Old Country Buffet in Atlanta: What Happened, What’s Similar, and Where to Go Now

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and searching for “Old Country Buffet”, you’re probably looking for a big, family-style buffet with classic comfort food and a relaxed, come-as-you-are atmosphere.

There’s an important starting point:

That doesn’t mean you’re out of luck if you’re craving that all-you-can-eat, homestyle experience. In Atlanta, there are several buffet and country-style restaurants that offer a similar feel, even if they’re different brands.

Below is a clear guide to:

• What Old Country Buffet used to be
• Why you won’t find one in Atlanta anymore
• Atlanta-area alternatives that offer a similar vibe
• Tips for choosing a buffet in and around Atlanta
• Practical info on locations, prices, and what to expect

What Old Country Buffet Was Known For

Old Country Buffet was a casual American buffet chain known for:

• All-you-can-eat comfort food – fried chicken, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, vegetables, salad bar, and desserts.
• Cafeteria-style setup – long buffet lines where you serve yourself.
• Family-friendly environment – often popular with large groups and families.
• Fixed-price meals – one price for as much as you want to eat, with drinks often separate.

If you grew up going there, you might remember:

• Carving stations with roast beef or ham
• Soft-serve ice cream and dessert bars
• Rows of hot sides and casseroles

Today, that exact experience under the name “Old Country Buffet” isn’t available in Atlanta, but several local spots deliver a very similar “country buffet” feeling.

Why You Won’t Find Old Country Buffet in Atlanta

Over the years, Old Country Buffet’s parent company closed many locations across the country due to financial struggles and changing dining habits. As a result, the brand gradually disappeared from a lot of markets, including Georgia.

In metro Atlanta, you will find other buffet formats, especially:

• Southern / soul food buffets
• Chinese and pan-Asian buffets
• Brazilian steakhouses with salad bars
• Hotel brunch buffets in areas like Downtown and Buckhead

So while you can’t visit an “Old Country Buffet” here, you can find Atlanta-based buffets that scratch the same itch for variety, value, and comfort food.

Atlanta-Style Alternatives to Old Country Buffet

Below is a quick comparison-style overview of the types of places in Atlanta that feel closest to Old Country Buffet in spirit.

At-a-Glance: Buffet Options Similar to Old Country Buffet in Atlanta

Below are more details on what you can expect in Atlanta if you’re “looking for Old Country Buffet.”

Southern & Country-Style Buffets Around Atlanta

If you’re looking for fried chicken, cornbread, vegetables, and classic sides, Southern buffets around Atlanta are your best match.

While specific restaurants may change over time, here’s what’s typical in the Atlanta and metro area:

What These Buffets Usually Offer

• Meats: fried chicken, baked chicken, meatloaf, pork chops, sometimes ribs
• Sides: mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, green beans, collard greens, yams, corn, rice, dressing
• Salads: simple salad bars with lettuce, toppings, and dressings
• Desserts: banana pudding, cobblers, cakes, sometimes soft-serve or scoop ice cream

🍽️ Tip: In Georgia, these places are sometimes called “country buffet,” “home cooking,” or “meat-and-three” even when they’re actually all-you-can-eat.

What to Know Before You Go

• Pricing: Usually a flat price per person for the buffet; drinks and tax added on.
• Hours: Many focus on lunch and may not be open late at night.
• Dress code: Casual—come as you are.
• Parking: Often in strip centers or freestanding buildings with on-site parking in metro Atlanta and the suburbs.

Soul Food Buffets in Atlanta

If you want something like Old Country Buffet but with more soul food influence, Atlanta has a strong selection.

Typical Menu Items

• Proteins: fried chicken, baked chicken, turkey wings, meatloaf, smothered pork chops
• Sides: collard greens, black-eyed peas, cabbage, mac and cheese, candied yams, rice and gravy, cornbread
• Extras: sometimes oxtails, fried fish, or barbecue on specific days
• Desserts: peach cobbler, cakes, sweet potato pie in some spots

These restaurants may operate as:

• Self-serve buffets (all-you-can-eat)
• Cafeteria-style lines where you pick meats and sides and pay by plate

They’re especially common in neighborhoods like Southwest Atlanta, West End, and parts of South DeKalb and Clayton County.

International Buffets: Chinese, Pan-Asian, and More

Old Country Buffet focused on American comfort food, but if your priority is variety and a big buffet line, Atlanta’s international cuisine buffets are often more plentiful and accessible.

Chinese & Pan-Asian Buffets

These are some of the most common buffets in metro Atlanta and can be a good match if you mainly want a large selection of dishes rather than specific American classics.

