Some meals are worth skipping breakfast for, and a plate piled high at M & J Home Cooking Country Buffet is one of them. Tucked on Mize Road in Toccoa, Georgia, this all-you-can-eat spot serves up fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, and peach cobbler to a steady crowd of locals and road-trippers.
With a 4.5-star rating from more than 2,000 reviews, it has clearly earned a loyal following. Here is what I learned about filling up, what shines, and what to know before you grab a plate.
A Country Buffet on Mize Road
Picture a small North Georgia town at lunchtime, and you can probably guess where half the cars are headed. M & J Home Cooking Country Buffet sits at 1021 Mize Rd in Toccoa, GA, and it keeps things simple: Southern food, served buffet style, for one fair price.
The restaurant is listed as a buffet restaurant, but folks who eat here call it something warmer. Home cooking is the phrase that pops up most in reviews, with dozens of mentions, followed closely by fried chicken and Southern food in general.
With a 4.5-star rating across 2,154 Google reviews, it is a well-loved local name. That is a big crowd of opinions for a small-town spot, and it tells you people keep coming back.
I like places that know exactly what they are. M & J is not trying to be fancy or trendy.
One reviewer put it plainly, saying it is not a high-style city place, but a stop for people who want good country food. That honesty is part of the appeal.
Roots, Regulars, and a Familiar Layout
Remember the old Ryan’s or Quincy’s steakhouse buffets? One longtime visitor compared the setup here to those classic chains, and once you walk in, the comparison makes sense.
The dining areas are spacious, and several guests describe a cozy country home vibe inside. It feels less like a restaurant and more like the back room at a big family reunion, just with more pans of food.
Toccoa sits near Unicoi State Park, and at least one family stopped here on their way to the campgrounds. Others have made longer trips on purpose.
One couple said they drive an hour to eat here as a treat every few months, and a group from South Carolina came down just for Sunday lunch.
That kind of loyalty does not happen by accident. Reviews stretch back years, from 2017 visits to recent ones, and the same themes keep showing up: friendly faces, plenty of food, and a price that does not sting.
A few folks have even started bringing visiting relatives, treating M & J like a local tradition worth sharing.
The Fried Chicken That Started the Line
Fifty-four reviews mention it, and nearly all of them say the same thing. If there is one reason to show up hungry, it is the fried chicken.
Guests describe it as moist, crispy, and some of the best they have had in years. Even visitors who were tough on other dishes went out of their way to praise the chicken.
One person who handed out just two stars still admitted the fried chicken was good.
On a busy day, it is piled high on both sides of the buffet line, which tells you how fast it disappears. A past visitor noted there was no white meat during their visit, so dark meat fans may be extra happy.
Not everyone is fully sold on the breading. One diner wished for a little more spice in the coating, though they still enjoyed it.
My take? Grab a piece early, then go back for seconds once you know your favorite cut.
Fried fish also earns steady praise, so a mixed plate is a smart first trip.
Livers, Green Tomatoes, and Other Southern Staples
Here is a fun surprise: fried green tomatoes actually get almost as much buzz as the cobbler. With 42 mentions, they are a true house favorite, stacked right beside the chicken on the line.
Chicken livers are another sleeper hit. One diner called them the best they had eaten in years, and another listed them first among their favorites.
If you have never tried them, a buffet is the low-risk place to start.
The protein lineup is wide. Visitors have spotted meatloaf, baked chicken, Salisbury steak, grilled pork chops, shepherd’s pie, pot pie, and Brunswick stew.
The menu changes day to day, and one guest mentioned a hot wing buffet on Thursdays.
Sides get mixed reactions. Collard greens, green beans, and caramelized sweet potatoes in syrup earn praise, while some people found the mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, or lima beans weak or too salty.
Load up on the fried favorites and pick sides carefully.
Peach Cobbler and a Sweet Finish
Save room. Seriously.
The dessert bar is where plenty of guests end their meal, and peach cobbler is the star, with 40 mentions in reviews.
The cobbler here leans soft and cakey. Some visitors loved it, while others described it as spongy or more like a gooey bread pudding.
If you like a thick, tender topping, you are in luck. If you prefer big chunks of fruit, keep your expectations relaxed.
Other cobblers rotate through, with guests spotting pineapple and strawberry alongside the peach. Banana pudding and pecan pie show up too.
The best trick? Head to the soft-serve vanilla machine and put a swirl right on top of your warm cobbler.
It is the kind of simple pleasure that makes a buffet feel like Sunday at grandma’s.
And do not skip the sweet tea. One happy diner joked it was so good it gave them diabetes, which is about the highest Southern compliment there is.
Salad Bar Basics for Lighter Plates
Not every trip has to be all fried, all the time. The salad bar gets 42 mentions, which shows a lot of people build a fresh plate before tackling the hot line.
Visitors list lettuce, boiled eggs, toppings, and dressings, plus premade salads like macaroni, pasta, potato, coleslaw, and a cucumber, tomato, and onion mix. One guest also spotted feta cheese on a past visit.
The layout is a little quirky. Lettuce sits at one end and dressings at the other, with the premade salads in between, so plan your path.
Vegetarians have options too. A reviewer noted the vegetables are cooked without meat flavorings, which is rare at a Southern buffet.
A diabetic guest also said baked chicken and grilled pork chops let them fill up without fried breading. Two soups round things out on some days.
Friendly Faces and Family-Style Comfort
Ask almost anyone about the staff, and you will hear a smile in their answer. Even unhappy reviewers say the servers are friendly and sweet.
Waitresses refill drinks and clear plates, and guests often call the service spot on. One visitor noted that kindness like that stands out these days.
A take-out customer did mention a distracted cashier, so it is not perfect every time.
The crowd is broad. Families with kids, couples, travelers, and longtime locals all share the room.
Several reviewers said they plan to bring children or out-of-town relatives next time.
Know that this is casual dining. You eat off paper plates, and it gets busy, even mid-afternoon.
Most guests describe the place as clean, with clean bathrooms, though one felt it seemed a little dirty. If you want quiet elegance, look elsewhere.
If you want a relaxed, belly-full afternoon with people who seem glad you came, you will fit right in.
Hours, Prices, and My Honest Take
Plan your visit well, because Mondays are off the table. M & J is closed Monday and open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Tuesday through Saturday, with shorter Sunday hours from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Prices fall in the $10 to $20 range per person. One family of three said they spent just over $40 after tip, which they found refreshing compared to other restaurants.
There is plenty of parking, so getting in is easy. You can call ahead at 706-282-0022 or check mjhomecookingcountrybuffet.shop.
Arriving right at 11 a.m. is a smart move. One early guest said the food was fresh and the place spotless at opening.
So, is it worth the trip? If you crave fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, chicken livers, and a warm scoop of cobbler without spending much, I think yes.
Some sides miss the mark, but the friendly service, generous selection, and fair price make it easy to leave full and happy.
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