Golden Corral

It was recently announced that our town is getting one of these. I had never heard of them and looked up their website and found that it is a all buffet kind of a place with a big variety of hot and cold items. This really doesn't thrill me and makes me feel sorry for the local mom & pops here that are already working hard to fend off the corporates. Anybody familiar with this chain?

I don't think your mom & pops have too much to worry about. They came to my town a few years ago with 4 restaurants and 2 have closed.

It seemed like almost everything was too salty.

The only good thing I can say is they do have some nice fresh romaine and spinach for a salad and some fresh baked rolls but hardly a reason to go there.

The ones near me are always packed. And I mean ALWAYS! I have never eaten at one myself, so I will reserve judgement.

I went to the one in Dothan a few Sundays back, & even though the price all
day was $8-9 (regular evening buffet price), the crowds still kept coming in.
Even the opening of Olive Garden & Fridays right down the road hasn't slowed
them down yet!

And of course, the Monday after Veteran's Day is their free buffet night for
all active & former military.

I have eaten at one and for what it was or rather is, the food was ok. It was fresh, probably because it moved.

Now I'm not as svelte as I used to be, by any stretch of the imagination or beltline, but this place was packed with folks that made me look downright GQ.

It's definitly a place where people go to graze by what I saw. I've worked buffets that were hit hard but nothing like what I seen at "The Corral".
That has to say something about it. At least at the one somewhere near the Greater Cincinnati Airport.
We even had to wait and go through the "cattle drough" it was so busy.
My only suggestion to the company is they need bigger seats!

We have one in Clarksville, Located within half-mile of twenty-five or more restaurants of almost every chain description. G C seems to draw a very large crowd at every meal time. The do a huge amount of TV advertising, and that may account for some of the crowding, but apparently there are a lot of people who like the place.

The one here in Lawrenceburg, IN is always packed during the "Old Timers" hours, and on weekends. We had a family get together there in October, it was big enough to handle the group of 30 and no stairs for the older family members. Their selections were good, bread pudding was good, so was the nana puddin.

There is also another thread, here at roadfood somewhere, about GC. I can always find something I like to eat there.
Joe

Mrs. Oneiron and I eat lunch there about once a week average. It beats the fast food places nearby and since she's a salad-holic, it fits the bill. I like the variety, the freshness, and the cleanliness. Our G.C. in Kennesaw, GA, is always crowded and they have employees going around taking temperatures of the foods for QC and maintaining the general condition of the place.

For a very rough idea of what a Golden Corral is like, it is somewhat like an Old Country Buffet.

quote:

Originally posted by David_NYC

For a very rough idea of what a Golden Corral is like, it is somewhat like an Old Country Buffet.

In my opinion, GC is superior to Old Country Buffet. Their selection is much better and their weekend breakfast buffet is very good in East Tennessee.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

My kids love the place and i'll be honest, it doesnt bother my to eat there. I like it well enough that I cant bad mouth it.

Lets tell our secrets. What's good and what may not be so good. I like the salad bar along with the peal and eat shrimp. You cn make your own sauce for dipping the shrimp. I can fill up on those two things. Whats not so good? Shoot, I can't remember anything since I barly get past the shrimp.
joe
Joe

I admire anyone who can enjoy a buffet. When I see the number of people who use washrooms and do not wash their hands afterwards, I just hate even touching the serving pieces at buffets where you know that a lot of unclean hands have used the same serving pieces. Yuck! (I don't care how good the food is or how clean the place appears to be.)

I love buffets. Maybe thats why, knock on wood, I'm so healthy. Ingesting all those bugs in small quintaties. I have never goten sick from eating out anywhere, knock on wood again! I do wash my hands real good before and after eating at any restaurant. It's the cold and flue bugs that scare me. Opening the door is your best chance to get those
Joe

The one here hasn't been built yet but the article I read said it will be the largest restaurant in the area. I noticed their website mentions parking for buses, that doesn't sound good to me.

