If your heart longs for the taste of Sunday supper at Grandma’s, Grandma Hoyt’s Country Buffet in Bessemer City delivers the real thing. This family-run spot has served soulful Southern classics for 31 years, winning loyal locals with scratch-made recipes and warm, attentive service.
With a 4.5-star reputation and down-home prices, it’s the place where banana pudding still crowns the meal. Pull up a chair, loosen your belt, and taste why regulars swear it’s the best buffet in the area.
Fried Chicken That Snaps and Sings
At Grandma Hoyt’s, the fried chicken earns its reputation the moment your fork breaks the crust. Golden, craggy breading locks in tender, juicy meat, delivering that signature Southern crunch followed by a burst of seasoned warmth. It’s fried in small batches so the pans never sit, keeping the texture crisp and lively.
Locals insist it tastes like Sunday best—comforting, familiar, and honest. Pair it with mashed potatoes and creamy gravy to complete the plate, or go classic with collards and cornbread. Either way, one bite confirms the hype: this is the fried chicken you measure all others against.
Slow-Baked Meatloaf With Sunday Supper Soul
The meatloaf here is pure nostalgia, bound with care and brushed with a tangy, tomatoey glaze that caramelizes just right. Slices reveal a tender, juicy crumb speckled with onions and pepper, sturdy enough to stand up to a ladle of brown gravy. It’s the kind you remember from family tables—no pretense, just balance and heart. Pair it with macaroni and cheese for creamy comfort, or green beans for a garden-fresh side.
The portion is generous, the seasoning confident, and the finish warming without being heavy. It’s a steady anchor on the buffet, and an easy second-helping temptation.
Chicken and Dumplings, Soft-As-A-Cloud Comfort
Grandma Hoyt’s chicken and dumplings deliver spoonfuls of solace. Tender shreds of chicken mingle in a silky, savory broth that’s rich but never heavy, perfumed with pepper and a hint of celery. The dumplings are pillowy and delicate, absorbing flavor while keeping their structure. It’s slow-simmered patience you can taste, a dish that quiets the table as everyone leans in for just one more bite.
This is the antidote to cold days and long weeks, best enjoyed alongside fried squash or buttered corn. It’s the kind of bowl that reminds you why buffet lines should end with gratitude.
Macaroni and Cheese, Creamy Golden Classic
This macaroni and cheese hits the sweet spot between creamy and structured, with elbow pasta cloaked in a luscious, cheddar-forward sauce. The top boasts a gentle baked crust that gives way to molten comfort beneath. It’s richly seasoned, never pasty, and pairs with everything from meatloaf to fried fish.
Many guests build their plates around it, balancing textures with collards or fried squash. Each scoop tastes like the potluck dish that disappears first—familiar, indulgent, and worth a return trip. If you’re choosing sides, start here, then add a spoonful of gravy-touched mashed potatoes to complete a Southern comfort duet.
Baked Chicken for Lighter, Homestyle Richness
For comfort without the fry, Grandma Hoyt’s baked chicken brings flavor and tenderness to the table. The skin is seasoned and roasted until it turns bronzed and aromatic, sealing in juices. Each piece offers deep, roasted notes that pair beautifully with rice and gravy or buttered green beans. It’s a dependable staple for those craving “home” rather than heat.
The meat pulls cleanly from the bone without drying out, proving the kitchen’s patience and timing. Whether you’re easing in before dessert or balancing a plate of sides, this baked bird provides quiet pleasure in every savory bite.
Vegetable Sides That Taste Like the Garden
From collard greens simmered low and seasoned right to fried squash with a whisper of crunch, the veggie lineup celebrates Southern traditions. Green beans are tender without losing snap, and mashed potatoes arrive creamy, welcoming a generous pour of gravy. Cornbread stands by to sop up every drop. These aren’t afterthoughts—they anchor plates with balance and brightness.
Regulars mix and match until their trays look like grandma’s Sunday spread. Whether you chase the tang of vinegar in collards or the comfort of buttered corn, the vegetables here remind you that simple ingredients, cooked with care, can absolutely shine.
Desserts: Banana Pudding, Pecan Pie, and More
The dessert station is where willpower goes to rest. Silky banana pudding layered with vanilla wafers steals the spotlight, while pecan pie brings a buttery crunch and caramel sweetness. Key lime pie adds citrusy lift, and there’s often pineapple cake or bread pudding ready to impress. Reviews rave that there isn’t a weak link on the table.
Portions are sensible, inviting you to sample broadly. If you saved room, congratulations—if not, you’ll make room anyway. These sweets taste like well-kept family recipes, executed with pride and just enough flourish to send you home smiling.
Plan Your Visit: Hours, Value, and Vibe
Grandma Hoyt’s sits at 421 E Virginia Ave in Bessemer City, welcoming guests Monday to Friday for lunch and early dinner, with closing times between 6:30 PM and 7:30 PM. Expect a clean, cozy dining room, friendly staff who’ll help at the buffet, and prices in the $10–20 sweet spot. The selection is thoughtfully curated rather than massive, prioritizing quality over quantity.
With 4.5 stars and more than a thousand reviews, it’s beloved for homestyle flavor and gracious service. Come hungry, bring family, and don’t skip dessert. Call +1 704-629-9440 or check grandmahoyts.com before you go.