Fried German bologna shows up on a pancake buffet in the mountains, and I can’t stop thinking about it. That one detail sent me down a very happy rabbit hole.
The rabbit hole kept getting tastier. One spot pairs Chinese dishes with hot water cornbread, hog maws, and peach cobbler. Another serves fried chicken and cobbler inside a 19th-century general-store setting with an old-school ice cream parlor.
So I gave myself one simple rule for Tennessee. Each pick had to let you eat as much as you want for under twenty-five bucks, tax included. Some come in well below that, especially at lunch.
I love that the final list jumps from pizza to sushi to sirloin steak to sticky buns. You could plan a whole road trip around second helpings. The only hard part is deciding which plate gets filled first.
1. Hoppery Pizza Buffet and Bar, Nashville
Pizza buffets usually play it safe, but this Charlotte Pike stop mixes Italian favorites with Indian-inspired flavors. That twist alone makes your first lap around the buffet feel like a little adventure.
Fusion pizza might sound fancy, but the mood here stays relaxed. Think comfort food first, with a few bold spices along for the ride.
The lunch buffet lines up five different pizzas at a time. You also get a small salad bar and a fountain drink with free refills.
Yes, the drink is included in the deal. That matters when you’re counting pennies and still want to leave stuffed.
Start with a slice of each pizza before picking a favorite. Then circle back for seconds of the one that made you smile the most.
Vegetarians get plenty of love here, since the kitchen offers a full vegetarian menu. That makes it an easy pick for groups where not everyone eats meat.
Not in a buffet mood? The menu also features a Mini Pepperoni Pizza and the Hoppery Stromboli.
Service moves fast, which is great news on a short lunch break. The room keeps things casual, so nobody cares if you show up in work boots or gym shorts.
Doors open at 11 every morning, seven days a week. On Fridays and Saturdays, the kitchen stays open until midnight for late pizza cravings.
Kids fit right in, and parking is free with plenty of spaces. Delivery and takeout are options too, though the buffet only works if you sit down.
Save a little room near the end of your visit. Dessert is on the menu too, so you can finish on something sweet.
Nashville meals can get pricey fast. Here, a lunch buffet with pizza and salad offers an affordable option for hungry diners.
2. Chow Time Buffet & Grill, Memphis
Fried rice and hot water cornbread on the same plate? At this Hacks Cross Road buffet, that combo is the whole point.
Chow Time blends Chinese favorites with Southern soul food in one big spread. You can build a plate that would confuse your grandma and delight her at the same time.
On the Chinese side, look for the Chow Time Fried Rice. Over on the soul food side, you’ll find dressing and gravy, hot water cornbread, hog maws, and pig feet.
Those last two are true Southern specialties. If you’ve never tried them, a buffet is the low-risk place to take a small scoop.
A salad bar gives you a fresher option between rounds. It also helps you pretend the third trip was a balanced choice.
Dessert deserves its own trip, and the peach cobbler leads the pack. Save room, because walking past it would be a real shame.
The dining rooms come packed with greenery and aquariums. Kids can spend a few minutes watching the fish while you go back for more cornbread.
Families have it easy here with high chairs and a kids’ menu. Free Wi-Fi is available too, in case someone needs a screen break.
Planning a birthday or team lunch? The restaurant has a private dining room and accepts reservations.
Tea fans get a nice bonus with a solid tea selection. A hot cup pairs nicely with a plate of fried rice and cobbler.
Weekend afternoons and evenings draw the biggest crowds. For a calmer meal, aim for a weekday lunch when the room is quieter.
Memphis knows its soul food, and this spot brings it to a buffet line with a Chinese twist. It’s one of the most fun mashups in Tennessee.
3. Austin’s Steak & Homestyle Buffet, Knoxville
Steak on a buffet budget sounds like a tall tale. At Austin’s, sirloin steak is part of the all-you-can-eat lineup, and that alone earns a spot on this list.
The rest of the spread leans hard into Southern homestyle cooking. It’s Sunday dinner energy, minus the pile of dishes.
Sides are where this place really shows off. Look for broccoli casserole, sweet carrots, sweet potato casserole, and cornbread.
