Fuller’s Old Fashioned BBQ — Restaurant in Fayetteville

My husband and I just moved to the area and saw the big sign on Fullers "BBQ - Seafood". How enticing is that? BBQ and seafood! I'm going to call that nearly false advertising. Yes, this restaurant features bbq sauce and there is fried fish and popcorn shrimp... But the description "seafood", definitely makes me think a restaurant will actually be serving a variety of seafood! As of now - end of April 2021, they are no longer serving food cafeteria style (even though they haven't updated their webpage). It's buffet - self service - wearing a mask and polyurethane gloves (full of microscopic holes, so actually not medical and pointless... But we understand that they have to make an effort).

The good - the staff were very friendly. They did an excellent job clearing our plates and refilling our drinks. (But the restaurant was nearly empty - so i can't speak for the service on a busy day). All of the food trays were full and I never saw them run out, they weren't cold.

The bad - the food! I would never eat here again. It wasn't terrible, just so blah, mediocre I wouldn't pay for it again. Ok - some of it was terrible. The sausages were so overcooked, the, we're like rubber. They fried chicken, the piece i had was so dry i couldn't finish it. The one thing that might actually have been bbq-ed, "chop bbq" (explained to me by the bus boy) was some unrecognizable meat, of unknown source (the food labels were all inaccurate or not present) that reminded one of sawdust. There was chicken slathered in bbq sauce, the aforementioned sausage and chop bbq, fried chicken and baked chicken - which does not "bbq" make. No ribs, no steak, no brisket, even the corn on the cob was boiled...no bbq-ed vegetables. The top two reviews for this place say "southern food" and "home cooked food" which are two excellent descriptions for the food served here. I urge Fullers to invest in a less misleading sign! The fried fish was excellent, really perfect. The mashed potatoes and gravy were very tasty. There was a crunchy pork rind that was really good and interesting. Everything else left no impression.

No butter for the biscuits. Only iceberg lettuce for the salad. Canned fruits (nothing fresh). My husband wouldn't touch the unappetizing looking desserts. I had something like a breaded banana pudding.. no labels,so who knows...(with canned whip on top) that was actually pretty good.

So all in all, the experience of eating at Fullers was so/so - I'd give the service 5, the food 3 but I have to drop a star for the...

( I was aiming for 2.5 stars). The one thing I try to always do in regards to reviews, is be consistently honest. Since the Hurricane Matthew storm of 2016, I've heard a lot about this restaurant. About how they lost a location in the storm and how everyone in Lumberton, NC was so sad about loosing such a great dining place. Well, tonight, I had the opportunity to visit the location on Hwy 401 in Raeford, NC. I first realized the packed parking lot. My sister (who was with me) said the food was good and I was going to enjoy it. I parked, grabbed my debit card billfold, and my cash. Once I walked in, it was very pleasant and everyone seemed nice. There were lots of signs that talked about discounts for military, state employees, and another demographics. I was already aware that I didn't bring none of my credentials, but prepared to go retrieved it if I needed to. I followed the customers ( 3 churchly-dressed, black women who may have been "new" senior citizens because none of them seemed very old). Two of the women made a purchase and the young white cashier told them that she did not need to see their id. Immediately, I was feeling good. I was a state employee AND a veteran, so I should be ok! Low and behold, I get to the cashier and told her proudly that I was veteran and a state employee. (Please keep in mind I am a petite, 5 ft, 48-yr old black woman, I had a baseball cap on, a t-shirt, a pair of leggings, and CLEAN WHITE sneakers). Well, she took one look at me and said, "I'm going to need to see your ID." I immediately begged her pardon and gave her major side eye. On the way to my car to retrieve my credentials, I loudly mumbled that I guess it didn't pay to be a veteran AND look like a hoodlum, right? When I returned, she apologized (about 3 times) while her co-worker gave her a more "verbal" side-eye when I reminded her that she didn't ask the other two women for ID's but needed to see mine (Don't worry, there was no neck rolling, teeth sucking, nor volume on the conversation). I'm not sure I will go back, but it definitely won't be THAT location. I felt disrespected at first (not because I had to get it, but I was the ONLY one who had to), and yes she apologized, but you couldn't "un-experience" that. No, everything is not a "race" thing, but next time, I will be sure to eat from the menu, and not the buffet. Not...

Maaaan, listen. This place is the gospel! I have literally traveled two and a half hours just to eat here. The food is a deep southern array of comfort foods hard to find anywhere other than your great granny's kitchen! Gizzards? Check! Blood sausage? Got it! Chittlins (chitterlings for you proper folks) For sure! But don't let those options scare you away!!! They have the most delicious veggie options I've seen anywhere! From Lima beans to sweet corn to heavenly mashed potatoes to greens to okra to rice... I would keep going but the drool is messing up my typing. Their salad bar is gorgeous! Its piled high with fresh fruits, crisp greens, prepared vegetables, and all the trimmings including multiple dressing options. As if alllll of that wasn't enough, the desert bar boasts at minimum 10 different choices of sweet treats, most already portioned to grab. But just in case a half a serving is needed you can serve yourself as well. I don't recall a sugar free desert option, but I could have overlooked it. THE ONLY THINGS that you need to be made aware of is #1 it is self serve buffet. So if you aren't down with that type eatery then you may want to go as soon as they open, before everyone else gets there. And #2 Fullers is VERY POPULAR! On Sundays, expect a line out the door!!! Regular days of the week are still busy, but not "out the door" busy. All in all, this is a great place to stop in and eat a plate or two then go to the hotel and sleep it off! LOL!! Ample vehicle parking, bus parking is available but limited, small restrooms, generous seating area, no cushions on seats, booths available that comfortably seat 4, and pleasant atmosphere including wait staff. Buffet price is comparable to most other places, and they offer discount to active military and veterans!!! This review is for the Raeford Rd...