I loved it! How can anyone pass up a Southern buffet?! The place was clean and well run. They were constantly replenishing the food, so everything was fresh and tasty. It was my first time eating fried green tomatoes! They are a new favorite. Also loved the fried chicken, sautéed cabbage, the slimy okra, and rutabaga turnip. I will literally name it all. The ice cream was so cold and creamy but the strawberry shortcake was the nice sweet to end my meal. Thank you for a great meal read more

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Everything was good and well presented. A little salt and pepper didn't hurt to add but loved the down home touch of food options. Food options such as pot roast, beans, rutabaga, or cabbage offered in a buffet which I love about Fred's . Everyone can enjoy something here. Seating is arranged for many big groups or families or just a solo outing. Customer service was attentive and nice. If you want real food without cooking, this is your place to go read more

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Tonight we tried Fred's market in Lakeland. This was our first time there and let me tell you it will not be our last time there. It is a very big restaurant, could easily fit a couple of football teams. We were greeted and seated as soon as we walked in the restaurant. Our server Brendan was amazing. Super high energy, super friendly and super on point with refills and making sure that everything was good with us. Honestly, he really did make our dining experience a pleasure. Now onto the food. So many options. A long buffet of salad. A long buffet of hot foods and plenty of side dishes. Desserts Yum. I started off with the fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn casserole, macaroni and cheese, chicken and dumpling soup and a soft sweet roll. And that was just plate number one. I'm not gonna go over every single thing I ate, but let's just say I truly think that this place is a must go to for dinner, lunch or breakfast. We enjoyed our dinner so much tonight that we are actually going back again tomorrow to do this again. The menu rotates and changes daily so there's plenty of food options and it is all you can eat. So my advice is simple. Go to this restaurant and go hungry and be ready to meet some really nice people and have a really good time. read more

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Great service by Jonathan today! Drink was always filled with sweet tea. If you go early bird 2p-5p you get a complimentary drink. We went for a late lunch after Peppa Pig World. I have now been to all the Fred location and this is my favorite. Very clean with plastic gloves to hold serving utensils. Happy to stop by whenever in town. read more

We made a quick stop here with family and I've heard sooooo many good things about it. The parking lot of my packed and we made no reservations so had a little wait for a table, all sounds promising. They have a couple of options for food, buffet, blue plate and order a plate. I got the buffet. everything looked really good. I went through the line twice to get on both sides but all in all I wasn't a fan. read more

Fred's Market - Happy Sunday - Buffets Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

I have visited Fred's Market many times. The Meatloaf and Catfish are my favorites. The Corn casserole and Sweet potato is also really good. My Sister and I ordered Iced Tea and the server was very nice and refilled them several times. The server also gave us the options of all you can eat or one plate special. The ambiance was cozy and down home. I will definitely keep coming back. read more

Fred's Market - Meatloaf Catfish Chicken Corn casserole - Buffets Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

Our server, Leah, greeted us and asked our drink order. She was such a sweetheart and kept refilling our iced teas. I had ribs, meatloaf, macaroni and cheese and I tried the chicken and dumplings. For dessert, I had banana pudding. Everything was delicious! It was pretty busy, but we were there at 6pm. A great experience! read more

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3 stars because I couldn't get over the extremely runny eggs. For me, eggs are the main course of breakfast and I honestly couldn't. I was hoping they were going to plop a fresh batch of fully cooked eggs. Nope, more runny eggs. I have been to the Fred's in Lakeland, and remember nice fluffy cooked scrambled eggs. Overall, Fred's has got all the essentials eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes every way. I poured gravy on my potatoes and it was quite a delight! Fried catfish could have used some kind of flavor. They also have a small selection of fruits and cereal boxes. Our server was sweet but a little busy. This restaurant is in a small town so I'm not sure if there are ample of options but it's a solid breakfast place. read more

Fred's Market - Fried catfish - Buffets Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

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The staff works really hard and fast. The food is mediocre buffet style. The ambiance is very casual with an older crowd.

