YOUR PICKS

A plate of some of the delicious items from the buffet at the Blue Willow Inn. Photo: Curtis Compton / Staff
You say, “I don’t even *like* Southern food normally and I love their food (even though it is VERY Southern). Pecan cheddar biscuits… fried green tomatoes… those are my favorite items there. It’s a bit of a drive, but it is worth it.”
2) Café Bombay
3) John Boy’s
OUR PICKS
The sweet, syrup-drenched Gulab Jamun from MGR Palace. Photo: Becky Stein/ special
1) MGR Palace
We say “It’s no surprise that one of the Atlanta area’s best Indian restaurants also has one of the best lunch buffets around.”
4) Mirch Masala
627 comments Add your comment
Mr. A
August 31st, 2009
11:53 am
Buckners in Jackson……….. the best even if it is too expensive!
Foodie
August 31st, 2009
1:11 pm
BUCKNERS IS THE BEST, everything they serve—Then I would say Swapna (East Indian) on Cobb Pkwy, Marietta–and Atlantic Seafood.
Mary
August 31st, 2009
1:56 pm
Buckners in Jackson, GA is the BEST fried chichen in the state of GA!
buck
August 31st, 2009
1:58 pm
Phils Southern Cooking in Stockbridge. The best food hands down, including all fresh veggies. Best fried chicken in the world.
Buffet Fan
August 31st, 2009
2:04 pm
Old Times Country Buffet in Warner Robins, Georgia. The best selection and taste of all time! A gazillion southern vegetables seasoned to perfection. They have fatback on the buffet for goodness sake!
Toney
August 31st, 2009
2:04 pm
The Blue Willow Inn out in Social Circle. It’s a bit of a drive, but well worth it.
Keep It Real
August 31st, 2009
2:41 pm
Rusans Sushi best $10 sushi lunch in ATL…
Bridget
August 31st, 2009
2:45 pm
Buckners in Jackson is the best.
cursive
August 31st, 2009
3:00 pm
Asian Buffet in Stone Mountain… Great chinese buffet!
AJ
August 31st, 2009
3:25 pm
DONNY’S
Sandy Plains and 92
SWEET TOMATOES
GOLDEN CORRAL
Trojan '73
August 31st, 2009
4:57 pm
Buckner’s in Jackson, GA Buckner’s in Jackson, GA
IW
August 31st, 2009
5:22 pm
Journey’s end in Loganville , GA
TA
August 31st, 2009
5:37 pm
Without a doubt, Papa Buffet in Morrow. Great combination of Oriental and American foods
cbgb
August 31st, 2009
6:45 pm
I can’t say for sure it’s the best cause I haven’t been to them all but here’s another plug for DONNY’S in Mayretta. Good price, too. Check it out.
Kat
August 31st, 2009
7:03 pm
Dekalb Farmers Market rocks!
LS
August 31st, 2009
7:11 pm
Swapna on Cobb Parkway is incredible, and Unique Indian in Smyrna next to HH Gregg, while a much smaller buffet, scores for food quality and service. 2 top notch Indian buffets within less than a mile of each other!
Lisa
August 31st, 2009
7:21 pm
Old times Country Buffet in Macon and Warner Robbins. The absolute best southern food in Ga.
Liz
August 31st, 2009
7:24 pm
OK Cafe at Northside Drive/West Paces Ferry. God bless the “OK Takeaway”!
kay
August 31st, 2009
7:41 pm
Hands Down Blue Willow Inn, Social Circle, Ga.
I have to go Check out Buckner's Buffet in Jackson, Ga
August 31st, 2009
7:46 pm
It sound like a winner for sure. Have to go this fall during the week when it’s less of a crowd!
The Holiday Inn has a buffet in Forysth, Ga (Not Forysth County) has a killer buffet. Small town fill and rich southern cooking.
The New Perry Hotel, (A Old hotel that was remodeled) has a wonderful buffet, and sweet potato suffle to die for.
John
August 31st, 2009
8:03 pm
The Lighthouse in Griffin, GA. Great catfish.
Cardog10
August 31st, 2009
8:04 pm
Holiday Inn has rich southern cooking? Listen people, fried crap and canned vegetables isn’t “southern cooking”. It’s like saying Taco Bell is rich Mexican food. You might enjoy it, but don’t call a chain buffet “southern cooking”
Bill
August 31st, 2009
8:12 pm
Larry’s in Trenton is the best easily.
