People Are Driving For Hours Just To Eat At This Tennessee Buffet

There’s a buffet restaurant in Bartlett, Tennessee that has earned a reputation well beyond its suburban Memphis location. Brickhouse Buffet & Carry Out has become something of a regional phenomenon, drawing diners from hours away who plan entire road trips around a single meal.

With over 100 homemade dishes served daily and a devoted following built almost entirely through word of mouth, this unassuming spot has quietly transformed into a destination worth the drive.

A Road-Trip Destination In West Tennessee

Brickhouse Buffet doesn’t advertise on billboards or run flashy commercials, yet people from Arkansas, Mississippi, and rural Tennessee routinely make the pilgrimage to 2861 Bartlett Blvd in Bartlett, TN 38134.

One couple from California stumbled upon it during a cross-country trip and declared it superior to anything they’d encountered in Nashville. Another family from Arizona wrote that they hadn’t experienced a buffet of this caliber in years.

What started as a local dining option has evolved into something far more significant. Guests don’t just show up hungry—they arrive with expectations shaped by glowing recommendations from friends, family, and coworkers who’ve already made the journey.

The restaurant occupies the former Dixie Cafe location, and regulars remember when it first opened over seven years ago. Since then, its reputation has spread organically, carried forward by satisfied diners who can’t help but tell others.

Brickhouse has managed to cultivate genuine enthusiasm without gimmicks or marketing campaigns, relying instead on consistently delivering an experience that justifies the distance traveled.

Brickhouse Serves More Than 100 Dishes Every Single Day

Walking into Brickhouse means confronting an almost overwhelming abundance of choice. The buffet sprawls across multiple stations, offering well over a hundred different items at any given time.

From traditional Southern staples to comfort food classics and lighter fare, the sheer variety means that even the pickiest eaters find something appealing.

Regulars develop strategies for navigating the selection. Some make reconnaissance laps before committing to a plate, while others head straight for their favorites.

The salad bar alone features an impressive array of fresh vegetables, toppings, and dressings—enough to satisfy anyone seeking lighter options before exploring the heartier offerings.

Desserts occupy their own dedicated station, complete with an ice cream bar and housemade sweets like bread pudding and chocolate cake that guests rave about in reviews. The variety ensures that return visits never feel repetitive.

Even frequent diners discover dishes they’d overlooked on previous trips, maintaining a sense of novelty that keeps the experience fresh and engaging regardless of how many times you’ve walked through those doors.

Everything Is Made From Scratch, Not Reheated Or Frozen

Brickhouse distinguishes itself through a commitment to scratch cooking that’s increasingly rare in the buffet world. The kitchen staff prepares dishes throughout the day, ensuring freshness rather than relying on pre-packaged or frozen shortcuts.

Guests consistently comment on how the food tastes homemade, with flavors that remind them of family dinners rather than institutional cafeteria fare.

The owner actively responds to feedback, even addressing complaints personally and offering to make things right when expectations aren’t met. This hands-on approach extends to menu development, with management soliciting suggestions for new dishes to rotate into the lineup.

Critics who’ve had less-than-stellar experiences often note that the quality varies depending on timing, which actually reinforces the scratch-cooking claim—mass-produced food maintains artificial consistency, while fresh preparation naturally fluctuates. The best visits happen when dishes emerge hot from the kitchen, which explains why regulars have figured out optimal arrival times.

Staff members continuously restock stations throughout service, maintaining standards that justify the restaurant’s growing reputation for quality that transcends typical buffet expectations.

The Carving Station Is One Of The Biggest Draws

Prime rib anchors the carving station and dominates customer reviews more than any other single item. Guests specifically plan visits around the weekend schedule when premium offerings like fresh salmon, roasted leg of lamb, and ice-cold jumbo shrimp join the rotation.

The carved-to-order approach adds an element of customization that elevates the buffet experience beyond self-service anonymity.

Multiple reviewers mention the chef working the carving station by name, praising both the quality of the meat and the friendliness of the service. One guest noted that the prime rib alone justified the price, describing it as juicy, tender, and perfectly seasoned.