You’ll often see:

• Hot dishes: multiple stir-fries, lo mein, fried rice, General Tso’s chicken, sweet and sour chicken, dumplings
• Seafood: shrimp dishes, sometimes crab or mussels (often dinner only)
• Sides & salads: simple salads, fruit, soups like egg drop or hot-and-sour
• Desserts: small pastries, fruit, soft-serve ice cream

Many of these buffets are located along or near Buford Highway, Duluth, Norcross, and Chamblee, which are known for diverse international dining.

What’s Different from Old Country Buffet

• The flavors and dishes are more Asian-focused.
• Desserts and salad bars may be simpler than Old Country Buffet’s.
• Some offer hibachi grills where you pick raw ingredients and have them cooked to order.

Brazilian Steakhouses (Rodízio-Style) in Atlanta

If what you really miss about Old Country Buffet is the idea of unlimited meat, consider a Brazilian steakhouse. These aren’t buffets in the exact same format, but they are all-you-can-eat.

Common features in Buckhead and Midtown:

• Servers bring skewers of meat (beef, pork, chicken, lamb) around the dining room.
• A large salad bar with vegetables, cheeses, cured meats, and sides.
• Fixed-price per person, generally higher than a typical buffet.

This is more of a special-occasion or upscale outing compared to the casual, budget-focused Old Country Buffet experience, but the “eat as much as you’d like” concept is similar.

Hotel Buffet Brunches in Atlanta

If you remember Old Country Buffet breakfasts or Sunday visits, a hotel brunch buffet can feel familiar, though it’s usually:

• Offered mainly on weekends
• More upscale and more expensive than old-school buffets

You’ll often find these in:

• Downtown Atlanta – near Peachtree Center, Centennial Olympic Park
• Midtown – near major hotels along Peachtree Street
• Buckhead – in larger full-service hotels

Typical brunch spreads include:

• Eggs, breakfast meats, grits, biscuits, waffles or pancakes
• Roast meats, carved stations, salads, and desserts
• Coffee and juice, sometimes included in the price

These buffets may be a good choice if you want a one-stop, big variety meal while staying in the city or hosting visiting family.

Practical Tips for Finding an “Old Country Buffet–Style” Experience in Atlanta

Here are some things Atlanta diners usually check for when they want that classic buffet feel:

1. Decide What Matters Most

Ask yourself:

• Are you craving Southern comfort food specifically?
• Do you mainly want a big selection and unlimited plates?
• Is price your main concern, or are you fine with spending more for a special meal?
• Do you need kid-friendly options, or are you dining with adults only?

Your answers will help point you toward:

• Country/soul food buffets for classic homestyle dishes
• Chinese/pan-Asian buffets for maximum variety and value
• Brazilian steakhouses or brunch buffets for more upscale experiences

2. Check Current Hours and Prices

In Atlanta, buffet hours and pricing can vary:

• Some places only offer buffets at lunch and switch to regular menus at dinner.
• Weekend prices may be higher, especially for Sunday.
• Children’s pricing (if offered) usually depends on age or height.

Because details change, it’s wise to call ahead or check the restaurant’s most recent information before you go.

3. Consider Travel and Traffic

Around Atlanta, traffic can affect your plans more than you expect:

• Driving from Downtown to northern suburbs like Duluth or Norcross for a buffet can take significantly longer in rush hours.
• If you’re staying in Downtown or Midtown, you may prefer something close by, like a hotel buffet or nearby international buffet.
• If you live outside I‑285, you might find more classic country buffets and Southern-style places closer to home.

4. Think About Dietary Needs

Buffets in Atlanta typically offer a mix of options, but:

• If you’re vegetarian or vegan, look for salad bars, vegetable-heavy buffets, or international spots with plenty of vegetable dishes.
• For food allergies or specific dietary needs, calling ahead is often the most reliable way to confirm what’s available.

How to Talk About “Old Country Buffet” When Planning in Atlanta

If you’re organizing a family meetup or group outing, you might say something like:

• “Let’s find a country-style buffet in Atlanta, like the old Old Country Buffet.”
• “Is there a Southern homestyle buffet near us?”
• “Let’s do a Chinese buffet or Brazilian steakhouse for that all-you-can-eat feel.”

This helps Atlanta locals understand you’re looking for:

• Large, self-serve or all-you-can-eat meals
• Casual or group-friendly settings
• Lots of choices in one place

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Diners

• Old Country Buffet itself does not operate in Atlanta.
• If you want something similar, look for:
  • Southern or country buffets for the closest match in food and atmosphere
  • Soul food buffets and cafeteria-style spots for hearty, homestyle plates
  • Chinese and pan-Asian buffets for huge variety at a flat price
  • Brazilian steakhouses and weekend hotel brunches if you want an all-you-can-eat experience in a more upscale setting

For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta, Georgia, you can still recreate much of that Old Country Buffet feeling—you’ll just be doing it at local buffets and international restaurants rather than under the original brand name.