Golden Corral

 
Mrs OC and I were in Williamsburg VA a few weeks ago.  One evening we wanted a quick dinner so we stopped at a Golden Corral.  We had never heard of them before and we were pleasantly surprized.  Most of the food was good to pretty good, but the steak was very good.  The cook puts a few HUGE marinated sirloins on the grill and you can chat with him as it cooks.  At the proper moment he cuts off a piece, the size you want and the doneness you want. 
 
 
 
http://www.goldencorral.com/

We have Golden Corral around here, but am not sure how many are in the San Antonio area. They aren't bad, and they do get packed on Friday and Saturday night in Universal City.That is the one closest to me.There is also one in Seguin,about 20 miles away,and a Ryan's Steakhouse in New Braunfels.

Mainly they are now a buffet. But in the past you could order a regular steak.It was in later yeaRS THEY STARTED DOING JUST THE BUFFET.Sorry, the caps locked.

One of my sons enjoys going at the changeover from breakfast to lunch.  He feels that he gets twice as much! 

 I don't make much of an issue over the quality comments many folks make here on Roadfood about various FF stores. However in this case I will add my thoughts.

We have a Golden Corral a few miles away and have tried it several times (usually linked to a grandkid visit). While the grandkids have always said they liked the place, both Janet and I really put it at the very bottom of our list of places to eat in the Louisville area. We used to visit one when it was set up like Sizzler with an order taker and overfilled salad bar/food court. But since it has gone to 90% buffet it is really poor quality. Our local store is always dirty, the tables left uncleaned and the food service area very poorly maintained.

I guess I would be one who would avoid Golden Corral unless pressured by family to go there.

Well, it's a buffet. I wouldn'tget closer to one than passing by on the same street-- at a very high rate of speed.

Way back in my highschool days I worked as a dishwasher/line cook at a Golden Corral. At the time it wasn't a buffet, it did however have a huge salad bar.

All of the meat was cut in the resturaunt by in house meat cutters.....they brought in the basic Primal Steak cuts and the meat cutters would cut the steaks. You could order a custom cut steak as large or as small as you'd like.

Back then the Golden Corral was an excellent bargain, and you could always get a great steak...oh yeah and the fries were all fresh cut and double fried believe it or not. Trust me I know....as a dishwasher I had to cut them and as the line cook I had to fry them...LOL!

I wouldn't set foot in one today.........

I have a Ryan's about 7 miles away and a GC about 12 miles away. I used to prefer the Ryan's, they were better quality and service. They have slipped a lot the last 2 years.

I now won't eat there.

I only go to the GC, rarely, when I go to Costco. They are across the street from each other. The GC had slipped in quality but have come back up in the last year.

When I was on the road I would hit GC at one of my RON's. Even though they had the buffet I was able to get a cooked to order steak with fresh french fries.

The one here in Spartanburg is always packed.Ive ate there several times and have never had a bad visit.Clean and well managed.

Same with the one here in Eastgate.

they do make a pretty good pot roast here in Oklahoma.

Ryans has their Soup and Salad Lunch special for $3.99 so we visit them now and then. Their Chicken Salad with a bunch of the mushrooms, onions,peppers and mini-corn make a nice lunch for a lot less than Culvers charges for one of its Burgers!

Tiki, They also have some pretty good Pot Roast chunks in gravy and 'real' mashed potatoes as well!...but that jacks the cheapie lunch to $4.99 (including beverage!)

badbyron722


The one here in Spartanburg is always packed.Ive ate there several times and have never had a bad visit.Clean and well managed.

Most of these places all depend on who's managing them. 
Last week I went to a place called Hoss's in Elizabethtown, Pa which is a little north of Lancaster. I was shocked at how good the food was and I've eaten at other Hoss's in Pennsylvania that weren't nearly this good. This one had a manager who was all over the employees, not hard ass, a good natured guy but just really specific about how things had to be done. And even though it was a big place with less than a dozen people eating in it ( because it was between lunch and dinner )  he still went over to the salad bar and spent a couple of minutes looking at each and every item to make sure they were okay. And the steak came out perfectly medium rare which is unusual even in more expensive restaurants. 

