Golden Corral is known for its all-you-can-eat buffet featuring comfort food classics, hearty meats, and indulgent desserts. But while some dishes are worth going back for seconds, others might not live up to expectations—whether due to questionable quality, excessive grease, or just plain underwhelming flavors.
From overcooked meats to soggy sides and sugary overloads, not everything on the buffet line is a winner. If you want to get the most out of your meal without post-buffet regret, knowing which foods to avoid is key.
Before you fill up your plate, check out this list of Golden Corral foods you might want to skip—and why they just aren’t worth it.
1. Fried Chicken
Golden Corral’s fried chicken looks great under the heat lamps, but once you take a bite, you may be disappointed. The breading is often too thick and greasy, while the inside can be dry and overcooked. Instead of the juicy, crispy chicken you’d hope for, you’re left with oily skin and bland meat.
Better option: Try the rotisserie chicken, which tends to be moist and flavorful.
2. Macaroni and Cheese
Mac and cheese is supposed to be creamy, rich, and packed with cheesy goodness, but at Golden Corral, it often falls flat. The sauce is usually thin, watery, and lacking flavor, and the pasta sits for too long under heat lamps, making it mushy and overcooked.
If you want a cheesy side, the cheesy potatoes tend to be a better pick.
3. Pizza
Golden Corral’s pizza looks promising at first glance, but it tastes like frozen cafeteria pizza. The crust is often dry and flavorless, the cheese tends to be rubbery, and the toppings lack any real taste. If you’re expecting a fresh, pizzeria-style slice, you’ll be disappointed.
Instead, skip the pizza and head to the carving station for fresh-cut meats.
4. Sweet and Sour Chicken
This dish is a letdown for anyone expecting authentic sweet and sour chicken. The sauce is often overly thick, sickeningly sweet, and artificial-tasting, while the chicken tends to be soggy instead of crispy.
If you want an Asian-inspired dish, the stir-fry station is a much safer bet.
5. Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
Mashed potatoes should be creamy, buttery, and smooth, but at Golden Corral, they often taste like instant potatoes. The gravy doesn’t help either; it’s bland, watery, and artificial-tasting.
Try the baked potatoes instead—you can customize them with toppings for better flavor.
6. Sausage Links
Golden Corral’s sausage links look promising on the buffet, but they taste a bit rubbery. The flavor is overly salty, and they often sit out too long, becoming greasy and dry at the same time. Their made-to-order omelets are a much better breakfast choice.
7. Potato Salad
If you want a salad, go for the fresh greens at the salad bar because this potato salad won’t impress you. The texture tends to be mushy while the dressing is heavily mayonnaise-based. Instead of creamy and rich, it just feels heavy.
8. Barbecue Ribs
Ribs should be tender and packed with smoky, meaty flavor and that can be hard to achieve. These ones tend to be tough and chewy which is not exactly what you’re looking for.
You’ll be better off grabbing freshly sliced meat instead of ribs.
9. Cheeseburger Sliders
These mini burgers look cute and convenient, but they don’t taste good. The buns are often stale, the patties are dry and flavorless, and the cheese barely melts.
If you’re craving beef, go for the steak station, which is usually fresher.
10. Bread Pudding
Instead of being warm, gooey, and spiced just right, this classic dessert tends to be dry and bland because it sits outside for way too long. The sauce can be way too sugary and overpowering which can make the whole dish feel overwhelming.
11. Meatloaf
Meatloaf is usually hit-or-miss and unfortunately, this one from Golden Corral probably won’t satisfy your taste buds. It tends to be dry and lacking in flavor whith a glaze that tastes like straight-up ketchup.
Maybe it’s better to skip it and grab grilled chicken or roast beef instead.
12. Cornbread
If you want something bready, the yeast rolls are usually soft and fluffy because this corn bread won’t satisfy your cravings. It tends to be dry and crumbly so you may want to pass it.
13. Pecan Pie
Pecan pie is a classic dessert, but its richness can be overwhelming. The filling is way too sweet while the crust can feel a bit stale.
Their chocolate or banana pudding tend to be delicious so you may try those out instead.
14. Biscuits and Gravy
This breakfast dish is often a disappointment. The biscuits aren’t flaky or fresh, and the gravy is way too thick.
Get made-to-order eggs or a fresh waffle instead and enjoy your breakfast.
15. Fried Okra
Fried okra is a Southern delight for many, but it may not be ideal for everyone. It can be delicious when done right, but that’s not always the case at Golden Corral. Here, things can get a bit oily and mushy so you may want to skip on this one just in case.
If you want veggies, head to the salad bar instead.
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