All American Dude
August 31st, 2009
8:13 pm
While not exactly a buffet, per se, the Dillard House in Dillard has some awesome food. They bring everything to your table for one price & there are LOTS of things they bring!!
CHILL
August 31st, 2009
8:13 pm
Donnys on corner of Sandy Plains and 92 is the absolute best!!!
da best toriy boo
August 31st, 2009
8:24 pm
hey folks you ever heard of GOLDEN CORAL ……
Spalding Drive homeowner
August 31st, 2009
8:24 pm
Dillard House, Dillard GA is the best classy’ast buffet around, well worth the trip, great little get away with the hotel and all ya’ll.
Judy
August 31st, 2009
8:28 pm
The Bulloch House in Warm Springs, GA. Great southern food and fried green tomatoes!
Katharine
August 31st, 2009
8:30 pm
It depends on what you want.
Nori Nori in Sandy Springs has a truly spectacular sushi buffet with an enormous variety of salads, hot dishes, sweets, and other items.
For Southern food, I agree with those who have posted about the Blue Willow Inn in Social Circle, GA. It has won numerous awards for good reason.
Indian … that’s a tough one. We have some very good Indian buffets in the city. I like Sri Krishna Vilas in Alpharetta. Minerva’s buffet is larger, but I like the quality of SKV a bit better. Your mileage may vary, as the saying goes.
I don’t know if salad bars are in their own category or not, but Soup Garden on Cobb Parkway has been a favorite of mine for years. They offer soup, baked potatoes with trimmings, desserts (terrific gingerbread), and a refreshingly interesting salad bar with the very best honey mustard dressing I’ve ever tasted.
glenn
August 31st, 2009
8:36 pm
Bullock House (Warm Springs)is the best I have had. Outstanding food and service.
Goldenglove002
August 31st, 2009
8:58 pm
Ru Sans has a buffet every Wednesday full of great Sushi and other assortments for about 10 bucks. Absolutely great deal
Steve
August 31st, 2009
9:04 pm
Come on ya’ll, “Rays on the River” Food quality, Ambiance and experience is where it’s at!!! No I don’t work there, just like to eat there.
Shar
August 31st, 2009
9:18 pm
DeKalb Farmers’ Market. No comparison. It’s inexpensive, it’s interesting and it’s close!
dawg
August 31st, 2009
9:22 pm
BLUE WILLOW in SOCIAL CIRCLE,GA GREAT FOOD!!!!!
Al
August 31st, 2009
9:24 pm
The Redd House in Jefferson – Home cooking straight from scratch! Family run business in the middle of no where. They do no marketing at all, it is all by word of mouth. Really great prices for what you get – all you can eat.
Steve
August 31st, 2009
9:25 pm
Buffets? Really? I’ve tried many for lunch hoping to find quality and diverse food selections, but you end up eating too much, feel gross afterwards, and scope out the crowd – obesity everywhere.
For $6-10, just have ONE plate of DECENT fresh food somewhere. As southerners, we are disgusting with the way we are fat and/or obese.
Golden Corral? DISGUSTING. Tried it once and the food was bland and greasy.
Doctor Dan
August 31st, 2009
9:28 pm
Another vote for Donny’s on Sandy Plains Rd at Hwy 92. Great selection of fresh veggies, good desserts and the price is right.
Jim
August 31st, 2009
9:39 pm
Someone listed Ray’s on the River, someone else listed OK Cafe.
Do you folks know what a buffet is?
takeoffyourgirdleSteve
August 31st, 2009
9:42 pm
Loosen up brother, put on your mumu and stop checking out the Southern obese! If you can’t say anything nice…. and all that. Vatica is kind of buffet-like. I vote for it.
Sue
August 31st, 2009
9:44 pm
Buckners Jackson, GA
Phil’s Southern Cooking in Stockbridge,Ga – My fav Fried Chicken ,Pick Collards and Veggies
Blue Willow Inn Social Circle, Ga – Reservations may be Required
Garden Patch Barnesville, GA
AJ
August 31st, 2009
9:52 pm
Buckners in Jackson GA
Not Disappointed!
