This North Carolina Buffet Is So Good, People Plan Road Trips Around It
I’ll never forget the first time someone told me about a buffet worth planning an entire road trip around. Skeptical doesn’t begin to describe my reaction. But then I walked into Casey’s Buffet at 5559 Oleander Dr, Wilmington, and everything changed.
The aroma of slow-cooked barbecue hit me before I even reached the door. Inside, platters of golden fried chicken, bubbling mac and cheese, and glistening collard greens stretched across the buffet line like edible artwork. This wasn’t just another all-you-can-eat spot.
It was a love letter to Southern soul food, written in cornbread and signed with peach cobbler. Every dish whispered stories of family recipes passed down through generations. The wood-paneled walls and friendly faces made me feel like I’d stumbled into the best family reunion I’d never been invited to.
By the time I left, belly full and heart happy, I understood completely why people drive hours just to eat here.
1. Family Recipes Passed Down Through Generations
Larry Casey didn’t just open a restaurant back in 2005. He brought his mother’s kitchen to life on Oleander Drive, complete with recipes that had been perfected over decades. Every dish carries the fingerprints of his grandmother’s wisdom and his mother’s love.
Walking through the buffet line feels like flipping through a family cookbook where every page has been splattered with sauce and tested by time. The collard greens simmer with the same technique his grandmother used on Sunday afternoons. The cornbread crumbles exactly the way his mother’s did at holiday dinners.
This commitment to authenticity shows in every single bite. Nothing tastes mass-produced or shortcuts taken. Instead, each plate tells a story of Southern kitchens where cooking meant more than just feeding people.
It meant preserving culture, sharing love, and keeping traditions alive.
When you eat at Casey’s, you’re not just enjoying a meal. You’re tasting history, one delicious spoonful at a time. That’s something no chain restaurant can ever replicate, no matter how hard they try.
2. Barbecue That Needs No Sauce
Most barbecue joints slather their meat in sauce to hide mistakes. Casey’s does the opposite. Their pulled pork and ribs arrive at the buffet perfectly smoked, tender enough to fall apart with a fork, and bursting with flavor all on their own.
Larry Casey spent over 25 years perfecting his smoking technique before opening his restaurant. That dedication shows in every shred of meat. The pork shoulders cook low and slow until they reach that magical point where the meat pulls apart like cotton candy.
Sure, they offer their house-made vinegar sauce on the side, true to Eastern North Carolina style. But honestly, you might forget it exists. The meat itself tastes so good that adding sauce almost feels like gilding the lily.
Reviewers consistently mention this detail in their feedback. They arrive expecting to drown their barbecue in sauce like they do everywhere else. Then they take one bite of the naked meat and realize they’ve been doing barbecue wrong their entire lives.
The smoke ring, the tender texture, the deep flavor that comes from hours of patient cooking speaks for itself louder than any bottle of sauce ever could.
3. Fried Chicken That Wins Gold Medals
One reviewer called it the gold medal of fried chicken, and that description doesn’t exaggerate. The coating crunches with satisfying loudness while the meat inside stays juicy and perfectly seasoned. Each piece comes out of the fryer looking like it poses for food magazines.
The secret lies in the seasoning blend and the frying temperature. Too many restaurants rush their chicken, leaving it greasy or undercooked. Casey’s takes the time to do it right.
The crust achieves that impossible balance between crispy and not too heavy.
I watched people pile their plates high with three and four pieces at a time. Nobody apologized for their enthusiasm. The chicken earns every bit of that devotion.
Whether you prefer drums, thighs, or breasts, each piece delivers the same exceptional quality.
Even people who claim they don’t usually like fried chicken make exceptions here. The meat never tastes dry or bland. The coating never falls off in sad clumps.
It’s simply fried chicken done exactly right, the way Southern grandmothers have been making it for generations, before fast food chains forgot what good chicken actually tastes like.
4. Daily Specials Worth Planning Your Week Around
Casey’s doesn’t just serve the same dishes day after day. They rotate special items throughout the week, giving regulars reasons to return multiple times. Wednesday brings BBQ pork chops that disappear fast.
Thursday features squash casserole and Brunswick stew that taste like autumn in a bowl.
Friday cranks things up with BBQ pork ribs slathered in red sauce, a departure from their usual Eastern North Carolina style. Saturday and Sunday bring their own surprises, keeping the menu fresh and exciting. This rotation means you could visit five days in a row and never eat the exact same meal twice.
Local customers know the schedule by heart. They plan their visits around their favorite specials, marking calendars and making sure they arrive early before the best items run out. This strategy creates a sense of anticipation that keeps the dining experience from ever feeling routine.
Even tourists stumbling in for the first time get lucky. Whatever day you visit, you’ll find something special beyond the already impressive regular offerings. It’s like the restaurant rewards you just for showing up, no matter when that happens to be.
