Doors opened Tuesday morning, and there was a line of customers waiting to get in. / Heather Mann
CULLMAN – After the sudden March 2016 closing of Ryan’s Buffet, some in Cullman have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of a new buffet: Golden Corral. After six months of renovations to the old Ryan’s building, Golden Corral opened its doors at 10 a.m. Tuesday morning, and the tables filled up quickly.
Based on this reporter’s experience, customers can expect to be greeted by friendly staff, the delicious smell of a fired-up grill and the sight of the famous chocolate fountain. The Tribune got to sit down and sample some of the foods offered, and it was just as good as expected. The rolls were light, fluffy and buttery, the macaroni and cheese was wonderfully creamy and the barbecue was tender and deliciously smoked (and the three different barbecue sauces added more variety for flavor). Many people agreed, saying, “Everything just tastes fresh” and “It kinda tastes like a homemade meal.”
The restaurant’s hospitality manager opened up about one of the most important things about the new buffet: What distinguishes it from the old buffet? What makes Golden Corral different from Ryan’s? Her response: the variety. “We have a lot bigger selection, lot more desserts, just a bigger selection I think. Also the way we run this business in particular,” she said.
Golden Corral will also be starting a catering service early next year.
According to a media release from Golden Corral, “The restaurant features endless home-style buffet favorites such as pot roast, fried chicken, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and steamed vegetables, plus a variety of international tastes and flavors including Italian and Mexican and signature seafood dishes. Guests will be able to enjoy premium meats slow smoked in-house over aged mesquite wood at our Smokehouse station. Sirloin steak is grilled to order, carved, and served daily at dinner.
“As a complement to the hot buffet items, the restaurant features a market-fresh salad bar, where guests may build their own salads from dozens of ingredients.
“Rounding out the buffet offering, a variety of cakes, pies, and homemade breads—including warm, melt-in-your-mouth yeast rolls—are served on the Bakery buffet. The new Cullman Golden Corral also showcases their legendary Chocolate Wonderfall – an ever-flowing chocolate fountain for dipping your favorite fruits and dessert treats.”
The Cullman location’s hours of operation are: Monday- Thursday from 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Fridays from 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturdays from 7:30 a.m.-10 a.m.; and Sundays from 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m. There will also be a Sunrise Breakfast Buffet every Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning until 11 a.m.
“Golden Corral Corporation is enthusiastic about locating to the Cullman market – a community that they feel is a perfect fit for their brand and a great location to become an active part of Cullman’s business community,” said the chain in a statement to the media.
The Cullman Golden Corral is located at 1720 Cherokee Ave. SW.
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