My grandparents love GC. Love. We go there when they're in town. My grandpa loves eating in restaurants, and getting to pick something different on each trip to the bars is fabulous for him. He loves the selection of fresh fruit and since he is diabetic now he can fill up on veggies & meat. His wife can't have wheat so it's good for her too.

We went with the girls from work once after OT on a Saturday, that was fun seeing what everyone liked.

LeadBelly, I had a similar experience the only time that I ate at Hoss's ( somewhere in western PA; can't remember exactly where. ) I ordered a chopped steak and baked potato, and, since it's a chain, I really wasn't expecting too much. Surprisingly, the meal was delicious; everything about it was just about perfect. I was so impressed with both the food and service that I tracked down the manager and told him how happy I was with my experience there. He seemed genuinely pleased by my comments and talked about how important satisfied customers were to him. It's a pity that so many restaurant managers don't seem to take their job as seriously as this man did. 

Golden Corral is offering a free dinner to Veterans and Military personel on November 16. 

 http://www.goldencorral.com/military/

Have two GC locations nearby in Panama City & Dothan...enjoy going to both because of food/choice & service; the Dothan location seems to be a step ahead since they just remodeled & added more food bars (ex: Chinese); the only negative with Panama City's is the location (on always-busy 23rd St): it's tough to go out with the oncoming traffic (left turns are not recommended unless you want to play Demolition Derby!!).

There is a Golden Corral built last fall on the edge of our town. It has yet to open. Apparently the owner ran out of money last January, all that needs to be done is complete the kitchen.

We have a Golden Corral where I live.  It used to be a fairly decent place to get a steak, but when they went to the buffet-style of presentation several years ago, the food quality declined--not only steaks; everything declined significantly.  They have about anything that you want, but it isn't any good.  However, the place always seems to be packed with people, so I guess those without taste buds outnumber those that have them.

here we call those places feeding troughs.

They have always been buffets in this market, I actually looked forward to their opening after eating there on the road several times.  They always seen to be improving and tweaking the menu, and have had great service at every one I have ever been to.

And your reason for this post is?

Hello All,
In my area we've have a Golden Corral in the early
1970's and they were pretty good back then and
still are.  It's not so much that they are super-good,
but they have been consistent.  Locally, they are the
type of place that my 86 yrs. old mother likes to eat
at because she can find foods and service that gives
her a pleasant outing, which thrills my soul.
I will take her any place she likes, even if I don't.
Golden Corral is a winner for me.
Take Care,
Fieldthistle

Fieldthistle


Hello All,
In my area we've have a Golden Corral in the early
1970's and they were pretty good back then and
still are.  It's not so much that they are super-good,
but they have been consistent.  Locally, they are the
type of place that my 86 yrs. old mother likes to eat
at because she can find foods and service that gives
her a pleasant outing, which thrills my soul.
I will take her any place she likes, even if I don't.
Golden Corral is a winner for me.
Take Care,
Fieldthistle

That's a very endearing way to look at them...I now have more respect for the chain and their patrons...seriously.

All-You-Can-Eat Chicken Soup for the Buffet Lover's Soul, it would be a best seller

Our veterans from the veterans' home love the joint.

Especially when they have free dinner day for them and all military personnel (as mentioned above).

I go there when the family insists and frankly I think their food is not bad at all.  Just don't partake of the pizza.

Golden Corral is having their annual free meal for veterans next wednesday - the geezers storm the place like they were taking the beach at Iwo Jima again, but with walkers.

Niagara


Golden Corral is having their annual free meal for veterans next wednesday - the geezers storm the place like they were taking the beach at Iwo Jima again, but with walkers.

