This Memphis Buffet Was Named Tennessee’s Best All-You-Can-Eat Restaurant
Hot water cornbread and General Tso’s chicken share the same buffet line here. Neck bones sit a few steps from lo mein.
That combo sounds wild until you realize it works.
This spot blends Southern soul food with classic Chinese dishes under one roof. Fried catfish, pepper steak, mac and cheese, and egg rolls all show up in the same lineup.
Your plate may need a diplomat.
The rooms add their own charm with greenery and aquariums. Private dining spaces can even handle big family crowds.
I can’t help but appreciate a place that plans for the whole reunion.
LoveFood named it the best all-you-can-eat restaurant in Tennessee in late 2024. That’s a big title in a state that takes comfort food seriously.
I’d probably start with the catfish and circle back for peach cobbler. So what makes this buffet the one worth the trip?
Two Cuisines Share One Very Happy Buffet Line
Soul food and Chinese classics rarely get along this well. At Chow Time Buffet & Grill, they share the steam tables like old friends.
The restaurant has served Memphis since 2009 with this unusual mix. One trip down the line can land fried catfish next to beef broccoli on your plate.
That pairing is the whole personality of the place. It feels Southern, playful, and a little bit daring all at once.
Most buffets pick a lane and stay in it. This one happily drives in both lanes and somehow avoids any traffic jams.
The idea makes sense in a city that loves big flavor. Memphis food culture leans hearty, and this lineup speaks that language fluently.
You can build a plate that feels like Sunday dinner. You can also go full takeout-night with fried rice and sesame chicken.
Or you can do what any reasonable person would do. Grab a little of everything and call it research.
A smart move is to take a slow first lap before filling up. With this much variety, planning ahead saves you from instant regret.
The Award That Put Statewide Eyes On Hacks Cross Road
Bragging rights arrived in November 2024. LoveFood named Chow Time Buffet & Grill the best all-you-can-eat restaurant in Tennessee.
LoveFood built its list using reviews, awards, accolades, and first-hand experience. That mix gives the honor a little extra weight.
Tennessee has no shortage of comfort food competition. Winning a statewide buffet title here is like winning a pie contest at grandma’s church.
The honor shines a light on something Memphis already knew well. A buffet with soul food and Chinese dishes can stand out in a crowded field.
You’ll find the restaurant at 4207 Hacks Cross Rd, Memphis, TN 38125. It sits in southeast Memphis, close to the Mississippi line.
Customer parking is available, which matters more than people admit. Nobody wants a parking hunt standing between them and cornbread.
The award also makes it a handy pick for visitors. If you’re passing through the area, this is an easy stop with a real story behind it.
Just know that a state title tends to draw curious eaters. Plan your timing with that in mind and give yourself a relaxed visit.
Southern Comfort Gets Its Own Spotlight Here
Fried catfish. Crispy fried chicken.
Hot water cornbread. Those three alone could justify the drive.
The Southern side of the buffet runs deep. Baked buttery herb chicken, honey grilled chicken, and grilled pork chops often join the party.
Barbecued spareribs make an appearance too. In Memphis, that feels less like a menu choice and more like a civic duty.
Sides carry real weight here. Macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes, greens, okra, garlic potatoes, and buttered sweet corn round things out.
Traditional favorites like neck bones and pig feet also show up. Those dishes signal a kitchen that respects classic soul food tables.
Dressing and spaghetti often land on the lineup as well. It reads like a family holiday spread that forgot to wait for the holiday.
I’d probably build my first plate entirely from this section. Catfish, greens, mac and cheese, and cornbread sounds like a solid opening act.
Leave a little room, though. The Chinese side and the dessert bar still want their turn, and they won’t wait patiently.
Your Fried Rice Cravings Are Covered Too
General Tso’s chicken has a strong fan club for good reason. At Chow Time Buffet & Grill, it shares space with sesame chicken and pepper steak.
Beef broccoli brings a savory option for steadier appetites. Lo mein offers that slurpy noodle comfort everybody secretly wants.
Fried rice comes in several styles. Chicken, beef, shrimp, and vegetable versions give you plenty of room to choose.
Egg rolls are part of the lineup as well. They make a great crunchy side next to just about anything.
Hot wings and Chinese fried shrimp often appear too. Those two feel like a bridge between both sides of the buffet.
Here’s a fun trick for your second plate. Pair the lo mein with a piece of fried chicken and see how well they get along.
The mix might sound odd on paper. Once it lands on your plate, it starts to feel strangely obvious.
