I have always loved a good buffet.
And honestly, it doesn’t even have to be all that good of a buffet.
There’s just something about knowing that you can pick whatever and have as much of it as you like, you know?
Let’s get to the best buffets…
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I was absolutely shocked when I looked through data from YouGov on the most popular dining brands as of Q1 2025.
I took a good, hard look at all the restaurant brands which regularly include buffets…
And Golden Corral wasn’t #1!
(Neither was Cici’s Pizza. Or Ponderosa. Or even Sizzler!)
It turns out that there’s one buffet that’s more popular than all of them.
So let’s dive right in on the top 10, starting with…
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Percent of Americans who have heard of it: 56%
Percent of Americans who like it: 28%
My take: I miss HomeTown Buffet, and it looks like I’m not the only one!
(HomeTown Buffet went under during COVID.)
It wasn’t as differentiated as some of the higher-ranked options (probably why it didn’t make it), but it was good!
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Percent of Americans who have heard of it: 67%
Percent of Americans who like it: 36%
My take: I liked Old Country Buffet before it closed. Their fried chicken, mac ‘n cheese, and mashed potatoes have always been great, and there was usually a slice or three of something in the dessert section that I was excited about.
Another sad loss from the COVID pandemic.
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Percent of Americans who have heard of it: 63%
Percent of Americans who like it: 36%
My take: A longtime Southern staple, Shoney’s looks a little dated these days but still has one fo the best breakfast buffets period. Their French toast sticks are still a differentiator, and their biscuits and gravy are another perennial favorite. I had lots of Shoney’s after church on Sundays – how about you? (Let me know in the comments.)
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Percent of Americans who have heard of it: 71%
Percent of Americans who like it: 38%
My take: Sizzler has been on the downswing for a long time (although it’s still surprisingly popular in Puerto Rico), although I have to say that their taco bar is a perennial favorite of mine.
It’s nice to load up on tacos, and it’s even nicer not to have to clean up afterwards!
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Percent of Americans who have heard of it: 73%
Percent of Americans who like it: 44%
My take: Godfather’s makes pretty good pizza, and I’d argue their pizza buffet is the third-best pizza buffet in the USA (behind CiCi’s and Pizza Hut).
I do mark them down for it only being a lunch buffet – we need more dinner options! – but, like I said, the pies tehmselves are quite good. I highly recommend “Humble Pie” – pepperoni, sausage, onions and green peppers.
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Percent of Americans who have heard of it: 85%
Percent of Americans who like it: 46%
My take: I mean, this has got to be nostalgia, right? Because Ruby Tuesday’s salad bar was never all that great, and it hasn’t improved while the restaurant has shrunk to a shadow of its former self.
But I think people have forgotten that as they’ve grown nostalgia for the “good old days.”
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Percent of Americans who have heard of it: 72%
Percent of Americans who like it: 46%
My take: I’m a born Midwesterner, so I’ve known Big Boy from back in the day. What surprised me was how many other Americans seem to know it too!
It’s a solid buffet (especially their breakfast buffet) – normal replacement-level American fare, good prices, lots of food. That’s a pretty weak endorsement, but it is still an endorsement!
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Percent of Americans who have heard of it: 82%
Percent of Americans who like it: 47%
My take: A lot of very loud people like to hate on Cici’s Pizza. But frankly, this #3 ranking is proof positive that it’s a loud group…but far outnumbered by the folks (like me) who’ve always liked it.
I mean, what’s not to like? They have some innovative flavors for people who like that sort of thing (pasta on pizza and the like)…plus plenty of old favorites, like pepperoni, sausage, and cheese…
And those amazing dessert pizzas. The cinnamon apple swirl is my personal favorite. All in a buffet so you can get exactly as much of each as you want!
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Percent of Americans who have heard of it: 95%
Percent of Americans who like it: 51%
My take: If you’re surprised Golden Corral isn’t #1, I want you to know that I’m right there with you. In my opinion, it’s the best buffet on this list.
I mean, where else can you get unlimited steak and shrimp? And all kinds of other amazing food?
I have attended wedding rehearsal dinners at Golden Corral. It’s that good. If you haven’t been recently, give it a whirl. I think you’ll be surprised (in a good way).
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Percent of Americans who have heard of it: 99%
Percent of Americans who like it: 64%
My take: Pizza Hut buffets were all the rage when I was younger – and while we all know a Pizza Hut or three that has closed down, there are still over 6,500 nationwide, with plenty in every state.
The pizza is hot and fresh, the ingredients are tasty, and the combinations are delicious. Really, what more could you ask for?
(Steak. You could ask for steak.)
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So there you have it – America’s top 10 favorite buffets, according to data from YouGov.
I still genuinely can’t believe that Pizza Hut won out over Golden Corral.
(Given all the people I know who dislike Cici’s…I can believe that it didn’t win.)
But really, this begs the most important question:
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What do YOU think?
Have you tried all of these? Which do you like best?
Which awesome buffet didn’t make the list that absolutely should have?
Let us know in the comments!
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