August 31st, 2009
9:52 pm
Wilkes House in Savanah, Ga is a must. You set at picnic table with strangers and they serve great food and conversation.
Win
August 31st, 2009
9:54 pm
Best buffet and some doofus says “OK Cafe”. Gotta love it. It’s good but no where close to a buffet!
Cardog10 is an idiot!!!!
August 31st, 2009
10:00 pm
Cardog10 you’re an idiot!!!!!!!!! The person was talking about the Kitchen at the Holiday Inn in Forsyth, Ga. I’ve been there also. It’s not canned veggies, it’s fresh and they have great food. Somebody rents the space and they serve to who ever. Cardog10 It’s not a chain you doo doo bird! Travel and see Georiga for a change!
****** FYI***** Did anyone know that Paul Deen of “Lady & Sons of Savanah, Ga” Once rented a spot at the Days Inn and served food from there, so don’t count out the Little Hotels in small towns.
Wow! Let's eat!
August 31st, 2009
10:01 pm
Oh, I promise to Diet tomorrow for a Hamburger today!!! Oy!
Joe
August 31st, 2009
10:04 pm
The Filling Station in Dalton, Ga.
Gainesville Ray
August 31st, 2009
10:06 pm
Hands down West Family! highway 75 between Cleveland & Helen! Country buffet including the best Country fried steak & gravy!!!
Lisa
August 31st, 2009
10:10 pm
The Green Manor in Union City! Yum! Yum! Yum! I went there to meet a friend and her family last month and was skeptical because I’d never heard of it (yes, shame on me!). But it was great! If you like “down home” southern food, it’s a real delight! My mouth is almost watering thinking about the dressing. I felt like it was Thanksgiving!
FoxyladyD
August 31st, 2009
10:11 pm
The best buffett in the “A” is in my kitchen on a Sunday evening!, Stop wasting your money and learn how to cook……….
Cathy
August 31st, 2009
10:22 pm
I like Blue Willow for the ladies church group; Buckners for the over 50 seniors church group, Dillard House and BullocK House for senior church trips. You can tell where they are by the posts. All my obesity will be dealt with on a higher plain. Heaven-bound and you are welcome to dine with me anywhere but the best eating will be at The Lords Buffet. I won’t argue the issue.
VandynNashville
August 31st, 2009
10:24 pm
Find it amusing that the question was Buffet and someone put OK Cafe. Good but not a buffet. I have to agree with Papa Buffet, Buckner’s, The Lighthouse in Griffin and Blue Willow Inn. Papa is right by My folks’ place and we have ate there several times. Buckner’s is a great down home cooking place with Live Country Singings in an adjoining building just creates a down home southern experience. Make sure and try the Brunswick Stew.
mullet13
August 31st, 2009
10:24 pm
In Athens, Food for the Soul for authentic, delicious southern cooking. Peking on Atlanta Hwy. has the best lunch buffet.
As noted by many, Buckner’s has the best fried chicken.
Koko
August 31st, 2009
10:26 pm
Cafe Bombay in Druid Hills. Best Indian buffet.
NewRN
August 31st, 2009
10:29 pm
Buckner’s is no better than a feed trough. Bad food, sloppy service, and crowded group tables with stark lighting illuminating the gluttony. Dillard’s was quantity over quality, but beautiful scenery. It’s not as good as it was but Blue Willow does have good food, service, and variety for the price, and they have a pleasant atmosphere with nice presentation for their buffet, unlike the other places I’ve mentioned.
Chuck Uga
August 31st, 2009
10:30 pm
Golden Corral? Sweet Tomatoes? They said “BEST BUFFET,” not “BEST WAY TO GET TOMAIN POISONING.”
Matthews Cafeteria in Tucker. Dillard House in Clayton. I will have to try the others mentioned (if I can find them).
Nita
August 31st, 2009
10:37 pm
Matthews Cafeteria in Tucker, GA has been there since the early 50’s. Their food is excellent,, and the portions are quite large. Drive in, Diners and Dives from the Food Channel was there recently to film a segment on the show. The are open for breakfast,, lunch and dinner.
Madison
August 31st, 2009
10:39 pm
Sorry Bill but Randy’s is better than Larry’s.
