Golden Corral Comes in Silver

Golden Corral Comes in Silver

Review: Restaurant—buffet

Location: Corner of Main and Douglas in Mishawaka, IN

Price: $$ ($5-15)

Serves: breakfast, take out, lunch, dinner-various types of food for each

Rating: ***

GoldenCorral

Atmosphere

                Golden Corral sets up a fun atmosphere with its décor and color.  Red and yellow lamp shades dangle above the tables, and signs fell from the ceiling with phrases such as “we get our produce from the crate” and “made to order omelets.” 

                One gets the satisfaction of knowing that the food is made fresh by seeing produce stacked behind the Greenhouse and workers making the food at the bakery and grillhouse.

Service

                When we first appeared, the restaurant was very busy – perhaps because it had opened only weeks before this visit.  However, the line moved quickly, and we were at the cash register within five minutes.

                In the first 3 minutes of eating, 2 people approached asking how we were.  Even after that, we received constant kind service throughout the meal. 

                The only negative aspect noticeable was that there was only one cash register being used when we were waiting in line.  (Note: one was broken).  Given how large the restaurant is, I would hope that there would be a few more cash registers to keep the line really moving.

Food

                The store offers breakfast Friday to Sunday and lunch and dinner the other days.

                Drinks

                The drinks that were available at my location included the following: Ocean Spray (apple, grapefruit, cran-grape, and cranberry), Rockstar, water, Old Savannah sweetened and unsweetened ice tea, Pepsi products, Sobi, Amp, Diet Dr. Pepper, horchata, lipton tea, and a Jamaica drink (specifically called “Jamaica”).

                Sections

                Once one approaches the buffet, they will come across various sections of food to choose from: the Greenhouse for mainly salads, the Wok for Asian food, the Hacienda for Mexican food, the Grillhouse for burgers, steak, etc, Lighthouse Bay for seafood, the Piazza for Italian food, the Bread Co. for various types of bread, and Brass Bell Bakery for the desserts.

                Main Meals Foods

                The food I chose on this particular lunch excursion included the flavorful green bean casserole and pulled pork.  I also picked up a slider (small hamburger), which was adequate.  Mine was made medium, though my grandfather’s was made well.  The ham and cheese grilled sandwich was made right in front of me and was a unique addition to a buffet.  I found it quite enjoyable.  It was both sweet and fresh.  The tempura battered onion ring was ok, nothing special, and the Lo Mein was a little spicy.  The bourbon chicken I picked up was a little salty.  Lastly, the drink I had on this day was the horchata.  Like the green bean casserole and pulled pork, the horchata was very flavorful.  This drink was a sweet, cinnamon rice milk for those who have not had the fortune of trying it.  There’s was one of the best I’ve had.

                Dessert Options

                The best quality food was at main section.  I found that the various foods I tasted at the dessert section lacked flavor and quality.

                The macaroons they supplied were satisfactory, but not the best that I have had at a Golden Corral in any regards.  The coconut cream pie was soft but only good.  The carrot cake too lacked flavor as well as the pumpkin cookie.  It can be seen why the chocolate fountain is there main attraction since it adds flavors to a number of their options.  I found that, after trying a macaroon dipped in chocolate, it immediately tasted much more flavorful.  Lastly, the cotton candy was airy, plentiful, and delicious. 

                 

Payment

                Breakfast and lunch – for those who are not children or seniors – is $8.19 plus a $1.19 drink.  Dinner is $11.00 plus a drink.

Specials

                There is a senior discount for the buffet (about a dollar reduced), a take out-option (4.89/lb), and a kid’s buffet option (free for 3 years and younger, $4 for ages 4-8, and $5 for 9-12).

Conclusion

                Mishawaka’s Golden Corral has the best quality food compared to local buffets with comparable prices.

                The service was excellent and the main meal foods were desirable.  However, a number of the dessert foods lacked flavor and interest, especially compared to the main meal foods.