We came to Freds first time for lunch on a Friday. We've been to similar types of restaurants before and the decor is similar; casual country, I remember hearing Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" playing in the background, but despite that it isn't very noisy. There's one salad buffet that is above average, one mains and veg buffet station packed with 20-30 different dishes, and one smaller desert station, with maybe 10 desserts. The salad station is good, with a lot of variety. The variation on the main/veg station is also pretty good, but I have to add that the food didn't stand out. It was adequate, the taste wasn't bad, but it wasn't stellar either. The food was self service, but the server kept our drinks full and took away our plates when we were done. The check was delivered promptly. No complaints, but also no real praise. If I was in the area and hungry, I'd probably stop again. But I don't think I would make the trip here just for the restaurant. read more

Grocery stores in Alaska are few and far between - but Fred's is the place to go. Everything you could ask for is in Fred's - and we found an amazing selection of food, including some wonderful bakery specialties, here. However sticker shock from the prices was what I couldn't get over. The price of a gallon of milk approached $7, making it extremely expensive to feed a large family. Now I know why most families have their own chickens and hunt in Alaska. Check-out was quick and easy - my brother who is a local had a club card that gave us a discount on some items, and he received reward points for the purchase, a win-win situation. read more

Our server was nice, but overall the food was not to our liking. The fried chicken was overcooked and dry, far from GBD. The ribs were not good, tasted boiled, not smoked and not broiled, rubber on a bone. The Salmon was thin overcooked filets. The coleslaw had no flavor, cabbage in milk bath. The dish of bread dressing was burnt and the hush puppies were overdone, dark brown golf balls, not GBD. The Vegetable sides appeared for the most part to be straight out of a can and tastes as such. There was a breaded corn pie that was great, I went back for seconds on that. The desert bar had a few cakes and pudding items. Drinks were not included with the buffet. The resturant is clean but very plain, a kind like a cafeteria or soup. Honestly, Golden Coral would have been better than this place, and i don't like Golden Coral! read more

Everything i wanted was there. Not you usuaal buffet . Food is rotated and switched in refreshed often read more

Always good, fresh, and delicious!! Can't wait to return soon will be going for a belated birthday dinner asap

The food is always a comfort. Warm and plenty with a few healthy choices. Love the variety and the menu being able to meet all needs.

Finally, finally, finally got the chance to feast my famine at the long, awaited chow down at Fred's Market Restaurant. Yeah......!! If anyone have ever visited Savannah, GA, and had the Mrs. Wilkes Kitchen feast, then ya know this is about the same. Minus the rush for their long line wait list outside. Side from that, I suffered dearly. Really. Really suffered dearly. Thank you for that, and "I'll Be Back."!! read more

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Fred's Market is a solid stop for anyone hungry for a good breakfast. My family visited the Lakeland location on a Sunday morning. It was busy. We were seated at a large table in the back. Quiet, roomy and a great place to eat. This place was bustling with people and staff. A few staff members came around to greet us and explain things. They were super kind and friendly. All the staff we encountered were. If you passed someone working there, they said hello and welcomed you. The food here is simple. Southern staples in a buffet style, all you can eat extravaganza. You either get a blue plate or a regular plate. Blue plates are good for the smaller appetite. You can make one trip to the buffet line and pile on as much as you can. It's only $2 less. The buffet had all the classics. Biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, grits, pancakes, French toast, fried green tomaters and fruit and yogurt options. I did one savory plate and one sweet plate. It covered all the bases and I was satisfied. Everything was tasty but nothing stood out as fantastic. Except for the fried chicken. Oh yes, at Fred's you eat the fried chicken for breakfast, because it's that good. Crispy skin, juicy dark meat. We all had a good time and left full. It was also affordable. I'd come back here again. read more

Fred's Market - Breakfast - Buffets Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

Gets busy on weekend but moves quick. Classic southern food including catfish, collard greens, sweet potatoes, ribs, fried chicken, all the things! Great salad bar and friendly service. The Italian wedding cake is out of this world. read more

All of the food I tried was incredibly good and definitely homemade. The peach cobbler was amazing and so were the fried green tomatoes. Definitely going back again soon! read more