Robert
August 31st, 2009
10:42 pm
Baby Jane’s in McDonough. Awesome fried chicken, plus fried green tomatoes a couple of days a week…. and only 6.50 with tea!
lots of eating
August 31st, 2009
10:44 pm
You all need use the ZTRAINER! But most of these places are great for dining… my vote goes to The Blue Willow Inn!
Wendy D
August 31st, 2009
10:45 pm
DeKalb Farmers Market of course! So many different types of wonderful food from all over, at a reasonable price. The one drawback is that the dining area is by the frozen / refridgerated foods so it’s kinda cold. Bring a coat!
A
August 31st, 2009
10:45 pm
RuSan’s sushi lunch buffet, but please can they turn the awful dance music down. Who wants to hear loud club music when you’re trying to eat lunch?
Louis
August 31st, 2009
10:47 pm
Loganville’s Journey’s End…equal to the few good ones above, and tops among the best~! Grreat Fried Chicken, Dumpling Soup, Green Fried Tomatoes…Seafood Special on Friday and Saturday nites can’t be beat, too. Been eating there almost twelve years consistently, both noon and nite. A wonderful tradition in Loganville. Started as a wing off Blue Willow Inn in Social, and went on its own a few years ago…and improved on Blue Willow in quality and value. Ya’ll come, hear~?
jamie
August 31st, 2009
10:48 pm
every time we have some poll, some jacka@@ like Steve gets on her. You need to go back to New Jersey or wherever you are from…I am sure you are “disgusting”.
Carl McKinney
August 31st, 2009
10:53 pm
Geneva’s Restaurant and Peachtree Cafe both in Thomaston, Ga; both have great food and service. cream corn, collards, meatloaf and chicken dressing at Geneva’s, fried corn, jalopena cornbread, fatback and country fried steak at Peachtree Cafe. Both have great desserts and the southern trademark ice tea!!!!!!
BIG T
August 31st, 2009
11:01 pm
BLUE WILLOW IN_ SOCIAL CIRCLE…….HANDS DOWN!!!!!
lor
August 31st, 2009
11:02 pm
Old Times Country Buffet in Valdosta, GA, a little further than Warner Robbins
Tommy
August 31st, 2009
11:05 pm
Daddy’s Country Kitchen in Acworth. If somebody has better fried chicken, it must be in Heaven. Veggies are great and the cobblers are wonderful.
Uncle Tom
August 31st, 2009
11:05 pm
Hmmm, I’d say Kacey’s on Lavista Road across from the Honeybaked Ham store…
Michael
August 31st, 2009
11:17 pm
Kasey’s at Lavista Rd and Montreal in Tucker…and only $7.00 (includes drink). Wednesday nights they even have a whole turkey on the buffet!
Katherine
August 31st, 2009
11:17 pm
Cafe Bombay for Indian is awesome!
JDJ
August 31st, 2009
11:26 pm
Panahar lunch buffet, Northeast Plaza on Buford Hwy. Excellent Indian food, many veggie dishes as well as chicken, lamb and beef. YUMMY stuff!
OptionBee
August 31st, 2009
11:29 pm
Many of you are evidently not from the south. I have tried buffets (southern food, not communist dishes)all over the south, and several that come to mind are: Shirley’s in Newnan; Buckners; the original LaPrad’s on Lake Burton (closed now); and a place in Sandersville that was a converted old house with screen doors. You have to have driven the back roads of Georgia to truly judge southern food! Many of our small towns have great local “Meat and 3’s). Buckners, I will have to say, the only way you could get a better piece of chicken is if you were a rooster!!!
Shannon, M.Div.
August 31st, 2009
11:32 pm
Blue Willow Inn… I don’t even *like* Southern food normally and I love their food (even though it is VERY Southern). Pecan cheddar biscuits… fried green tomatoes… those are my favorite items there. It’s a bit of a drive, but it is worth it. When you’re there, check out the Lewis Grizzard pieces adorning the wall (for those who want an AJC connection). The BWI has won numerous awards.
I took my grandmother to the Green Manor in Union City, and she wasn’t very impressed with the selection. What they had was pretty good, but she was disappointed in what they didn’t have.
WILLIAM
August 31st, 2009
11:32 pm
Cheep buffets are contributing to the grand obese problem in America. The amount of fried, fatty food consumed by patrons of these palaces of gluteny is disgusting. Sitting and watching a little child go back for seconds and return to a table where there rear-ends hang of the chairs is a site truely to behold. Also, the folks who work there are thin, wonder why? I have been to buffets. I seldom go now. I’d rather have my food prepared as I’ve ordered it. Each to his own way to die earlier than expected…….
