Tell me about Golden Corral

[GoingSince1990]

Never been to one, but reading this thread I get a distinct impression that “Chef Mickey’s minus the characters” would not be a completely accurate description of this place.

 

[ronandannette]

Never been to one, but reading this thread I get a distinct impression that “Chef Mickey’s minus the characters” would not be a completely accurate description of this place.

Golden Corral is probably about $50/head cheaper, so it gets marks for that.

 

[bcla]

OK. It’s done. Kind of what I expected, although I skipped the drive-in afterwards because they didn’t have the movie we wanted. We just did something else.

Had the day off and got there for a late lunch. Wasn’t too busy when we got there. The not so big secret was getting there before dinner started, where nobody gets cleared. I’ve been to some buffets where there are distinct breaks and lunch customers have to leave.

Some of it was OK and some was kind of bland. I figured we were really waiting for dinner entrees (steak and prime rib) so we started slow. They had thin chips that were as good as Chili’s or Chevy’s. But they had salsa verde that was supremely sour but otherwise devoid of any flavor.

Onion rings and fries don’t do very well of a warming tray. The meatloaf was actually quite good. Didn’t try the pizza. My kid couldn’t resist the chocolate dipping fountain even though it sounds gross.

I only asked for a little bit of the steak and small pieces of the prime rib. Actually wasn’t too bad. I saw the steak being grilled. The prime rib was kind of soft. Could have used some jus or horseradish.

Desserts were OK.

The one warning I’ve gotten is that sometimes the clientele might be less than society’s finest. In finding reviews I found a story about a fight breaking out at this location, but everything was fine for us. There was always an employee asking to clear plates, and they even asked if we didn’t want food that was untouched. Don’t know if I’m coming back, but it wasn’t as bad as some might make it out to be. I don’t feel great, but I’ve had the same feeling from $50 buffets.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I have been once, a few years ago. It was OK I guess, just not good enough to ever go back. I found it confusing actually. There are too many choices, all of them mediocre at best. I just have some sort of psychological hangup with seeing somebody with a slice of pizza, eggrolls, with a side of biscuits and gravy.

 

[KMarston]

OK. It’s done. Kind of what I expected, although I skipped the drive-in afterwards because they didn’t have the movie we wanted. We just did something else.

Had the day off and got there for a late lunch. Wasn’t too busy when we got there. The not so big secret was getting there before dinner started, where nobody gets cleared. I’ve been to some buffets where there are distinct breaks and lunch customers have to leave.

Some of it was OK and some was kind of bland. I figured we were really waiting for dinner entrees (steak and prime rib) so we started slow. They had thin chips that were as good as Chili’s or Chevy’s. But they had salsa verde that was supremely sour but otherwise devoid of any flavor.

Onion rings and fries don’t do very well of a warming tray. The meatloaf was actually quite good. Didn’t try the pizza. My kid couldn’t resist the chocolate dipping fountain even though it sounds gross.

I only asked for a little bit of the steak and small pieces of the prime rib. Actually wasn’t too bad. I saw the steak being grilled. The prime rib was kind of soft. Could have used some jus or horseradish.

Desserts were OK.

The one warning I’ve gotten is that sometimes the clientele might be less than society’s finest. In finding reviews I found a story about a fight breaking out at this location, but everything was fine for us. There was always an employee asking to clear plates, and they even asked if we didn’t want food that was untouched. Don’t know if I’m coming back, but it wasn’t as bad as some might make it out to be. I don’t feel great, but I’ve had the same feeling from $50 buffets.

That chocolate dipping fountain is the reason my son chose to have his birthday dinner there for years nine and ten! Year eleven we told him we’d surprise him! Glad it wasn’t a bad experience!

 

[ronandannette]

I have been once, a few years ago. It was OK I guess, just not good enough to ever go back. I found it confusing actually. There are too many choices, all of them mediocre at best. I just have some sort of psychological hangup with seeing somebody with a slice of pizza, eggrolls, with a side of biscuits and gravy.

Now that you mention it, I guess I have the same issue. We cruise a lot and I'm not a fan of the buffets, even though the food quality is OK. With so much on offer it's pretty impossible not to want to try a little of this and a little of that. You end up with a discordant plate of weirdness and nothing ends up as enjoyable as it should be if it were only being eaten with other dishes that "match". I suppose a person could just go for a piece of chicken, mashed potatoes, a side salad and roll, but really, nobody ever does.

