For the last couple months, my wife and I have been seeing commercials for the Golden Corral chain of restaurants. Being the curious and food loving kind of guy that I am, I had to do some investigation. I had heard the name before, but didn't know much other than it was a buffet. Secretly hoping it was coming to my town or close enough, I did a location search. None in Minnesota. There were a couple in Wisconsin and a couple in North Dakota, but that seemed a little ridiculous for us.
Fast forward to about 3 weeks ago. Our school-age kids usually spend a week up north at my in-laws the week after school lets out, so my wife decided we should do something or go somewhere. Another commercial pops up and we have a target, now to decide which one?
We're been to Wisonsin plenty, so North Dakota become the location. Fargo is closer, and a simple but long drive for a Friday evening. We book a deal on Hotwire for 2 nights at a 3 star hotel, got a smoking deal too. After about 3 hours, we get to out 1.9 star hotel and check in. I have a couple beers, we relax in our room and plan the next day. Fargo has a zoo, a Pioneer Village, an air museum, a mall, etc. Using the handy cell phone map, we also chart a course to include Golden Corral for either lunch or dinner. When I pull the address up on their website, I read the words "COMING SOON". Mind you, we're already in Fargo and this was the main reason we picked the darn town. OK, click the phone number and what do I hear but a recording that the phone number has been disconnected.
As a chubby guy who likes his mass quantities of food and isn't too concerned about the sommelier's recommendation or even if there is a menu, I felt let down. It didn't say so when I first looked, and who would figure a chain like that would close? Game over, at least there's a Hardee's across the street.
We get up in the morning, grab a quick bite at the (inland) continental brekfast, and head out. We get to the Pioneer Village and I was impressed. It's in the fairgrounds area, and was set up like a real old town, but all the buildings were relocated from across North Dakota. They had a bunch of old houses and stuff, but they had a cool and very large general store. It was really cool to see what was sold back then and all the little machines they had. There also was a railroad building with an engine, a plow, and some other sections. THey had an air museum building with several WWI and earlier planes. The coolest building was the antique car building which was mainly Fords. Aside from a coupld '50s cars, most were Model __ cars, and I noticed one name was common among them as a donator. I forget the name now, but I assume he was just another farmer who would park them as they got too run down and he got another. Wen someone came calling, he agreed to donate them to the museum. I'll look into that a little more from home I think just because I'm curious. It took us just over 2 and a half hours to go through the place. It was pretty cool.
Once we left, we decided to take a pass by the address of Golden Corral since it was on the way to the zoo and we're hungry. Here's what I saw:
For about $10.50 each (lunch prices including a pop), it was prety good. I thought it was a little weird and maybe rude to the other grazers, so I didn't take any inside pics. They had a good salad bar, but OCB or Ruby Tuesday had more selection. The hot food area was amazing. I expect a buffet to be flavored and seasoned for the masses--people like my dad's parents who use the pepper sparingly since it is spicy and catsup is a sauce. This stuff was more like my mom's cooking-bold flavors, tender meat, and all kinds of different things. They had it separated into different areas like asian, southern, homestyle, etc. I was good, and took small samples of everything because I didn't want to be sick before the dessert section... 6 kinds of chicken, meatloaf, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, veggies, sides, and 3 different cheese sauces in case you wanted to disguise the broccoli or fries. Now came dessert. It can only be described in 3 words: nom nom nom. Cotton candy made right there, homemade biscuits (garlic and cheese) or bread knots, muffins, red velvet cupcakes, cobblers, pies, cookies, and ice cream. The centerpiece, though, was the chocolate fountain with marshmallows, cut up pineapple, strawberries, rice crispie bars, and all kinds of stuff to get doused in liquid mmmmmmmm.
The place was busy, but there was no waiting to get in or for most food. We had a busboy/drink waiter who did a great job and kept tabs on us without being a pest. It was clean and a nice atmosphere, and you didn't feel rushed. Great people watching too. We saw 2 guys who together would severely limit any additional capacity in most elevators but they moved amazingly easy under thier own power. In all, I wouldn't come here again just for food, but if one came to the twin cities I sure wouldn't say no to a coupon.
Jon H said
Jun 10, 2012
Thanks for the review Bryan, it kind of reminds me of the famous "Hungry Heffer" Norm used to talk about on Cheers. Glad you got your tummy full!
Chris R said
Jun 10, 2012
Ive seen several of thier commercials as well. I was wondering if they had any locations in the Twin Cities. I have to believe they will eventually make it here. Ci Cis Pizza is another place I always see commercials for, I think there are several locations in the Twin Cities. Been wanting to check out thier pizza. Price seemed right, $5.
Dan Williams said
Jun 10, 2012
When I coached baseball at the college here, we used to hit them whenever we could. Cheap but decent food and we could fill the bottomless pits of college kids stomachs. A lot better than the Old Country Buffet. Food actually tastes fresh and home made.
Scott Parkhurst said
Jun 10, 2012
You absolutely crack me up...
bowtie said
Jun 11, 2012
I did a little more checking into the name that wasshown as donating so many of the cars. The name was Eugene Dahl. He and his 4 brother's-in-law started a company called Melroe Manufacturing Company which is now known as Bobcat. They sold it in 1970. He also became a leader at a company called Steiger which was one of the early producers of the large 4 wheel drive tractors. After he left there, he helped his 2 sons start a company that makes air seeders called Concord Inc. He also was a 2 term state representative for North Dakota. He died in 2008.