You betcha sweet bippy - stand back!

Niagara


Golden Corral is having their annual free meal for veterans next wednesday - the geezers storm the place like they were taking the beach at Iwo Jima again, but with walkers.

You are too funny, Niagra !!
And  you are so right, too !!
My aunt and uncle tell me stories of how they wait in line about an hour at their nearby Boynton Beach, FL location to get their free Veteran's Day meals...
 
Me, I'd rather go at a slower time, and just pay the 10 bucks, or so...  
time is money, right?!?
 

Umm...I've never been to Golden Corral.  I'm gonna have to try it out now.  I think there's one in Largo Maryland right across the bridge from me.  I usually go to Great American if I want buffet.  I miss Ryan's.  Ryan's had the best fried chicken. We had one in Kalamazoo Michigan where I was born and raised.  Ponderosa was good too.  I like the butter rolls at Pondersosa and I would put the melted cheese all over it. MMM let me stop : }

let us know how you like the Golden Corral, IntelligentT82.!!

The nearest GC is 20 miles away in the exurb of Waukesha.  But it is always worth the trip, especially if we remember to get in under the wire and only pay the Lunch rate. 

As for the critics --  If you're a snob who can afford to eat at a steak house, well, good for you.  Some of us are on a  budget and looking for the best we can afford ! GC is far and away the finest deal for the money.

DavidEMartin

As for the critics --  If you're a snob who can afford to eat at a steak house, well, good for you.  Some of us are on a  budget and looking for the best we can afford !

Here is the logic that I could never understand.  Besides the fact that anyone who disagrees with your point of view being wrong, of course.  I, too, am on a budget - but, I choose to spend my money on things that I can appreciate.  My condo is small, my car is paid for, and I have a roommate that splits the bills.  This allows me the opportunity to spend my money on the things that I care about - some of which include travel and dining out. 

If you appreciate Golden Corral - knock yourself out.  But, if you are saying that the only reason you eat there is monetary, I guess I would question why you would spend your obviously hard-earned money on something inferior.  I eat in restaurants all the time - so, if I have one clunker of a meal, I shake it off and figure that I will be eating again soon enough.  But, if someone on a limited budget who can only dine out once in awhile has an inferior meal, that could be a problem. 

I have yet to find a city in the United States where I couldn't find a reasonably priced, good quality, locally produced meal in a restaurant - including some of the most expensive cities in the country (NYC, San Francisco, San Diego, etc.).  If, for some reason, you cannot, then it is simply because you choose NOT to.

DavidEMartin


The nearest GC is 20 miles away in the exurb of Waukesha.  But it is always worth the trip, especially if we remember to get in under the wire and only pay the Lunch rate. 

As for the critics --  If you're a snob who can afford to eat at a steak house, well, good for you.  Some of us are on a  budget and looking for the best we can afford ! GC is far and away the finest deal for the money.

The only things I do not  like about them is I always feel bloated when I leave there..and you cannot bring home leftovers...bummer..

The Travelin Man

DavidEMartin

As for the critics --  If you're a snob who can afford to eat at a steak house, well, good for you.  Some of us are on a  budget and looking for the best we can afford !

Here is the logic that I could never understand.  Besides the fact that anyone who disagrees with your point of view being wrong, of course.  I, too, am on a budget - but, I choose to spend my money on things that I can appreciate.  My condo is small, my car is paid for, and I have a roommate that splits the bills.  This allows me the opportunity to spend my money on the things that I care about - some of which include travel and dining out. 

If you appreciate Golden Corral - knock yourself out.  But, if you are saying that the only reason you eat there is monetary, I guess I would question why you would spend your obviously hard-earned money on something inferior.  I eat in restaurants all the time - so, if I have one clunker of a meal, I shake it off and figure that I will be eating again soon enough.  But, if someone on a limited budget who can only dine out once in awhile has an inferior meal, that could be a problem. 