Georgia 1st
August 31st, 2009
11:32 pm
Historic Green Manor in union city by far is the best place in the metro area. I’ve never gone there and had a bad experience.
DecaturCyn
August 31st, 2009
11:35 pm
Here’s another vote for the DeKalb Farmer’s Market buffet. The fresh vegetable creations are never boring, and the price can’t be beat.
Joe
August 31st, 2009
11:40 pm
CiCi’s pizza is fire. Ryans has some good food too. Just EAT EAT EAT EAT fatty’s
Jim
August 31st, 2009
11:40 pm
Blue Willow Inn in Social Circle, GA and Larry’s Buffet in Trenton, GA are both exceptional.
Sounds like I need to try Buckner’s in Jackson, GA.
KJ
August 31st, 2009
11:42 pm
“The best buffett in the “A” is in my kitchen on a Sunday evening!, Stop wasting your money and learn how to cook……….”
Wow, this article was up several hours before some retard inevitably posted this. A new record?
Frances Hendricks
August 31st, 2009
11:44 pm
The Rabbit Town Cafe in Gainesville has a great southern buffet with different choices daily.
Shannon, M.Div.
August 31st, 2009
11:46 pm
Something that folks recommending Buckner’s aren’t mentioning (that I’ve seen): it’s a family-style restaurant, where you’ll be sitting at a table with strangers if you don’t come with a large party.
Some of us are shy.
I certainly wouldn’t want to go over to Buckner’s without knowing that in advance.
Stretch
August 31st, 2009
11:50 pm
I have ate at all those mentioned above, save a few private kitchens, and I must agree that Buckner’s is the BEST! Nothing on the table is less than wonderful. The only downfall is that you might have to wait a little while to get your fill. I have eaten many luches at Phil’s in Stockbridge and they are a close second! I wish they would all deliver to Carrollton! I gotta get back on the road!
Stewed Tomatoes
August 31st, 2009
11:50 pm
Buckners by far. What you can’t eat you just rub all over yourself.
KA
August 31st, 2009
11:53 pm
I like Sweet Tomatoes for a fresh salad and soup buffet. And I like the DeKalb Farmer’s Market for all of the interesting tastes. I don’t want Jamie to call me a jack@@, but I do have to agree with Steve. Most Southern Food buffets are laden with fat, salt and sugar; even the poor vegetables are shiny with grease. Several trips to the battered and fried buffet, plus dessert and multiple glasses of sweet tea probably amounts to three days worth of calories, salt and fat grams. I grew up in the South and I like my meat grilled, vegetables steamed, and my salad with a little vinegar and herbs, with no fatty add-ons of cheese, croutons, chips, ham, egg etc. I don’t like my food smothered and covered, greased and salted and sugared up.
jennii c
September 1st, 2009
12:02 am
Annie Laura’s – Riverdale….if you’re ever in Raleigh, NC……Larry’s Seafood and Soul Food.
Steve
September 1st, 2009
12:07 am
I’m a fan of the weekend buffet at The Palace Indian restaurant at Holcomb Bridge and Peachtree Pkwy. On weekends they bring out a wider variety of items that are not available on the weekday buffet. I have no idea what many of the dishes are called but like them!
BTW, for those who voted for Matthew’s I agree they’re great but they’re a cafeteria not a buffet.
Phil
September 1st, 2009
12:11 am
I was at an all you can eat KFC that was pretty good. I don’t remember where it was though . . .
TeeBerry
September 1st, 2009
12:25 am
West’s Family Buffet between Helen and Cleveland. Phenomenal food. The slaw is worth the price of the whole meal. Tea is great. Chicken. Corn. Everything!! It really is good.
Also, it is absolutely the cleanest restaurant I’ve ever been in. It’s an O/C ’s paradise. Honestly.
L.j.m
September 1st, 2009
12:26 am
Try Runway Fish House in Baldwin, GA. It is a buffet that all who love seafood will enjoy. They also have great soups, salads, and kid friendly food as well! So skinny and overweight can come together and enjoy fried, baked, and broiled seafoods.
