Good solid country buffet with terrific fried chicken. We arrived a little after 1:00pm and some of the items were depleted, but what was there was very good, especially the chicken. The greens were also tasty. read more

Country cookin' buffet we tried during a recent camping trip to Florida Caverns State Park. Not a fancy place but dining room was clean and buffet bar was well maintained. Fried chicken and catfish were crispy, tasty and not greasy. Very good. Hamburger steak, soups, and many other items available to choose off the buffet. Vegetables were good as was the salad bar and soft serve ice cream station. Although a buffet, our server was attentive and friendly. Casual ambiance frequented by locals. A good deal. The senior price for the buffet was $12.00. Drinks were extra. Only criticism was that the bathrooms were not very clean and needed attention. read more

People were nice but that was the worst food I ever ate. An MRE would have been better. Only thing that was palatable was the chicken. Sorry but I call as I see it. read more

Hate to give a negative review but the food was straight out of a can and the chicken tasted like it was fried in the same oil as the fish. Crispy but Had a fishy taste. Air vents needed cleaning were very nasty. Exterior of the building needs cleaning up. Price was high for the quality of food. The staff is nice and tentative. Hopefully the owners read this and make some changes. read more

Cute, old time restaurant located in the center of Marianna. The food was decent for the price with lots of fried items, meats, and pasta. There is also a salad bar and a dessert bar. The cashier and our server were very friendly. The facilities need serious renovation. We love trying local businesses. Jim's was a perfect place for us to relax after playing tourists for the day. read more

Low budget, meat and veg buffet with mostly deep-fried dishes with pre-coooked veggies from a can. A salad bar and dessert bar are there as well. The service is friendly. The buffet is well stocked and the temperatures are properly maintained. The facilities... are not so good. The dining area seems worn out and not the cleanest it can be. The salt/pepper shakers and condiment containers are ...gross. If you have to go to the restroom i recommend just holding it. The restrooms are equivalent to the lowest of gas station restrooms. Dirty, smelly and graffiti covered walls. It makes me wonder about other parts of the restaurant and facilities we don't see. Disturbing. read more

Jim's Buffet & Grill - Fried pork chop, mashed potatoes, black eyed peas, chicken dressing, cranberry sauce, cornbread - Southern Near Me - Marianna, Florida

The worst buffet I've ever been too, they can't even make cornbread, it was white colored, burnt on the bottom and tasted like flour what the heck, I tried all the terrible food and the only thing that was edible was collard greens and the sweet tea was good. $18 for adult buffet at lunch, only 2 food stands and 1 salad bar. I've never been so disappointed in my life. My co worker only made a plate of Mac n cheese and took one bite of it and didn't eat anything else. The hospital right down the road has the exact same food but blows it out of the water and is only $8 for a full plate of what ever you want and their food is cooked with love. I'm from Panama City but I will seriously miss that hospital when our job is done. read more

Food was great. Delivered on time. Team enjoyed the meal. We hope to revisit the food establishment

This is MY experience, others may love this place; however, this place makes McDonald's look and taste gormet. Just horrible. I'd say the food was bland except the aftertaste on many of the dishes was like sucking on a nickle. Had the buffet and the food was.....well...nickle metal horrible. They had a yummy looking chocolate cake. Bit into it and well....so gag worthy it should be illegal to bake such a catastrophe and to add salt to the wound, it was pricey. read more

Stopped in for lunch while visiting Chiopla college. The food was Good, hot and fresh . I was able to get a senior discount as they round up. I can't complain about the food or service both were great! I only gave it 4 stars because there isn't quite enough of a selection and a roach showed up mid meal.It is hot Florida so it happens . At the end of the day, one of the better restaurants in Marianna at a reasonable price even though it was cheaper 7 years ago. read more

See all

I golf in Marianna and have been trying to find something to eat from a local restaurant. I've found it! Buffet reasonably priced. The star of the buffet is the fried chicken which is pretty good and the roast which was very tender. The mashed potatoes are great so was the fried catfish. It's about 10 mins off I-10 and is right on 90. I enjoyed it and it's now my go to spot after golf! read more

I love the buffet. It's tasty southern cooking and everything is delicious. They have very good chicken, prepared 2 ways. Excellent! I also love the salad bar which is included in the buffet, for both lunch and supper. I have yet to order the regular hamburger, but I'm looking forward to it! I think that they close at 4:00pm on Thursdays. Check online or call to make sure about their hours of service. The staff are always courteous and friendly. read more

Stopped here and got the buffet...the fried chicken is excellent, but most of the food tastes like hospital cafeteria fare: very bland, wrong consistency. Most likely is not prepared in the restaurant. Staff was very nice. Restrooms are gross like a service station. BUT for the price of the buffet, $12.95, it's a pretty good deal with today's prices. And whether it is homemade or not, the banana pudding was good. read more

