At Golden Corral, there are 3 ways to order your favorite comfort foods to go. You can get it with curbside pickup, delivery or you can try their Weigh & Pay.
With the curbside option, you’ll basically just order on their website, go to the nearest GC location, park in a designated spot and one of their staff will bring your order to your vehicle. The delivery option is pretty much self-explanatory – order online and they will deliver to your doorstep.
The following table is for Golden Corral weight and pay prices:
| ITEM | COST |
To Go | |
By The Pound (Weight & Pay) | |
| Breakfast | $8.99/lb |
| Lunch (Monday – Friday) | $6.99/lb |
| Dinner (Monday – Friday & all day) | $8.99/lb |
| Dinner (Saturday & Sunday) | $8.99/lb |
Meanwhile, the third option, Weigh & Pay, is sort of like a buffet to go – you fill a to-go container with the food items you want to eat and then GC will charge you by the pound.
Check out Golden Corral’s Weigh and Pay commercial here.
Golden Corral’s Weigh and Pay Explained
Golden Corral’s innovative Buffet To Go isn’t just about convenience—it’s about freedom of choice. The concept is simple:
Once you enter the restaurant, the cashier or one of their staff will hand you plastic food containers. Fill up the to-go containers with all your Golden Corral favorites – Taco Salad Bowls, Meatloaf, Carved Meats, Cheeseburgers, Fried Chicken, Pasta, Desserts, etc. You can get as many containers and as much food as you want.
Then after you’re done filling them up, you go to the cashier who will then weigh each container and let you know the amount you need to pay.
How Much is the Weigh & Pay at Golden Corral?
As mentioned previously, the amount you pay for your food with the Weigh & Pay option would depend on the weight, in pounds. Further, the price per pound also changes depending on the time of day and the day of your visit.
Below are the current Weigh and Pay prices:
- Breakfast $8.99 / pound
- Lunch (Monday to Saturday) $6.99 / pound
- Dinner (Monday – Friday, all day Sat and Sun) $8.99 / pound
Is Golden Corral’s Weigh and Pay Expensive?
Let’s break it down, shall we? At $8.99 per pound, the price of the breakfast to-go at GC might seem a tad steep. But let me ask you this – how much do you usually pay for a hearty breakfast elsewhere?
Golden Corral’s breakfast buffet price offers everything from fluffy pancakes to crispy bacon, so loading up your plate could be a bargain compared to ordering à la carte at a restaurant.
Lunch, which is priced at $6.99 per pound, is a tempting deal especially if you’re craving a variety of dishes. Dinner on the other hand costs $8.99 per pound does seem pricey, to be honest. But consider the value you’re getting. GC’s dinner menu includes carved meats, sirloin steaks and fried shrimps among other premium dishes.
Besides, the cost of Golden Corral’s Weigh and Pay system really depends on how much you plan to consume. Unlike traditional buffets where you pay a fixed price regardless of how much food you eat, Weigh and Pay allows you to control both your portion size and your spending.
For example, if you’re feeling particularly hungry and load up your to-go containers with a bit of everything, you might end up with a higher bill at the end of your meal.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a lighter meal or simply want to have a bit of all your favorite dishes (hello meatloaf!), you have the flexibility to do so without paying for more than you need.
To-Go vs Dining In at Golden Corral
I’ve been to GC more times than I can remember so I’m just gonna go with my own POV here.
I think the only time I would consider doing the Weigh and Pay is if I’m really in a hurry or busy, and would rather eat at my desk instead of spending an hour at GC gorging on food to my heart’s content.
Actually, I tried their to-go once back in 2022.
The pandemic was almost over but I didn’t want to risk it so I opted for the Weigh & Pay. Got all the GC family favorites and ended up filling 6 containers for my family of 4. The total amount I paid was around $73.
This brings me to my first point on why I would always opt to dine in instead of order food to go at Golden Corral – it’s cheaper!
I mean, how much is the cost of lunch at GC? It’s $11.49 per person from Mondays through Saturdays. So if we’re a family of 4, we’d only spend $45.96 + tax + tip. And we can basically eat for 2 hours straight without worrying about our bill adding up.
Secondly, the food is “fresher” at the restaurant than if you took it home. Unless you only live a block away from the nearest GC, the food will have to sit for a bit of time until it gets to your dinner table. It’ll sit even longer if you have to wait for everyone in your household to be ready to eat. Whereas at the restaurant the food is freshly prepared and perhaps even hot / warm when you scoop it onto your plate.
Side note:
Go to Golden Corral around 3:45PM when the staff changes the menu for dinner service at GC. This way you are assured of fresh and better food options, and still pay the lunch price.
Popular Dishes to Try at Golden Corral
While we’re on the topic of food, let me take a moment to talk about GC’s most popular dishes that are actually worth the hype.
Golden Delicious Shrimp
My absolute favorite would be the Golden Delicious Shrimp, which is essentially deep-fried shrimp with its well seasoned and crispy breading.
Fried Chicken
You’re starting to see a pattern here, huh? No I’m not addicted to fried stuff. But seriously, GC’s fried chicken is something you have to try. Crispy on the outside, and juicy on the inside. Not to mention, it’s also very tasty.
Sweet Corn Pudding
The flavor of this corn pudding is like nothing I’ve ever tried before. It’s not overwhelmingly sweet, as it’s balanced out by a hint of saltiness. The top of the corn is crispy, while it remains soft and creamy inside.
Signature Sirloin Steak
While the sirloin may not be the most luxurious cut, it still has its charms. Golden Corral’s signature sirloin might not be the juiciest steak you’ve ever had. It tends to lean towards the well-done side. But hey, that’s what some folks prefer, right? So while it may not steal the spotlight like a perfectly cooked filet mignon, this dish holds its own.
Meatloaf
One dish that always hits the spot at The Corral is their famous baked meatloaf. It’s juicy ground pork mixed with just the right blend of seasonings and spices, baked perfectly and pairs really well with all the tasty sides the buffet has to offer.
Banana Pudding
If you love bananas and you want a nice dessert that isn’t overly decadent, go with GC’s banana pudding. It’s light and creamy, and absolutely perfect to cap off a lovely meal.
Other popular food items at GC are the Wonderfall chocolate fondue fountain, carving station, pot roast, baked fish, fried fish, Bourbon Street chicken, cinnamon apple, Italian pasta bake, baked potato bar and salad bar.
Golden Corral has 150+ dishes for you to choose from. So whether you’re dining in or ordering to-go, chances are you’ll find your favorite dishes there.