Picture a plate piled high with snow crab legs, and then picture going back for more as many times as you like. That is the big draw at Flaming Grill Supreme Buffet in Columbia, where crab, sushi, hibachi, and Chinese favorites all share one roomy dining hall.
Some guests call it their new regular spot, while others leave with mixed feelings. Here is an honest look at what makes people keep coming back and what to know before you grab a plate.
A Big Buffet Tucked Off Afton Court
Right off Afton Court in northwest Columbia, near an AMC movie theater according to one visitor, sits a buffet that takes the idea of variety seriously. Flaming Grill Supreme Buffet is listed as a roomy all-you-can-eat hub serving Japanese, Chinese, and American food under one roof.
The full address is 115 Afton Ct, Columbia, SC 29212. On Google, the spot holds a 3.7-star rating from more than 3,770 reviews, which tells you two things at once: lots of people eat here, and they do not all agree on it.
What pulls in the crowds is a lineup that few local buffets try to match. There are live sushi and hibachi chefs, a long Chinese buffet, and a seafood spread that features snow crab legs, oysters, and crawfish.
Some guests pair a meal here with a movie next door, which makes it an easy dinner-and-a-show kind of night. Others drive in just for the crab.
Either way, it is a place that tries hard to give everyone something to pile on a plate.
An Interior With a Borrowed Past
Walk in for the first time and you might do a double take. One reviewer pointed out that the building seems to have once had a Mediterranean theme, and the new owners kept some of that look while adding their own buffet style.
Opinions on the result are split in a fun way. One guest found the mix a bit distracting, while another praised the interior as beautiful and very well designed, saying it creates a pleasant feel for a meal.
Size is not a problem. The dining room is described as roomy, with enough space that one family noticed an entire side of the restaurant sitting empty during their visit.
That openness makes it easy to move between stations without bumping elbows.
Little touches stand out to some diners too. A regular gave a shout-out to the indie music playlist, which is not something you expect at a buffet.
Another visitor said the place was a great setting to laugh and catch up with friends and family over plate after plate.
So the decor may not be what you picture for a sushi and hibachi spot, but plenty of people find it comfortable.
Snow Crab Legs on Repeat
Ask a fan why they return, and the answer usually comes back to two words: snow crab. One happy guest said the legs had plenty of meat and were constantly refilled, which is exactly what you want when you are cracking your way through a third plate.
Another diner described the white crab legs as sweet and tender, calling the buffet a seafood lover’s dream. A first-timer laughed that her husband kept heading back for snow crab and crawdads long after she was full.
Here is a helpful detail: the restaurant puts out crab utensils, so you are not stuck wrestling shells with a fork. One visitor was clearly thrilled about that.
Timing matters, though. A guest who came around 3 PM learned that chilled crab legs are a dinner-only item, and eating them during lunch led to a dinner charge.
If crab is your mission, plan for the dinner buffet and skip the confusion.
Even some critics admit the seafood might be the reason to come. One unhappy reviewer still said the place may be worth it if you only eat crab legs and crawfish.
Oysters, Octopus, and Other Ocean Treats
Crab gets the headlines, but the supporting cast deserves a little love. Several visitors raved about the oysters, describing them as large, clean, and fresh, especially with a squeeze of lemon.
Then there is the octopus. One guest said it was so tender and flavorful that they had not tasted octopus that good in a long time, which is high praise for any buffet.
Crawfish and crawdads show up on plates too, along with shrimp that kids seem to enjoy. If you like to try something unusual, one family mentioned a sauteed piranha dish that their children found fascinating, even if the rest of the meal did not win them over.
Frog legs also pop up among the popular topics people mention online. That adds to the sense that this seafood bar goes beyond the basics you find at a typical strip-mall buffet.
A smart move is to scan the seafood section first and grab what looks freshest. Visitors who do that tend to walk away happiest, and a few say the seafood alone made the trip worth it.
The Sushi Counter Everyone Talks About
With 229 mentions online, sushi is the single most talked-about topic tied to this buffet. That says a lot about how many guests make the sushi counter their first or last stop.
Many reviews are glowing. One visitor called the sushi very delicious, and another said it was one of the freshest-looking things on the buffet during their trip, which is why they focused on it.
Having sushi chefs on site helps keep rolls moving out. A guest who loved the variety pointed to fresh sushi as part of what made the meal feel like a real feast rather than a quick bite.
Not every report is perfect, though. One diner felt some sushi seemed stale on their visit, so it pays to look closely and choose trays that were just set out.
For sushi lovers, the appeal is simple. You can try a little of everything without ordering roll by roll and watching the bill climb.