Keep portions small at first so you can sample more. A spoonful of five dishes beats a mountain of one, especially at a buffet this wide.
Save Room For Peach Cobbler, Seriously
Dessert gets serious attention at this buffet. Peach cobbler, bread pudding, and rice pudding often headline the sweet section.
Mini layer cakes add a little color to the lineup. Ice cream typically rounds out the bar for anyone wanting something cold.
Cobbler and bread pudding feel right at home in Memphis. They taste like the kind of dessert someone’s aunt guards at a family cookout.
Rice pudding is a quieter choice. It’s creamy comfort for anyone who wants sweetness without going overboard.
A fresh garden salad also lives near the dessert area. That’s convenient if you want to pretend you’re balancing things out.
I would definitely make time for the peach cobbler. A warm scoop next to ice cream sounds like a perfect ending.
The best strategy is simple. Decide on dessert before your third plate, not after.
Buffets have a sneaky way of filling you up fast. Plan for the finish line, and your sweet tooth will thank you later.
Fish Tanks And Greenery Set A Surprisingly Calm Mood
Aquariums and leafy greenery fill the dining rooms here. That’s not the backdrop most people expect while chasing fried chicken.
The setting gives Chow Time Buffet & Grill a relaxed, almost garden-like feel. It softens the buzz of a busy buffet nicely.
Fish tanks are great for kids who get antsy. They’re also great for grownups who need a breather between plates.
The decor mixes these natural touches with a modern look. It creates a space that feels roomy instead of cramped.
Big rooms matter at a place this popular. Groups can spread out a bit and actually hear each other talk.
Think of the aquariums as free entertainment with your meal. Nobody ever complained about watching fish while digesting cornbread.
Ask for a table near the greenery if one’s open. It makes the meal feel a little more like an outing.
Little details like these shape a visit. Good food brings you in, but a pleasant room makes you want to linger over dessert.
Big Family Celebrations Fit Right In
Fifty guests? No problem. One hundred fifty? Still covered.
Chow Time Buffet & Grill offers private dining areas built for crowds. One room handles over 50 people, while another fits over 150.
That makes it a smart choice for reunions, birthdays, and church gatherings. Feeding a big group gets easier when everyone picks their own plate.
Picky eaters become a non-issue here. Grandpa can grab neck bones while the kids load up on fried rice.
Catering services are also available for different occasions. That helps when the party happens somewhere else entirely.
Planning tip number one is to reach out early. Large rooms tend to book up fast for holidays and graduation season.
Tip number two involves a headcount. Knowing your numbers helps the staff set things up smoothly before guests arrive.
A buffet takes a lot of stress out of hosting. Nobody argues over the menu, and everyone leaves full and happy.
Timing Your Visit Like A Buffet Pro
Eleven in the morning is when the doors open every day. That’s a nice detail for anyone who considers lunch a competitive sport.
Sunday through Thursday, Chow Time Buffet & Grill runs until 9 PM. Friday and Saturday stretch an extra hour until 10 PM.
Those weekend hours work well for a later dinner. They’re handy after a movie, a game, or a long week.
Arriving near opening gives you a fresh start on the buffet. It’s also a calmer time to scope out every station.
Weekend lunches can feel lively at a place with this kind of following. A little patience goes a long way during busy stretches.
Dressing comfortably is a quiet power move. Stretchy waistbands have never let anyone down at a buffet.
Bring a plan, but stay flexible. The lineup can shift, so something new may catch your eye.
Most of all, pace yourself. The best buffet visits feel like a slow stroll, not a sprint to the finish.
Why This Fusion Feast Feels So Very Memphis
Mixing traditions is a Memphis specialty. The city blended blues, gospel, and country into music history, so a fusion buffet feels fitting.
Chow Time Buffet & Grill brings that same spirit to the dinner table. Soul food and Chinese favorites sit side by side without any fuss.
It’s the kind of place that welcomes everybody. Big families, hungry travelers, and couples on a casual date all fit right in.
The Tennessee award gave it fresh attention in 2024. Still, the restaurant had been feeding Memphis for fifteen years before that honor.
That staying power says something. Buffets come and go, but this one keeps its steam tables full.
So what’s the takeaway? Come for the catfish, stay for the cobbler, and make room for egg rolls somewhere in between.
Bring friends who can’t agree on dinner. This buffet settles that debate in about five seconds.
Tennessee has plenty of great comfort food stops. Few of them let you have hot water cornbread and General Tso’s chicken in one happy bite.