Coming in from Texas with a stop over in Mississippi headed home to Tampa found The BEST home cooking gem you will ever find. We stumbled onto this scrumptious hide away, Only a couple of miles from the I-10. Butter beans, black eye peas, stewed cabbage, fried chicken livers, mash potatoes with brown gravy, catfish nuggets, fried chicken and topped off with banana pudding made with banana cream. All made from scratch the true southern way, took me back 40 years. Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus and he eats here. We will be back again and again. The service and ambiance was as if you were at the Whistle Stop cafe only with a/c and indoor plumbing. All very hospitable and kind. Love, Love this eatery, if you were raised in the south-you will too. read more

Not much of a selection. Everything is clearly from a can. Not at all fresh. Very disappointing. I can see why they have you pay as you enter. read more

Buffet was fresh and plentiful. Loved that there were things on the buffet thar is not often served in a resttaurant-rhutabagas, cabbage. And Limassol beans. Fried catfish was not the best; however. Everything else was yummy read more

Old timey steak house converted to a pay at the door buffet. Food was good service was excellent, facility seemed clean.

Food was good but the cleanliness of the restaurant floors and tables needs improvement.

I've never left a restaurant review, But I thought I should let others know of my experience here. I suspect the owners have changed hands, it's definitely not the same as it used to be, it is not good food, I usually love instant mashed potatoes, and would expect that in a restaurant, but the mashed potatoes tasted off with no potato flavor and no salt, very bland, and there was mold on top of some of the dinner rolls, the corn muffins were definitely old because there was white mold on the bottom and I found it only after taking the paper muffin cup off, also the lavender cleaner that they use to clean the tables with is very strong and unappetizing especially when they spray the tables with it right beside you, an added thumbs down is the unfriendliness of the lady that takes your money at the door, upon entering, she was unwelcoming, had a smart mouth and was rude (older long haired blond lady with glasses) and she acted that way right after taking our money, not good business practice for getting repeat customers. Not worth the drive to eat here, or worth the money at all. Won't ever be back and it was one of our favorite places to eat when visiting Marianna from over an hour's drive away. Extremely disappointed, If I had it to do over, I would have eaten at the Colonial Restaurant Lunch Buffet in Chipley, the food is good there. I just hope we don't get sick from eating here, One more thing, the bathroom is very dated and not that clean, and makes me question the kitchen practices. read more

The buffet had a lot of choices and a good salad bar. Friday's shrimp buffet seems over priced for the quality. However, I would come back if I were just craving shrimp. What would STOP me from returning is the terrible worn and dirty bathrooms. Also the baseboards around buffet. Do better. read more

I've been here 5 times now. This is a buffet style, Southern American Restaurant where you'll find the best Fried Chicken everyday, mashed potatoes and gravy, turkey some days, fried pork chops on some days, macaroni and cheese everyday, roasted potatoes, fish, Cod, Shrimp, different kinds of Soup, Yams, chicken livers, turkey stuffing... you name it... even cabbage the way it's made in the South. They have an extensive Salad Bar, so extensive you can even find a Pistachio Salad! They'll fry you up a Hamburger and Fries if you ask them, and the desert selection is to die for. Maria the owner is in the back peeling the pears for the pear crisp pie. The buffet for an adult is $13.00 and a to go plate is priced by its weight. As a Registered Nurse working the night shift at the local hospital this is my go to place on my way to the hospital. Me and the night crew stop here on our way to fill up our plates so we aren't starving at 3am. Covid precautions include; masks worn by staff and customers are expected to wear plastic disposable gloves which are available on each buffet counter. You are expected to use a new set of gloves every time you go up for a new plate or serving. The people are friendly, the restaurant is clean and the atmosphere is family oriented with ample parking in the front of the business. Quick food with a home made American feel. read more

The best southern homemade food around! The price for the quality and quantity can't be beat. Everything is fresh and perfectly prepared. I'm glad they don't over season or salt the individual foods, this is a pet peeve of mine in this area. Too much salt and sugar everywhere. The salad bar is one of the best I've seen anywhere. Lots of choices, LOTS! Everything is fresh! Super impressive. Sometimes I'll just go by for a salad, a large container to go is usually a little over a pound and it's generally about $7. The waitstaff is so friendly and come by often to check on you and refill your glasses. Two thumbs up. read more

The food and service is always better than expected. My sisters, brother in law and I stopped in after traveling back from New Orleans and ate lunch before they left to go back home to North Georgia. read more

With the closing of other businesses serving this type of food in the area, I'm grateful Jim's Buffet is available. Most recently I've been getting my food to go. It's been a long while since I've stayed to eat in the restaurant. I really enjoy the salad bar. It's a pretty good selection for a restaurant it's size. I also enjoy the fried pork chops and the fried chicken. I haven't yet tried any food item that I didn't like. The staff has been courteous and friendly. It would be wonderful if the buffet could be expanded to include more items. read more

Jim has perfected the art of bland food. Skip it. Powdered mash potatoes, dry turkey, under cooked fries chicken... sides with no salt or seasoning. read more

