Golden Corral is arguably the best known buffet restaurant in the US and has been serving families looking to eat well on a budget since the first restaurant opened in North Carolina in 1973. Today, there are almost 500 restaurants in over 40 states, with most of these being franchised. The company employs over 9,000 people and like many large restaurant chains it places a focus on giving back to the community, including sponsoring camps for children in military families.
Golden Corral has proved so popular partly as much for its affordable prices as for its extensive menu. Although meal prices can vary across the country, expect to pay about $12 for the buffet dinner, and $10 for lunch, with discounts for children and seniors. Some restaurants provide separate seating areas for large parties or groups, and most offer catering packages and allow take out orders. Coupons for Golden Corral can sometimes be found, but the low all inclusive prices allow a family of four to eat for around $50 to $60 – a lot less than at many other chain restaurants.
It’s also the extensive Golden Corral menu and the appeal of all you can eat that have kept the company so popular for over 40 years. The typical Golden Corral menu features over 150 items, with everything from salads and soup to meats, side dishes and a wide selection of desserts. Golden Corral also offers a breakfast buffet at the weekend, with everything you would expect to find to eat, including sausage, eggs made several different ways, bacon, pancakes, French toast and fruit.
If you are visiting a Golden Corral for lunch or dinner, you can expect to find a salad bar with a large variety of items, several meats such as ham, steak, beef, home made meat loaf, chicken or Polish sausage, as well as sides including potatoes, macaroni and cheese and a selection of vegetables. And if you are taking your kids who are perhaps picky eaters, pizza and fried chicken are on offer too. The chain prides itself on its USDA Sirloin steak which is always fresh and never frozen. Many restaurants offer a carving station, allowing you to have your meat cut for you and of course, you can go back for more as often as you like.
However, many customers love the Golden Corral menu for the dessert buffet, which is as extensive as those in many top Las Vegas casino restaurant buffets. Expect to be able to choose from a wide range of cakes, pies and cookies as well as ice cream in several different flavors and a chocolate fountain with fresh fruits for dipping under the stream of chocolate. Again, kids are well catered for, with trays of different candies, fudge and other sweet treats.
Golden Corral is constantly evaluating its menu as well as its customer service and facilities to ensure it keeps its position as the country’s best loved buffet. Recent years have seen a move towards more food prepared on demand.
