Unearth The Voyage
Ever show up to a restaurant before the doors even unlock because you know the line gets wild? That is the energy at these Tennessee buffets, where locals set alarms and plan road trips around crispy chicken and homemade pies. You will find heaping plates, warm service, and that irresistible feeling that seconds are not just allowed but encouraged. Bring your appetite and a little patience, because the best spreads often start with a line.
1. Emma’s Family Restaurant – Manchester
You can feel the hometown pride the moment you step in, even if you are still waiting for the doors to open. The buffet glows with golden fried chicken, buttery mashed potatoes, and tender green beans that taste like they simmered all morning. Cornbread breaks with a soft crumb, and the dessert table tempts you toward seconds.
Arrive early if you want the first slice of chocolate pie or the crispiest chicken. Staff greet you like a regular, and plates disappear quickly because everything tastes like family recipes. The dining room fills with chatter, but it never loses that friendly, unrushed pace.
You will want to sample a little of everything, then circle back for favorites. Save room for banana pudding, light and silky with vanilla wafers. Emma’s feels like a weekend tradition you adopt on the very first visit.
2. Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store – Jackson
This place blends museum charm with a buffet that tastes like Sunday suppers. Antique signs and creaky wood floors set the mood while steam rises from pans of country ham, fried chicken, and fluffy biscuits. The cobbler alone earns a line before the bell rings.
Arrive early to stroll the general store displays, then come hungry for scratch sides like turnip greens and creamy mac. Staff keep the trays refreshed fast, so you never catch anything past its peak. You can feel generations of recipes in every bite.
Sweet tea flows, families gather, and dessert goes fast. The banana pudding is a soft cloud, and the chess pie has that perfect caramelized edge. It is easy to linger, but going back for one more spoon of cobbler is even easier.
3. Austin’s Steak & Homestyle Buffet – Knoxville
When steak shows up on a buffet, you know it is serious. Austin’s keeps a carving station humming with roast and steak, plus a lineup of homestyle sides that feel both hearty and comforting. Think cheesy potatoes, green beans, and yeast rolls that shine with butter.
Early birds come for fresh cuts and first pass at the crispest fried chicken. The rhythm is fast but friendly, and plates stack up quickly because everything hits that savory-satisfying note. You will appreciate how often the team refreshes the pans.
Save room for desserts like peach cobbler and soft-serve swirls. The price feels fair, the portions generous, and the pace welcoming. It is the kind of place you plan for when the whole crew wants to eat well without fuss.
4. Home Folks Family Restaurant – Soddy-Daisy
Home Folks lives up to its name with plates that taste like someone’s grandmother is cooking in back. The buffet leans Southern classic, from crisp fried catfish to creamy slaw and skillet corn. Vegetables taste slow-cooked, not rushed, and the cornbread crumbles perfectly.
You will want to show up early for the freshest trays and the best seats. Everything moves quickly because locals know what is good, and the staff keeps smiles as steady as the refills. There is a neighborly rhythm to the whole experience.
Finish with banana pudding or a slice of pie that tastes homemade. Prices are kind, portions satisfying, and comfort levels high. It is an easy place to become a regular, even if you are just passing through Soddy-Daisy.
5. Chow Time Buffet & Grill – Memphis
Chow Time wins with variety and speed, a combo that keeps the doors busy from the moment they unlock. Stations range from sushi to hibachi to Southern favorites, so everyone gets exactly what they want. You can go from flame-kissed steak to crispy spring rolls in one plate.
Memphis loves bold flavor, and the ribs and fried chicken deliver. Hibachi cooks keep the show lively while the buffet line stays tidy and well stocked. It is easy to try ten different tastes without feeling overwhelmed.
Arrive early for the freshest sushi and the hottest hibachi. Dessert includes light cakes and fruit, which is perfect after a big spread. You will leave full, happy, and already planning your next round with friends.
6. Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet – Johnson City
This spot blends Asian favorites with comfort staples, and the variety is impressive for the price. You can build a hibachi plate with steak, shrimp, and vegetables, then grab sushi, lo mein, and fried rice. There are Southern nods too, including fried chicken that disappears fast.
Getting in line early means fresh rolls and sizzling hibachi right off the grill. Plates move fast, and the staff keeps everything restocked with a smile. The room feels bright and busy without getting chaotic.
Finish with soft-serve or little pastries that pair nicely with tea. You will leave with that happy buffet buzz and a mental list of favorites for next time. It is an easy win for groups with different cravings.
7. Western Sizzlin – Athens
Western Sizzlin in Athens brings the nostalgic steakhouse buffet to life. Expect steak tips, baked potatoes, and a hearty salad bar that actually feels fresh. The hot line adds fried chicken, veggies, and gravies that balance out the meat-forward mood.
Locals line up for early cuts and the first rolls out of the oven. Plates are generous, and the staff keeps the stations clean and moving. You get that satisfying mix of steakhouse comfort and family-friendly ease.
Grab a loaded potato, then chase it with green beans and a slice of pie. Prices are approachable, and the pace is relaxed. It is dependable, filling, and exactly what you want when steak cravings hit.