Pair a few pieces with crab and hibachi, and you have a combo that is hard to find at one table anywhere else in town.
Hibachi, Mongolian Grill, and a Bowl of Pho
Nothing beats the sizzle of food cooked right in front of you. At the hibachi station, guests choose ingredients and watch a chef work the grill, and it ranks as the second most mentioned feature online.
One first-time diner said her hibachi steak and shrimp with veggies was fire, and she plans to make the place her regular buffet. Another fan liked that bay scallops are an option at the Mongolian grill.
The rice also has its own fan club. A regular singled out the brown hibachi fried rice as the best one, and the owner replied that it is a guest favorite.
There is even a pho section, according to one visitor, which is a nice surprise for anyone craving a warm noodle soup between seafood rounds.
To be fair, one unhappy guest found the hibachi meats tough to chew on their visit. Cooking to order usually gives you the best shot at a hot, fresh plate, so it is worth waiting your turn at the grill.
Chinese Classics and Comfort Food Favorites
Sometimes you just want a plate of sesame chicken and lo mein. The Chinese buffet covers those cravings, and diners mention General Tso’s and sesame chicken as standouts.
Lo mein and egg rolls earn decent marks from several guests, and one visitor really enjoyed the Chinese dumplings. Chicken wings are another popular pick, with one family saying wings and fried rice were what they leaned on most.
Beyond Asian dishes, the American side brings surprises. One guest loved the mac and cheese and a sweet-and-spicy side of beans, though they felt the ribs tasted a bit salty.
Here is where honesty matters. The hot food gets the most mixed feedback, with some guests finding dishes dry, cold, or sitting out too long, especially at slower times.
Others said trays were stocked and hot every time they went back.
Desserts round things out. Kids seem to like the sweets and fruit, and one diner was very excited to find ice cream.
A salad bar is there too, but bring your patience if you dislike ranch, since one guest said it was the only dressing available.
Who Leaves Happy and Who Might Not
Picture two very different diners. One is a seafood fan with a big appetite who loves crab, oysters, and sushi.
The other mostly wants fried chicken and egg rolls. The first person is far more likely to walk out smiling.
Reviews line up with that idea. Guests who come for seafood often give five stars, while those who rely on the hot Chinese dishes report more ups and downs.
The experience can also depend on the day. Positive reviews mention clean, well-organized stations, friendly staff, and quick help.
Some unhappy visitors described dried-out food, slow drink refills, and restrooms that needed attention, though clean bathrooms also show up as a frequent positive topic online.
Groups and families seem to enjoy the relaxed setup, and one guest noted visible gloves and hand sanitizer at the food stations.
A quiet weeknight might be your friend. A couple who visited on a Tuesday evening found it calm, with great food and a pleasant vibe.
One diner’s simple advice fits everyone: pace yourself so you can try a bit of everything.
Hours, Prices, and Planning Your Visit
Good news for late eaters: the doors stay open well into the evening. Hours run 11 AM to 10 PM Sunday through Thursday, and 11 AM to 10:30 PM on Friday and Saturday.
Prices have shifted over time, so treat any number as a rough guide. One older review mentioned $14.99 with snow crab, a more recent guest paid about $20 per person for weekday dinner, and others reported $22 to $23.99 per person.
Drinks are extra. Reviewers mention a soft drink running around $2.75, and tax adds to the total, so one family figured about $30 per person all in.
A couple of guests said weekend pricing is higher and wished they had known sooner, so it is smart to ask before you sit down.
Also remember that crab legs are served at dinner, and lunch diners who grab them may be charged the dinner rate.
Questions are easy to sort out ahead of time. Call +1 803-781-2226 or check flaminggrillsupreme.com for current details before you go.
A Crab Lover’s Gamble Worth Considering
So, should you go? If endless snow crab sounds like a dream, the answer leans toward yes.
Few buffets in Columbia put crab, oysters, sushi, hibachi, and pho in the same room, and plenty of guests say the seafood keeps them coming back.
Fans praise the freshness of the crab, the friendly staff, and how much choice you get for one price. Some even call it the best buffet they have tried around town.
Still, the 3.7-star rating reflects real swings. Some diners have found dry or lukewarm hot dishes and felt surprised by the final bill, especially on weekends.
A little planning tips the odds in your favor. Go at dinner for the crab, confirm the price up front, start at the seafood and sushi counters, and cook-to-order at the hibachi grill.
Do that, and you may understand why so many South Carolina seafood lovers keep returning for one more plate of those constantly refilled crab legs.
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