5. Catfish That Converts Skeptics
Multiple reviewers mentioned trying catfish for the first time at Casey’s and immediately becoming converts. The fish arrives fried to golden perfection, with a cornmeal coating that crunches audibly. Inside, the meat flakes apart tenderly, mild and sweet without any muddy taste.
Fresh catfish makes all the difference, and Casey’s sources theirs carefully. They fry it to order for some dishes, bringing it hot to your table still sizzling. The buffet version stays equally impressive, replenished frequently so it never sits too long under the heat lamps.
People who swore they hated fish find themselves going back for seconds. The preparation method eliminates all the usual complaints about fishy taste or weird texture. Even picky eaters who normally avoid seafood make exceptions for these golden fillets.
I watched a family at the next table introduce their daughter to catfish for the first time. Her eyes widened with surprise after the first bite. She reached for another piece before she’d even finished chewing.
That’s the magic of Casey’s catfish, turning skeptics into believers one crispy, flaky bite at a time. It’s comfort food that happens to swim.
6. Dessert Bar That Steals The Show
Just when you think you’ve eaten enough, the dessert bar calls your name like a siren song. Homemade cobblers line up in warming trays, their fruit fillings bubbling under golden crusts. Apple, peach, blueberry, and cherry options tempt you simultaneously.
Banana pudding sits nearby, layers of vanilla wafers and custard topped with meringue.
One reviewer confessed the desserts redeemed any shortcomings from the main course. Another admitted trucking through five different sweets in one sitting. The pecan pie tastes like Thanksgiving distilled into a single slice.
The cherry cheesecake provides creamy contrast to all the cobbler options.
These aren’t store-bought desserts dressed up to look homemade. Every cobbler gets baked fresh, every pudding assembled by hand. You can taste the difference immediately.
The fruit in the cobblers actually tastes like fruit, not sugary goo. The pudding has real vanilla flavor, not artificial extract.
People joke about needing elastic waistbands after visiting Casey’s. The dessert bar explains why. Even when you’re stuffed from dinner, somehow you find room for at least two desserts.
It’s not gluttony, it’s research. You need to compare the cobblers scientifically, right?
7. Authentic Soul Food Items You Can’t Find Elsewhere
Casey’s doesn’t apologize for serving authentic soul food items that mainstream buffets avoid. Chitterlings appear on the buffet line, prepared with care for customers who appreciate traditional dishes. Pig feet simmer in savory broth, tender and flavorful.
Oxtails offer rich, falling-off-the-bone meat that rewards patient eaters.
These items separate Casey’s from generic buffets trying to please everyone. Instead of watering down their menu, they lean into their Southern soul food identity. Fatback seasons the field peas perfectly.
Rutabaga appears as a vegetable option, something most restaurants under 50 have never heard of.
Reviewers specifically mention these authentic touches in their feedback. They appreciate finding foods that remind them of their grandparents’ cooking. Younger diners discover ingredients they’ve only heard about in family stories.
The restaurant becomes a living museum of Southern food culture.
Not everyone orders these items, and that’s fine. They exist for the customers who crave them, who’ve been searching for a restaurant brave enough to serve them properly. Casey’s fills that niche proudly, refusing to sanitize their menu for broader appeal.
That authenticity earns respect even from diners who stick to fried chicken and mac and cheese.
8. Service That Anticipates Your Every Need
The waitstaff at Casey’s operates with almost psychic awareness. Your water glass never sits empty for long. Fresh plates appear before you realize you need them.
One reviewer gushed about never having to ask for refills because their server anticipated everything perfectly.
This level of attention comes from genuine hospitality, not corporate training scripts. The servers actually care about your experience. They notice when you’re searching for something on the buffet.
They offer recommendations without being pushy. They check on your table with perfect timing, neither hovering nor disappearing.
Young staff members impress diners with their courtesy and professionalism. One reviewer specifically mentioned a kind young man who offered fresh dinner rolls from a hot pan. These small touches transform a good meal into a memorable experience.
The service feels personal, like you’re being hosted rather than merely served.
Even during busy Sunday rushes after church, the staff maintains their composure and attentiveness. Tables get cleaned thoroughly between guests, with impressive attention to detail. Multiple reviewers noticed this commitment to cleanliness and service quality.
It’s the kind of care that makes customers feel valued, ensuring they return again and again, bringing friends and family along for the experience.
9. Atmosphere That Feels Like Family Reunion
Walking into Casey’s, at 5559 Oleander Dr, Wilmington, feels less like entering a restaurant and more like joining a family gathering. The wood-paneled walls and ceiling fans create a nostalgic atmosphere that immediately puts you at ease. Nothing feels fancy or pretentious.
Everything feels real and welcoming.
Regulars greet each other like old friends because many of them are. Strangers strike up conversations over shared love of the banana pudding. The restaurant cultivates a sense of community that chain establishments can never replicate.
You belong here the moment you walk through the door.
