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  4. I went to Golden Corral for unlimited chicken wings, but I stayed for the salad bar

I went to Golden Corral for unlimited chicken wings, but I stayed for the salad bar

Mary Meisenzahl   

I went to Golden Corral for unlimited chicken wings, but I stayed for the salad bar
Golden Corral now has to-go options.Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
  • I went to Golden Corral a year after my initial visit to see how the buffet chain was faring.
  • I found the food mostly bland and unappealing.

Golden Corral just announced a promotion featuring all-you-can-eat chicken wings, fried chicken, and chicken tenders, so I decided to visit and see how they are.

Golden Corral just announced a promotion featuring all-you-can-eat chicken wings, fried chicken, and chicken tenders, so I decided to visit and see how they are.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I first went to the buffet chain a year ago, in the summer of 2021, when it introduced a to-go option.

I first went to the buffet chain a year ago, in the summer of 2021, when it introduced a to-go option.
Golden Corral now has to-go options.      Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Source: Insider

This time around, I planned to eat in the restaurant for the first time and get the full experience.

This time around, I planned to eat in the restaurant for the first time and get the full experience.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There were signs on doors and windows advertising the chicken wings.

There were signs on doors and windows advertising the chicken wings.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The to-go option was also still available, and this time around I saw a few people use it.

The to-go option was also still available, and this time around I saw a few people use it.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

When you enter you're immediately in line for the register, where you pay for access to the buffet and get a drink.

When you enter you
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There are regular and to-go cups available and a standard self-serve Pepsi soda fountain.

There are regular and to-go cups available and a standard self-serve Pepsi soda fountain.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There were printed out signs posted all over the restaurant with instructions, like this one requiring that all customers must be present at the register before entering the buffet.

There were printed out signs posted all over the restaurant with instructions, like this one requiring that all customers must be present at the register before entering the buffet.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

A hand drawn sign at the register reminded customers that steak isn't available until dinner service starts, which is also when the chicken wings appear.

A hand drawn sign at the register reminded customers that steak isn
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Menus and prices are different between lunch and dinner. An adult lunch buffet costs $12.49 in my location, and dinner costs $17.59.

Menus and prices are different between lunch and dinner. An adult lunch buffet costs $12.49 in my location, and dinner costs $17.59.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The cashier handed me utensils and my receipt, and I was ready to hit the buffet.

The cashier handed me utensils and my receipt, and I was ready to hit the buffet.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I started out grabbing a plate, still warm, from the large stack.

I started out grabbing a plate, still warm, from the large stack.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The number of choices can be kind of overwhelming, so I took a lap to see what my options were.

The number of choices can be kind of overwhelming, so I took a lap to see what my options were.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Most of the options were what I anticipated: varieties of carbs, proteins, and vegetables separated by type of cuisine.

Most of the options were what I anticipated: varieties of carbs, proteins, and vegetables separated by type of cuisine.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There were plenty of side dishes and snack type foods, like chips and salsa.

There were plenty of side dishes and snack type foods, like chips and salsa.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Many of the dishes weren't labeled, which made it a bit tricky to decide what to eat.

Many of the dishes weren
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The fried chicken, though, was instantly recognizable.

The fried chicken, though, was instantly recognizable.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Many of the available dishes are fried, and those tended to look more appealing than some of the other untouched options.

Many of the available dishes are fried, and those tended to look more appealing than some of the other untouched options.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The hush puppies and breaded shrimp were some of the tastiest items I had.

The hush puppies and breaded shrimp were some of the tastiest items I had.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

On my first time around, the wing and chicken tender trays were empty.

On my first time around, the wing and chicken tender trays were empty.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There were two wing stations on opposite sides of the restaurant, and I hurried over when they were refilled.

There were two wing stations on opposite sides of the restaurant, and I hurried over when they were refilled.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I was happy to see celery and bleu cheese available to go with the wings ...

I was happy to see celery and bleu cheese available to go with the wings ...
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

... but the semi-erased hand drawn sides made it feel like an afterthought.

... but the semi-erased hand drawn sides made it feel like an afterthought.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I tried lots of Golden Corral staples, which were unfortunately not very good. There was so much food, but it was so bland it didn't feel satisfying.

I tried lots of Golden Corral staples, which were unfortunately not very good. There was so much food, but it was so bland it didn
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The wings were okay but fairly bland, and the macaroni and cheese was shockingly flavorless.

The wings were okay but fairly bland, and the macaroni and cheese was shockingly flavorless.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

After trying all the fried foods, I was sorely in need of a vegetable.

After trying all the fried foods, I was sorely in need of a vegetable.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I'd wrongly assumed the far side of the buffet was empty, because no one was over there, but it actually held the salad bar.

I
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I can't even remember the last time I went to a salad bar aside from my college dining hall, and they were largely killed off by the early days of the pandemic.

I can
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Source: Insider

The salad section was standard, but did what it needed to do perfectly.

The salad section was standard, but did what it needed to do perfectly.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There were several options for greens, and about a dozen different dressings.

There were several options for greens, and about a dozen different dressings.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There was also a station with oil, vinegar, and bacon bits.

There was also a station with oil, vinegar, and bacon bits.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The topping options were extensive.

The topping options were extensive.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There were a few kinds of cheese, onions, peppers, olives, pepperoni, and more.

There were a few kinds of cheese, onions, peppers, olives, pepperoni, and more.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There were even nuts to top salads.

There were even nuts to top salads.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

My salad was the only dish I was happy to finish because it had different textures and flavors, in comparison to the rest of the buffet.

My salad was the only dish I was happy to finish because it had different textures and flavors, in comparison to the rest of the buffet.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The fruit section was far less impressive, with bananas that had clearly seen better days.

The fruit section was far less impressive, with bananas that had clearly seen better days.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Lastly there was dessert, which included these jello bowls.

Lastly there was dessert, which included these jello bowls.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There was also ice cream, some kind of berry pie, brownies, and cake.

There was also ice cream, some kind of berry pie, brownies, and cake.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The chocolate fountain I saw last time was nowhere to be found.

The chocolate fountain I saw last time was nowhere to be found.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I had a small slice of chocolate cake that wasn't anything special, but it was fine.

I had a small slice of chocolate cake that wasn
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The cost for two people to eat at the buffet and get drinks was about $45, which I don't think was worth it.

The cost for two people to eat at the buffet and get drinks was about $45, which I don
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

For really flavorful chicken and fried sides, I could go to Popeyes and have a far better meal for less than half the cost.

For really flavorful chicken and fried sides, I could go to Popeyes and have a far better meal for less than half the cost.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The salad bar was the highlight, although probably not itself worth the cost of accessing the entire buffet.

The salad bar was the highlight, although probably not itself worth the cost of accessing the entire buffet.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

If I really wanted to try the salad bar again, I'd probably go during lunch to save the extra $5.

If I really wanted to try the salad bar again, I
Golden Corral now has to-go options.      Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Do you have a story to share about a retail or restaurant chain? Email this reporter at mmeisenzahl@businessinsider.com.

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