Lillie Mae’s Southern Buffet in Southfield, Michigan is turning heads and satisfying stomachs with a spread that goes way beyond your average buffet. Located at 29221 Northwestern Hwy, this soul food destination has built a loyal following thanks to its bold flavors, generous portions, and a dessert lineup that keeps people talking long after they leave.
Whether you’re a first-timer or a regular, there’s always something new to discover on the menu. From smothered turkey legs to sweet potato sides and creamy desserts, Lillie Mae’s delivers a full Southern experience that’s hard to beat in Metro Detroit.
The Smothered Turkey Leg That Earns Its Own Fan Club
Ask almost any regular at Lillie Mae’s what they order first, and the answer comes fast: the smothered turkey leg. This thing is not a small portion.
Reviewers have noted that a single turkey leg easily stretches into two full meals, which makes it one of the best values on the menu.
The meat falls right off the bone, soaked in a savory gravy that tastes like it was slow-cooked with serious intention. One visitor from Chicago called it the best soul food experience they had ever had, anywhere.
That is a bold claim, but after one bite, it starts to make sense.
If you go during peak hours, expect a wait. Visiting on a Thursday around 1 PM, as one reviewer suggested, gets you the same amazing food with a much shorter line.
This dish alone is worth planning your schedule around.
Mac and Cheese Done the Soul Food Way
Some mac and cheese just fills you up. The version at Lillie Mae’s actually makes you stop mid-bite and appreciate what’s happening.
Multiple reviewers called it creamy, hot, and full of the kind of depth that only comes from a recipe with real soul behind it.
The key is that it arrives at your table warm, not lukewarm. That detail matters more than people realize, especially at a buffet where food can sometimes sit too long.
Here, the kitchen works to keep things fresh and properly heated.
One reviewer described it as having “just the right amount of soul,” which is honestly the most accurate food compliment possible. Paired with collard greens or a turkey leg, this side dish becomes part of something much bigger.
First-timers often go back for seconds before they even finish their first plate.
Oxtails That Prove Patience Pays Off
Oxtails have a reputation for being tricky to cook well. When they are done right, the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender with a deep, rich flavor that feels like a reward.
At Lillie Mae’s, the oxtails consistently hit that mark, arriving hot and full of seasoning.
One first-time visitor raved about how flavorful and tender the oxtails were, specifically noting that they came out hot rather than lukewarm or cold. That freshness makes a huge difference in how the dish tastes and how satisfying the experience feels overall.
Oxtails are a slow-cook specialty, meaning the kitchen puts real time and care into getting them right. For anyone exploring soul food seriously, this dish is a must-try benchmark.
Pair it with grits, as one reviewer enthusiastically recommended, and you have a combination that is genuinely hard to stop eating once you start.
Collard Greens Working Overtime in the Flavor Department
Collard greens might seem like a simple side dish, but at Lillie Mae’s they are anything but ordinary. One reviewer put it perfectly by saying the greens were “working overtime in the flavor department,” and that description sticks because it is exactly right.
Good collard greens require time, seasoning, and the kind of culinary instinct that cannot be faked. The version served here has that slow-cooked richness that reminds you of a Sunday dinner at a relative’s house where everyone left the table happy and full.
For vegetarians, there is an added bonus. Multiple reviewers confirmed that the sides at Lillie Mae’s are meatless, making the greens a guilt-free, plant-friendly option that still delivers big on taste.
Whether you pile them next to fried chicken or eat them on their own, these greens are a reminder that side dishes deserve serious respect.
Smothered Pork Chops With Ancestor-Approved Gravy
There is a review at Lillie Mae’s that says the gravy on the smothered pork chops was “made by hands the ancestors guided.” That might be the most enthusiastic food compliment written about any gravy anywhere, and honestly, it tracks with what people keep saying about this dish.
The pork chops come out tender, well-seasoned, and coated in a thick, homemade-style gravy that soaks into everything on your plate in the best possible way. This is comfort food operating at its highest level, the kind of meal that makes you want to sit back and just appreciate the moment.
Visiting during off-peak hours means you are more likely to get your chops fresh off the line rather than after sitting. Go on a weekday afternoon when the kitchen is in full swing and the wait is manageable.
You will not regret it.
Red Beans and Rice That Hits Every Note Right
Red beans and rice is one of those dishes that sounds simple but reveals a lot about a kitchen’s skill level. At Lillie Mae’s, this classic Southern staple is seasoned with confidence, delivering a deep, savory flavor that keeps you coming back for more throughout the meal.
A first-time visitor described the red beans and rice as “delicious and very flavorful,” which aligns with what makes this dish stand out at a buffet where everything is competing for your attention. It holds its own easily against the heavier protein dishes on the menu.
This side works especially well as a companion to the turkey leg or oxtails, soaking up the extra gravy and rounding out the plate. For anyone who grew up eating this dish regularly, Lillie Mae’s version will feel like a genuine homecoming.
For newcomers, it is a delicious introduction to Southern cooking done properly.
Fried Chicken Seasoned Through a Five-Step Flavor Process
Fried chicken is everywhere, but not all fried chicken earns the kind of praise that Lillie Mae’s version does. One reviewer described it as going through a “five-step flavor approval process,” which is a creative way of saying it is seriously well-seasoned from the inside out.
