Must Try Carolina All You Can Eat Buffets Serving Endless Southern Comfort

When you’re craving authentic Southern cooking without holding back, Carolina buffets deliver the ultimate feast. From crispy fried chicken to creamy mac and cheese, these all-you-can-eat spots let you pile your plate high with homestyle favorites.

I’ve rounded up the best buffet restaurants across North and South Carolina where you can enjoy endless comfort food at great prices.

1. Golden Corral – Multiple Carolina Locations

If comfort food is your love language, Golden Corral speaks it fluently across Carolina. Their endless buffet spreads feature everything from pot roast to catfish, plus a carving station with juicy meats. You’ll find classic Southern sides like collard greens, cornbread, and sweet potato casserole waiting for you.

What I love most is the dessert bar with soft-serve ice cream and homemade pies. Kids eat cheap here, making it budget-friendly for families. The salad bar offers fresh options if you want to balance out the fried goodness.

Most locations stay open late on weekends, perfect for those after-church Sunday meals everyone talks about.

2. Sagebrush Steakhouse – North Carolina

Are you ready for a steakhouse experience with unlimited refills? Sagebrush combines Western charm with Carolina hospitality in their generous buffet setup. Grilled steaks, barbecue ribs, and slow-roasted chicken dominate the hot food section.

Their loaded baked potato bar lets you customize spuds with all the toppings imaginable. I always grab extra of their yeast rolls because they’re served warm with honey butter. The pricing is reasonable considering you get quality cuts of meat.

Though it’s a chain, each location maintains that local diner feel where servers remember your drink order. Weekday lunch specials make it even more affordable for working folks.

3. Shoney’s – Carolina Breakfast Bar

How does unlimited breakfast sound on a Saturday morning? Shoney’s legendary breakfast bar has fed hungry Carolinians for decades with fluffy pancakes and crispy bacon galore. Their biscuits and sausage gravy alone are worth the visit.

You can build custom omelets at some locations, or just load up on French toast and hash browns. Fresh fruit and yogurt provide lighter options alongside the hearty Southern staples. The coffee stays hot and refills come quickly from attentive servers.

Prices stay family-friendly, and kids under a certain age often eat free with adult purchases. It’s become a weekend tradition for many local families across both Carolinas.

4. Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant – Myrtle Beach

Did you know Myrtle Beach hosts one of the most famous seafood buffets on the East Coast? Captain George’s serves over 70 items daily, with mountains of crab legs and peel-and-eat shrimp. Fresh oysters, clams, and scallops sit on ice waiting for seafood lovers.

Beyond the ocean bounty, they offer prime rib, fried chicken, and Southern sides for non-seafood eaters. I recommend arriving hungry because the portions are generous and the variety is overwhelming. The nautical atmosphere adds to the coastal dining experience.

It’s pricier than typical buffets, but the quality and quantity justify every dollar spent on this feast.

5. K&W Cafeteria – Regional Chain

It’s hard to beat the nostalgia of a classic Southern cafeteria where you push your tray along the line. K&W has served Carolina families since 1937 with home-cooked meals that taste like grandma’s kitchen. Their fried chicken stays crispy, and the macaroni and cheese is perfectly creamy.

You’ll find rotating daily specials like meatloaf on Mondays or chicken and dumplings on Thursdays. The vegetable selection includes everything from butter beans to fried okra. Sweet tea flows freely, and the dessert case displays tempting cakes and cobblers.

Prices remain affordable, especially for seniors who receive special discounts throughout the week.

6. Hometown Buffet – South Carolina Locations

When your family can’t agree on what to eat, Hometown Buffet solves that dinnertime debate instantly. Their massive spread includes American classics, Southern favorites, and even pizza for picky eaters. Fried chicken sits alongside pot roast and baked fish.

I appreciate how they rotate seasonal items like Thanksgiving turkey during November or barbecue ribs in summer. The salad bar stays fresh with multiple dressing options. Kids love the soft-serve machine and cotton candy station available at select locations.

Though some locations have closed recently, remaining restaurants maintain quality and cleanliness. Prices stay competitive with other national buffet chains across the Carolinas.

7. Wood’s Bar-B-Q – Multiple SC Locations

Where else can you find authentic pit-cooked barbecue served buffet-style throughout South Carolina? Wood’s has perfected their smoky pulled pork and fall-off-the-bone ribs since opening decades ago. Their vinegar-based sauce represents true Carolina barbecue tradition.

The buffet includes fried chicken, catfish, and all the classic sides like collard greens and hash. Hush puppies come out hot and golden from the kitchen regularly. I always save room for their banana pudding, which disappears quickly during lunch rush.

It’s a local favorite where you’ll see everyone from construction workers to business professionals filling their plates. The casual atmosphere welcomes everyone seeking real Southern comfort.

