I knew I had failed both her and my Pap when she had no idea what the Golden Corral was.
A couple months back, when asked where she wanted to eat, the Circus said, “Olive Garden.” What she didn’t realize was that her uncle had already made up his mind that we were heading to the Golden Corral.
When she announced she didn’t know what that was, I knew I had done my Pap a disservice.
I don’t remember my first all you can eat buffet experience. It was most likely at the Western Sizzlin’ – the closest buffet, about a 30 minute drive from our small town.
The All-You-Can-Eat buffets were standard issue in my family. My pap loved to eat and if we were out and about and within a 20 mile radius of a Ryan’s or Western Sizzlin’ (and often, even if we weren’t), you can bet that was where we were headed.
While he would never admit it, I’m sure my Pap’s favorite Thanksgiving meal was when my great aunt went out of town for Thanksgiving one year, relinquishing her Thanksgiving host duties. Pap quickly decided we would all be eating Thanksgiving dinner at the Ryan’s that year.
Not once though in her nearly seven years on this earth, had my child graced the doorway of a Golden Corral, Ryan’s or Western Sizzlin’.
Had my Pap still been alive, she’d have been getting her fill of the endless ice cream before her first birthday.
Let me pause right here and say that I certainly did not intentionally keep her away from the magnificent mecca-like all-you-can-eat buffets. When I thought about it, I realized that I myself had not eaten at one since before my great uncle, my Pap’s brother, had passed. It just wasn’t the same going to one without seeing them come back to the table time and time again grinning, with their heaping plates of food.
So, on to the Golden Corral we went to set things straight.
The Circus had no idea what was going on. She was completely perplexed as to why we had to wait in line to get drinks and pay for our food before we even set down. As we went to find a table, she all the while looked at the endless array of food bars, completely mystified.
She had seen a standard issue salad bar before, but the copious amounts of food before her were leaving her full of questions – and probably a watering mouth.
After finding a table, her dad led her around the food bars explaining how she could choose any of these things to eat and could eat as much of it as she wished.
She came back with a plate full of steak, pizza and macaroni and cheese.
In that moment, two things happened:
- The kid, having just scored three of her most favorite foods in one sitting, became a life long supporter of the all-you-can-eat buffet.
- Somewhere, my pap grinned, giggled, then looked down at me and said, “That took damn long enough.”
And as if her entree hadn’t already sealed the deal, the dessert plate that followed, complete with chocolate covered marshmallows, chocolate covered Rice Krispies, a piece of red velvet cake, and a cookie (for good measure, of course), sure as hell did.
The number of all-you-can-eat buffets seem to be on the decline. There also aren’t as many big bellied southern country men left.
I believe there is a correlation here.
If my daughter has anything to say about it though, the all-you-can-eat buffet will live on indefinitely. When asked where she wanted to eat for her birthday dinner, her immediate response was, “The Golden Corral.”
I suppose I have quite a few All-You-Can-Eat Buffet trips in my future. It will probably take a good many to get back in my Pap’s good graces over this one.
I’m ok with that. I had even forgotten just how glorious that dessert bar was. Where else can you get peach cobbler with ice cream, chocolate covered strawberries and Rice Krispies in one sitting?
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[email protected] says
Such a cute story! My granddaddy loved this type of place and I can’t even imagine how many meals I had at one.
Your post reminds me of a funny teaching story. In my life science class we were learning about mollusks and were were discussing eating them. When I told them that snails were called escargot on a restaurant menu, none of my sweet country kid students had any idea what I was talking about. I told them that they were served in fancy restaurants. One kid shouts out, “Like Golden Corral?”. I chuckled to myself about the kid thinking that Golden Corral was a fancy restaurant.
Jenna says
Oh my stars, Paula!!! That is one of the funniest things I’ve ever heard!!!! I love it!!
Candy Thomas says
Adorable story! It reminds me of growing up eating at those restaurants as well!
Jenna says
Thanks so much, Candy!
Dad says
Good story and so true. While the Ryan’s of the Area are on the decline, it appears Western Sizzlin is alive and well. I notice they are growing in GA. Yes. You made Pap proud.
JOY says
I have so many great memories of going to the all-you-can-eat buffet!!
My husband (soooo not a southern man!) absolutely LOVES the Golden Corral. When we first started dating, we went to Golden Corral at the end of breakfast service and stayed through the beginning of lunch service. We laughed and giggled the whole time because we were getting TWO full meals at GC that day! He thought it was the best date ever! LOL Sadly that is the now ONLY all-you-can-eat buffet anywhere near us in NW Florida.
I can’t go to an all-you-can-eat buffet without thinking of my Dad! Anytime he was given a choice of where to eat it was always one of the Trifecta – Western Sizzlin, Ryan’s, or Golden Corral (occasionally he chose Cracker Barrell but I digress). Ryan’s was less than a quarter-mile from his house! It closed several years after he passed. The first time I went there after he passed was difficult.
My husband never met my dad but they would have been great friends!!
Jenna says
Girl, that is THE best date story ever!!!! I love it!!!!
JOY says
I know right?!?! 2nd best date with him was wandering aimlessly through both Lowe’s and Home Depot in the same day. It’s no wonder I married the guy! 🙂
Jenna says
Oh man, he is totally a keeper!!
Jane Stein says
This post absolutely made my day and had me laughing out loud more than once! Thank you for the joy, and the walk down memory lane. .
Jenna says
So happy to read this, Jane! Thank you, girl!
Monica says
Funny we just ate at Golden today. We do the senior citizen buffet. Monica
Jenna says
That’s a good discount they have there! I was looking at the prices when we were there! Hope you enjoyed it!
Susan the Farm Quilter says
I didn’t even know about Golden Corral until I was over 50!! All the buffets I knew of were in the big hotel/casinos in Reno…they are really good and inexpensive, but I don’t remember ever going to them as a child. I always love the food at Golden Corral, but we never go any more…diabetes makes so many foods of the yummy foods be a problem.
Jenna says
Oh man, wish you would have known about them sooner so you could have gotten your fill of them!!
Anne Coles says
We don’t have too many of them in Ontario Canada, except for Chinese food. I remember the Ponderosa, I think it was the Bonanza, but after 40-50 years, I know \I don’t need them but the memories are priceless. Really enjoyed your post! Love Anne
Jenna says
Oh I had forgotten about the Ponderosa! We had one of those in a nearby town as well when I was young. We went there before it closed.
Betty says
Some days when things are kind of topsy turvy it is nice to read a story like this. I am in the process of transitioning my mom from assisted living to a nursing home so this week has been a little rough. Thank you Jenna.
Jenna says
I’m sorry to hear that, Betty. I know this has to be a tough stage of life for you, somewhat turning into the parent and no longer a child. You and your mom are in my thoughts and prayers. Sending love your way!
Debbie R says
We no longer have an “All you can eat” in our area, but when my son was growing up, it was the only thing that had a chance of filling him up! He is 36 now…..good memories!!
Jenna says
I think ya’ll need to road trip it to one, Debbie! Take a trip down memory lane! 😉
Brigitte says
OMGosh. I haven’t been to a Golden Corral or Ryan’s in FOREVER. I see a trip to the buffet in my immediate future! 😉
Jenna says
Get to one quick, girl! I forgot how great they are!
Susanne says
So cute! Years ago a young Chinese woman came to the States to work with us. Her English was excellent, but she mispronounced Corral and called it the Golden Coral:) So that name has stuck!
Jenna says
haha! Hey, all that matters is that she liked it! 🙂