The station operates during peak times, particularly Friday through Sunday when Brickhouse extends hours until 9 PM. Tuesday nights have developed a following among locals who know that’s when prime rib makes its weekly appearance.

The carving station represents Brickhouse’s ambition to offer restaurant-quality proteins in a buffet format, successfully bridging the gap between casual dining and special-occasion fare while maintaining the accessibility and value that keep families coming back week after week.

Guests Say The Buffet Feels More Like A Southern Home-Cooked Meal

Reviewers repeatedly invoke family dinner comparisons when describing Brickhouse, suggesting that the food captures something beyond mere sustenance. The turnip greens earn particular praise—one visitor from Arizona called them the best he’d ever tasted.

Meatloaf appears frequently in positive reviews, with locals declaring it the finest in town. Black-eyed pea stew, dressing, and properly seasoned vegetables round out a menu that feels rooted in regional tradition.

The restaurant’s approach to Southern cooking avoids the pitfalls of blandness that plague many buffets attempting similar menus. Seasoning receives consistent attention in feedback, with satisfied customers noting that dishes carry proper flavor rather than tasting like they emerged straight from industrial cans.

Some hosts even offer blessings when seating guests, adding a touch of hospitality that reinforces the homestyle atmosphere. The combination of familiar recipes, generous portions, and genuine warmth creates an environment where out-of-town visitors feel welcomed and locals find comfort.

Brickhouse succeeds by honoring Southern culinary traditions without resorting to caricature, delivering authenticity that resonates with diners seeking genuine regional flavor.

Brickhouse Manages To Stay Affordable Despite Its Size

At approximately $25 per person, Brickhouse positions itself in the moderate price range for all-you-can-eat dining. Some guests question whether the cost matches the experience, while others enthusiastically declare it a bargain considering the variety and quality offered.

The pricing includes access to every station—salad bar, hot entrees, carving station, and desserts—without upcharges or hidden fees.

Management defends the pricing by pointing to premium weekend additions like fresh salmon, prime rib, and jumbo shrimp that supplement the already extensive everyday selection. The restaurant operates without traditional table service, eliminating tipping expectations and allowing guests to pace their meals without feeling rushed by attentive servers.

Families particularly appreciate the value proposition since children and adults pay the same rate but consume vastly different quantities. The self-service model reduces labor costs, allowing Brickhouse to invest in ingredient quality rather than front-of-house staffing.

For diners traveling significant distances, the price represents a reasonable investment in an experience they can’t replicate closer to home, justifying both the expense and the journey required to reach this Bartlett Boulevard destination.

The Crowd Changes Depending On The Day You Visit

Brickhouse attracts different demographics throughout the week, with weekends drawing families and Friday nights bringing couples seeking date-night dining without formal restaurant constraints. Midweek visits tend toward retirees and locals who’ve learned to avoid peak crowds.

One reviewer mentioned being pleasantly surprised by abundant seating during an off-hour visit, while others note that finding tables can prove challenging during prime times.

The restaurant opens at 11 AM daily, closing at 8 PM most nights and extending to 9 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. These hours accommodate lunch and dinner crowds but exclude breakfast service, focusing the menu on items that work across both meals.

Guests report that food quality peaks when crowds are heaviest because turnover keeps dishes fresh and stations continuously replenished. The atmosphere remains quiet and clean regardless of occupancy, with background music playing at conversational levels rather than overwhelming the space.

Understanding the rhythm of the restaurant helps visitors time their arrivals for optimal experiences, whether they’re seeking bustling energy or peaceful dining conditions at this popular Bartlett establishment.

It’s One Of The Few Buffets Offering Both Dine-In And Carry-Out

The “Carry Out” portion of Brickhouse’s name isn’t merely decorative—the restaurant genuinely accommodates guests who want to enjoy the buffet at home. This flexibility addresses a practical concern that limits many buffet operations, allowing customers to pack plates for family members who couldn’t make the trip or to extend the meal beyond the restaurant’s walls.

