Golden Corral Buffet & Grill

Golden Corral is good for what it is: a reasonably-priced, all-you-can-eat (AYCE) buffet with a wide variety of food. Since the 90s, Golden Corral has been one of my dad's favorite restaurants. It's easy, convenient, consistent and reliable, and there's something for everyone. There are also plenty of locations so if we're traveling, he's likely to suggest the local Golden Corral for dinner. There's value in familiarity. Admittedly, I've grown a bit tired of this chain over the years, but I do respect its place in the foodservice industry. It certainly serves its purpose.

Since the closing of the High Point Golden Corral in 2012 ( https://www.yelp.com/biz/golden-corral-high-point ), my parents' go-to Golden Corral locally has been the one in Greensboro: https://www.yelp.com/biz/golden-corral-buffet-and-grill-greensboro-2 This location in Winston-Salem, next to Hanes Mall, is their number two. Currently, there are two other Piedmont Triad locations, Asheboro and Burlington, to make four total.

We visited this Golden Corral on a Saturday around 4:30pm and boy, was it busy. At one point during our meal, I think just about every single table was taken. Business was good. Good for them!

My parents like to go for the Senior Early Bird rate of $9.99 per person, Monday-Friday, 1-3pm. The Senior Early Bird rate includes a drink. It's a great value.

During our Saturday afternoon/evening visit, we ate at the peak rate: $16.49 per person plus the cost of any drinks. Still, for AYCE and the variety of food served, not a bad deal.

Now you do get what you pay for which is cheap-quality, mass-produced food, but it's not terrible. They have steak, they have shrimp, they have fish, etc., but it's mediocre quality at best. For example, our steaks, which we requested medium and medium rare, were definitely well done and tough. But, nothing a little steak sauce couldn't help fix. When my dad eats at Golden Corral, he always requests Heinz 57 steak sauce from our server. It's his favorite steak sauce. Golden Corral has their own "Premium Steak Sauce" at every table which, to me, tastes like their version of A1.

You can get lucky when they put stuff out. For example, my wife and I happened to be passing the grill station when they served a brand new hunk of prime rib. It looked pink and perfectly cooked. We were too full at that point to try it, but it looked legit. Someone dove into it immediately and we would've been right there with them if the timing was right.

Along with the steak and grilled veggies (mushrooms, onions, green bell peppers), I got some of my standbys here: romaine lettuce salad with various veggies and ranch dressing, fried okra, pecan pie, and vanilla soft serve with Oreo crumbles. No sprinkles this time, unfortunately. The floor in front of the soft serve machine and toppings was sticky. It goes without saying kids love the dessert and bakery station. My wife got salad, steak, popcorn shrimp, sweet potato souffle, and banana pudding. We both got deviled eggs from the salad bar. She didn't like them, but I thought they were OK. My mom made herself a nice large salad full of corn and other healthier items. She also got a plateful of fried chicken. My dad got his usual steak and grilled veggies (like me), okra and tomato stew (I had some; it was fine), clam chowder, chicken wings, and more.

For those of you grossed out by buffets, especially high-traffic ones like Golden Corral, I don't blame you. That said, since the 90s, my parents and I have never gotten sick from eating at a Golden Corral. Ironically, I have gotten sick from eating at a Whole Foods buffet that I used to frequent for work lunches. Go figure. Since COVID, Golden Corral's eating utensils are now individually wrapped in sets and there are disposable gloves and hand sanitizing stations located around the various serving stations.

Our server Blanca was great. Servers at Golden Corral help clear your table, refill your drinks, and, in my dad's case, get him his special condiment. Please remember to bring cash to tip them.

Golden Corral also offers catering and online or in-store to-go orders. For example, someone in line behind us came in for a dozen yeast rolls ($6.99).

As far as GC goes, this location in particular is far better in quality than some other locations I've been to. Surprisingly, nothing was dry, and flavor for the fried chicken and bourbon chicken were good. The pork fried rice was nice but they need to cut the pork up into smaller cubes than what they were serving. Staff at this location seem to be friendly and helpful too. Aside from that, it's Golden Corral. You go either because you hate yourself and have given up, or because you're using your kid's request as an excuse to feel less than stellar after overeating. We came during lunch this time, so there was no steak at that time, but the burgers weren't bad at all, being served on yeast rolls and with good flavor, despite being well done in cook. Of course, it's always fun for people watching too, as people walk by with their plates piled high and trying to keep their shirt from riding up past their chest, futilely. The salad bar section confuses me and took up way too much space at the buffet table on this occasion. No one is there for salad, unless you consider meat and cheese to be a salad.

