06/14/26 We had a wonderful meal today at Golden Corral in Hoover around 12:43 p.m. The food was great, and the service was excellent. Our waitress, Karin, was amazing. She gave us excellent service, checked on us to make sure we were enjoying our meal, and made us feel truly welcome. She was friendly, attentive, kind, and professional. Nothing was missing from the service -- everything she did was right in our eyes. Rebecca L., the cashier, was also very friendly. Lottie stopped by to say hello, Teresa recognized us and waved, and the manager was very nice and waved at us too. This Golden Corral has a warm, welcoming feeling. You feel like they are glad to see you and that they really want you to come back. That means a lot. Great food, great service, and great people. God bless ! Mark and Tim Elders read more

It's ladies night and the Matriarch picked The Golden Coral!( yep Coral that's what I calls it). We are a party of 5 and yes we got everything, BEANS, GREENS, POTATOES TOMATOES , LAMB, RAMS, HOGS, MAWS, CHICKEN, TURKEY, RABBITS! YOU NAME IT!! We ate it! Service was great! We heard about Billy's sickness, so we tipped! read more

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Several things wrong here. 1) Ordered a party size spinach salad. Ingredients were discribed as spinach, red onions, crunmbled bacon, mushrooms, hard boiled eggs. I got spinach, cucumbers, croutons, and some shredded white cheese. They cheated me out of some very important ingredients. This was last night. See photos below. 2) Was dining inside and saw some nice looking soup. Have no idea what it was. I was going to try when I noticed no soup bowls available. This was Wednesday, 6 PM 3) There was no steak avaailable. They had a well carved and almost gone turkey, a few slices of ham, and no other meat from the grill. It was 6 PM. Alot of the food was not hot. I was so surprised. I feel like the health department needs to do a full check up on this location. read more

Golden Corral Buffet & Grill - Spinach Salad as listed on the online Menu - American Near Me - Hoover, Alabama

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I grew eating at Golden Corral traveling with HBCU bands as a dance girl. I recently visited this location out of nostalgia. Despite my taste buds progressing to Michelin restaurants and Shangri-La Hotels/restaurants, I will never forget where I come from and that's Golden Corral after every away game on the weekends during football season! The food still tastes exactly as expected and wow the ice cream machine always works! read more

I was eating lunch with my wife and kids till a kid walked up to me and threw up all over my plate

This is just my observation/opinion. Golden Corral in Hoover has the happiest, kindest, and most attentive employees I've (maybe ever) seen. The grumpy customers not so much, but apparently these workers love their jobs and walk in the door as if they got a great night's sleep, had wonderful dreams, and believe the rest of their day will continue on that path of joy. In my next life, I am going to work at Golden Corral. read more

They serve cold food,very substandard and expensive. ON Veterans day 2025 they served cold unseasoned food to tge Veterans. Staff is subpar and lazy,when it comes to quality there is none.I would not recommend this place read more

The service the staff provided on Veterans Day was amazing! I know they served a lot of veterans and their families that night. They were efficient, worked hard to serve us and get us in and seated even if we had to sit at tables with other people. I wasn't sure about that at first but we struck up conversations and it went well. The food was good. The only thing my son could be disappointed with was the ice cream machine wasn't working. He was surprised at how delicious the food was and said he would be coming back with me again. thanks to everyone that blessed us that night and especially our server read more

went here a few months ago they piled the food so high in steam table it was cold even the steak was not served from the grill was on the steam table. Wrote to the corporate office two time asking to get a refund for my two adult meals no reply?? The employees behind the line and at the cashiers where very rude. They were not even busy and they were holding the line of people up clear outside the door made no sense to me the place was empty. I would give no star if it let me. I still would like my money back but just don't see that happening sense I can't even get a reply from the corporate office very disappointing . Will never return. read more

Great place to go for veggies. Great salad bar as well! Fish, chicken and roast beef are excellent.