I have yet to find a city in the United States where I couldn't find a reasonably priced, good quality, locally produced meal in a restaurant - including some of the most expensive cities in the country (NYC, San Francisco, San Diego, etc.).  If, for some reason, you cannot, then it is simply because you choose NOT to.

I am sorry, Travelin Man, but I cannot agree with you that it is necessarily a choice. 
 
I live alone (with no one to split the bills) in my own home on a pension and Social Security and normally spend $25 or less per week for food by cooking my own meals.  For me to spend even $15 to $20 on a single meal is something that I cannot even think of doing more than once a month, if even that, and to spend $25 or more on a meal is something that possibly can be done once a year if I save up for it.  The only Golden Corral in this area (which I did like) suddenly closed several months ago, leaving a Home Town Buffet (not acceptable to me) as the only American buffet locally.  There are a couple of Chinese buffets which are pretty good, however (along with several which are not).  I do like the idea of a buffet (even though many Roadfooders can't stand them) since I get to sample a wide variety of foods at a given time for the money, and if eating out is going to be such a rare occasion, I want to take advantage of having the largest number of possibilities to eat dishes I don't normally cook.
 
I too, love traveling and have been all over North America, but on my travels I camp (to save money) and don't ever even think of eating in a fancy restaurant.  A few years ago I joined the other Roadfooders at the Moonlight BBQ (buffet), and enjoyed every minute of it, but for me to spend a minimum of $500 including fees, travel and housing for just two days in New Orleans this last year or next year is something I can't see happening in my lifetime.  The whole 11-day trip with our Boy Scout troop three years ago to the Black Hills of South Dakota, where we saw and did 40 different things, cost less than $500 per person including everything (admissions, activities, camping, restaurant food & gas).

6star

The Travelin Man

DavidEMartin

As for the critics --  If you're a snob who can afford to eat at a steak house, well, good for you.  Some of us are on a  budget and looking for the best we can afford !

Here is the logic that I could never understand.  Besides the fact that anyone who disagrees with your point of view being wrong, of course.  I, too, am on a budget - but, I choose to spend my money on things that I can appreciate.  My condo is small, my car is paid for, and I have a roommate that splits the bills.  This allows me the opportunity to spend my money on the things that I care about - some of which include travel and dining out. 

If you appreciate Golden Corral - knock yourself out.  But, if you are saying that the only reason you eat there is monetary, I guess I would question why you would spend your obviously hard-earned money on something inferior.  I eat in restaurants all the time - so, if I have one clunker of a meal, I shake it off and figure that I will be eating again soon enough.  But, if someone on a limited budget who can only dine out once in awhile has an inferior meal, that could be a problem. 

I have yet to find a city in the United States where I couldn't find a reasonably priced, good quality, locally produced meal in a restaurant - including some of the most expensive cities in the country (NYC, San Francisco, San Diego, etc.).  If, for some reason, you cannot, then it is simply because you choose NOT to.

I am sorry, Travelin Man, but I cannot agree with you that it is necessarily a choice. 
 
I live alone (with no one to split the bills) in my own home on a pension and Social Security and normally spend $25 or less per week for food by cooking my own meals.  For me to spend even $15 to $20 on a single meal is something that I cannot even think of doing more than once a month, if even that, and to spend $25 or more on a meal is something that possibly can be done once a year if I save up for it.  The only Golden Corral in this area (which I did like) suddenly closed several months ago, leaving a Home Town Buffet (not acceptable to me) as the only American buffet locally.  There are a couple of Chinese buffets which are pretty good, however (along with several which are not).  I do like the idea of a buffet (even though many Roadfooders can't stand them) since I get to sample a wide variety of foods at a given time for the money, and if eating out is going to be such a rare occasion, I want to take advantage of having the largest number of possibilities to eat dishes I don't normally cook.
 