One reviewer described it perfectly as feeling like their grandparents’ living room. Another mentioned everyone knowing everyone else, creating a huge family vibe even among random strangers. This atmosphere doesn’t happen by accident.
It grows from years of consistent quality and genuine care for customers.
The no-frills setting actually enhances the experience rather than detracting from it. You’re not here for Instagram-worthy decor. You’re here for food and fellowship.
The handwritten food placards add charm that printed signs could never match. Every detail reinforces the message that this place values substance over style, authenticity over appearances, people over profits.
10. Value That Makes Your Wallet Happy
All-you-can-eat buffets live or die by their value proposition. Casey’s nails it. For around seventeen dollars per person, you get unlimited access to dozens of dishes, including meats, sides, and desserts.
Compare that to ordering a single entree at a sit-down restaurant, and the value becomes obvious.
The price remains reasonable despite the restaurant’s popularity and acclaim. They could easily charge more given their reputation, but they maintain affordable pricing that welcomes families and regular folks. This accessibility matters in an era when eating out increasingly feels like a luxury.
Of course, the value depends partly on your appetite. If you eat one modest plate, it might feel pricey. But if you appreciate variety and enjoy trying multiple dishes, the buffet format delivers incredible value.
Most people fall somewhere in between, eating enough to feel satisfied without needing a forklift to leave.
Drinks cost extra, but that’s standard for most buffets. The food quality far exceeds what you’d expect at this price point. You’re essentially getting home-cooked meal quality at buffet prices.
That combination explains why customers return so frequently and why the parking lot stays packed during operating hours.
11. Recognition As North Carolina’s Best Buffet
Yahoo Travel didn’t just stumble onto Casey’s by accident. In 2016, they officially recognized it as having the best buffet in North Carolina. That’s not a small achievement in a state famous for its food culture.
North Carolina takes barbecue and soul food seriously, so winning this title means something.
National recognition followed local devotion. For years before the Yahoo award, locals had been spreading the word about this special place on Oleander Drive. The official recognition simply confirmed what Wilmington residents already knew.
Their favorite buffet deserved wider appreciation.
This acclaim hasn’t changed the restaurant’s fundamental character. They didn’t raise prices dramatically or start cutting corners to maximize profits. If anything, the recognition motivated them to maintain the standards that earned the honor in the first place.
Quality remains consistent whether you visit on a slow Wednesday or a packed Sunday.
Multiple reviewers reference this award in their feedback, noting that the restaurant lives up to its reputation. Some visitors specifically seek out Casey’s because of the recognition. They want to experience North Carolina’s best buffet for themselves.
Nobody leaves disappointed. The food backs up every word of praise.
12. Sides That Rival The Main Courses
At many buffets, the vegetables taste like afterthoughts, overcooked and underseasoned. Casey’s treats their sides with the same respect as their meats. The collard greens simmer with smoky flavor, cooked low and slow until tender but not mushy.
Mac and cheese arrives creamy and rich, though one reviewer noted the noodles occasionally get overcooked during busy times.
Lima beans appear regularly, cooked Southern style with butter and seasoning. Rutabaga shows up as a vegetable option, a rarity that delights customers familiar with this traditional side. Field peas seasoned with fatback offer authentic flavor that transports you straight to a Southern farmhouse kitchen.
Baked beans balance sweet and savory perfectly.
The variety of sides means vegetable lovers can build entire plates without touching meat. Of course, that would be missing out, but the option exists. Each side dish gets the attention it deserves, prepared from scratch using proper techniques rather than dumped from industrial cans.
Hushpuppies deserve special mention, arriving golden and crispy with sweet cornmeal flavor. Fresh dinner rolls emerge from the kitchen hot enough to melt butter instantly. Even the simplest sides receive careful preparation.
This attention to every detail separates good buffets from great ones.
13. Loyal Customers Who Return For Decades
One reviewer mentioned stopping at Casey’s for over 20 years, bringing their granddaughter who considers it a special tradition. That kind of loyalty doesn’t develop overnight. It grows from consistently delivering quality meals and treating customers like family year after year.
Multiple generations now share memories built around this restaurant.
Another customer drives from Fayetteville specifically to eat here, a journey of over an hour each way. People plan vacations around Casey’s, making sure their Wilmington visits coincide with the restaurant’s operating hours. One granddaughter breaks her heart every Monday when reminded the restaurant stays closed that day.
This devotion speaks volumes about the experience Casey’s provides. In an era when restaurants open and close with alarming frequency, surviving and thriving for nearly 20 years requires something special. You can’t fake the kind of loyalty that brings customers back for decades.
You earn it through consistent quality, fair prices, and genuine hospitality.
New customers quickly join the ranks of devoted regulars. First-timers leave planning their return visits before they’ve even digested their meals. The restaurant creates memories worth repeating, experiences worth sharing, and food worth craving until your next visit.
That’s the secret ingredient no recipe can teach.