This will be in two parts. One about the food, one about our "waitress." Date of Visit: Saturday, June 17th, 2023. The food was great! We enjoyed our food, and everything I had was hot and seemingly fresh. The guys behind the counter at the meat area were very nice and helpful, and they greeted me multiple times and helped me get my food. I really appreciated their service. Now, Kelly. I haven't had a worse 'waitress.' It was to the point where we weren't even sure we had a waitress. When we got to the section we sat at, she was counting her money. Which was fine. However, she never greeted us, not once. ALL of her tables that were sat at currently were DISGUSTING. She left it to others to clean the tables. Us and the other two tables there had mounds and mounds of trash, plates, empty cups covering the tables. She also disappeared for a while, and we didn't see her for almost the entire duration. I had to flag another very busy waitress to get us refills on our drinks. She was busy, but she made it happen to get them refilled. At one point when we needed a refill again, I initiated a conversation with Kelly and asked if I could please have a refill. She verbally sighed loudly, mumbled something incoherently (Sounded like "mmmh") unwillingly got my drink and put it on the table and walked off, not saying another word. We only tipped for whoever cleaned the table. If Kelly sees this, just know that tip wasn't for her service. I love the food, but my God, she made our experience awful. Her counting money was all that mattered in the time. Will not return to be served by Kelly again. She was NOT a good waitress at ALL. read more

We did something last night that we had never done before...we accessed Golden Corral to cater our small Men's Fellowship gathering. We worked with Jennifer, who was very knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating, and we got a tray of the Pot Roast, the Bourbon Street Chicken with rice, the mashed potatoes with gravy on the side, and the green beans. Also included were a bunch of rolls with butter. All the food was packed well, they helped my wife carry it out to her car, and they gave us a great price. The turnout for the gathering was a lot smaller than anticipated, so not only did all present get to eat to the full, but we all had a ton of leftovers! All in all, a wonderful experience! read more

I ate here for the first time a week ago. Normally I do not go to buffets but the parking lot is always busy here. So I figured it must be good. The staff was nice. All the plates were dirty and some had hair. The food a mediocre at best. The table were dirty. I honest to god do not know how they pass a health inspection. I actually called the county health inspector. They said they are going to investigate. This place should be shut down. read more

Hot Food was cold, bar not replenished, cantaloupe not trimmed (green), no chicken wings at bar, just a very substandard Golden Corral! Choose wisely! read more

We have eaten here several times over the last year and we have eaten dinner, lunch, breakfast, during the weekend and the weekday. Although we don't get steak, we probably prefer the Saturday morning brunch. The food is fresher and it's a treat to come late enough to get breakfast and early enough to get lunch together! Coming for dinner, the food tends to be older, as it likely has spent some time on the steam-table for awhile. The Hoover Golden Corral serves family-style buffet with steak, shrimp, and other items. The soups and desserts change and rotate on a regular schedule. My husband's favorites are the crab salad and the steak. My favorite dishes are the cooked shrimp on ice, steak and baked sweet potato with butter and cinnamon. The restaurant is clean and the staff are attentive and we always try to leave a generous tip for those working hard to wait on us. read more

I usually avoid buffets, especially with carpet. Today curiosity got the best of me & I tried it. Meh. Not terrible, just ok

We ate here as we were passing thru. It is your typical Golden Corral. They were also very busy and the place was loud.

Great food and service ! Highly recommend . I just wish that I could recommend one thing to try , but everything was good that I had ! So sorry ! You will have to do like I did , try A little of everything read more

last time I had golden Corral was about 7 years ago. And now I remember why. Apart that most of the food warmers looked like they had been sitting there for a very long time, food was absolutely bland. Like, do yall not own seasonings, or at least salt, gawly! As we walked by the food stations on our way to the restroom to wash our hand, we took a peek of what to get when we would come back, we notice that they basically have repetitive cheap foods Jst in different parts of the stations. So In reality, they don't have alot of options. As we approached the ice cream machine,jst next to the kitchen entrance was the worse, literally smells like shit! And yet people stuffing there selves to the point they have to "Run" if thats what you call running , to the most unsanitary restroom Ive ever seen,(And trust,I been to Tijuana). If you want to spend almost $20 a head for a discusting atmosphere. Worse food You ever had. go here. Also, steak sux.rubber band chewwy, and is it really all you can Eat, when they limit you to the amout of steak you can take at once, but they take your full amout of money at the entrance. Not that you want to eat that much anyways, lol read more

Pretty expensive food was alright but we had a great time there and the service was great