12 million out of 10 everything about this place is fantastic the staff the food the option of how you want to enjoy your meal. For my friend and I we destroyed the unlimited visit option for his fiancé the 1 visit and salad was awesome because she eats like a bird don't tell her or him about my review lol read more

I always enjoy Fred's whenever I am on the west coast of the state coming back to Orlando. This is one of their expansion locations and it's not nearly as good as their plant city location. Perhaps the food turnovers slower than plant city, but it's not as good. Service was good, prices are the same. Will return to the plant city location over this one. read more

Fred's is everything good about the south all in one place makes you feel so at home comfortable the breakfast is incredible the lunch is amazing and dinner makes you never want to leave read more

We went to Fred's market for the first time today. The food was absolutely tasty! The ribs fell off the bones, I put the pot roast over the white rice and had two helpings of it, they had fried green tomato's. Rotisserie and fried chicken, full salad bar, desert bar, brewed sweet tea, mashed potatoes and gravy. All delicious and hot. We had Joey for a server and she kept the drinks filled, the tables cleared as we finished and was super sweet. The restaurant was clean, the buffet was kept wiped down, they have a sink near the buffet to I guess wash hands if wanted? The bathrooms were clean and there was plenty of waiting area if you were waiting for a large group. We need one of these closer to Zephyrhills/Dade City/Bushnell area. read more

Fred's Market - Rotisserie chicken, pulled pork, fried green tomato's, mashed potatoes, ribs, corn casserole, Lima beans - Buffets Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

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This place is always busy. Expect to wait for a while especially if you have a group, but it is worth it. The staff were pleasant and cheerful. The food was delicious.? You must try the sweet potatoes soufflé. My only complaint is the food bar. They do keep it up. Many of the dishes they run out or they don't fill them up regularly. Had to circle the bar several times in order to get my plate fill, having to wait for them to fill up the dishes. I didn't get a chance to take pictures because the place was packed. read more

This is the place to take your family. The food is giving thanksgiving meets Sunday dinner at your grandmas house. The price is incredible for all that you get. The staff are so friendly and the place is very clean. read more

This food was amazing. So amazing I can't decide what was best the black eyed peas, collards, Mac and cheese, okra, cabbage, sweet potato soufflé, fried chicken AND peach cobbler. Every bite from start to finish was great. Make sure you come really hungry! read more

Good was good service was good and the place has a cool vibe. Couple things I had was kind of bland but it is a buffet so I get it biscuits are fresh and amazing sausage gravy didn't really have much sausage flavor that was my one main disappointment otherwise if your in Lakeland and hungry it's worth the stop. read more

Fred's market is an institution. It has been in the central Florida area for sometime and there's not a time of day that you go by and there is not a crowd at this restaurant (especially Sundays after church). It is truly a local favorite because it delivers on a promise of slow cook foods serve fast. It is southern cooking at his finest served on a daily basis with a staff that is conscientious and in no way overbearing. They make sure you have what you need to guide you through the process and allow you to enjoy their excellent food selections. There have been times when I've gone to Fred's and I noticed the workers using the thermometers to make sure the temperature of the foods are within the guidelines of safe food handling for their customers. If you love, well prepared "soul food" you'll definitely love the care and variety that Fred market delivers on a daily basis. My one can't miss recommendation is the " PEACH COBBLER WITH A SCOOP OF VANILLA ICE CREAM" they have different desserts from banana pudding, to pecan pie, and strawberry shortcake however, I can't seem to enjoy them because I am STUCK LIKE CHUCK on that peach cobbler. It is so absolutely amazing (thank me later).. read more

This place is so damn good. Full buffet and every item hits. The food is perfect anf feels homemade. The vibe inside is like you're having lunch after church at your grandmas. And the staff takes great care. read more

I went too the south Lakeland and I was very disappointed everything tasted bland, A Big waste of money, Service was good as usual, The Best Fred's is plant city and 301 Tampa. read more

Fred's Market - Buffets Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

I've been searching for some really good southern food in central Florida and I've finally found it. Fred's is delicious and inexpensive. They even have a rewards program. We've tried breakfast and lunch and both we equally delicious. In addition to the food, they also serve up some southern hospitality as well. The team is so nice, it's basically like Sunday dinner at my grandma's house. read more

