So it will be your first time to eat at Golden Corral and you want to know which menu items you should try first. You’re in luck, as this article will list down all the popular menu items in this buffet restaurant. Not only that, I’ll also include a quick review of each dish so you can decide whether to put it on your plate or not. Ready? Let’s begin.
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Butterfly Shrimp
The Butterfly Shrimp is one of the most sought after dish on the Golden Corral menu. It consists of lightly battered jumbo shrimp fried to perfection. The batter is house made and is comprised of ingredients like garlic, beer, lemon juice, ginger and spices. It’s so good that sometimes I go to GC just to eat platefuls of the butterfly shrimp.
Fried Chicken
I know most lists of what foods to avoid in a buffet often has fried items on it but hear me out. Golden Corral’s fried chicken is absolutely delicious. It has a crunchy exterior with a really juicy and flavorful meat you’d be crazy not to try it.
Sweet Corn Pudding
The flavor of this corn pudding is heavenly. It’s creamy and only mildly sweet so it’s not going to overpower the rest of your meal, plus it has a hint of saltiness in it so it has kind of a balanced flavor. Plus, the top gets crispy which adds some texture to it. It pairs really well with the pot roast and steakburger BTW.
Meatloaf
The iconic meatloaf at GC is made of pork shoulder, ground chuck beef, fresh vegetables and fresh herbs. It is then baked in a thick tomato sauce to add some richness to the meat. I can honestly say it’s one of the better meatloaves out there. It’s moist and flavorful through and through.
Signature Sirloin Steak
I wouldn’t really say GC’s signature sirloin steak is comparable to those served in high end restaurants but for the price you pay for the entire buffet, their steak is more than decent. It’s made of USDA choice grade sirloin beef and marinated with garlic butter sauce, spices and herbs. Cooked to order in an open flame, the steaks are only available at the dinner buffet.
Pot Roast
This classic dish is comprised of beef chunks, veggies, herbs and spices slowly cooked for 12 hours to give the meat time to soak up all the flavors from the vegetables and seasonings. It also has sweet carrots and some Worcestershire sauce to add layers of flavors into the dish.
Pumpkin Pie
This traditional pie is made with real pumpkin at Golden Corral, in addition to sugar, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. The pumpkin filling is the perfect blend of sweet and spicy, with a creamy and soft texture. Try this American classic dessert when you’re at GC.
Bourbon Street Chicken
This dish is comprised of chicken breast marinated with real New Orleans-style Bourbon sauce. It is then smothered with a buttery sauce from Kentucky bourbon whiskey and various kinds of herbs. The flavors the Bourbon whiskey and blackened seasoning to add a hint of smokiness results in an incredibly savory taste as you bite the succulent chicken meat.
Icee
Icee is a frozen dessert is made with flavored syrup and crushed ice. The syrup is available in various flavors like blue raspberry, cherry and grape. This slushie provides some much-needed refreshment and you can also customize it by adding your preferred toppings.
Fried Fish
The beloved fried fish at Golden Corral is made of a white fish filet coated in a flavorful sweet garlicky batter, deep-fried until golden brown. Each bite greets you with a crunchy exterior and a soft juicy meat.
Carving Station
Golden Corral’s carving station has all the good stuff – prime ribs, roast beef and teriyaki glazed salmon. The meats are slow-roasted and carved by skilled chefs. Marinated with herbs and spices and cooked over an open flame they go really well with salads and veggies.
Carrot Cake
The Carrot Cake at GC is made with freshly grated carrots, flour, butter, sugar, pecans, cinnamon and other spices. The subtle sweetness of the carrots plus the crunchy texture of the pecans and the cinnamon makes you feel all warm and nice with every bite. The cake is moist and soft. You can pair this cake with vanilla ice cream to make a delicious dessert.
Salad bar
Speaking of salads, I think GC’s salad bar should have a spot in every list of what to eat at this buffet restaurant. It’s that good. Lots of greens, toppings, and dressings to choose from here.
Baked potato bar
GC’s baked potatoes are light and fluffy. When you top one with cheese, butter, broccoli and bacon bits, with a splash of salsa you get one heck of a dish. Oh and if you prefer sweet potato, they have this option too.
Turkey
Why wait for Thanksgiving when you can have turkey anytime at Golden Corral? It’s not something you’d write home about but it’s definitely an excellent protein choice if you’re having a buffet meal.
Pina Colada
This frozen non-alcoholic drink is made with pineapple juice, coconut cream, and ice goes well with most of the dishes at Golden Corral’s buffet.
Steakburger Bar
Here you can get a burger just how you like it. The patties are full of flavor and juicy. Plus you can choose from all sorts of toppings.
Seafood Salad
If you’re looking for a light dish to start your buffet adventure, the Seafood Salad is your go-to option. It has crabmeat and shrimp, along with bell peppers, celery, carrots, onions, cucumbers and corn. You can also add croutons and cheese, along with a zesty dressing code.
Chocolate Fountain
I am not a fan of the chocolate fountain but it is one of the popular menu items at Golden Corral. At best, it’s a fascinating conversation piece. But in case you’re curious, it’s basically liquid chocolate flowing non-stop in a waterfall fashion and you can choose stuff to dip into it like berries.
Italian Pasta Bake
This stuff may not look impressive when you see it but it’s really good. There’s an appropriate ratio of sauce and cheese, making each bite absolutely flavorful.
Banana Pudding
I’ve mentioned this item in another article previously. If you’ve read it, you know it’s one of my favorites at Golden Corral. The banana pudding is light and creamy, not too rich or overly sweet and yet the taste is something that you won’t forget anytime soon. If you love bananas and you prefer desserts that are not too rich, this is an excellent choice.
Scalloped Potatoes
Golden Corral’s menu has too many potato dishes but don’t skip the scalloped potatoes please! The creamy, cheesy sauce is so good and you can pair this item with any meat as well.
And that wraps up our list. If you’re not sure what menu items to pick at Golden Corral, you can start with this list. Personally, I’d skip the chocolate fountain. Everything else is alright. Enjoy your feast!