Kland, Xannie gave her review, on the other GC thread, about a new upscale GC that opened near her. Sounds like you are geting one of those. It sounded way better than the old ones we have around here. Let us know.
Joe

This area is going through rapid growth of McMansions and many many young families with kids, every restaurant here is usually packed on any night so it will probably do well. Wait about 9 + months for my report, they haven't broke ground yet!

quote:

Originally posted by Greymo

I admire anyone who can enjoy a buffet. When I see the number of people who use washrooms and do not wash their hands afterwards, I just hate even touching the serving pieces at buffets where you know that a lot of unclean hands have used the same serving pieces. Yuck! (I don't care how good the food is or how clean the place appears to be.)

Maybe I am missing the point here. Are you saying that these same people dont touch the door knobs, tables, salt and pepper shakers, MENUS, etc. at menu restaurants ? Or is it only the "serving pieces " you are concerned about ? Do you think menu restaurants throw away the "serving pieces " after each meal ? Do you think they dish out your food, then toss the serving spoons in the rubbish ? Or perhaps you feel that by some act of God the high school kid serving up your Bobs Burger is more sanitary then your average citizen ? Whatever.

FWIW I hate Golden Corral, but it is just because i dont think the food is good.

I am NOT a big fan of chains in general--esp Red Lobster and Olive Garden!!!!--but i will admit to eating a GC---the food is pretty good and you can actually get meat cooked rare if you want it---the bacon wrapped filet is a tender, tasty and a real bargain--plus its got a good salad bar, plenty of vegies, and some KILLER desserts!--ie the carrot cake.pies, cobblers.soft serve,cookies,and red velvet---for which i have a softspot for!---also--they do a decent brunch on weekends only and I know that when you have a couple of van loads of starving blues musicians and friends--it works!!

quote:

Originally posted by Oneiron339

Mrs. Oneiron and I eat lunch there about once a week average. It beats the fast food places nearby and since she's a salad-holic, it fits the bill. I like the variety, the freshness, and the cleanliness. Our G.C. in Kennesaw, GA, is always crowded and they have employees going around taking temperatures of the foods for QC and maintaining the general condition of the place.

They take the temp, because several people DIED after eating there a couple years back.I had to go to the ER!

OVERALL, a good chain. Just don't expect anyone who speaks English, TO HANDLE YOUR FOOD.

GC is pretty nasty in my area. Going there reminds me of pigs eating in troughs. Don't even THINK of ordering a steak there.

Its been a couple of years since Ive been to GC, we used to go with all of the kids because of the options and the food was decent. Like its been mentioned the place is always packed but even with the crowds the places are generally clean.

quote:

Originally posted by kland01s

The one here hasn't been built yet but the article I read said it will be the largest restaurant in the area. I noticed their website mentions parking for buses, that doesn't sound good to me.

I believe you are in Chicago's west suburbs? Is GC in an area like Fox Valley ? It seems the ones I've seen are in areas near outlet malls which have room for tour buses.

quote:

Originally posted by kland01s

The one here hasn't been built yet but the article I read said it will be the largest restaurant in the area. I noticed their website mentions parking for buses, that doesn't sound good to me.

I think that a multitude of people going through would ensure fresh food. If I were you I would cruise by, bus there; stop in.

John

quote:

Originally posted by ULVER

quote:

Originally posted by Oneiron339

Mrs. Oneiron and I eat lunch there about once a week average. It beats the fast food places nearby and since she's a salad-holic, it fits the bill. I like the variety, the freshness, and the cleanliness. Our G.C. in Kennesaw, GA, is always crowded and they have employees going around taking temperatures of the foods for QC and maintaining the general condition of the place.

They take the temp, because several people DIED after eating there a couple years back.I had to go to the ER!



OVERALL, a good chain. Just don't expect anyone who speaks English, TO HANDLE YOUR FOOD.

Here's the link: http://atlanta.about.com/b/a/025655.htm
Looks like only one died and he had an underlying health condition. Now that they are under scrutiny, they are more apt to maintain standards. At any rate we've been going there for over six years with nary a problem.

The Golden Corrall in Elkton,Md just closed, does not auger well for the chain

I'v ate at the Clarksville TN location and it was just so-so. But the one in Panama City Fl. is wonderful.

Ajudicator please refrain from posting my picture all over the forum, I know you love me but good gawd its embarressing!