Meal nearly 16$ just buffet, or you save .50 as a senior plate.

Personally watched a cook without gloves wipe sweat off with some towel or rag and never washed his hands & never put on a pair of gloves.

It's been a long time since I have been to a Golden Corral as they closed the local one in Lexington which I recall being really nice & clean.

This one was just overwhelmingly packed, from the moment we walked In the door had a random older woman consistently bumping up against me as tho she was trying to get to the roped off end where you are waiting til someone seats you.

They couldn't keep the cheese pizza on the counter longer enough to get any more slices so, two was all I was lucky to grab. This is definitely my last trip to this specific Golden Corral.

I haven't been to the Greensboro one before but fingers crossed that it's better.

I'm really disappointed. I have given this place high praise to friends and family, just recently.
However, on 6/16/2023 my husband and I went after a family member's wake. I got a pork short rib, shared a piece of it with my husband but I ate the most of it. It was well cooked, but I got sick quickly! Went to the ladies room within 15 minutes of getting there. Then my husband got sick. He never gets sick - of food!! He wasn't as bad as I was. I did say something to the waitress (Dee). We were unable to go to the funeral because we were both sick. I would not/could not eat anything until Sunday evening & not much then. Very sad! My husband says we're not going back

Beware when ordering takeout for delivery. The staff don't take care when packing the food. We ordered a BIG meal for 12 people and when it arrived the boxes were swimming in gravy! The cookies were destroyed. And we didn't receive the yeast rolls either. I called and spoke to the manager on duty who immediately blamed "my" driver. I ordered off their app. It's not MY DRIVER!! They take no responsibility whatsoever. They take your money and don't care any further. We will NEVER order from here again because of the lack of concern for the customer.

Just ate there today, me and my friends there, sharon was there as our server. absolutely lovely lady. best person ever. very hospitibal. made the place a happy place to be. the butter rolls delectable and amazing, but sharon made the experience better. give her a raise immediately, i hope she sees this , sharon u the bomb

Excellent from start to finish. One of the better Golden Corral buffet restaurants left in North Carolina. People really care here and it shows. They have covid-19 gloves you can wear on the bar. Big restaurant so you can spread out just about anywhere. All the staff management and kitchen personnel are about the best in the business for Golden Corral you will definitely love their early bird special Monday through Friday. You also enjoy there early bird breakfast I think it's Thursday through Sunday morning time you may want to call to find out about that. Enjoy this Fatboy tip from a diners and dives guy that loves old fashioned great food places. Has the three C's of diners and dives which is cost effectiveness, cleanliness, and the most awesome customer service. May you seek your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ daily.

First of all, let me say I have eaten at a number of of Golden Corral restaurants is several states over the years. They all have delivered what I would expect. Clean restrooms, clean lobby and dining areas. Just a nice place to eat. For me the fried chicken has always been my favorite. With a bit of corn and green beans. I particularly love the cabbage. A few places have had cabbage, but only Golden Corral seems to know how to cook it well.

The staff are always friendly and professional. While the costs are higher than some places, you have to keep in mind that the variety of foods available and the quantity is fantastic. I never eat allot, but it you are looking for a place with variety to feed several people, then this is the place.

My wife and I had stopped going to Golden Corral for three or four years because the quality of food was bad. But last month we tried it again. What a difference!! Everything tasted great. The bar had fresh food everywhere. The people were friendly. The manager was very courteous. The music is Christian. None of that new garbage they call music. Again, the food is first-rate. They have a senior discount, so that's great too. Great job GC.

We had not been to Golden Corral for a while and wanted our son to check it out since he loves variety. I was thinking of a 3-star review but the awesome staff pushed it to a 4-star experience. From the cashier to our waitress, we liked the friendly and positive attitudes of everyone. The food was good too on this visit. We love the rolls and the carved ham was tasty. My son loved the baked spaghetti and all of the desserts. IT was awesome he got to eat for free since he is under 4. We plan to come back for Thanksgiving.