A trip to central Florida is a miss without coming here for dinner. True southern food. The fried chicken and pot roast was amazing as was the mashed potato's. Nothing sits on the buffet very long as they put out small portions so it is fresh and hot all the time. read more

Their food is good, bit their Italian Wedding Cake is to die for! Only restaurant that I know of around this area that serves it. It's WONDERFUL!!! read more

When in Florida (Tampa or Orlando) we make it a point to goto Fred's. Get little family restaurant that has never disappointed. We've been to three different locations and they ate pretty consistent (food-wise) . If you go on Saturday , try the shrimp creole . All dishes have that "home feel". I'm know I'm the majority here (south) but I do wish the veggies had meatless options (greens, cabbage, black eyed peas) :-( but I know where I am. :-) read more

Fred's Market - Casual, family restaurant that has never disappointed - Buffets Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

There's nothing like good homestyle cooking from Fred's for either breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Fred's offers a buffet like non other and with several options to meet everyone's appetite, dietary restrictions, and more. The customer service provided doesn't seem as such, but more like being around family at gathering. Sierra was our server this visit and went above and beyond with making our dining experience a great one. The ambiance puts you in the mind frame of a family gathering and fellowshiping over than a buffet restaurant, which is plus in my eyes. read more

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Absurd! Long lines, buffet needs improvement to provide better flow. So many people complaining about how to gain access to food.. like a herd of pigs just slopped. The food was fair. Southern raised - nothing near to the true southern taste. On a positive note, very attentive staff. The policy for not allowing one to take their dessert to go is ridiculous. First and last visit. Avoid! read more

Not our thing. Over salted food with a potluck style and way over done chicken - and we tried all the cuts and styles. Could be your thing. But not ours. read more

After leaving the theme park we were looking for a place to eat with good soul food. Fred's Market was a suggested spot so we decided to check it out. We met a couple coming out and they told us they were locals and they loved the spot and visited often so that eased our concerns. The lobby is very spacious lots of room to sit and wait if needed. The menu gives you options depending on how much you plan to eat such as a blue plate special or a one trip plate. I like how the bar had a small selection of items to choose from. They use pots to give it a homey feel. The salad bar had a good selection of toppings also. In addition to that they also had two soup options and a dessert bar section. My favorite was the fried fish and the country style steak and gravy. A lot of the vegetables are cooked with pork which I shyed away from but overall everything was delicious. read more

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Fred's has the best variety of southern food I've ever seen There were so many options and I tried a taste of just about everything. I could do that with the "plate" options which allowed me to pour a spoon of this and a scoop of that and then go back if I wanted , add a salad from the fresh and colorful bar and one or more of their delectable deserts. The servers and overall staff gave us a heap of southern hospitality and even though the food is served buffet style, the table servers make sure you have what you want and help with any questions. We had not heard of Fred's until we visited from Maryland and learned of the one where we ate and another closer to Tampa. We enjoyed our food, the service, and the setting! read more

I was here last week, was looking forward to coming here since their lake Mary location closed due to Covid. This is a big location, so many parking spots and so much space for waiting. I went on a Sunday, I was expecting it to be super busy (the lake Mary location would have 1-2 hour wait) but luckily thanks to how big the restaurant is, we only waited 10 minutes!! We got the all you can eat option (around $20) Filled my first plate with mashed potatoes, salmon, grilled chicken, collard greens, and soft baked bread. Everything was so tasty!!! Cleaned my plate. Cleaned all my plates, this is the only buffet I've ever been to that every single dish is tasty. The dessert bar was calling my name so if course I walked there, got me a bit of everything. Bread pudding was DELISH! Peach cobbler was everything I could ever ask for and more. It was soft, had bits of peach, sweetness, topped with vanilla ice cream omg. If you are ever in the area, please, please do yourself a favor and come here. Bring your family, tell your friends, it's something special. read more

Fred's Market - Peach cobbler - Buffets Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

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