8. Western Sizzlin Steak & More – Jasper
Jasper’s Western Sizzlin keeps things classic with steak, a well-kept salad bar, and comfort sides. The buffet is not fussy, just hot, hearty, and constantly replenished. You will find fried chicken with a good crunch, vegetables that taste like home, and plenty of rolls.
Show up early to snag a fresh cut and claim a booth. The staff runs an efficient line, and regulars greet each other across the room. It is small-town Tennessee at its most welcoming.
Finish with a slice of cake or soft-serve. The value lands right, and the food satisfies without pretense. If you like reliable steakhouse fare with a friendly vibe, this place makes it easy.
9. Golden Corral – Hermitage
Hermitage’s Golden Corral draws a crowd for sheer range. Carving stations slice roast and ham, while the grill turns out burgers and chicken. The salad bar, hot sides, and dessert corner make it simple to build your ideal plate.
Arrive early for the freshest cuts and a peaceful start before the rush. The chocolate fountain stays popular, and the yeast rolls always vanish first. Staff does a solid job keeping trays filled and tables cleared.
Whether you are there for steak, veggies, or soft-serve towers, you can customize every bite. It is family-friendly, budget-conscious, and easy for groups. You leave satisfied, with a few napkins tucked beside a last roll for the road.
10. Song & Hearth: A Southern Eatery – Pigeon Forge
Song & Hearth feels like a polished Southern gathering, with cast iron skillets and biscuits that float. The buffet brings seasonal vegetables, crispy chicken, and creamy gravies that hit pure comfort. Everything looks as good as it tastes, set in a warm, farmhouse style room.
Early arrival means hot biscuits and the first cut of savory roasts. Service is attentive without hovering, and plates come back empty. The pacing invites conversation and an extra helping of cobbler.
Desserts lean classic, from chess pie to banana pudding. You can linger over coffee and plan the rest of your Pigeon Forge day. It is a lovely balance of homestyle flavor and resort polish.
11. Aunt Granny’s Restaurant – Pigeon Forge
Aunt Granny’s serves that Dollywood warmth with platters that feel like they rolled straight out of a family kitchen. Expect fried chicken, pot roast, vegetables, and biscuits that slide apart in buttery layers. It is the kind of meal that makes you slow down and smile.
Arrive early for the smoothest seating and piping hot plates. Staff keeps the food coming, while you focus on passing bowls and choosing seconds. The atmosphere is friendly, lively, and full of laughter.
Save room for cobbler and classic banana pudding. You will leave full and a little nostalgic, like you just visited a favorite relative. It is comfort food done with theme park hospitality and heart.
12. Mama’s Farmhouse – Pigeon Forge
Mama’s Farmhouse does family-style abundance with true Southern charm. Skillets land with fried chicken, country ham, and mac that stretches in cheesy ribbons. Green beans, creamed corn, and warm biscuits with apple butter make every bite cozy.
Coming early gets you that just-baked biscuit glow and steady service. Staff is quick with refills and happy to share favorites. You will start planning a second plate before finishing the first.
Desserts feel celebratory, especially banana pudding and cobbler with vanilla ice cream. The farmhouse decor makes you want to linger and maybe snap a photo. It is a memory-maker for groups and families who love to eat well.
13. The Farmer’s Daughter – Chuckey
This is a countryside classic with family-style service that feels generous and genuine. Platters of fried chicken, roast, and seasonal vegetables arrive hot, with refills offered before you even ask. Jars of preserves and warm rolls complete the table.
Show up early for a calm start and the best seat by a window. Everything tastes fresh and intentional, with recipes that read like local tradition. You will pass dishes, share stories, and loosen your belt a notch.
Save space for cobbler and homemade pies that steal the show. The setting is peaceful and photogenic, like a Sunday drive stop. It is worth the trip for anyone who craves true Tennessee comfort.
14. Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen – Pigeon Forge
Big bowls hit the table fast here, and the choices lean rich and indulgent. Expect crispy fried chicken, ribs, creamed potatoes, collards, and buttery biscuits. Everything comes shareable, so you can sample more without missing favorites.
Arrive early for a smooth check in and hot platters. Staff moves with cheerful precision, keeping refills coming and dessert options tempting. The dining room feels bright, upbeat, and vacation-ready.
Banana pudding, ooey gooey butter cake, and peach cobbler close the loop. You will walk out satisfied and maybe a little blissed out on butter. It is big-hearted Southern eating with a celebratory mood.
15. Brickhouse Buffet & Carry-Out – Bartlett
Brickhouse feels like a neighborhood secret that is not really a secret. Steam tables brim with fried chicken, catfish, mac and cheese, and vegetables that taste slow-cooked. The menu rotates enough to keep things interesting while staying reliably comforting.
Early birds get first pass at the crispiest pieces and fresh pans. Staff greet regulars by name, and newcomers catch on fast. The room is simple, clean, and relaxed, which makes focusing on the food easy.
Finish with cake slices or banana pudding, both crowd-pleasers. Prices are fair, portions generous, and seconds encouraged. You will leave full and already planning a return with friends or family.