 

[dish rag]

I can't eat from a communal serving utensil. I see people licking their fingers then use the utensil. Little kids running around. People gorging themselves with food. Why eat beyond being satisfied? Sweet Tomatoes is much of the same, and it's beloved on the dis.

 

[Disneylover99]

OK. It’s done. Kind of what I expected, although I skipped the drive-in afterwards because they didn’t have the movie we wanted. We just did something else.

Had the day off and got there for a late lunch. Wasn’t too busy when we got there. The not so big secret was getting there before dinner started, where nobody gets cleared. I’ve been to some buffets where there are distinct breaks and lunch customers have to leave.

Some of it was OK and some was kind of bland. I figured we were really waiting for dinner entrees (steak and prime rib) so we started slow. They had thin chips that were as good as Chili’s or Chevy’s. But they had salsa verde that was supremely sour but otherwise devoid of any flavor.

Onion rings and fries don’t do very well of a warming tray. The meatloaf was actually quite good. Didn’t try the pizza. My kid couldn’t resist the chocolate dipping fountain even though it sounds gross.

I only asked for a little bit of the steak and small pieces of the prime rib. Actually wasn’t too bad. I saw the steak being grilled. The prime rib was kind of soft. Could have used some jus or horseradish.

Desserts were OK.

The one warning I’ve gotten is that sometimes the clientele might be less than society’s finest. In finding reviews I found a story about a fight breaking out at this location, but everything was fine for us. There was always an employee asking to clear plates, and they even asked if we didn’t want food that was untouched. Don’t know if I’m coming back, but it wasn’t as bad as some might make it out to be. I don’t feel great, but I’ve had the same feeling from $50 buffets.

No matter how bad I hear they are, every time I go to the States, I see Golden Corral, and I want to go. It’s on my bucket list. Lol.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

That chocolate dipping fountain is the reason my son chose to have his birthday dinner there for years nine and ten! Year eleven we told him we’d surprise him! Glad it wasn’t a bad experience!

Every time I hear about that thing I just imagine 10 year old kids sticking their fingers in it.

 

[bcla]

Every time I hear about that thing I just imagine 10 year old kids sticking their fingers in it.

Not intentionally. But there’s a fine line between letting it cover and having it overflow. Everything was on sticks, and frankly one strawberry my kid was dipping fell into the fountain and couldn’t be fished out.

 

[bcla]

Now that you mention it, I guess I have the same issue. We cruise a lot and I'm not a fan of the buffets, even though the food quality is OK. With so much on offer it's pretty impossible not to want to try a little of this and a little of that. You end up with a discordant plate of weirdness and nothing ends up as enjoyable as it should be if it were only being eaten with other dishes that "match". I suppose a person could just go for a piece of chicken, mashed potatoes, a side salad and roll, but really, nobody ever does.

Ever seen sushi and steak on the same plate? The combinations I’ve seen at some casino buffets are interesting. I think the word is “eclectic”.

 

[tvguy]

Golden Corral and Cracker Barrel all symbolize Midwest and Southeast America to me. My wife's family in Missouri, Illinois, Texas and Georgia all love them so I have eaten there and they are just fine. A Golden Corral opened about 4 miles from where I live a few years ago, and we still haven't made it there because the lines are always so long. And a Cracker Barrel opened a bit further away, we have made it there twice. Only place around here I can get a fried chicken liver dinner. KFC here used to have the fried livers, but dropped them. KFC still has them.....or did....the last time I was in southeast Texas 4 years ago.

All this reminds me of when Walmart first started opening stores in California in the 1990's. They were unknown to many, and almost like a cult to others. But they sure have transformed the retail industry, especially with groceries here.

 

[luvsJack]

Some GC enforces the policy of kids under a certain age having an adult with them and some do not. And enforcing the new plate being required for each trip to get food. It helps with the cleanliness when these two things are enforced.

We have another buffet place close by that has much better food but costs almost twice as much. They also have seafood that starts fresh in their kitchen. And some of the BEST smoked meats that is carved at a station. So given a choice, I would choose them over GC but GC in some places is good for the price.

