Thinking about going to Golden Corral but want to know what time they open and close? The short answer is – it varies by location. A few GC restaurants serve breakfast daily, others only on weekends. Some open earlier, others close late. But don’t worry, we’re here to give you as much information you need in regards to Golden Corral’s hours of operation.
Golden Corral Regular Hours
As mentioned earlier, GC’s hours vary by location. To give you some examples, their restaurant at 2025 Market Place Blvd. Cumming, GA opens at 10:45 AM and closes at 9:00 PM Mondays through Fridays. However, on weekends, it opens at 8:00 AM for breakfast service.
On the other hand, the Golden Corral located at 13145 Northwest Freeway Houston, TX opens at 11:00 AM Mondays through Fridays, and closes at 9:00 PM. However on weekends, they are open from 8:00 AM to 9:30 PM.
Their Bronx restaurant (2375 E. Tremont Ave. Bronx, NY) opens at 11:00 AM on weekdays, while on weekends they open 9:00 AM.
If you want to get the most accurate information regarding their regular hours of operation, I suggest you go to this page: https://www.goldencorral.com/locations/
Simply enter the zip code or location of the Golden Corral restaurant you want to go to, and it would lead you to that restaurant’s information page where you can see their business hours, phone number, and driving directions.
Golden Corral’s Holiday Hours
While they’re known for staying open on many holidays to cater to diners’ cravings, it’s essential to note that Golden Corral may not operate on every holiday. I’ve outlined Golden Corral’s holiday schedule for 2024 and any special hours you should be aware of. Keep in mind that specific locations may choose to adjust these hours according to their discretion.
Regular Hours
New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Black Friday, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve
Reduced Hours
Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
Is Golden Corral Open on Thanksgiving?
For many people, when Thanksgiving is fast approaching, they often have to decide whether to prepare a homemade feast or just dine out with the whole family. As far as eating out is concerned, Golden Corral is always a popular choice. But now the burning question is: Is Golden Corral open on Thanksgiving? The resounding answer: YES.
All Golden Corral restaurants welcome diners on Thanksgiving Day, offering a delectable array of dishes to celebrate the occasion. Operating hours typically span from 11 AM to 4 PM. It’s worth noting that certain locations may extend their hours beyond the standard timeframe, so it’s advisable to verify the operating hours of your local Golden Corral before solidifying your Thanksgiving plans.
Is Golden Corral Open on Christmas Day?
Golden Corral’s holiday schedule during Christmas isn’t as simple as it may seem at first glance. With over 400 locations in the country, the brand emphasizes the variability of hours across their different locations during Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. You’ll need to contact your local Golden Corral, either by phone or by consulting the restaurant’s official website.
If your local Golden Corral is open for business on Christmas, you’re in for a treat! The restaurant goes all out with a festive buffet spread that captures the spirit of the season. Picture a lineup of holiday classics like succulent turkey, glazed ham, and savory beef roast, accompanied by delectable sides such as stuffing, creamy mashed potatoes and gravy, tangy cranberry sauce, and those irresistible golden-brown yeast rolls. And let’s not forget about dessert—indulge in a slice of pie or two to cap off your Christmas feast. These festive offerings grace the buffet tables throughout the holiday season, available for diners to enjoy on weekdays usually after 4:00 PM.
Is Golden Corral Open on New Year’s Day?
Unlike some restaurants that may have limited hours or special holiday closures, Golden Corral remains open on New Year’s Day to accommodate diners seeking a hassle-free dining experience. Operating hours may vary slightly depending on location, so it’s advisable to check the hours of your local Golden Corral beforehand to avoid any surprises.
Whether you’re planning a leisurely brunch with loved ones, a hearty lunch to refuel after New Year’s festivities, or a celebratory dinner to mark the occasion, you can count on Golden Corral to provide you a satisfying holiday meal with your loved ones.
Buffet Prices at Golden Corral
I’ve written a couple of articles discussing Golden Corral’s buffet prices but let’s just mention it here briefly, for your reference.
The breakfast rate for adults (Saturdays and Sundays only) is $12.99, while the lunch rate is $11.49 Mondays through Saturdays from 11:00 AM until 4:00 PM. Dinner is the same every day of the week at $16.99 for adults. Take note that on Sundays, the dinner rate starts after 11:00 AM.
Now if you’re bringing kids along, the good news is kids 3 and under are free. Kids 4 to 8 years old pay $8.99 for breakfast / lunch and $10.49 for dinner. Kids 9 to 12 years old pay $9.99 for breakfast / lunch and $11.49 for dinner. Kids over 12 are charged the adult rate.
Take note that some locations may have on-going promotions and deals which may affect the prices.
When is the Best Time to Go to Golden Corral?
If you’ve been to a buffet at least a few times in your life, then you know that timing can make all the difference in your experience.
So, when’s the prime time to hit up Golden Corral for the freshest and most satisfying meal? According to our insider, there are two golden windows: 11:00 AM sharp, when the restaurant swings open its doors and serves up a fresh spread, and 3:55 PM, just before the lunch menu transitions into dinner fare. That means you get to pay lunch prices while indulging in dinner delights—a win-win situation!
But wait, that’s not all. See, there’s a strategic maneuver to avoid, and that’s hitting the Corral between these peak hours, especially around 2:00 to 2:30 PM. Why? Because it’s when the lunch leftovers start feeling the heat while the dinner preparations are underway.
Translation: Your food might not be as fresh, and you might encounter a lull in service as the staff takes their well-deserved breaks.
Now, here’s another pro tip: steer clear of Mondays if you can help it. It’s usually a slow day at Golden Corral, which means the buffet trays might not be replenished as quickly, and the service might not be as snappy with fewer servers around.
So, what’s the verdict? Your best bet is to aim for a leisurely lunch or an early dinner at Golden Corral.
Sure, you might be tempted by the allure of Golden Corral’s breakfast offerings on weekends, but trust me—the real magic happens during lunchtime. And remember, timing truly is everything, especially when it comes to one of the most popular buffets in America.