumbles perfectly beside your fried chicken. Traditional vegetables get the respect they deserve, cooked with bacon grease and love in equal, generous measures.

Checkered tablecloths and down-home decor create instant comfort and familiarity. This is where locals bring out-of-town guests to prove that North Carolina takes its country cooking seriously and executes it flawlessly every single time.

14. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

Front porch rockers set the tone before you even step inside this Southern landmark. Cracker Barrel combines shopping and eating into one nostalgic experience that somehow never feels gimmicky or forced at all.

Fried chicken arrives with those signature biscuits that have launched a thousand copycat recipes. Country sides taste like Sunday dinner at your great-aunt’s house, assuming she was an exceptional cook with serious skills.

Vintage decor covers every wall, giving you something interesting to examine between bites. The consistent quality across locations means you know exactly what delicious experience awaits, whether you’re traveling or staying local today.

15. Bojangles’ Famous Chicken ‘n Biscuits

Born in Charlotte and spreading across the South like delicious wildfire, this chain represents North Carolina pride. Bojangles’ brings that Cajun-seasoned twist to traditional fried chicken, creating a flavor profile that’s instantly recognizable and totally addictive.

Buttermilk biscuits deserve their legendary status, flaky and buttery beyond reasonable expectations. Seasoned fries and dirty rice add spicy kicks while the chicken stays supremely crispy outside and juicy inside.

Fast-casual format means quick service without sacrificing that just-made freshness. This is North Carolina fast food royalty, proving that speed and quality can absolutely coexist in perfect, finger-licking harmony always.

16. The Beacon Drive-In

Just across the border but beloved by North Carolinians, this Spartanburg legend deserves honorary Tar Heel status. The Beacon Drive-In has been serving fried chicken baskets and attitude since 1946 with zero plans to modernize unnecessarily.

Counter service moves lightning-fast as servers call out orders with entertaining flair and practiced efficiency. Onion rings tower beside crispy chicken while sweet tea flows freely in portions that could hydrate small armies.

Neon signs and retro atmosphere create Instagram-worthy nostalgia that tastes even better than it photographs. This is living history you can actually eat, one gloriously greasy, perfectly seasoned bite at an unforgettable time.