 

[Klayfish]

Now that you mention it, I guess I have the same issue. We cruise a lot and I'm not a fan of the buffets, even though the food quality is OK. With so much on offer it's pretty impossible not to want to try a little of this and a little of that. You end up with a discordant plate of weirdness and nothing ends up as enjoyable as it should be if it were only being eaten with other dishes that "match". I suppose a person could just go for a piece of chicken, mashed potatoes, a side salad and roll, but really, nobody ever does.

So food has to "match"? For me, the big draw of a buffet is I can have 7 different things on the same plate.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

Golden Corral and Cracker Barrel all symbolize Midwest and Southeast America to me. My wife's family in Missouri, Illinois, Texas and Georgia all love them so I have eaten there and they are just fine. A Golden Corral opened about 4 miles from where I live a few years ago, and we still haven't made it there because the lines are always so long. And a Cracker Barrel opened a bit further away, we have made it there twice. Only place around here I can get a fried chicken liver dinner. KFC here used to have the fried livers, but dropped them. KFC still has them.....or did....the last time I was in southeast Texas 4 years ago.

All this reminds me of when Walmart first started opening stores in California in the 1990's. They were unknown to many, and almost like a cult to others. But they sure have transformed the retail industry, especially with groceries here.

Rural midwest maybe. Those of us in and around major cities object to being stereotyped based on our Wal-Mart brethren.

 

[tvguy]

Rural midwest maybe. Those of us in and around major cities object to being stereotyped based on our Wal-Mart brethren.

That's a fair comment. My wife's nephew has worked retail for 25 years in rural Texas....local chains, national, and 5 years for Wal-Mart. In his opinion none of them know how to do anything. But Wal-Mart was the only one.....when he left......that called him up and said "what do you want to do with the $50,000 of Wal-Mart stock you got in the profit sharing plan?"

 

[North of Mouse]

I know what it is, but I've never actually been to one. The big chain around here used to be Hometown Buffet, but one by one (along with sudden mass closures) . Hometown Buffet was operated by the same company as Old Country Buffet, and they used a variety of different brands. I remember seeing a pamphlet at one showing different locations/names within the same company. There are still (barely) a few left, but only in scattered locations.

The main buffets around here are often the iffy Asian buffets, although there are some upscale ones too. And those have issues staying open.

We're going to watch a drive-in movie and the theater is in the same town as the only (current) Golden Corral in the San Francisco Bay Area. I know there are differing views on the quality (I did a search on DIS), and there's no accounting for the differences in location. This one was previously a Hometown Buffet. Their weekend holiday prime rib sounds pretty interesting although I'm not sure how good it is.

Am sure just like most franchises that the GC restaurants vary very much by location and management.
GC Corporate Headquarters is in the city I live in and their flagship restaurant 1 mile from there is great! Lots of the employees eat there, and it's of the highest standard. In fact, dh & I plan to eat lunch there tomorrow.
What the one in your area is like - I cannot say, but the only way you'll know is to give them a try! The best of luck!

Dislike intensely. Feeding trough of dirty people who take dirty plates (reuse) plates. Sharing serving utensils with people who probably don’t wash hands.

Paint people with broad brushes much?? You must have tried them, so guess this was a description of yourself also at that visit??

There is good management, and there is bad management and that goes for all franchises.

 

[Feralpeg]

DD and I both got food poisoning eating at a Golden Buffet many years ago. I just can't make myself go back. Like any buffet, beware of the non-popular items. We know what made us sick. It was a carrot raisin salad. My brother ate everything we ate except for the carrot raisin salad. He was fine. Within two hours, DD and I were ill. The carrot raisin salad had probably been around way too long!

 

[ronandannette]

No matter how bad I hear they are, every time I go to the States, I see Golden Corral, and I want to go. It’s on my bucket list. Lol.

I felt the same way about Sizzler. Happy to report that box has been checked!

Ever seen sushi and steak on the same plate? The combinations I’ve seen at some casino buffets are interesting. I think the word is “eclectic”.

Agree that's more concise than "discordant plate of weirdness".

 

[bcla]

I felt the same way about Sizzler. Happy to report that box has been checked!

Agree that's more concise than "discordant plate of weirdness".

Well - I haven't seen a Sizzler in ages. I know the brand is still around, but they've had mass closings of many locations at different times.

I learned how to use "eclectic" to explain a seemingly random mess from Frasier.