If you didn't know that some Golden Corrals offer breakfast, you do now. From their loaded buffet to eggs made-to-order, and even ice cream if that's your jam, here's what you need to know about Golden Corral's breakfast shift.
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00:00If you didn't know that some Golden Corrals offer breakfast, you do now. From their loaded
00:05buffet to eggs made to order and even ice cream, if that's your jam, here's what you
00:09need to know about Golden Corral's breakfast shift.
00:13Despite how much you may be itching to try Golden Corral's unsung breakfast menu, you
00:16won't find it at every restaurant. And if you do happen upon a Golden Corral that serves
00:21breakfast, don't be surprised if they tell you it's only available on certain days. Many
00:25locations limit early morning hours to the weekends. Some open at 10.30 a.m. Monday through
00:30Friday, but earlier on Saturday and Sunday, to serve breakfast.
00:33If you're not from the South or the Midwest, you've got to understand how serious this
00:38buffet game is.
00:39So know before you go. If you want breakfast, phone your local Golden Corral ahead of time
00:44to avoid crushing disappointment.
00:47Restaurant dining on a strict keto diet can be difficult. Thankfully, Golden Corral's
00:50breakfast buffet offers plenty of choices for the keto crowd. And trust us, these grabs
00:55don't disappoint. Pick from low-carb favorites like bacon, sausage, eggs, and cheese to
00:59get your breakfast fix without feeling guilty afterward.
01:02Looking for something a bit sweet? Golden Corral has you covered there, too. They actually
01:06offer a few naturally low-carb toppings. Ask for the sugar-free syrup, or take a peek at
01:11keto-friendly seasonal fruits when they're available. Fresh blueberries, strawberries,
01:15and cantaloupe are right at home on a breakfast plate. You can even top your fruit with a
01:19dollop of whipped topping, as it only contains two grams of carbs per serving.
01:24It's not every day that you find customizable options at a buffet. That's why we're stoked
01:28to report that you can get your eggs made-to-order when dining in for breakfast at Golden Corral.
01:33Whether you like them sunny-side up, fried, or over-easy, all you have to do is ask.
01:37Craving something with a little more pizzazz? Why not try building your own omelet? Golden
01:42Corral breakfast options include an omelet station. You can pick from a variety of fillings,
01:46including sausage crumbles, diced peppers, mushrooms, onions, and, of course, lots and
01:50lots of gooey cheese.
01:53Having chocolate for breakfast may seem bizarre to some, but for those of you who find it
01:57perfectly appropriate and maybe even necessary, Golden Corral agrees. Many locations still
02:02have the beloved chocolate fountains running, even during breakfast hours. While most people
02:06are contemplating sausage, eggs, hash browns, and biscuits, others are jonesing for something
02:11sweeter. If you have a morning sweet tooth, you officially have a reason to rejoice.
02:15Known as the Chocolate Wonderfall, the Golden Corral Fondue Fountain is several tiers high.
02:20It's like going to a wedding without dressing up.
02:22Most locations allow you to dip crispy rice treats, marshmallows, and other goodies in
02:26the chocolatey cascade using a long, skinny skewer, even at breakfast time. Of course,
02:31exactly what you can dip will vary depending on the location, but chocolate fondue before
02:35noon? Are we in heaven?
02:38If you're following a gluten-free diet, you'll be happy to know that Golden Corral has many
02:41options available for breakfast. Nevertheless, you should know that Golden Corral's allergen
02:45statement explicitly notes that it can't be held liable for instances of cross-contamination
02:50during food prep.
02:51"...we're not responsible for that."
02:53So although Golden Corral carries gluten-free breakfast food, they won't promise those items
02:58have never come in contact with other gluten-containing products, so eat at your own risk.
03:03With that said, if you don't have severe gluten allergies or simply would rather avoid gluten
03:07for your own reasons, you can choose from bacon, eggs, fruit, yogurt, and more to satisfy
03:11your hunger without violating your diet. Unfortunately, their gluten-free menu only
03:16goes so far. You likely won't be able to enjoy gluten-free waffles, French toast, or pancakes
03:21anytime soon.
03:23Off to work and need breakfast quick? Your first option is to place an order to go at
03:27Golden Corral instead of dining in. To do so, simply phone your local Golden Corral
03:31or place an order online. From there, choose to have your food brought to you curbside
03:36or walk in and grab it yourself.
03:38Want the Golden Corral app? That's even better. Simply whip out your phone and order breakfast
03:42with a few clicks. Select what you want to eat, how you want to pick it up, and when
03:46you want to grab your food. That's it!
03:48Another great option for dining in a hurry is what Golden Corral calls Weigh and Pay.
