South Carolina Retro Buffets That Still Feel Like A Sunday Tradition
Sunday dinners in South Carolina have always been about more than just food. They’re about gathering with family, sharing stories, and enjoying plates piled high with home-cooked favorites.
These retro buffets keep that warm, welcoming tradition alive, serving up Southern comfort in settings that feel like stepping back in time.
1. Olde House Cafe
Walking through the doors feels like visiting grandma’s house for Sunday supper. This spot has been serving up Lowcountry classics in a historic building that adds charm to every bite.
Fried chicken, butter beans, and squash casserole fill the buffet line with flavors that remind you why Sundays matter. Families keep coming back because the atmosphere wraps around you like a warm hug, making strangers feel like neighbors at a church potluck.
2. Carolina Buffet
Your plate can barely hold all the goodness waiting at this West Columbia favorite. Generous portions mean nobody leaves hungry, and the friendly staff treats you like family from the moment you walk in.
Collard greens simmered just right, mac and cheese that melts in your mouth, and fried chicken with a perfect golden crust make this a Sunday ritual worth repeating. Kids love the relaxed vibe while adults appreciate the authentic Southern cooking.
3. Duke’s Bar-B-Q
Since 1946, this Orangeburg institution has been dishing out mustard-based barbecue that locals swear by. Hash and rice, a South Carolina specialty, sits alongside fried okra and macaroni pie that tastes like it came from a family recipe book.
The buffet-style setup lets you sample everything without feeling rushed. Generations have gathered here, creating memories over plates filled with smoky, tangy goodness that defines Carolina barbecue culture.
4. Bertha’s Kitchen
Red rice and fried whiting bring the Lowcountry heritage straight to your table at this North Charleston gem. Bertha’s cafeteria-style setup keeps things simple, letting the bold, soulful flavors do all the talking.
Located in the Chicora-Cherokee neighborhood, this spot captures the essence of Sunday soul food traditions. Every dish reflects generations of cooking wisdom, making you feel connected to something bigger than just a meal.
5. Mrs. B’s Home Cooking
Home cooking takes on new meaning when you see the spread waiting here. Comfort food classics line the buffet, each one tasting like it was made in someone’s kitchen with love and patience.
Sunday afternoons bring crowds who know good food when they taste it. The casual atmosphere encourages lingering over seconds, swapping stories, and savoring the kind of meal that makes you forget about rushing anywhere else.
6. Lizard’s Thicket
Country cooking meets nostalgic charm at this beloved South Carolina chain. Biscuits made from scratch, creamy grits, and vegetables cooked Southern-style create a buffet that honors tradition without pretension.
Multiple locations mean you can find this Sunday favorite wherever you are in the state. The retro vibe and consistent quality keep families returning week after week, making it part of their weekend routine.
7. Bessinger’s BBQ
Yellow mustard sauce defines the barbecue experience here, dripping with tangy flavor that’s pure South Carolina. The buffet format lets you pile on pulled pork, crispy hush puppies, and sides that complement the smoky meat perfectly.
Families have made this a Sunday tradition for decades, drawn by consistent quality and portions that satisfy even the heartiest appetites. The casual setting welcomes everyone, from dressed-up church-goers to hungry travelers.
8. Shuler’s BBQ
Pit-cooked barbecue fills the air with smoky aromas that pull you inside before you even reach the door. This family-owned spot has perfected the art of Sunday buffets, where quality ingredients and time-tested recipes create unforgettable meals.
Southern sides rotate seasonally, but the barbecue remains consistently excellent year-round. Regulars know to arrive early because the best dishes disappear fast when word spreads about what’s cooking.
9. Shealy’s Bar-B-Que in Batesburg-Leesville
Family recipes passed down through generations make Shealy’s a true treasure in the South Carolina barbecue scene. Since opening its doors in 1969, this beloved spot has been dishing out tender pulled pork that practically melts in your mouth.
What really sets Shealy’s apart is their legendary homemade banana pudding – creamy, sweet, and piled high with vanilla wafers. Families pack the dining room every weekend, with grandparents bringing their grandkids to experience the same flavors they grew up loving. The atmosphere buzzes with conversation and laughter, just like Sunday dinners should.
10. Little Pigs Bar-B-Q in Columbia
Walking into Little Pigs feels refreshingly unpretentious—no fancy decorations, just good food served the way it should be. Opened in 1985, this Columbia favorite gives diners a choice that’s rare in barbecue country: both tangy mustard-based sauce and sharp vinegar-based sauce sit side by side on every table.
The casual setting means you can come as you are, whether that’s straight from church or fresh off the highway. Regulars know to save room for seconds because the buffet keeps getting refilled with piping hot favorites. It’s the kind of place where strangers become friends over shared plates and sauce preferences.
11. Brown’s Bar-B-Q in Summerton
Travelers have been pulling off Highway 301 since 1959 to experience Brown’s legendary vinegar-pepper sauce that tingles your taste buds in all the right ways. Located in the small town of Summerton, this roadside gem has built a reputation that stretches far beyond South Carolina’s borders.
Giant pitchers of sweet tea – so sweet it makes your teeth happy – sit ready to wash down every delicious bite. The walls hold decades of memories, with faded photographs showing how little has changed over the years.
