Unearth The Voyage
South Carolina’s Lowcountry cuisine blends African, European, and Caribbean influences into a unique culinary tradition that tells the story of the coastal region. From seafood feasts piled high with fresh-caught treasures to down-home Southern spreads that warm your soul, buffets offer the perfect way to sample this distinctive food culture. These all-you-can-eat establishments showcase the authentic flavors that make South Carolina a food lover’s paradise.
Shealy’s Bar-B-Que House – Batesburg-Leesville
Since 1969, this family-run treasure has been the gold standard for authentic South Carolina barbecue. Yellow mustard-based sauce—a Carolina hallmark—coats perfectly smoked pulled pork that practically melts in your mouth.
The buffet stretches beyond barbecue with crispy fried chicken, hash over rice, and a parade of scratch-made sides. Collard greens simmered with fatback, creamy mac and cheese, and sweet corn pudding showcase generations-old recipes.
Blue-checked tablecloths and unpretentious surroundings keep the focus where it belongs—on the food. Locals claim the menu hasn’t changed in decades, and that’s precisely why they keep coming back for more.
Carolina Buffet – West Columbia
Grandma’s kitchen comes to life at this no-frills Southern comfort food haven where regulars line up before the doors even open. The fried chicken achieves that mythical balance—shatteringly crisp outside, juicy inside—that has sparked many friendly debates about their secret recipe.
Daily specials rotate through classics like country-fried steak smothered in pepper gravy, fork-tender pot roast, and crispy fried okra that disappears from the buffet line almost immediately. Fatback seasons nearly everything, imparting that distinctly Southern depth of flavor.
What the simple dining room lacks in ambiance, it makes up for in authenticity. Come hungry and prepare for a food coma—the homemade peach cobbler with its buttery crust demands saving room for dessert.
Old South Cakery – Camden
Contradicting its sweet-sounding name, this family-owned gem serves a savory buffet that’s been satisfying Camden residents for over five decades. Their signature chicken and dumplings feature hand-rolled dough that soaks up rich, herb-infused broth—a dish that’s converted even the most skeptical visitors.
Roast beef sliced to order maintains a perfect pink center while remaining fork-tender. The vegetable selection changes with the seasons, showcasing whatever local farms are harvesting.
Despite the savory focus, the “Cakery” part isn’t forgotten. The dessert section features scratch-made pies, cobblers, and yes—magnificent layer cakes that justify the establishment’s name. Many regulars admit to planning their meals backward, starting with dessert selection first.
Captain George’s Seafood Buffet – Myrtle Beach
Seafood lovers flock to this nautical-themed treasure for its legendary spread featuring over 70 ocean-fresh delicacies. The star attractions—snow crab legs, steamed shrimp, and freshly shucked oysters—arrive at serving stations throughout the day, ensuring peak freshness.
Beyond seafood, traditional Lowcountry sides like red rice, collard greens, and hush puppies round out the experience. The restaurant’s spacious interior, adorned with fishing nets and maritime décor, creates an immersive coastal atmosphere.
Founded in 1979, Captain George’s has perfected its buffet formula through decades of serving hungry beachgoers. Many families make this Myrtle Beach institution a mandatory vacation tradition year after year.
BJ Country Buffet – North Augusta
Budget-conscious diners flock to this unpretentious establishment where Southern hospitality extends from the friendly staff to the wallet-friendly prices. The buffet line showcases comforting classics executed with consistent quality rather than flashy innovation.
Fried chicken livers—a Southern delicacy often overlooked by fancier establishments—develop a cult following here. The cornbread arrives in both traditional and jalapeño varieties, perfect for sopping up pot likker from the slow-simmered collard greens.
Weekday lunch specials attract workers from nearby businesses who appreciate the quick service and hearty portions. While the atmosphere remains casual, the care put into maintaining temperature and freshness on the buffet line demonstrates professional pride in this humble family operation.
Crab Daddy’s Seafood Buffet – Murrells Inlet
Located in South Carolina’s seafood capital, this maritime feast showcases over 100 items with an emphasis on ocean treasures. The Alaska snow crab legs—crack them open to reveal sweet, tender meat—create a symphony of cracking sounds throughout the dining room as guests tackle this favorite.
