Sunday lunch after church is still a big deal in Missouri, and the buffet line is where a lot of families end up. You grab a tray, pick your fried chicken, and argue over who gets the last slice of pie.
The six spots on this list stay busy on Sundays because they serve home-style food in big, friendly portions. Save this list for your next after-service lunch, or send it to the person in your pew who always asks where to eat.
1. Dons Family Style Buffet – Huntsville, MO, Huntsville, MO
Sunday hours here run just 11 AM to 2 PM, which tells you exactly who the kitchen is cooking for. If the sermon runs long, plan your exit carefully.
Dons Family Style Buffet keeps the focus on home-style fried chicken and the classic sides that go with it. The mashed potatoes and gravy are a big part of the draw, with gravy that tastes made from scratch.
Corn, other vegetables, soup, and a salad bar round out the line.
Then there is the dessert bar. Pies, cakes, and soft-serve ice cream share space with strawberries served over angel food cake, so saving room is a smart move.
Prices fall in the $10 to $20 range per person. The restaurant does not take reservations, but free parking is usually easy to find off State Hwy JJ.
High chairs and a kids’ menu make it simple for families to bring the whole crew.
Plan around the schedule, too. Dons is closed Mondays and open 11 AM to 8 PM Tuesday through Saturday.
2. Murray’s Buffet & Grill, Chillicothe, MO
Chicken prepared several different ways is only the opening act at Murray’s. The spread in Chillicothe can include steak, ham, meatloaf, fish, shrimp, and frog legs on the same visit.
That variety is a big reason Sunday is the busiest day on Washington Street. The doors open at 8 AM on Sundays and stay open until 4 PM, so early churchgoers and late service crowds both get a shot at the line.
Vegetables come in a long lineup, and the salad bar is large and well kept. Along with American comfort food, the buffet also works in some Asian and Mexican dishes for anyone who wants a change of pace.
Save room, because the dessert selection is big. The dining room is clean and casual, with friendly staff and baby changing stations for young families.
Expect to spend about $10 to $20 per person. Weekday hours run 11 AM to 8 PM, with Friday and Saturday stretching to 9 PM.
3. Sandy’s Place Restaurant, Scott City, MO
Not many church lunches end at an airport diner. In Scott City, that is exactly where plenty of Sunday plates get filled.
Sandy’s Place sits on Nash Road and serves homestyle comfort food, and it is known for all-you-can-eat catfish. On Sundays, the all-you-can-eat chicken buffet takes center stage from 10:30 AM to 3 PM, and the afternoon is the restaurant’s busiest stretch of the week.
The buffet keeps a down-home lineup. Fried chicken, fried fish like whiting, meatloaf, pot pie, fried mushrooms, and tomato macaroni have all shown up on the counter, served hot and fresh.
The room is casual and quiet, and service moves fast. Unlike some buffets, Sandy’s accepts reservations, which can help a big group after service.
Hours here are a little unusual, so check before you go. The restaurant is closed Monday and Tuesday and opens for breakfast at 8 AM on Wednesday and Thursday.
4. Grand Country Buffet, Branson, MO
Branson visitors often pair a show with a meal, and Grand Country Buffet makes that pairing easy. It sits at the Grand Country Inn on 76 Country Blvd and serves three all-you-can-eat meals every day.
The buffet uses a circle layout, so you can loop around and see your options before committing. Country cooking leads the way, with meatloaf, roast beef, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, catfish, okra, mac and cheese, and both rolls and biscuits.
There is more on the other side of the circle. A baked potato bar, two soups, fried and baked chicken, fried shrimp, pizza, fruit, and desserts give picky eaters plenty of choices.
Breakfast starts at 7 AM daily and includes made-to-order omelets. Sunday morning through Sunday afternoon is the busiest window, and the doors close at 7 PM on Sundays.
A tip for vacation planners: discounts have been offered on meals with show tickets. Reservations are not accepted.
5. Starvin’ Marvin’s, Branson, MO
A wooden alligator keeps watch over the booths at Starvin’ Marvin’s, which is your first clue that this buffet leans a little Cajun.
The locally owned restaurant serves three buffets a day plus a full menu. Seafood is a big part of the mix, with fish and coconut shrimp alongside Cajun soups, coleslaw, and potato salad.
Comfort food still has plenty of room on the line. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and cobbler give the Sunday crowd the classics, and the salad bar covers lighter appetites.
Morning visitors get a breakfast buffet with fresh fruit, cereal, grits, bacon, ham, smoked sausage, and sausage patties. Doors open at 7:30 AM and stay open until 9 PM on Sundays, so early and late services both fit.
Reservations are accepted, a nice perk for larger church groups. High chairs and a kids’ menu are available, and parking is usually easy on West 76 Country Blvd.
6. Golden Corral Buffet & Grill, Columbia, MO
Sometimes the easiest answer for a big Sunday group is the one everybody already knows. The Golden Corral on Clark Lane in Columbia fills that role well.
Weekend doors open at 8 AM on Saturday and Sunday, and the Sunday afternoon rush is the busiest time of the week. Weekdays start later, at 11 AM, with service running until 9 PM every day.
The appeal is range. Fresh fruit, vegetables, meats, a salad bar, and a dessert bar with a chocolate fountain give every age group something to pick from.
Dietary needs are easier to handle here than at many buffets. The location offers full vegetarian and vegan options, plus kids’ menus and high chairs.
With a college town crowd mixed in, it can get lively. Reservations are not taken, but a private dining room and catering are available for church groups planning ahead.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.