Golden Corral — Restaurant in East Lampeter Township

I have Lupus, an immune issue, so I wish I had brought my own cutlery or even beverage as the silverware, plates and plastic cups had leftover particles of food still on them that the dishwasher didn't clean off, most likely because the person running it is not rinsing off the trays properly when pushing them through and/or the washer itself drain is plugged, which happens when you don't pre-attend to the trays before inserting in washer. Also, as I waited for the fried shrimp, three African American men ignored me once I asked if they were going to replenish the tray, on the third time another fourth man heard me and asked them something whilst pointing to me, which the other seemed to argue but couldn't hear over the various noise. The fourth man walked away shaking his head. I kept waiting as all I wanted that evening was steak and shrimp, but after about the minutes I asked again and there was no mistake now, they were ignoring me for some reason. I have cancer and use a cane so I begin to soak my clothing just from standing which I felt bad for and was standing back from the whitefish to the left and whatever was to the right and was conscious if I was in other's way, but finally when I turned around in making sure no one was behind me for something other than the shrimp, there was a line of people with three other African Americans directly behind me and asked them all of I was in their way and apologized. The one directly behind me said in fact I wasn't and asked me if he in fact thought he saw the three men behind the line was ignoring or even being rude. I said I wasn't sure but explained what happened and he asked me if I mind if he got in front and asked and told him not at all, and when he spoke up two of the three men came up to the line and when he asked about the shrimp they immidiately turned and and returned with a full tray of shrimp. The guy then reprimanded them and said something to the affect of, "Come on guy, this man (me) has been waiting before me with a cane and is hurting, WTH?" and the staffer said "OK man, no problem, I got it" then the other two men came over and all thee started speaking loudly in another language and as one of them left behind the wall and to the right where there were ovens, he actually started digging for gold in his nose WITH GLOVES ON! I was so disgusted. By the time I got back the other three in my party were on their dessert. (I had to wait for my steak which was now cold) I asked for a manger when I left, but she didn't understand English very well and just kept smiling saying, "Oh Okay, yes yes okay". I'm not sure what is going on and I am not sure why the staff was ignoring me, I'm sure customers disrespect staff all the time, especially how divided the world seems to have become, but I was very proper, said please at all times and even tipped the steak master a few dollars, perhaps they were having a bad day, but without presuming too much, the young African American who was obviously upset and even though it seemed he was reprimanding them for being allegedly biased, I can't speculate for sure, I would hope not, but it seems things are...

I have a weakness for buffets.. Asian, American, whatever ... I enjoy fine dining as much as any "foodie" but recalling the annual smorgasbord meals of my childhood, there is something about an unlimited amount of beige "comfort" foods tickles my inner child. I don't get to Lancaster often (though it's pretty close to Philly.) But I DO realize that on a Sunday, options will be limited as far as the "famous" "Amish" spreads. As I happened to be there on a Sunday, I was tempted to try one of the two "canonical" buffets that were open, but as we were there at lunch time, and were right next door to the Golden Corral, we decided that they would be fine (at half the price of the others.)

One thing I've found about Golden Corrals (from the few I've visited) is that they are pretty consistent. They make a LOT of stuff from scratch (like mashed potatoes and yeast rolls) and when it comes to proteins, lunch is not the BEST time to visit, but they will still offer serviceable fried or baked chicken, meat loaf etc. As it happened, this location was grilling up sirloin steaks.

Another thing I've found at Golden Corrals is that the staff is uniformly trained to accommodate customer requests. I once saw a customer request fresh horseradish to put on his prime rib, and sure enough, the manager emerged from the kitchen with a bowl, fresh-grated. In this case, the steaks behind the plexiglass were well-done (as most customers seemed to prefer.) My request for a rare steak was happily taken, and the grill guy watched over my hunk, searing it to perfection (or as perfect as sirloin gets,)

So I didn't get shoo-fly pie, or the opportunity to purchase a huge cigar or hex signs. But I have to give Golden Corral props for serving up the great American standards, and truly caring about the customer experience (for half the cost of the tourist places.) Were there SOME "local" dishes I missed? I'm sure there were. But unless I were from another state and would have been remiss leaving Pennsylvania without having tasted chow-chow, this place...

For a measly $17.50, you waltz into Golden Corral in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and brace yourself for a MIND-BLOWING, stomach-stuffing, all-you-can-eat EXTRAVAGANZA that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance! We’re talking juicy, melt-in-your-mouth steaks and the kind of soul-hugging comfort food that makes you wanna write love letters to the chef. This isn’t just a buffet it’s a FOOD NIRVANA, hands down the most INSANELY delicious spread I’ve ever shoveled into my face in my entire life!

The staff? Oh, they’re like your long-lost besties, serving up smiles so warm you’ll wanna hug ‘em (but don’t, you’re too busy piling your plate sky-high). I leaned over to my wife, jaw on the floor, and said, “Babe, we’re eating like KINGS here for less than a tank of gas, AND it’s healthier than half the overpriced nonsense we get in Canada!” That $17.50 USD meal? In Canada, you’d be coughing up a cool $60.00 CAD for something not even HALF this glorious. I’m talking VALUE that slaps you in the face and demands respect!

I drove 8.5 hours for the “Sight and Sound” show, thinking THAT was gonna be the highlight. WRONG. Golden Corral crashed the party and stole the freakin’ show! This place isn’t some snooty, overpriced fine-dining joint—it’s comfort food CRANKED TO ELEVEN, unlimited, for a laughable $17.50. I’m still pinching myself, wondering if I dreamed this food coma.

Out of the bazillion restaurants I’ve reviewed, this Golden Corral is strutting its stuff in my TOP FIVE all-you-can-eat legends. It’s so good, I’m half-convinced they’re hiding a Michelin-star chef in the back, flipping burgers in a cape. If you’re anywhere near Lancaster, RUN, don’t walk, to this buffet paradise. Your stomach will thank you, your wallet will high-five you, and you’ll never forget this WILD, food-fueled fever dream.

GO CHECK IT OUT, PEOPLE!

CHECK IT OUT NOW!

Sorry, no pics, I was far too busy enjoying...