The carry-out option particularly appeals to locals who want Brickhouse quality without committing to the full dine-in experience. Parents with young children appreciate being able to grab food quickly, while workers on lunch breaks can maximize limited time by taking meals back to offices.

This dual approach demonstrates Brickhouse’s willingness to adapt traditional buffet conventions to modern dining preferences. The model works because the restaurant’s pay-first system already differs from typical table-service establishments, making the transition to carry-out relatively seamless.

Guests pay upon entry, fill containers instead of plates, and head out—maintaining the convenience and variety that define the Brickhouse experience while accommodating lifestyles that don’t always allow for leisurely restaurant meals at 2861 Bartlett Blvd in Bartlett, TN 38134.

People Plan Their Visits Around Brickhouse’s Hours

Regular customers have internalized Brickhouse’s operating schedule, organizing their weeks around optimal visiting times. The restaurant maintains consistent hours—11 AM to 8 PM Sunday through Thursday, with extended 11 AM to 9 PM service on Fridays and Saturdays.

Closed one day per week, the establishment ensures staff rest while maintaining six-day availability.

Couples mention specifically choosing Brickhouse for lunch dates before afternoon work shifts, timing arrivals to coincide with fresh food replenishment. Families coordinate weekend visits when premium carving station items appear, while solo diners strategically visit during quieter weekday afternoons.

The predictability allows guests traveling from distant locations to plan accordingly, reducing the risk of arriving to find the restaurant unexpectedly closed. Phone reservations aren’t accepted—the first-come, first-served model means that timing matters more than advance planning.

Guests who’ve made the drive multiple times develop preferences for specific days and hours, building personal traditions around their Brickhouse experiences. This scheduling consciousness reflects the restaurant’s integration into customers’ routines, transcending occasional dining to become a regular destination worth organizing life around, particularly for those traveling significant distances.

Brickhouse Has Built Its Reputation Almost Entirely By Word Of Mouth

No advertising budget fueled Brickhouse’s rise to regional prominence—satisfied customers handled that responsibility themselves. The restaurant’s 4.1-star rating across nearly 3,000 Google reviews demonstrates both popularity and the inevitable variability that accompanies high volume.

The owner personally responds to feedback, addressing complaints directly and thanking guests for positive reviews, maintaining a connection that feels increasingly rare in modern dining.

Recommendations spread through family networks, workplace conversations, and social media posts from diners eager to share their discoveries. Several reviews mention hearing about Brickhouse from friends or reading that it was “the best buffet in Memphis” before making first visits.

This organic growth strategy has proven remarkably effective, building a customer base invested in the restaurant’s success rather than passive consumers responding to marketing. The approach carries risks—reputation depends entirely on consistent execution—but rewards authenticity.

Brickhouse can’t hide behind slick advertising when reality disappoints; every meal either reinforces or undermines the word-of-mouth foundation supporting the business. The strategy has sustained the restaurant for over seven years, suggesting that genuine quality creates more durable success than promotional campaigns ever could.

For Many Guests, Brickhouse Is A Comfort-Food Experience Worth The Drive

Distance becomes irrelevant when diners find something that satisfies beyond mere hunger. Brickhouse delivers emotional sustenance alongside calories, offering tastes that trigger nostalgia and provide genuine comfort.

One server named Miss Tammy earned specific praise for transforming a good meal into a memorable experience, illustrating how human connection amplifies the food itself.

Guests describe returning specifically for favorite items—the meatloaf, the chocolate cake, the fried catfish—building relationships with particular dishes that justify repeat visits. Birthday celebrations happen here, family gatherings convene around these tables, and couples establish traditions centered on Brickhouse meals.

The restaurant succeeds because it understands that people don’t drive hours for mere sustenance. They come seeking flavors that remind them of grandmother’s kitchen, hospitality that makes them feel valued, and abundance that communicates generosity.

Brickhouse delivers these intangibles alongside the tangible food, creating experiences that transcend the transactional nature of typical dining. For guests willing to make the journey to 2861 Bartlett Blvd, the reward isn’t just a full stomach—it’s the satisfaction of finding something genuinely worth the effort, a destination that justifies becoming part of their story.