Jim's Buffet & Grill - a man and a woman preparing food - Southern Near Me - Marianna, Florida

Food is good... but they have the same items EVERY DAY every week... they should consider more variety maybe omitting 2 items for something different every couple days.. I certainly wouldn't mind eating here daily if it wasn't for that fact... overall great lil place very clean great staff price just right!!! read more

Took my family to Jim's to celebrate my grandmothers 78th birthday. I called before to get pricing for the buffet due to us having a larger group. I was told $12.85 for adults and $11.85 for seniors. Upon arrival we were charged $25 a person for "shrimp" buffet when 90% of our party does not eat seafood. The only other meat option they had was fried chicken. Total waste of time and money. Very disappointed will not be returning. read more

Driving across on I-10 and we wanted something other than fast food for lunch. I agree with the other review - Jim's was good food, and friendly local people. Some of the food was homemade, and all-in-all it was a lot nicer stop than running through drive-through. We would come back. read more

Great food, clean, comfortable and the waitresses are attentive and keep your drinks filled and empty plates are taken away quickly. The regular menu is nice too. Everyone was very nice. read more

Ms Patsy instantly greeted me, once she learned that I was a visitor to the city she made me feel comfortable while I enjoyed my lunch. The food is all you can eat they require gloves at the food bars (which they provide) the chicken was delicious the catfish was not. The vegetables were fresh and that PEAR COBBLER will make you break in after they close lol. I definitely recommend this restaurant. Thank you Ms. Patsy! read more

The best southern food buffet I've found. It's a hidden gem in Marianna Florida. The waitress is also the cook- she is from Morocco and has mastered the art of Southern cooking. The fried chicken makes me weep it's so good. read more

Jim's Buffet & Grill - My dinner tonight at Jim's steak House. Their Buffett is wonderful. - Southern Near Me - Marianna, Florida

Stopped in here on my way back from Chipley to central Florida. I knew they were closing soon so I just wanted to get a quick plate and get get out of the way so they could clean up. Even though I came in just before close, the food tasted fresh. Everything was excellent! The server was amazing and all the ladies there treated me like family. I would hands down recommend this place to anyone who comes to the area and I will definitely be back. read more

Good home cookin'. Fine fried chicken. Clean well kept buffet and a friendly wait staff. Priced right at 8.95. Has an over 60 senior discount. Pay before you eat during lunch buffet. Not bad...not bad at all. read more

Jim's Buffet & Grill - Front - Southern Near Me - Marianna, Florida

We go there often, the fried chicken and catfish are the best in NW Florida. Salad is ALWAYS fresh, most of the food is homemade.The waitstaff are always nice. My only complaint, if I was to have one. Ice cream appears to be ice milk instead. If it were the real deal, I doubt I would ever go anyplace else. Note to the mildew in the bathroom comment: The other areas are always clean, the buffet is kept up. Silverware always looks clean, plates and dishes are clean, carpet is kept swept up. That speaks volumes about the cleanliness. Maybe next time you should eat your food in the restaurant and not the bathroom. read more

Another greasy buffet, however the have a full menu and decent salad bar. If you like friend comfort foot, you'll be just fine. I recommend the ground sirloin with gravy. It's pretty special. read more

A very average buffet nothing special. I was feeling better about the place until I went to the bathroom and saw the moldy ceiling and then wondered is the kitchen the same way??oi read more

Jim's Buffet & Grill - Southern Near Me - Marianna, Florida

See all

Very nice place to eat. Very clean. People were very nice. Great country buffet. Delicious. I will most definitely come again.

We have stopped here several times over the past few years since we found this place and it seems like the food keeps going down hill. I hate that because the people are very nice and it is well run but the food doesn't have much flavor to it. The peach cobbler is still around but now it is kind of rubbery and not too much flavor. The fried chicken was just so so. The other sides i had, mashed potatoes and gravy, Mac and cheese and cabbage All had to be salted to eat them. The rolls were very good. My husband loved the fried chicken though but he likes dark meal and I like light so maybe that was the difference. read more

Yumm.friendly staff,good hot fresh food.Chicken tenders were my fav!Salad bar had variety and so did the dessert bar

We've been coming here every Friday evening since April, 2020 and we've never been disappointed...the quality and selection of seafood (shrimp myriad ways, whole catfish and mullet) is enough to bring us back, but their fried chicken is some of the best we've had anywhere and occasionally there are some delicious pork chops and potatoes au gratin on the bar as well...the cheese grits are incredible, especially with the baked garlic-butter shrimp added...and then there's the fresh vegetables, baked potatoes, fries and a great salad bar...Dessert is homemade peach cobbler with soft-serve ice cream or banana pudding or an assortment of other baked goods...The beverage is included and a senior discount is provided...you can order from the menu as well--their steaks and burgers look incredible. The place is old but clean and the service is terrific. Maria and her staff makes everyone feel welcome and it's worth the 120 miles we travel each week to enjoy the offerings at this simple country buffet! read more