Beyond seafood, carnivores appreciate the carving station featuring prime rib with its rosy center and caramelized exterior. The raw bar offers freshly-shucked oysters and peel-and-eat shrimp that taste like they just left the ocean.
Murrells Inlet’s fishing heritage shines through in the restaurant’s boat-themed décor and panoramic marsh views. Fourth-generation fishermen supply much of the seafood, maintaining the authentic connection between coastal waters and your plate.
Crabby George’s Calabash Seafood Buffet – Myrtle Beach
Calabash-style seafood—lightly breaded and flash-fried to golden perfection—stars at this beachside institution where the seafood arrives daily from local boats. The signature fried shrimp achieve that perfect crisp-tender balance that defines this regional cooking method born just across the North Carolina border.
Raw bar enthusiasts make beelines for freshly-shucked oysters served with homemade cocktail sauce spiked with extra horseradish for those who dare. Beyond seafood, land-lovers find solace in slow-roasted prime rib and Southern fried chicken.
The restaurant’s beach-casual atmosphere features aquariums and fishing memorabilia that create an appropriately nautical backdrop. Families appreciate the kid-friendly options while seafood connoisseurs focus on maximizing their crab leg consumption during the all-you-can-eat experience.
Palmetto Pig – Columbia
University students and state legislators alike stand in line for this beloved buffet that bridges the gap between quick-service and sit-down dining. The pulled pork—smoked for 12 hours over hickory—comes dressed in Carolina mustard sauce that perfectly balances tangy, sweet, and spicy notes.
Hand-breaded hush puppies emerge from the fryer in continuous batches, ensuring you’ll never encounter a cold one. The sweet tea comes pre-sweetened to Southern standards (translation: very sweet) and flows freely with unlimited refills.
While technically self-service, the layout feels more communal than formal buffet. First-timers should save room for the banana pudding, which features homemade custard and perfectly softened vanilla wafers that have absorbed just the right amount of moisture.
Angelo’s Steak & Pasta – Myrtle Beach
Italian-American comfort food gets the all-you-can-eat treatment at this beach town favorite where pasta stations showcase both classic and creative combinations. The signature lasagna—layered with house-made Bolognese and three cheeses—maintains its structural integrity despite being held on the buffet line.
Despite the Italian focus, Southern influences appear in unexpected places. The garlic knots arrive brushed with butter and sprinkled with Parmesan and herbs, while the marinara sauce has a slightly sweeter profile than Northern Italian versions.
Hand-cut steaks cooked to order provide an alternative to the buffet, though most diners opt for the unlimited pasta experience. The restaurant’s longevity (operating since 1978) speaks to its successful formula of generous portions and consistent quality at reasonable prices.
Coppers Restaurant – Conway
Morning risers discover a breakfast buffet paradise at this Conway institution where fluffy biscuits serve as the foundation for build-your-own breakfast plates. The scratch-made sausage gravy—thick, peppery, and loaded with meat—has achieved legendary status among locals.
Lunch and dinner transform the offerings to showcase rotating Southern classics. Thursday’s fried chicken day draws the biggest crowds, with regulars timing their visits accordingly. The restaurant’s modest exterior belies the quality within—a true hidden gem known primarily to area residents.
Multi-generational families gather around tables every Sunday after church, creating a community atmosphere that feels increasingly rare. The staff greets regulars by name, remembers their preferences, and treats first-timers with the same warmth that makes Southern hospitality more than just a slogan.
Shuler’s BBQ – Latta
Hidden in rural Latta, this former gas station transformed into barbecue heaven attracts pilgrims willing to drive hours for its wood-smoked meats and country cooking. The pork—pulled into tender strands with bits of flavorful bark mixed throughout—comes from whole hogs smoked overnight the traditional Carolina way.
The buffet’s vegetable selection elevates this spot beyond typical barbecue joints. Tomato pie—a Lowcountry specialty combining ripe tomatoes, herbs, and cheese in a flaky crust—disappears quickly whenever it appears in the rotation.
Desserts receive equal attention, with the banana pudding achieving such fame that national publications have featured its simple-yet-perfect execution. Owner Lynn Shuler Menne welcomes guests personally, continuing family traditions started by her father who founded the restaurant after years of backyard barbecues.