The crust is crispy without being overdone, and the meat inside stays juicy, which is the hardest balance to strike in fried chicken. Getting both right at a buffet scale is genuinely impressive, since high volume cooking often sacrifices quality for speed.
Regulars recommend pairing the chicken with mac and cheese and collard greens for the full soul food plate experience. If you are visiting for the first time and do not know where to start, the fried chicken is a safe, satisfying entry point that will immediately tell you whether this place is your kind of spot.
Spoiler: it probably is.
Sweet Potato Sides That Deserve More Credit
Sweet potatoes at a soul food buffet are often overlooked in favor of the big protein dishes, but at Lillie Mae’s they have earned their own loyal following. Multiple reviewers specifically called out the sweet potatoes as a highlight, with one noting they were “really good” in a review that was otherwise mixed about other menu items.
That kind of specific praise from a critical reviewer means something. When someone who is not fully sold on a restaurant still singles out one dish as genuinely excellent, that dish deserves attention.
The sweet potatoes at Lillie Mae’s are prepared with care, hitting that perfect balance of natural sweetness and seasoned depth.
For vegetarians or anyone looking for a lighter option alongside heavier dishes, the sweet potato side is a smart choice. It rounds out a plate beautifully and adds a touch of sweetness that balances all the savory, gravy-heavy flavors happening elsewhere on the tray.
The Banana Pudding and Dessert Lineup Worth Talking About
Here is where things get interesting. The dessert selection at Lillie Mae’s is genuinely one of the most discussed aspects of the menu, and not always for simple reasons.
One reviewer ordered banana pudding and found it tasted more like cheesecake, which caused some confusion at the table.
That mix-up aside, the dessert options here are substantial enough to warrant their own conversation. When the banana pudding is on point, reviewers describe it as rich and satisfying, the kind of ending to a meal that makes everything feel complete.
Cheesecake, as it turns out, is also on the dessert menu and has its own fans.
The takeaway is simple: ask your server exactly what desserts are available and what they taste like before ordering. The staff who know the menu well, like Lauren who was praised in one review, can steer you toward the right sweet finish for your meal.
Sweet and Sour Salmon Bites Worth Trying at Least Once
Not every item at Lillie Mae’s fits neatly into the traditional soul food category, and the sweet and sour salmon bites are a perfect example of the menu stretching its wings. A recent reviewer tried them for the first time and came away genuinely impressed, calling them “so good” in a short but enthusiastic write-up.
Salmon bites with a sweet and sour glaze bring a completely different flavor profile to the table compared to the heavy, gravy-forward dishes that dominate the rest of the menu. They are lighter, tangier, and offer a nice contrast if you want to mix things up during your visit.
For adventurous eaters who want to go beyond the buffet classics, this dish is a smart order. It shows that the kitchen is not locked into one style and is willing to bring some creativity to the plate.
Try them alongside a more traditional side for a balanced, interesting meal.
Happy Hour Menu and the Bar Area Vibe
Lillie Mae’s is not just a buffet. There is a bar area on site, and the happy hour menu has developed its own following separate from the main buffet spread.
One reviewer noted that the happy hour food honestly looked better than the full menu, which is a pretty bold observation worth paying attention to.
The bar area is small, fitting only about six seats, so it creates an intimate vibe rather than a loud, crowded bar scene. Happy hour drinks were described as good, and the food options during that window are described as delicious and worth timing your visit around.
For adults looking for a more relaxed experience, arriving during happy hour on a weekday offers the best of both worlds: great food at potentially better prices with a calmer atmosphere. It is a side of Lillie Mae’s that first-time visitors often miss entirely because they focus only on the main buffet line.
Staff and Service: The People Who Make the Experience
Food is only part of what makes a restaurant memorable. At Lillie Mae’s, the service has been a major talking point in reviews, both positive and critical.
Servers like Lauren, Lisa, and Krystal have been called out by name in glowing reviews, praised for knowing the menu inside out and making first-timers feel at ease.
The owner has also been mentioned in reviews, described as being present on the floor, in the kitchen, and actively making sure guests enjoy their experience. That kind of hands-on ownership is rare and genuinely impacts the atmosphere in a positive way.
On the flip side, some reviewers have noted inconsistent service, particularly during busy periods like Sunday afternoons when the restaurant fills up fast. The best strategy is visiting during off-peak hours on a Tuesday or Thursday, when the staff has more bandwidth to give each table the attention it deserves.
Practical Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Visit
Timing is everything at Lillie Mae’s. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 10 PM and is closed on Mondays.
Peak hours, especially Sunday afternoons, can mean waits of 45 minutes to over an hour just to place your order. Going on a Thursday around 1 PM has been specifically recommended by reviewers as the sweet spot for shorter lines and fresh food.
The ordering process is worth understanding before you arrive. You are seated first, then you get in a buffet-style line where a staff member takes your full order.
Knowing what you want ahead of time speeds things up for everyone, including the people behind you.
Portions are generous, so come hungry but also come prepared to take leftovers home. Reviewers consistently mentioned leaving with full containers, especially after ordering the turkey leg trio or any of the larger protein dishes.
Good to-go containers are provided, making it easy to enjoy your meal twice.