Sweet carrots might sound like a side dish for kids. One spoonful in, you might go back for a second scoop anyway.
A salad bar covers the greens, and you can build your own large salad if you want. That’s handy if someone in your group wants a lighter plate.
Then comes the dessert bar. Carrot cake is a highlight, and dessert ranks among the things this kitchen does best.
Try a smart move: grab a small slice of steak first, then add sides around it. You’ll have room left to try more without hitting the wall too early.
The dining room is relaxed and unfussy. Nobody expects you to dress up for a plate of casserole.
Reservations aren’t accepted, so plan around the rush. Weekend afternoons and Friday evenings get the busiest, while weekday mornings tend to be quieter.
Even on a busy Saturday night, dinner here can stay under the limit. That’s a rare thing for a meal that includes steak.
Parking is generally plentiful along Merchant Drive. Takeout is available if you’d rather eat casserole on your own couch.
Knoxville has plenty of places to eat, but few give you steak, sides, and carrot cake for one easy price. Your Tennessee comfort food craving has met its match.
4. Forbidden City Restaurant, Chattanooga
Six sauces. That’s how many choices you get at the hibachi grill here, and it might be the hardest decision of your day.
The setup is simple and fun. You fill a plate with the ingredients you want, choose a sauce, and the grill cooks it for you.
Beyond the grill, Forbidden City runs an expansive Pan Asian buffet. The dining room is spacious, with traditional decor that makes the meal feel like a small event.
Sushi has its own spot in the lineup. So do a salad bar and a dessert bar with ice cream.
Menu favorites include coconut shrimp, honey chicken, and pepper steak with onions. You’ll also find shrimp with lobster sauce, pork egg rolls, and egg drop soup.
That’s a lot of ground to cover. A good plan is one small scoop of several dishes on the first trip, then a return visit for the winners.
Plant-based eaters get options too. The restaurant offers full vegan and vegetarian menus.
Got a crowd to feed? Forbidden City accepts reservations and has a private dining room for bigger gatherings.
Service is fast, and the room can be pleasantly quiet at off-peak times. Sports fans can also catch a game while they eat.
Ice cream is the classic finish. Grab a small bowl even if you swear you’re full.
Sushi, a custom hibachi plate, and ice cream under one roof is a lot of value for Tennessee buffet fans. For the price, this one feels like a full night out.
5. Reagan’s House of Pancakes, Pigeon Forge
Fried German bologna next to a stack of pancakes might be the most Smoky Mountain breakfast combo imaginable. Reagan’s makes it happen on its all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet.
This family-owned spot on the Parkway focuses on mornings. Doors open at 7 and close at 12:30 in the afternoon daily.
So set an alarm. Sleeping in means missing out on the cinnamon buns.
The buffet covers pancakes, waffles, and French toast. Toppings include fresh sweet fruit, so you can call it a balanced breakfast with a straight face.
Sticky buns and cinnamon rolls bring the sugar rush. Scrambled eggs and other hot breakfast items help you balance things out.
The regular menu has fun options too. Chocolate chip pancakes, pecan pancakes, and a bacon, ham, and cheese omelette with pancakes are among the choices.
Coffee here gets high marks, which matters before a long day in town. A good cup and a cinnamon roll make a strong way to start.
The buffet area is kept clean and refilled often. That’s a big deal when hungry crowds are lining up for pancakes.
Speaking of crowds, Saturday and Sunday mornings are the busiest. Reservations aren’t accepted, so arriving early on weekends can save you some waiting.
Pigeon Forge is full of attractions, shows, and shops. Fueling up here first means you won’t need a snack an hour later.
Lunch fare is simple, but breakfast is the star. Treat this place as your morning launchpad before the Parkway traffic kicks in.
Parking is free, and there’s usually space available. Takeout is an option too if you’re in a hurry.
A Tennessee mountain vacation needs at least one big breakfast. This one lets you go back for seconds, thirds, and maybe one more waffle.
6. Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store, Jackson
Lunch inside a 19th-century general-store setting comes with a bonus most buffets can’t offer. After you clear your plate, an old-school ice cream parlor is waiting.
Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store sits on Casey Jones Lane in Jackson. The historic feel is part of the fun, and a fireplace adds to the old-timey charm.
