Eating (a lot) in Harlingen - 1 of 2 Upon arrival to the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) and before proceeding to the island (SPI), I was in Harlingen, Texas for about a day and a half. I still shake my head as to why they even call it a valley since I don't see any "sides" to this valley unless they are way upstream. I was not planning to eat here - at the Golden Corral. In fact, because I knew I might eat too much, I had to pause and reflect on this. However, as I got closer to the building and parking lot, it seemed to be newer and really well maintained. The same was true once inside. I guess my eyes that are bigger than my stomach won. I had dinner here and, even though it was good - see the 4 stars? - I didn't want to return ... for obvious reasons. For me, the infrequent Golden Corral visit usually means 4 plates - a plate for salads, a plate to sample various entrees and sides, a plate for the small steak, and a plate for desserts. I might or might not order a soft drink. I don't even remember the service because, being a buffet, it's mostly up to you. An employee might have checked in on me once and I really don't remember much else. You actually interact more with employees behind the counters at the various stations. Everything inside is kept clean from what I could see. This Golden Corral is popular. With Harlingen not being a city with high disposable income, this buffet offers value and I knew it would busy. Most of the customer base is made up of local Mexican(-American) folks who dine with extended families and friends. I only bring this up because this takes me back to Anjelah Johnson's landmark full 8 minute comedic skit of circa 2008 where she, in addition to stating she had Mexican and native American ancestry, declares that Mexicans are "very family oriented" ... and then keeps going! Consistent with a few other reviewers, I agree that the variety at this Golden Corral is vast and most of the choices are very good. They are consistently good across their nationwide locations. If you are a food snob, do everyone a favor and stay away. If you like value and hearty home-style cooking, be sure to come here. read more

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Always a good experience. Food was fresh and one of the better salad bars in the area. Pan handler outside when we came in. Was gone when I left. See our YouTube channel Coolest Life. read more

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I always say I'm not going back, this time I mean it. 12:30 and their buffet has nothing on it. They should at least try to refill the empty selections. At the price they charge there should be choice. Waitress staff is not a problem but the people behind the buffet need to pay attention to the customers. Food I was able to find was terrible. read more

I was pleasantly surprised that the food would be so good. Service was so so, nothing to right home about. Ambiance was ok.

This place has so much variety of food and all is delicious. Has tons of dessert, if you like to eat at a buffet try them..

I especially love this Golden Corral. Food is fresh. Unlimited visits to the food bar. Depends what waiters you get some pick up your plates fast and some don't care. Variety of meats is excellent. Lots of cooked and fresh veggies. The desserts variety is excellent. Cookies, pies, cake, pudding and ice cream. read more

Food is good. Service was good, except...I was visiting and reading from their website that they have a promotion for active/veterans. Double check with the waitress, she was extremely nice to ask that information for us with her supervisor (I guess). She came back and said her supervisor said we came back next week because they will give out the appreciation cards. We visited exactly the day they gave out but they told me they haven't given out, came back next week. We came back again and again, there were only one answer, "next week please come back". I was like ok. I chat on Yelp to understand what's going on. I got reply. Then I replied "is not a cheating when you guys keep saying please come back but in fact, you guys ran out until next year?". They read and never reply me back. It's not about the card , it's about a sentence "please come back next week, we will give out the appreciation card again". Please if you run out till next year, please say it. I still come when I have time because your food is good and I like the waitress served me. The one star is for your sentence "please come back next week, we will give out again". read more

Golden Corral Buffet & Grill - American Near Me - Harlingen, Texas

This buffet wasn't good at all, the service was terrible all they did was chat up a storm with their friends or not even come to our table, most of the food I ate was cold as if it was sitting their for about an hour and I found plastic in some rice. The only thing this Golden Corral has going is the deserts but I would just go somewhere different. read more

Great Place! We ate inside, Covid procedures in place. Salad was crisp and fresh, steak was just right and dripping with flavor. Our waitress was very attentive and professional. Good to see management engaged with staff and customers. read more

Food was fresh and hot. Children under 8 helping themselves to Buffett, both owner and GM just ignored it. Let's see if there is an adjustment to stopping kids under 10 at the buffet from serving themselves. Two months later, kids under 12 at the buffet bar but floor manager asked to help kids. Management really doesn't want to make waves with parents and the parents reflect their lack of parenting skills. So take a chance, maybe management will confront parents as they do in other GCs around the country. I did give them another star for effort. read more

We are from MN and were visiting family in Harlingen. We went to Golden Corral and received great service and good variety of food options for the cost. read more

Clean. Food was wonderful. The sirloin steak was so tender it seemed like filet mignon.