So family who is coming out of town and for the local people who stay in Birmingham do not stop at this location the food is horrible and the service is horrible this location have not been the same since they first opened I can say it's very clean but the food is awful read more

We came here for my husbands birthday breakfast and now I can understand why Golden Corrals are going out of business. It's not the price but the quality . We came at opening and the food was pretty much like warm to cold . I checked the heath dept score and they scored in the 90s cause I feel like this food temo could get a person Sick. Which leads me to my next remark -they had the desert bar fully stocked and ready to go at 8am I get prepping it but your essentially leaving food to expire which makes wast . Their only Covid regulation is using a glove to serve food . But overall the restaurant was ok . Probably wouldn't come back until they improve but nothing amazing read more

As a White straight female this is a HORRIBLE establishment to eat at. I would never come here again you could tell there was grease build up and the food was also HORRIBLE. I am completely dissatisfied with their service. The New Orleans one was soooooo much better than this one will ever be. I am never coming again you just lost yourself a customer. read more

Whew! Really? This place is a mess! Floors are a mess, tables need a good scrub, Soda is sooooo watered down I thought it was diet!! Beef is of below average quality, cooked poorly. I watched a waitress put a beverage cup to a soda fountain and walk away while it was filling, 5 gallons of Pepsi on the floor later, someone came and threw a rug into the Pepsi pond. Oh well. read more

I'm not expecting excellency when I come here. It's decent food for a buffet - nothing great, but not bad. My biggest complaint was that the waitress took forever to come back and fill up our drinks. But the food was good and they have a pretty good selection of various foods. There's something here for everyone. Breakfast foods, pizza, veggies, salads, BBQ, etc. I do wish we had come at dinner though so we could have had the steak. Oh well. read more

I give them 2 stars for trying but this restaurant is horrible the food is horrible and they serving uncooked and cold food the worst $23.07 was a waste.... We had horrible experience last time with the waitress with her horrible attitude now uncooked food read more

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Pros: Good selection of meats and veg. Cons: All the food tastes like off brand as in the cheapest possible meat. Eggs were burnt and sausage had after taste. Had a fried chicken thigh which was raw in the middle. Asked to see a manager since that is a MAJOR health issue. Spoke with Undre (manager in training) who was very nice who gave my wife and I two free meals and drinks on our next visit. Nice guy, but I think I will pass. read more

Golden Corral Buffet & Grill - Mmmmmmmm. Raw chicken. - American Near Me - Hoover, Alabama

I or both diff. Times daily say had wanted traditional type 3course plus extras type could do appetizers or salads with multi options for everything the lettuce dressinwigs,toppings,all unlimited includingba meats,veggies,and fruits as well nuts and dried berries or even both of wanted,then for main courses its and persons preference on syles want but th old school southern styles is 1my favs plus if rather go vegan theres plenty variety as well as 1 my all time favs the desertbar with chocolate fountain as well multi options 4soft served or hand scooped ice-cream with unlimited toppings and unlimited pies cookies brownies,cupcakes cakes,bread pudding banana pudding chocolate pudding vanilla pudding multi cobblers, even can dip which u chose under the chocolate fountain for even better treat. Best of all and have plentystaff 2 help you navigate your way thru wherever your heart or bladder leads you as well as hand sani stations on the walls thru out to ensure safety as well as everyone doin there part to tryto keep a clean and safe environment for eachother clean hands especially touching alot thats a big thing, i think the only downside or negative thing wasnt the employees per say however if theyd watched or did more routine checks 4bathroom i wouldnt have endured what i did which was horrifying 4any1 but myself a mom its just idk how anymother or whosoever could do such a despicable thing,and couldnt even through the diaper away or hell even asked an employee to get a sign but to let their child shit all over the kids changing station and not even attempt to sanitize it or clean it whatsoever and leave the diaper dirty all over the changing bed station, the floor,i honestly was shocked and appalled i felt sorry,as if for all mothers every1 has a bad dayand times but could atleast gotten some towels and attempted to pick up diaper or something notify an employee or something for help not just leave it their being other familes in restaurant it felt as if it was my home some1 disrespected and wish i couldve known or saw that person even being a mom young would never leave such a mess and we have all had semilar types messes im sure but never left it at a public place as such thats my only negative experience period. read more

