Hog maws, neck bones, and lo mein all share one buffet line here. That combo alone made me stop and read twice.
Southern soul food sits right beside Chinese favorites under one roof. Fried catfish, cornbread, and peach cobbler join the party too. I like how nobody had to pick a side.
This Tennessee spot also comes with greenery, aquariums, and tall ceilings. It feels more like a big family hangout than a quick bite. I can’t imagine a better plan for a group that never agrees on dinner.
The dining rooms are large, and the buffet keeps going well past what you’d guess from the parking lot. So which plate would you build first, the soul food side or the Chinese side?
Two Cuisines Share One Very Long Buffet Line
Most buffets pick a lane and stay there. Chow Time Buffet & Grill in Memphis decided two lanes sounded more fun.
The restaurant blends Chinese favorites with Southern soul food in one big spread. That means lo mein and honey chicken can share a plate with greens and cornbread.
I believe this mix is the whole reason the place stands out in Tennessee. Plenty of spots serve Chinese food, and plenty serve soul food. Very few put them side by side and let you decide how wild your plate gets.
The setup works great for groups with different cravings. One person can chase hot and sour soup while another goes straight for fried catfish. Nobody has to argue in the car about where to eat.
You’ll also spot extras beyond those two styles. The lineup has included Italian-style dishes like spaghetti, plus kid-friendly picks such as chicken nuggets and crinkle-cut fries.
My advice is simple. Take a slow lap before you grab a plate. With this much variety, a quick scouting trip helps you save room for the dishes you really want, instead of filling up on the first tray you see.
Soul Food Fans Will Find Plenty To Get Excited About
Neck bones and hog maws on a buffet? That alone tells you this kitchen takes Southern cooking seriously.
Soul food is the most talked-about part of the menu here. The lineup has featured fried chicken, fried catfish, lima beans, boiled cabbage, and candied yams. Greens and beans also show up, along with hot water cornbread.
These are the kinds of dishes many Memphis families grew up eating on Sundays. Finding them in an all-you-can-eat format feels like a little bit of a cheat code. You get to sample several sides without committing to just one plate.
I like that the choices go beyond the usual fried chicken and mac routine. Neck bones and hog maws are not dishes every restaurant will bother making. Seeing them here shows the kitchen knows its crowd.
Here’s a smart tip for first-timers. Grab small spoonfuls of several sides on your first trip back. That way you can figure out your favorites quickly, then return for a bigger helping.
Pair your soul food picks with a square of cornbread. It’s the easiest way to soak up every last bit of pot liquor from those greens.
The Chinese Side Brings Its Own Crowd Pleasers
Lo mein right next to candied yams sounds like a mix-up. At this buffet, it’s the whole point.
The Chinese half of the spread holds its own against all that Southern comfort food. You’ll find familiar buffet staples like lo mein, honey chicken, and hot and sour soup. Shrimp dishes also make regular appearances.
These dishes give the meal a nice change of pace. After a forkful of rich soul food, a bite of saucy noodles hits differently. Switching back and forth keeps your taste buds from getting bored.
I believe this is where picky eaters will feel most at home. Kids who aren’t sure about hog maws will probably go straight for the noodles. That makes family trips a lot less stressful.
Soup is a smart way to start, too. A small bowl of hot and sour soup warms you up before the heavier dishes. It also keeps you from rushing straight into a mountain of fried food.
Try building one plate that mixes both cuisines. Honey chicken with a side of cabbage might sound odd on paper. Then again, that’s the kind of experiment this place practically invites.
Save Some Space Because Peach Cobbler Is Waiting
Peach cobbler has a funny way of showing up right when you swear you’re full. Good luck ignoring it here.
The dessert section at Chow Time Buffet & Grill leans into Southern sweets. Peach cobbler is one of the most mentioned treats on the line. That warm, fruity scoop makes a fitting ending after a plate of soul food.
Cobbler is a classic across Tennessee kitchens for good reason. It’s simple, sweet, and comforting without being fancy. On a buffet, it also means you can take a small serving and still go back for more.
Breads deserve a mention in this part of the meal, too. Cornbread and rolls sit on the line, and they make an easy bridge between dinner and dessert. Some folks treat sweet cornbread like a dessert anyway.
One heads-up for ice cream lovers. The dessert lineup doesn’t always include it, so plan on cobbler and other baked treats instead.
My tip is to pace yourself during the main courses. Leave a little room on purpose. It’s much better than staring at that cobbler while feeling like you might pop a button.
Aquariums And Greenery Give The Dining Rooms Some Personality
Fish tanks and leafy plants are not what most people expect at a soul food buffet. That’s part of the charm.