I would have taken pics in the museum since it was neat to see all those older cars in rows like they could be pulled out at any time, but the place didn't have any real light. It was pretty much what came in through the windows which was fine to see, but bad for a camera phone.
I'll make up or it with a picture: Oh no, there goes Fargo. Go Go Godzilla. yeahhheahhh.
and a disproportionate fireball sun in the sky
SteveS said
Jun 11, 2012
I thought there was one in Rochester, but did a search and it looks like it closed in 2007. After your review I kind of wish I would have checked it out before it closed.
bowtie said
Jun 11, 2012
I know there's some in IA too, not sure how far, but you're already a couple hours closer than me.
Road trip story:
For the last couple months, my wife and I have been seeing commercials for the Golden Corral chain of restaurants. Being the curious and food loving kind of guy that I am, I had to do some investigation. I had heard the name before, but didn't know much other than it was a buffet. Secretly hoping it was coming to my town or close enough, I did a location search. None in Minnesota. There were a couple in Wisconsin and a couple in North Dakota, but that seemed a little ridiculous for us.
Fast forward to about 3 weeks ago. Our school-age kids usually spend a week up north at my in-laws the week after school lets out, so my wife decided we should do something or go somewhere. Another commercial pops up and we have a target, now to decide which one?
We're been to Wisonsin plenty, so North Dakota become the location. Fargo is closer, and a simple but long drive for a Friday evening. We book a deal on Hotwire for 2 nights at a 3 star hotel, got a smoking deal too. After about 3 hours, we get to out 1.9 star hotel and check in. I have a couple beers, we relax in our room and plan the next day. Fargo has a zoo, a Pioneer Village, an air museum, a mall, etc. Using the handy cell phone map, we also chart a course to include Golden Corral for either lunch or dinner. When I pull the address up on their website, I read the words "COMING SOON". Mind you, we're already in Fargo and this was the main reason we picked the darn town. OK, click the phone number and what do I hear but a recording that the phone number has been disconnected.
As a chubby guy who likes his mass quantities of food and isn't too concerned about the sommelier's recommendation or even if there is a menu, I felt let down. It didn't say so when I first looked, and who would figure a chain like that would close? Game over, at least there's a Hardee's across the street.
We get up in the morning, grab a quick bite at the (inland) continental brekfast, and head out. We get to the Pioneer Village and I was impressed. It's in the fairgrounds area, and was set up like a real old town, but all the buildings were relocated from across North Dakota. They had a bunch of old houses and stuff, but they had a cool and very large general store. It was really cool to see what was sold back then and all the little machines they had. There also was a railroad building with an engine, a plow, and some other sections. THey had an air museum building with several WWI and earlier planes. The coolest building was the antique car building which was mainly Fords. Aside from a coupld '50s cars, most were Model __ cars, and I noticed one name was common among them as a donator. I forget the name now, but I assume he was just another farmer who would park them as they got too run down and he got another. Wen someone came calling, he agreed to donate them to the museum. I'll look into that a little more from home I think just because I'm curious. It took us just over 2 and a half hours to go through the place. It was pretty cool.
Once we left, we decided to take a pass by the address of Golden Corral since it was on the way to the zoo and we're hungry. Here's what I saw:
For about $10.50 each (lunch prices including a pop), it was prety good. I thought it was a little weird and maybe rude to the other grazers, so I didn't take any inside pics. They had a good salad bar, but OCB or Ruby Tuesday had more selection. The hot food area was amazing. I expect a buffet to be flavored and seasoned for the masses--people like my dad's parents who use the pepper sparingly since it is spicy and catsup is a sauce. This stuff was more like my mom's cooking-bold flavors, tender meat, and all kinds of different things. They had it separated into different areas like asian, southern, homestyle, etc. I was good, and took small samples of everything because I didn't want to be sick before the dessert section... 6 kinds of chicken, meatloaf, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, veggies, sides, and 3 different cheese sauces in case you wanted to disguise the broccoli or fries. Now came dessert. It can only be described in 3 words: nom nom nom. Cotton candy made right there, homemade biscuits (garlic and cheese) or bread knots, muffins, red velvet cupcakes, cobblers, pies, cookies, and ice cream. The centerpiece, though, was the chocolate fountain with marshmallows, cut up pineapple, strawberries, rice crispie bars, and all kinds of stuff to get doused in liquid mmmmmmmm.
The place was busy, but there was no waiting to get in or for most food. We had a busboy/drink waiter who did a great job and kept tabs on us without being a pest. It was clean and a nice atmosphere, and you didn't feel rushed. Great people watching too. We saw 2 guys who together would severely limit any additional capacity in most elevators but they moved amazingly easy under thier own power. In all, I wouldn't come here again just for food, but if one came to the twin cities I sure wouldn't say no to a coupon.
Ive seen several of thier commercials as well. I was wondering if they had any locations in the Twin Cities. I have to believe they will eventually make it here. Ci Cis Pizza is another place I always see commercials for, I think there are several locations in the Twin Cities. Been wanting to check out thier pizza. Price seemed right, $5.
When I coached baseball at the college here, we used to hit them whenever we could. Cheap but decent food and we could fill the bottomless pits of college kids stomachs. A lot better than the Old Country Buffet. Food actually tastes fresh and home made.
I would have taken pics in the museum since it was neat to see all those older cars in rows like they could be pulled out at any time, but the place didn't have any real light. It was pretty much what came in through the windows which was fine to see, but bad for a camera phone.
I'll make up or it with a picture:
Oh no, there goes Fargo. Go Go Godzilla. yeahhheahhh.
and a disproportionate fireball sun in the sky