Let’s talk about some legendary fast food places today, shall we? You know those certain spots that bring back lots of memories. Some of them seem almost like myths or old stories now. People talk about them online as if they were searching for some kind of treasure. The KFC buffet is definitely one of these quite unique things. It sounds pretty unreal, actually—unlimited food from the Colonel himself.
Back in the 80s, these buffets were extremely popular. Folks could eat all the fried chicken they wanted back then. They were the main places people went to when they were craving chicken a lot. But they started disappearing after about ten years had passed. The world changed, and health has become a bigger focus overall. Recent global events have severely impacted group dining experiences.
1. **The Mythical KFC Buffet: Their Rarity Today**: The cool part is that they aren’t totally gone from everywhere. Just a few scattered places still exist, mostly in the Southeast. There’s a whole dedicated group of fans keeping this dream alive. They are tracking down locations as if it’s a big treasure quest. These fans make special trips just to visit a KFC buffet.
Finding one feels like seeing a rare culinary unicorn these days. They are super rare compared to how popular the 80s ones were overall. They started disappearing, and the process sped up after 2000. Pandemic worries about hygiene hurt these kinds of places hard. Staffing problems for restaurants made things quite complicated.
This rarity has made fans create their own whole community online. There is a Facebook group just for finding these places now. Finding one is truly a significant event for many folks out there.
2. **The Epic Quest: Driving Three Hours for All-You-Can-Eat**: How dedicated are these fans really, you might ask. One story says someone drove three hours just for this. Imagine driving down the highway for a long, long time. Then suddenly you see a sign that catches your eye hard. “Did that sign say KFC buffet?” a voice breaks the daze. That moment of disbelief feels very real for a moment.
So, a journey was made fueled by a serious chicken craving. Three hours for a buffet dinner? That’s real dedication, you see. It’s more like a pilgrimage for fast-food enthusiasts, actually. The trip itself becomes part of this big adventure.
3. **First Impressions: What a Modern KFC Buffet Location Looks Like**: Arriving on Saturday night, I found the parking lot was mostly empty. You might wonder if this is really the correct place. But a small blue sign confirms that a buffet-style dining option is available. It’s a quiet nod, not a loud announcement.
Stepping inside, my first impression was quite normal. It looked just like any other KFC I had seen before. There was no special decor or dramatic entryway inside, you know.
This normal setup makes the buffet stand out even more. The big difference is seeing the buffet setup right there. It’s an 8-foot-long counter placed right next to the cashier. This self-serve buffet offers unlimited classic plus unique dishes.
4. **Show Me the Money: Breaking Down the $13 Price Tag**: Accessing this buffet paradise involves a simple counter transaction. You say “two buffet dinners” to the worker. You get two plastic trays, a big plate, and a dessert plate. Also, a small drink cup and a spork come with it, you know.
The cost for this unlimited access? About 13 per person. For two people, it came out to a total price of 26. This price seems pretty reasonable for all-you-can-eat there. Compared to buying individual meals, it’s definitely better value.
5. **Buffet Bounty: The Classic KFC Favorites You Can Pile High**: What is on the buffet? Lots of classic KFC favorites await you. This includes the main star: fried or grilled chicken pieces galore. Yes, the Colonel’s chicken is available in theory without limit, you know. Along with the chicken are signature sides that complete the meal well.
You’ll find biscuits, green beans, mashed potatoes, and gravy ready to eat. These are comforting staples that fans know and totally love. Scoop them onto your plate in very generous portions right now. The beauty of the buffet is also that you can easily mix and match your own favorites.
Reuben-Inspired Salad
Equipment
- 1 Baking Sheet
- 1 Medium Bowl For croutons
- 1 Small Bowl For dressing
- 1 Large Serving Bowl
- 1 Whisk For dressing
Ingredients
Main
- 3 thick slices good-quality rye bread cut into cubes (about 3 cups cubes)
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons chili sauce such as Heinz
- 2 tablespoons drained dill pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 4 ounces thinly sliced deli corned beef coarsely chopped (about 1-inch pieces)
- 1/4 small head savoy cabbage cored and very thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
- 1 romaine heart chopped
- 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
Instructions
- For the croutons: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Put the bread cubes in a medium bowl, drizzle with the olive oil and toss well to coat evenly. Sprinkle with the celery salt, coriander, garlic powder and several grinds of pepper and toss again.
- Spread on a baking sheet and bake, tossing once halfway through, until crisp and golden, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove to a bowl to cool; reserve the baking sheet and increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees F.
- For the salad: Meanwhile, whisk the buttermilk, mayonnaise, chili sauce, relish, Worcestershire and garlic powder in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
- Spread the corned beef on the reserved baking sheet and bake until just warmed through, about 2 minutes.
- Transfer the warm corned beef to a large serving bowl. Add the cabbage and romaine and drizzle with half of the dressing. Toss well. Add the croutons and Swiss and drizzle with the remaining dressing. Toss again and serve immediately.
Notes
6. **The Unexpected Finds: Dishes NOT on the Regular Menu**: But this KFC buffet also offers some truly unexpected things—items not usually seen on regular menus in the North states. This adds a fun surprise element to the whole visit, you see. What kind of unique stuff could you possibly find there right now?
The text lists rice and beans, collard greens, and fried okra dishes. These are not standard national menu items for everyone, usually. Fried okra was a standout side for the author, it says there. It was crunchy but definitely not overcooked at all. These unexpected items were genuinely tasty additions, honestly.
7. **Taking a Walk on the Wild Side: Trying the Gizzards and Livers**: Here’s where the buffet gets a bit adventurous for some folks. Fried chicken gizzards and livers were truly surprising to see. These aren’t common fast-food items, you know, usually found out there. Their presence on the buffet was quite unexpected, really. They were also regular menu items at this specific spot.
The author admitted never having had them before this trip. It was a moment where curiosity met the unknown food truly. A companion insisted they give them a fair try first. The final verdict? Not a fan of these specific items at all.
The author decidedly did not enjoy the smallest bites of either thing. Not everything on the buffet will be a winner for everybody. Trying new things shows what you don’t like just as much as what you do.
8. **Saving Room for Sweetness: The Dessert Lineup, Featuring That Apple Cobbler**: You’ve gotta save some room for dessert, always. The dessert section at the Dunn, NC spot had few options available. Standard choices included Jell-O, pudding, and some fruit items. These were lighter options after a big, heavy, savory feast.
But the real standout was the apple cobbler there. This wasn’t just some dessert; it was truly the crowning item. It was described as a gooey mix of apple chunks, crust, and sugar.
The cinnamon-apple filling had the strongest smell from the whole buffet. Thankfully, it tasted just as good as it smelled. The author even went so far as to say it tasted kind of homemade. This dessert made a lasting, positive impression, for sure. It was almost sweet enough to make that long drive worthwhile. Was the cobbler alone worth driving three hours for? Probably not, but it was a definite high point, okay, you see.
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