Golden Corral is a chain and I have gone to my fair share of them all over. This has to be the priciest weigh your own meal I have seen. Typically it is about $4.30-4.75/lb for lunch. Dinners are usually a little bit more due to their carved meat or steak add on. It is 5.99/lb lunch or dinner here M-TR. I poked around and saw some of the regular GC options, but I did notice that the variety was limited. It is a small GC. I enjoyed coming to GC for a quick lunch on the go, typically a salad and a small portion of meat or fish, but I don't think I will be coming back here. When I came, the salad looked dead and wilted, so I was unable to go that route. There are many other options in the area that are more appealing. read more

Making plans for Christmas, I called on Friday to verify their schedule. Closed on Christmas day. Asked about the Christmas eve, they told me that they will close at 8:30. After driving all the way up here, they tell me they closed at 6pm. If they cannot be honest over the phone, I wonder how honest they will be in preparing food. I will not come back. read more

I saw all the bad reviews but at my new address the Golden Corral is walking distance so I went in anyway. The website said they closed at midnight but the sign on the door said they closed at 8pm M-Th which meant that I arrived 15 minutes until closing time. Because it was so close to closing, they didn't have the best selection but I packed up two to go plates anyway. The food I got was actually pretty good. I took it home and shared it with the family and all of it got eaten. Charlie was really nice and reminded me to grab a couple of yeast rolls. I did check the bathroom while I was there and although someone had clogged up the last stall with a ton of paper, the rest of the bathroom was clean. I didn't see any bugs. read more

This is the Colden Corral in Hoover, Al., I have been there for lunch about 3 times in the past 12 months... Some good, some bad.... Over the past 20 years I have eaten lunch and dinner at least 50 times... Enjoyed it at lot... even the steaks but each year it went down hill a little every 6 months or so... First the steak were tough about 80 % of the time... threw away at least 2 each time I was there because they continued to buy poor quality steaks and had no concept on how to cook them... but the deserts were always good until about 6 months ago... quality is gone yet some are ok... Last week for lunch I saw a dish that was half dark and half lighter ... looked like chicken on the bottom... I ask what is this dish... answer... Meatloaf... yuck.. I got a small amount and I can not tell you what it was... Sad... They have cut back on everything that they can.. It is less than one star and I can not see me going there ever again... read more

Food and service were great but nobody told me you have to pay to take a box to go which is absolutely ridiculous in my opinion seeing as I paid nearly 20 dollars to eat here I should be able to get a go box. Anyways, the lady at the counter informed me rudely as I was leaving rather than just politely telling me. 4 stars for food and service. Took 2 stars off for the woman's attitude. read more

Good food always . I wished people would wear gloves and masks when handling the food.

First thing is first I went out with my family and the reason I am giving them a one star is because a man that was sitting next to us saw a roach crawling on the wall!!! Disgusting!!! Then my sister found a fly in her mashed potatoes! This was a really bad experience and they will not be seeing my face again! read more

Warning, stay away!!! One of the worst Golden Corral I have ever eaten at! The food was horrible, and if you ask for a steak the you want, the guy give it to you the he wants you to have it. The bathroom was nasty!!!! It was hot and humid!!!!!!!! I'm sweaty and not happy.... Will never eat here again!!!!! read more

If you ever eaten at a Golden Corral your expectations are pretty low you're getting a buffet meal for the price of burger, fries and a soda. However this location just lacked upkeep cleanliness and a lot of the foods in the buffet are not at proper temperature. Warm Foods were cold or lukewarm. Foods that were supposed to cold were warm. And service was awful we kept having to put plates on another table just to keep our table clean. I would avoid this location. read more

Lots of people and not much food. They didn't have the mashed potatoes out until we were halfway done, chicken was never added to, dessert bar was minimal. read more

To go! The people were nice the food was fresh! Wow wow! Reasonable priced for good food fresh food read more

Horrible customer service. No sense of urgency. Our waitress name was Jennifer and she did not prebus nor give refills accept for when me and my family firdt came in.Also I love you guys banana pudding and the pan was empty the entire time. read more

Golden Corral Buffet & Grill - American Near Me - Hoover, Alabama