NavyMom
September 1st, 2009
12:39 am
Blue Willow Inn is the ABSOLUTE BEST! I would love to be able to eat their deserts but they are TOO rich. Yes I still have a bite and pay for it later:-(
I’m definitely going to have to try Buckners.
I went to Matthews in Tucker but wasn’t impressed by the way it looked.
People stick to the topic – BUFFET not RESTAURANTS – GEES!
@the idiot who said people in the South or Georgia are fat as $%# – goes to show how IGNORANT you are. Just because you eat at a buffet doesn’t mean you eat all the unhealthy things.
T
September 1st, 2009
12:39 am
Have ya’ll forgot about Mama Louise and the H&H down in Macon? The Allman Brothers would’ve starved without her and that killer fried chicken and cornbread, black-eyed peas and greens!
granni
September 1st, 2009
12:40 am
The best buffet is my dining room after Sunday service.
NavyMom
September 1st, 2009
12:41 am
@Phil there use to be one in Cobb County close to Windy Hill area and it was pretty good but that was years ago – don’t know if that was it or not.
Alan
September 1st, 2009
12:41 am
After having a gastro-bypass, I seldom eat at buffets. If I am out with friends and we end up eating at a buffet, I normally get charged a child’s price after I show my surgeon’s card documenting my surgery. Golden Corall, however, charges full price even though I explained I could only eat a few bites limited to only a few foods, and no sugared foods, deserts, or drinks. Even with the card to prove it, they wouldn’t listen. Golden Corall could care less about people who are trying to live healthy. They just want your money. So they are marked off my list. I hope that everyone will forget them as well!
Sunshine
September 1st, 2009
12:45 am
The Redd House in Jefferson is the Georgia’s Finest. It is all about Great Food, Love of Family and Southern Comfort at its best. It is worth the drive. Be sure to bring the whole family and enjoy a true Georgia meal cooked by a loving, hardworking and caring family. Be sure to tell Andy & Karen thank you for making you dinner.
John
September 1st, 2009
12:55 am
The Blue Willow and Buckner’s is 1. and 1A
The Sarge
September 1st, 2009
1:53 am
Well, let’s see:
The economy’s in the dumper
Folks, left and right, are outta work
Our Government’s spending like a drunken Sailor on weekend liberty
Overweight adults and kids are rampant throughout the land
(Do feel free to add, by priority, the issues in your life which need attending)
Is it really the responsible thing to devote an article on the best places where one can stuff their faces into oblivion? Maybe it’s just me, but I rather think not. If the article’s author feels that, for the stated issues, we are in need of “comfort food”, perhaps some literary talent should be aimed at producing “food for thought” articles instead, not “how to hasten your demise”.
Old School
September 1st, 2009
2:08 am
Mama Bear may or may not have a point. All-too-often, I see kids in these “all-you-can swalla” joints going ape shucks, running up and down the isles, sticking their grubby fingers in the offerings…and it’s up to that waitress to clean up the inevitable mess these unsupervised kids will leave in their wake. Now I’m not suggesting, for one minute, that Mama Bear’s kids fit this description…this may just be a point for M.B. to ponder (if the shoe fits, yada yada yada; if not, perhaps this may be a point of departure in understanding the behavior of those around you).
Bon Apetite!
NorthGeorgia
September 1st, 2009
2:49 am
The Runway Fish House in Baldwin (it is actually next to the runway at Habersham County Airport) is a good seafood buffet, but only if you like everything fried. Everything. Fried.
West Family Restaurant on Helen Highway north of Cleveland is wonderful, starting with breakfast and coming back for the seafood buffet on Friday and Saturday evenings. The service is excellent, with staff that has been there for many happy years.
House of Lin (GA 400 at GA 53 in Dawsonville, just north of the North Georgia Outlet Mall) is a fabulous Oriental buffet that includes sushi, for under $15 (less at lunchtime!).
In Atlanta!
September 1st, 2009
3:09 am
This is for the ATLANTA area!! Sorry, but Buckners in Jackson is NOT Atlanta. Neither is Old Times Country Buffet in Warner Robbins. Or the Blue Willow Inn in Social Circle. And Larry’s in Trenton….are you serious?!?! The quickest way to get there from Atlanta is through TENNESSEE!!!!! Idiots!!!