It’s been over 50 years since Golden Corral made its debut onto the dining scene. Its first location opened in 1973 in Fayetteville, North Carolina. It wasn’t just about serving food, it also aimed to create a haven where families could indulge in real, wholesome meals at great value.
Fast forward to today, and Golden Corral’s reputation precedes itself with its hallmark endless buffet, boasting an impressive array of breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner options where diners can choose from more than 150 dishes to fill their plate (and stomach).
The following table is for Golden Corral dinner prices:
| ITEM | COST |
Adult Dinner | |
Beverage Not Included | |
| Monday – Saturday (After 4pm) | $16.99* |
| Sunday (After 11am) | $16.99* |
Children Dinner | |
Dinner – Includes Beverage | |
| 3 & Under – Limit 2 Free Meals per Adult Purchase | $0.00 |
| Ages 4-8 | $10.49 |
| Ages 9-12 | $11.49 |
Senior Dinner | |
Beverage Not Included | |
| Monday – Saturday (After 4pm) | $15.99* |
| Sunday (After 11am) | $15.99* |
If you’re craving a hearty meal and want to know how much is dinner at Golden Corral, we’ve got the answers for you. But first, let’s talk about what you can expect when dining at Golden Corral for dinner.
Golden Corral’s Endless Dinner Buffet
Golden Corral’s endless buffet menu does not disappoint. You’ll find home-style favorites like Fried Chicken, Pot Roast and Meat Loaf. But perhaps the highlight of the buffet are their Signature Sirloin Steaks, cooked just how you like it.
Hot Dinner Favorites
- Golden Delicious Shrimp
- Carving Station
- Carved Bone-in Turkey
- Signature Sirloin Steak
- Bourbon Street Chicken
- Awesome Pot Roast
- Meatloaf
- Fried Chicken
- Fried Fish
- Baked Fish
- Manager’s Choice:
- Featured Pork Entree
- Pot Pie or Chicken & Noodle Dumplings
- Pizzas
- Posole w/ Chicken
- Posole w/ Pork
- King Ranch Chicken
Hot Dinner Sides
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Green Beans
- Brussels Sprouts
- Corn
- Cabbage
- Beans
- Mashed Potatoes + Gravy
- Scalloped Potatoes
- Homestyle Stuffing
- Sweet Corn Pudding
- Cinnamon Apples
- Rice
- Mexican Rice
- Refried Beans
- Macaroni + Cheese
- Italian Pasta Bake
- Fried Ravioli
- Soup of the Day
- Baked Potato Bar with Toppings
- Yeast Rolls with Honey Butter
Salad Bar & Dressings
- Manger’s Choice of daily featured prepared salads including Seafood Salad.
- Plus a Variety of:
- Fresh Veggies
- Fresh Fruits
- Meats
- Cheeses
- Crackers
- Dressings
- Additional Toppings
Desserts
- Carrot Cake
- Assorted Cupcakes
- Cotton Candy Cupcakes
- Assorted Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Pumpkin Pie
- Peanut Butter Pie
- Sweet Home Carolina Cake
- Fruit Cobbler
- Fudge Brownies
- Banana Pudding
- Bread Pudding
- Cotton Candy
- Sugar-Free Options
- Manager’s Choice daily featured cakes & pies
- Hand-Dipped Ice Cream (select locations)
- Soft Serve Vanilla Ice Cream
- Soft Serve Chocolate Ice Cream
- Ice Cream Cones
- Hot Fudge
- Strawberry Topping
- Assorted Candy Toppings
- Chocolate-dipped Fresh Strawberry Skewers
- Chocolate-dipped Rice Krispies Treat Skewers
- Chocolate-dipped Marshmallow Skewers
Dinner Buffet Prices at Golden Corral for Adults
The price of the dinner buffet at Golden Corral is the same throughout the week. On Mondays through Saturdays, dinner starts at 4PM and the price is only $16.99 per person. On Sunday, the dinner rate applies starting at 11:00 AM. What that basically means is, if you go there after 11, you can feast on the good stuff like Sirloin Steak, Turkey and other premium meats at the carving station. Naturally, dinner prices are slightly higher than lunch prices ($4 to $5 more per person).
Dinner Prices for Kids at Golden Corral
Golden Corral is one of the go-to restaurants for families so if you’re planning to dine there whether for a special occasion or just because, you may want to know how much is Golden Corral’s dinner buffet for children, right? Well, if you have kids 3 and under, you’re in luck because they can dine for FREE. For children ages 4 to 8, the dinner buffet price is $10.49, while children ages 9 to 12 will pay $11.49.
Are Drinks Included in Golden Corral’s Buffet?
Some Golden Corral locations may have promotions that will include drinks in the buffet but generally speaking, beverages are not included in the buffet price. The drinks will typically cost $2.50 to $3.00 so it’s not a deal breaker.