03:52"...which weighs more, meatloaf or steak?"
03:55With this option, you'll need to come into the restaurant, but don't worry, you'll still
03:58be in and out quickly. Just grab a container and stuff it full of all the sausages, hash
04:02browns, eggs, and other scrumptious breakfast goodies you can get your hands on. Then bring
04:06the container to the register, get it weighed, and pay per the pound.
04:10Yes, we know that Golden Corral isn't a health food joint, but it's still worth noting that
04:14some items should be avoided if you're particularly health-conscious. Aside from the three slices
04:19of French toast that will add 610 calories to your diet before toppings, you should also
04:24note that the maple syrup adds 30 grams of sugar to your diet before it ever even touches
04:29a pancake.
04:30"...all you can eat, and nobody ever stops you when you want to go back."
04:36Worried about cholesterol and fat? If so, then steer clear of the sausage, bacon, and
04:40breakfast casseroles. These offerings look delicious but are loaded with fat and grease.
04:45But all is not lost, you can customize an omelet with plenty of good-for-you veggies,
04:49like peppers, onions, and mushrooms.
04:51Still not satisfied? Consider checking out the seasonal fruits, juices, and sugar-free
04:55options the restaurant has available. Pair them with egg whites or yogurt for a perfectly
04:59balanced and good-for-you morning meal.
05:02Whether you're looking for a strawberry topping to ladle over your French toast or a scoop
05:06of ice cream to accompany your waffle, or French toast, or pancakes, Golden Corral has
05:11it all — and then some. Whipped cream and honey margarine are other stellar options,
05:16as everyone knows a waffle is only truly complete once it's topped.
05:19Not big into fancy toppings? We get it, and so does Golden Corral. You can slather your
05:23waffles and pancakes in basic whipped margarine before drizzling them with OG maple syrup.
05:28No matter your preference, you'll find something you'll want to use to drench your morning
05:31carbohydrates.
05:33Want a little ice cream before clocking in at the office, or stopping by the Golden Corral
05:37Breakfast Buffet after pulling a graveyard shift with a dessert craving? You're in luck.
05:42Weirdly, Golden Corral has dessert items on its breakfast menu. Apparently, the powers
05:46that be consider cakes, pies, bread pudding, and Rice Krispie treats a great way to start
05:50the day. And you can have them a la mode with your choice of chocolate or vanilla soft serve.
05:55We've mentioned it once, but it deserves repeating. If you have a severe food allergy,
05:59it may be best to skip Golden Corral for the time being. Unlike other restaurants that
06:03follow specific protocols to protect those with food allergies from cross-contamination,
06:08Golden Corral states flat out that cross-contamination of products can happen naturally, as part
06:13of its handcrafted preparation process.
06:15The restaurant also attributes these risks to its partnership with external suppliers,
06:19as well as the buffet-style setup that lends itself to the possibility of contaminated
06:23food. Though we'd hope everyone using the buffet would keep the same serving spoon at
06:28its original location, accidents happen, and people don't always think. So if you have
06:32severe food allergies, you should probably bypass Golden Corral, at least for now.
06:38If you've ever wondered, do I really need to tip a buffet server, this one's for you.
06:42Despite what many believe, a tip is actually expected at Golden Corral, and no, that doesn't
06:46mean a measly couple of bucks on a $50 check. In reality, the tipping at Golden Corral should
06:51resemble a percentage rate very similar to that of a normal restaurant. Surprised? Don't
06:56be.
06:57Though you technically serve yourself when visiting a buffet-style eatery, you also have
07:00servers to help you along the way. They take your drink orders, ensure you enjoy your visit,
07:05and clean up that soggy leftover pancake you didn't finish. Remember that servers are often
07:10paid below minimum wage and rely on your tips to round out their income. Without tips, servers
07:14can go home making a dismal amount for a long day's work.
07:18For reference, tips that range between 10 to 15 percent at buffets, like these, usually
07:22suffice.
07:24In these days of Yelp and its internet relatives, every restaurant receives a laundry list of
07:28customer reviews that range from glowing to scathing. That being said, most reviews of
07:33the Golden Corral breakfast shift are pretty stellar. People seem to be impressed with
07:37the variety of options, especially given the budget-friendly pricing.
07:40But the feedback's not all glowing. According to a few reviews, some breakfast items may
07:44be better than others. For example, one YouTuber thought the breakfast was great, but the tater
07:49tops were overcooked. That's legit, but overall customers seem well-pleased with the menu.
07:54In fact, the most consistent complaint we've found amongst breakfast enthusiasts is that
07:59they can only get Golden Corral's breakfast on the weekend, or not at all at some locations.
08:03We agree, that is a total bummer.