I too, love traveling and have been all over North America, but on my travels I camp (to save money) and don't ever even think of eating in a fancy restaurant.  A few years ago I joined the other Roadfooders at the Moonlight BBQ (buffet), and enjoyed every minute of it, but for me to spend a minimum of $500 including fees, travel and housing for just two days in New Orleans this last year or next year is something I can't see happening in my lifetime.  The whole 11-day trip with our Boy Scout troop three years ago to the Black Hills of South Dakota, where we saw and did 40 different things, cost less than $500 per person including everything (admissions, activities, camping, restaurant food & gas).

6 star -

I don't deny that my statement was probably a broad over-generalization (no more so than someone claiming that anyone who can "afford" to eat at a steakhouse is a snob), but I stand by the statement that (most) people make choices that lead to their own financial situation.  My point was that I choose to have a roommate to help alleviate some of my expenses.  I choose to drive a less-than-desirable car because I don't want to be burdened with a car payment.  I choose to live in a small, affordable condo because I don't want to turn over 50% of my paycheck to the mortgage company.    If money were no object, would I like to live on my own, drive a nicer car, and have a bigger house - and still be able to do all of the extra-curricular things that I enjoy?  Sure.  But, the ugly reality is that most people do not choose to live within their means - and, honestly, I am not judging them for it.  But, I surely don't want to hear that someone's only chance at a decent meal is the Golden Corral - based on finances.

NYPIzzaNut

DavidEMartin


The nearest GC is 20 miles away in the exurb of Waukesha.  But it is always worth the trip, especially if we remember to get in under the wire and only pay the Lunch rate. 

As for the critics --  If you're a snob who can afford to eat at a steak house, well, good for you.  Some of us are on a  budget and looking for the best we can afford ! GC is far and away the finest deal for the money.

The only things I do not  like about them is I always feel bloated when I leave there..and you cannot bring home leftovers...bummer..

actually--although you can get a classic doggie bag for leftovers---you CAN get a to go container--fill it with what ever you like and pay for it by the lb.--i have found that now that i try NOT to overeat and trying take a few pounds off using sane portion control----this works well----no second or third trips or 3 desserts!!! I usually am not a big fan of chains--but i DO like GC's pot roast!--and the togo conatiner lets me do that SANELY.  My wife and actuall ate Thangsgiving dinner once and filled up two togo containers so we would have "leftovers" but no DISHES!!

6-star---i dont know aobut where you are--but i KNOW--i can eat cheaper and better at several mom and pop places here then i caqn at Colden Corral---and i DO eat at Golden corral now and then--but IT AINT CHEAP!!!

6-star, I think what TTM stated probably doesn't apply to you. I believe he was merely pointing out that Golden Corral is less than, let's say "a restaurant of notable quality", and he'd much prefer to spend his money wisely dining at a decent eatery. Why would one spend $10 at GC when one could just as well spend the same amount at White Mana or Ted's Famous or Louis' Lunch for instance and have a good meal, and probably a good story.

I guess it's kind of like buying many cheap suits that won't look as good or feel as good rather than spending wisely on the nice suit that fits better, feels nicer, looks better. When all is said and done you end up spending the same over time but the experience is less.

Okay, RF people.  I finally made it over to the Golden Corral in Largo, MD.  Umm...to be honest, I like Great American Buffet and Old Country Buffet better.  I thought Golden Corral was going to have alot of different types of selections and they really didn't.  They didn't even have fried shrimp.  How can you be a buffet place with no fried shimp.  I'm just saying... And the steak I had wasn't that great.  It was tuff as nails and no flavor...maybe because I'm not a big sirloin person.  I like my ribeye and prime cuts.  Plus, the service was terrible in there.  Sorry folks, I gotta give GC a 2 out of 4 stars.

I find GC an excellent value for the dollar, as opposed to lesser buffets, eg. Ryans, Firehouse, Old Country, Duffs.etc.. I find the food always fresh and taste with a wide veriety, on a scale of 1 - 10 I give it an 8.