In line with this you may be wondering if GC serves alcohol, right? I mean a lot of people (myself included) would like a glass of wine with a heavy meal. In the past, the restaurant chain was against adding alcohol to their menus. But earlier in 2021 according to an article from Delish, Golden Corral is taking a departure from its earlier stance against incorporating alcoholic beverages into its offerings. In fact, select locations may now be offering frozen margaritas, daiquiris, as well as beer and wine.
Despite this venture, Golden Corral’s CEO Lance Trenary, emphasized that the brand aims to maintain its family-friendly ambiance, steering clear of transforming into a full-fledged bar scene. This is why customers are required to order food alongside their drinks, with a strict policy in place limiting patrons to a maximum of two alcoholic beverages per visit.
How Does the Golden Corral Offer So Much for Such a Small Price?
Golden Corral has become synonymous with offering an incredible variety of food at an unbeatable price. For just $16.99 (price may vary by location), you can enjoy an all-you-can-eat feast that includes an extensive selection of dishes ranging from hearty entrees, USDA sirloin steaks to indulgent desserts. But how does Golden Corral manage to provide such a bountiful spread at this price point without going bankrupt?
Economies of Scale
Golden Corral operates on a large scale, with numerous locations across the United States. This allows the chain to benefit from economies of scale when purchasing ingredients and supplies in bulk. They have access to discounted pricing that other restaurants aren’t entitled to.
Streamlined Operations
The buffet-style service eliminates the need for extensive table service, reducing labor costs. Additionally, the self-service model empowers customers to select their desired portions, minimizing food waste and maximizing efficiency in the kitchen.
Menu Engineering
By strategically selecting ingredients and recipes, the chain is able to optimize food costs without compromising on quality or variety.
Value-Driven Philosophy
At its core, Golden Corral is committed to providing exceptional value to its customers. The $16.99 price point reflects this commitment, offering an affordable dining option for families, friends, and individuals alike.
Are Reservations Necessary at Golden Corral?
Golden Corral operates on a first-come, first-served basis. That means you won’t typically find yourself needing to book a table in advance. So what that means is, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a party of one or a big family of 15 – there’s usually ample seating available to accommodate you.
Most GC locations have a 300-400 seating capacity anyway so feel free to stroll in whenever hunger strikes. However, there might be exceptions during special occasions or peak dining hours, especially if you’re dining with a large group of say 20 to 30 people. In those cases, it’s never a bad idea to give your local Golden Corral a quick call just to double-check. But for the most part, the answer is simple: reservations are not usually necessary at Golden Corral.
Is the Golden Corral Dinner Buffet Worth It?
Let me share a few reviews I found on TripAdvisor and Yelp to give you POVs from other diners:
Vincent C.
Favorites in order from best to worst
- 1. Service — attentive, quick and friendly
- 2. Soft serve ice cream — super creamy, milky, not watered down, not overly sweet
- 3. Chicken noodle soup — not too salty, noodles are very soft, nice flavor that tastes better than canned
- 4. Veggies — cabbage, green beans, carrots were very soft and very slightly salted
- 5. Mash potatoes — very creamy and buttery and not that salty
- 6. Steak — very hit or miss. Can be actually pretty juicy or really dry
- 7. Meatloaf — always consistent and decent
- 8. Dessert — carrot cake is very dry, bread pudding is only good when fresh
- 9. Fried foods — the breading tastes like cardboard
Overall I would probably visit a couple times a year at most.
Chaille K.
First time ever having GC was in phx couple years ago and it lowkey smacked. It was breakfast time and honestly they just do breakfast great out there.
Once I figured out one was close to me I tried it out and it was meh. But the customer service was great! Even the patrons here are really nice. So it brought me back to dinner which was meh but you know what for $20 plus few extra bucks for a drink who can complain.
I grew up in the home town buffet era so I’m not shy to come to these spots alone. I’ll most likely be back and continue to come back. Especially if the service is great.
Side note, even if you purchase a 32oz cup to take home you will pay the same price you paid for it upon arrival. So don’t even unless you like the memorabilia.
Cindyg285
Thanksgiving pleasure
It’s my second time going to Golden corral on Thanksgiving and I must say they do not disappoint. The food was great. The price was great. The waitress was great. The food was hot. There was plenty of parking. We were able to order to go cups as a great option as well. This place is a gold mine for people who have no place to go on Thanksgiving.
Artric63
Kids night
Took the kids. They loved it , plenty of food. All over the place , good for the price, lots to choose from , something for everyone have fun.
From personal experience, I can honestly say that you can get very good value at GC – whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner. I’ve been to several Golden Corral locations more than a dozen times in my lifetime and each visit was a good experience. I mean it’s nothing like the grand buffets in Las Vegas, but for less than twenty bucks, you’re getting a good deal.