8. Fisherman’s Wharf Seafood Buffet – Calabash

Have you heard about Calabash-style seafood that made this small town famous? Fisherman’s Wharf perfects this lightly battered, fried-to-perfection cooking method with their all-you-can-eat offerings. Shrimp, flounder, scallops, and oysters come fresh from nearby waters.

Their buffet extends beyond seafood with fried chicken, barbecue ribs, and country-style vegetables for landlubbers. Hot hush puppies arrive at your table constantly throughout your meal. The coleslaw provides a cool, tangy contrast to the fried items.

Located near the North Carolina coast, it attracts both tourists and locals who appreciate quality seafood at reasonable prices. Arrive early during summer months because lines form quickly.

9. Ryan’s Grill, Buffet & Bakery – Carolina Locations

When fresh-baked rolls call your name, Ryan’s answers with their famous yeast rolls served hot throughout your meal. Their buffet combines steakhouse quality with home-style cooking across multiple Carolina locations. Carved meats, grilled chicken, and fried catfish headline the main courses.

What sets them apart is the bakery section featuring pies, cookies, and cakes made fresh daily. I never skip their mashed potatoes with gravy or the green beans cooked Southern-style. The salad bar offers fresh vegetables and prepared salads for lighter appetites.

Kids receive special pricing, and the atmosphere stays relaxed and family-oriented. Weeknight dinners cost less than weekend prices, making it budget-conscious for regular visits.

10. Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood – Myrtle Beach

It’s impossible to leave Benjamin’s without unbuttoning your pants after this legendary seafood feast. Operating since 1986, they’ve perfected the art of all-you-can-eat coastal cuisine in Myrtle Beach. Snow crab legs, peel-and-eat shrimp, and Calabash-fried fish dominate the expansive buffet.

They also serve prime rib, barbecue ribs, and Southern comfort sides for variety. The salad bar includes fresh options, though most people focus on the seafood towers. I recommend trying their she-crab soup, a Lowcountry specialty.

Though prices run higher than typical buffets, the quality and portion sizes make it worthwhile for special occasions. Locals know to visit during off-peak hours to avoid tourist crowds.

11. Cici’s Pizza – Carolina Locations

Are your kids begging for pizza night without the delivery fees? Cici’s delivers unlimited pizza varieties at one low price across Carolina locations. From pepperoni to mac and cheese pizza, the rotating selection keeps everyone happy.

Beyond pizza, they offer pasta dishes, a salad bar, and cinnamon rolls for dessert. You can request custom pizzas made fresh if your favorite isn’t on the buffet line. The atmosphere stays casual and loud, perfect for families with energetic children.

It’s one of the most affordable buffet options available, especially for large families. Game rooms at some locations provide entertainment while you wait for fresh pizzas to emerge from the oven.

12. Lizzie’s Restaurant & Catering – Williamston, NC

How often do you find genuine small-town cooking served buffet-style with love? Lizzie’s in Williamston represents everything right about Carolina country cooking. Their daily lunch buffet features rotating meats like chicken pastry, pork chops, and meatloaf.

Vegetables get cooked the old-fashioned way with plenty of seasoning and care. Cornbread comes out hot, and the sweet tea tastes like it was brewed in someone’s grandmother’s kitchen. Desserts rotate but always include homemade options like peach cobbler or chocolate cake.

Prices stay incredibly reasonable, and the portions are generous without being wasteful. It’s where locals gather after church on Sundays for fellowship and fantastic food.

13. Chuck’s Seafood & Steakhouse – Murrells Inlet

Did you know Murrells Inlet is called the seafood capital of South Carolina? Chuck’s takes full advantage with their impressive buffet overlooking the marshes. Fresh seafood arrives daily, including crab legs, shrimp, and locally caught fish prepared multiple ways.

Their steakhouse side offers grilled ribeyes, prime rib, and chicken for non-seafood preferences. Southern sides like red rice and hush puppies complement every plate. The sunset views from the dining room add ambiance to your unlimited feast.

It’s popular with tourists but locals appreciate the consistent quality and fair pricing. Reservations help during peak summer season when the Inlet gets crowded with visitors.

14. Bovine’s Wood Fired Specialties – New Bern, NC

When wood smoke and Southern spices combine, magic happens at Bovine’s weekend brunch buffet. Their wood-fired cooking method adds incredible flavor to everything from smoked brisket to roasted vegetables. The brunch spread includes breakfast items alongside lunch favorites.

You’ll find eggs, bacon, and pancakes next to barbecue ribs and fried chicken. Their biscuits and gravy disappear quickly, so grab them early. Fresh fruit, salads, and desserts round out the extensive selection.

Located in historic New Bern, it attracts both locals and tourists exploring eastern North Carolina. The rustic atmosphere and friendly service create a welcoming environment. Prices reflect the quality ingredients and cooking techniques used throughout their menu.