Top 10 Favorite Dishes at Golden Corral Buffet You Must Try
Top 10 Favorite Dishes at Golden Corral Buffet You Must Try
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Golden Corral works best when you build one great plate at a time. Start with one signature item, add two sides, then finish with one dessert. The dishes below are popular because they hold up on a buffet line and taste good in real portions, not just in photos. Menu items can change by location and day, so treat this as a smart starting list.
How this list was picked
I used dishes that show up on Golden Corral’s own buffet menu guide across lunch and dinner, plus a few desserts and staples that most guests look for. I also included light nutrition notes where Golden Corral publishes them, so readers can make better choices.
Quick list
- Fried Chicken
- Bourbon Street Chicken
- Awesome Pot Roast
- Carving Station items (select meats vary)
- Macaroni and Cheese
- Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
- Yeast Rolls with Honey Butter
- Salad Bar build (protein + crunch)
- Banana Pudding
- Soft Serve Ice Cream
1) Fried Chicken
How to get the best plate
Take the first piece that looks freshly dropped.
Skip pieces sitting in steam for too long.
Nutrition note
One fried chicken entry in Golden Corral’s nutrition guide shows 240 calories per 3 oz for “Aunt B’s Fried Chicken,” with allergens listed.

2) Bourbon Street Chicken
Golden Corral’s nutrition guide lists “Bourbon Street Chicken” at 170 calories per 3 oz serving.

3) Awesome Pot Roast
Pot roast is the comfort-food anchor of the buffet. When it is right, it is tender and rich without needing extra sauce. Golden Corral lists “Awesome Pot Roast” on lunch and dinner menus.
How to build the plate
Take pot roast first.
Add one starchy side.
Finish with one green vegetable.
Nutrition note
Golden Corral’s nutrition guide lists “Awesome Pot Roast” at 160 calories per 1/2 cup serving, with allergens listed.

4) The Carving Station
The carving station is where you can turn a buffet visit into a “real meal.” Golden Corral’s menu guide calls out the carving station at dinner, plus carved turkey in the dinner section. What’s available can vary by location and day.
Smart move
Ask for a thinner slice first. Go back if it is great.

5) Macaroni and Cheese
Mac and cheese is the side that makes the whole plate feel complete. Golden Corral lists macaroni and cheese on lunch and dinner menus.
How to spot the good batch
Creamy top
No dried edges
Nutrition note
Golden Corral’s nutrition guide lists “Macaroni & Cheese” at 180 calories per 1/2 cup serving, with allergens listed.

6) Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
This is the buffet glue. It connects chicken, pot roast, meatloaf, and even turkey. Golden Corral lists “Mashed Potatoes + Gravy” on lunch and dinner menus.
Pro tip
Use gravy as a small accent, not a flood. Your chicken stays crisp.

7) Yeast Rolls with Honey Butter
These rolls are a Golden Corral signature for a reason. They are warm, soft, and easy to overdo. Golden Corral lists “Yeast Rolls with Honey Butter” on lunch and dinner menus.
Eat them the right way
Take one roll early.
Save the second for the end only if you still want it.
Nutrition note
Golden Corral’s nutrition guide lists yeast roll entries with calories and allergens, including “Mini Yeast Rolls” and “Oh Yeah! Yeast Rolls.”

8) The Salad Bar (build it like a meal)
A good salad plate makes the rest of the buffet feel lighter. Golden Corral’s menu guide highlights the salad bar with veggies, fruits, meats, cheeses, and prepared salads that can rotate.
Best build for taste
Greens + one crunchy item
One protein
One creamy element
Dressing on the side
This keeps it fresh and stops it from turning soggy.

9) Banana Pudding
If you want one dessert that feels classic, this is it. Golden Corral lists banana pudding in its dessert section.
How to pick a good scoop Look for a creamy texture, not watery pudding.
Nutrition note
Golden Corral’s nutrition guide lists “Banana Pudding” at 240 calories per 1/2 cup, with allergens listed.

10) Soft Serve Ice Cream
Soft serve is a simple win. It also lets you control portion size. Golden Corral’s menu guide includes soft serve in the dessert lineup.
Make it better
Add one topping only
Keep it small, then come back if you still want it
Nutrition note
Golden Corral’s nutrition guide lists vanilla and chocolate soft serve entries with calories and allergens.