The dining rooms here are known for greenery and aquariums. High ceilings add an open feel, and flat-screen TVs hang around the space. It’s a casual setting built for long, relaxed meals.
The building also looks smaller from the outside than it feels inside. Once you’re seated, the room opens up with plenty of space for families and big parties. That roomy layout matters when everyone keeps getting up for second helpings.
Fair warning, the decor leans classic rather than trendy. This is not a sleek, modern makeover kind of place. It’s more of an old-school buffet hall where the food takes center stage.
I like that kind of setup for celebrations. Nobody feels rushed, and kids have something to look at between bites. A few fish swimming nearby can buy parents a couple of quiet minutes.
If you’re bringing a crowd, ask for a table that fits everyone together. Big groups are easier to manage when you’re not splitting up across the room. Then the stories can flow as freely as the sweet tea.
Birthday Crowds Treat This Place Like A Party Hall
A buffet might be the most peaceful way to feed a big family. Everyone eats what they want, and nobody fights over the menu.
Chow Time Buffet & Grill has become a popular pick for birthdays and family outings. The wide food selection helps a lot. Grandparents, teens, and little kids can all find something familiar.
Servers handle drink refills and clear away used plates while you eat. That frees up your table for round two, or round three. It also means nobody has to play dishwasher at the end of the night.
Groups of six or more fit right in here. The big dining rooms were clearly made with crowds in mind. You won’t feel like you’re squeezing into a tiny café with half your family standing.
Sundays tend to be especially busy, especially after church. The buffet line can get long during those hours, so plan ahead. Showing up early helps if you want first pick of fresh trays.
My suggestion for parties is easy. Pick a time just as the lunch rush starts, and arrive together. A little planning makes the whole celebration smoother and a lot more fun for everyone.
Show Up At The Right Hour And Eat Like A Champ
Timing can make or break any buffet trip. Here, the doors open at 11 AM every single day.
Sunday through Thursday, the restaurant serves until 9 PM. Friday and Saturday stretch a little later, closing at 10 PM. That gives you room for a late lunch or an easy weekend dinner.
Arriving right at opening has a clear perk. The trays are full and the first batches are coming out hot. If you love your fried catfish crispy, that’s a smart window to target.
Lunch is also usually the friendlier time for your wallet. Many buffets charge less earlier in the day, and dinner pricing tends to run higher. Checking ahead before you go is always a good habit.
Weekend evenings can draw a big crowd. That can be fun if you like a lively room. It’s less fun if you’re starving and stuck behind a long line.
For the calmest visit, try a weekday afternoon. You’ll get breathing room at the buffet and a better shot at a comfy booth. Your patience, and your stomach, will thank you later.
Finding It Is Easier Than Choosing What To Eat
Southeast Memphis is home to this buffet, close to the Mississippi state line. That location makes it handy for folks on both sides of the border.
You’ll find Chow Time Buffet & Grill at 4207 Hacks Cross Rd, Memphis, TN 38125. Hacks Cross Road is a busy stretch, so the drive is pretty simple. Plenty of shopping and errands sit nearby, too.
The spot even catches travelers passing through the area. Olive Branch, Mississippi, sits just south, and its airport is a short drive away. A quick fuel stop could easily turn into a full Southern feast.
Being on the edge of the city helps with parking and access. You don’t have to fight downtown traffic to get a big, hearty meal. That’s a real bonus when you’re hauling a carload of hungry relatives.
I believe locations like this are perfect for meeting up. Friends coming from different parts of the Memphis area can land in the middle easily. Nobody has to make a giant trek.
Pop the address into your map app before you leave. Then all your energy can go toward the hardest decision of the day, which tray to visit first.
Thousands Of Fans Helped Earn That Top-Spot Buzz
More than five thousand ratings sit behind this buffet’s 4.2-star average. For a busy all-you-can-eat spot, that’s a serious crowd of opinions.
That kind of following is part of why it gets called a top Tennessee buffet. Lots of restaurants have a few loyal fans. Far fewer keep thousands of people coming back across years.
The appeal makes sense when you add it all up. You get soul food, Chinese dishes, desserts, and extras in one stop. The price stays friendly compared with ordering several entrées at a sit-down restaurant.
Of course, no buffet pleases everyone every visit. Tastes vary, and a crowded day can feel hectic. Going in with relaxed expectations helps you enjoy the variety for what it is.
I like how the whole place feels built around sharing a meal. It’s casual, roomy, and focused on filling plates rather than impressing food critics. That honest approach is a big part of its charm.
So grab your crew and plan a visit to Chow Time Buffet & Grill. Bring stretchy pants, a game plan, and an open mind about mixing lo mein with cornbread. Your plate might surprise you.
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