Now for the food. The Southern buffet features fried chicken, roasted turkey, meatloaf, and BBQ bologna.
Side dishes hold their own. Look for mashed potatoes, baked mac and cheese, cornbread, seasoned turnips, and white beans.
A salad bar is there for anyone who wants something crisp. Honestly, though, the turnips might be your vegetable of choice today.
Dessert offers three options on the buffet. Peach cobbler and berry cobbler are among the favorites.
Still have room? Then that ice cream parlor becomes very hard to ignore. Wash it down with Southern sweet tea, a menu highlight here.
Coffee fans are covered too.
The wait staff are attentive, and service moves fast. That keeps lunch breaks running on schedule.
Big family coming along? The restaurant accepts reservations and has a private dining room, plus high chairs and a kids’ menu.
Before you leave, browse the general store. It turns a simple meal into a small outing. Bread by the dozen is on the menu too.
That means you can take some of the comfort home.
Jackson sits right along Interstate 40 between Memphis and Nashville. That makes this an easy stop for a hungry West Tennessee road trip.
Southern cooking, history, and ice cream in one place is a tough combo to beat. Your stomach will thank you for the detour.
7. Xiaos’ Buffet Hibachi & Sushi, Murfreesboro
Labels on buffet trays sound like a small thing until you’re staring at mystery chicken. At Xiaos’, dishes are labeled, so you always know what you’re scooping.
That’s a big plus for picky eaters and anyone who likes to know what’s on the plate. You can plan your meal instead of playing guessing games.
The buffet itself is extensive, with hibachi and sushi in the mix. Orange chicken is a standout menu item worth a spot on your first plate.
Sushi lovers can sample several rolls without paying per piece. Hibachi brings a hot, cooked option to round things out.
Want the best deal? Show up for early lunch, when the price drops to one of the lowest on this list.
That timing also helps with crowds. Weekday mornings tend to be quiet, while weekend afternoons and Friday evenings get busy.
Mark your calendar for one quirk. Xiaos’ is closed on Tuesdays, so plan your craving around it. The rest of the week, doors open at 11.
Closing time is 9 most nights and 10 on Fridays and Saturdays.
Murfreesboro is home to plenty of college students, and this buffet draws them in. Fast service and unlimited plates make sense when you’re hungry between classes.
Families fit in too, with high chairs available. Groups can spread out and sample widely.
The atmosphere is casual and often quiet. You can actually hear the person across the table, which is a nice change from louder spots.
Parking is free, with plenty of space in the lot. That makes quick lunch runs on South Rutherford Boulevard easy.
Try starting light with sushi. Then move to hibachi and save orange chicken for the grand finale. Save a little room at the end.
Dessert is part of the experience, so plan your last trip wisely.
Middle Tennessee has lots of buffets, but labeled trays and an early lunch bargain help this one stand out. Your wallet and your curiosity both win.
8. Supreme Buffet, Johnson City
Crayfish on a buffet line in East Tennessee? Supreme Buffet lists it as a menu highlight, and that alone makes a first visit interesting.
The dining space is spacious with a large seating area. That’s helpful when your whole crew shows up hungry at once.
Sushi is a big part of the draw here. You’ll also find a salad bar that stays clean and well stocked.
Then there’s the hibachi station. You pick your own food, and the cooks make it to order on the grill.
That custom plate is a nice break from scooping from trays. Choose your favorite ingredients, then let the grill do the work.
Dessert ends on a high note with real ice cream. Other sweet options join it, so go easy on round three.
Lunch is the bargain play, with a price that comes in far below the limit. It’s one of the friendliest deals on this list.
Plant-based diners get a full vegan menu and a full vegetarian menu. Healthy options appear too, for anyone balancing the ice cream.
Service is fast, and the room tends to be quiet. Saturday night is usually the calmest time to visit. Weekend afternoons draw the biggest crowds.
For a more relaxed meal, a weekday lunch is smart.
Johnson City draws plenty of college students, and this buffet fits a student budget nicely. Free parking is a bonus.
Sushi, a custom hibachi plate, and real ice cream make a strong case for the drive. It’s a sweet way to close out a Tennessee buffet tour.
Share this story
