Granny's Kitchen - Buffet restaurant in Cherokee, Tennessee
Buffet restaurant•$

Granny's Kitchen

Buffet restaurant in Cherokee

Cherokee•1098 Paint Town Rd Cherokee NC 28719
8.8
Excellent

TSM Verdict

The Verdict

Granny’s Kitchen in Cherokee, North Carolina is a classic Southern buffet restaurant known for its rotating daily meats, homemade comfort food, and a substantial salad bar. The signature draw is the all-you-can-eat buffet featuring dishes like fried chicken, hand-carved roast beef, and chicken & dumplings. It’s a longstanding local favorite for hearty, traditional meals near Harrah’s Cherokee Casino.

Before You Drive

Check current hours

Public hours currently show Monday closed. Verify before making a longer drive.

Last checked January 22, 2026

Worth it?

Yes, especially if you are near Cherokee.

Best order

Granny’s Fried Chicken, Hand-Carved Roast Beef, Homemade Chicken & Dumplings, Granny’s Turkey, Dressing & Gravy

Best time

Lunch or early dinner

Verify

Verify hours before driving.

Go For

  • Granny’s Fried Chicken
  • Hand-Carved Roast Beef
  • Homemade Chicken & Dumplings
  • Granny’s Turkey, Dressing & Gravy
  • Popcorn Shrimp

Skip If

  • You want fine dining or a unique culinary concept
  • You prefer à-la-carte ordering over buffet or cafeteria-style service
  • You need extensive vegetarian, vegan, or allergy-friendly options

Before You Go

Verify hours before driving.

Decision Guide

Decision Guide

Build this into a day

Is it worth visiting?

Granny’s Kitchen is ideal for travelers seeking classic Southern comfort food in a buffet setting, especially if you’re staying in or near Cherokee or visiting Harrah’s Casino. It’s best for those who appreciate traditional, hearty meals and a casual, family-friendly atmosphere.

Best first order?

Granny’s Fried Chicken, Hand-Carved Roast Beef, Homemade Chicken & Dumplings, Granny’s Turkey, Dressing & Gravy, or Popcorn Shrimp.

Worth driving from Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge?

If you’re a fan of Southern buffets and want a classic 'meat and three' experience, Granny’s Kitchen is a solid destination, but it’s not a must-drive for those seeking fine dining or unique culinary experiences; it’s best enjoyed if you’re already in the Cherokee area.

Planner Snapshot

At a Glance

Location

Cherokee, Tennessee

Cuisine

Buffet restaurant

Price

$

Best meal

Lunch or early dinner

Families

Confirm fit before going

Planning fit

Best as part of a Cherokee stop

Hours warning

Public hours currently show Monday closed. Verify before making a longer drive.

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Duration

1-2 hours for a meal

Price

Prices are unverified; call for buffet/takeout rates post-reopening.

Best For

Families looking for hearty meals • Visitors wanting a casual dining experience • Those seeking authentic Southern cuisine

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Pro tip: Join the buffet line after sanitizing hands; self-serve style speeds ordering for large groups.

About Granny's Kitchen

Granny's Kitchen is a self-serve buffet on Paint Town Road, handy for casino-goers who want a quick meal before heading back out. Breakfast and dinner both come off the steam line, with Southern staples like fried chicken and fish alongside sides that lean toward plain country cooking. It suits families feeding several people at once, road-trippers who want to eat and keep moving, and groups that need catering.

Diners who return year after year tend to mention two things: the value at this price point and the staff. Reviews describe the servers as friendly and attentive and the room as family-run rather than institutional, and the Thanksgiving dinner in particular draws people who plan a trip around it. Not everyone leaves equally impressed. The 4.2 average across nearly 4,900 reviews reflects a split, with some guests noting the spread is small, the dessert choices thin, and a few hot dishes reaching the line overcooked or dry.

Hours run 7 AM to 8 PM Tuesday through Saturday and 7 AM to 7 PM on Sunday, with the kitchen closed Mondays. There is an on-site lot for easy access. Call (828) 497-5010 ahead for catering or a large takeout order, and consider a reservation if your group is sizable. The restaurant closes seasonally from December through mid-March, so check before a winter visit, and expect the menu to shift with the season. Because it is buffet-style, an hour is plenty.

Come at lunch or early dinner midweek, when pans turn over most often and the selection is freshest. The honest caution: this is a compact buffet rather than a sprawling one, and a few items are clearly prepared for volume, so if variety matters more to you than comfort-food familiarity, temper expectations accordingly.

Last checked: January 22, 2026 • Based on 4,892 reviews

Amenities & Features

  • Home-style Southern comfort food served buffet-style for breakfast and dinner
  • Exceptional Thanksgiving dinner offerings that draw repeat visitors
  • Consistently friendly and attentive waitstaff
  • Generous portions that satisfy hearty mountain appetites

Insider Tips for Granny's Kitchen

Insider tips

Visitors most often point to Cafeteria-Style Buffet, Family-Owned Atmosphere, and Takeout Convenience. Park in the available on-site lot for easy access.

Call ahead for catering or large takeout orders. Expect seasonal closure from December through mid-March.

Before you go

Plan around 1-2 hours for a meal unless you are only stopping in briefly. Current price guidance on this page is Prices are unverified; call for buffet/takeout rates post-reopening.

A website is linked here for direct confirmation of current details.

From the reviews

Visitors frequently mention the generous portion sizes.

The cafeteria-style setup is often praised for its convenience.

Many reviews highlight the rotating daily menu as a pleasant surprise.

Menu Guide

What to Order at Granny's Kitchen

Main

Granny’s Fried Chicken

Crispy Southern-style fried chicken that’s a staple on both the buffet and take-out menus, prepared fresh and featured multiple days each week.

Main

Hand-Carved Roast Beef

Slow-roasted beef carved to order on the buffet line, always available on the dinner buffet and served with au jus or gravy.

Main

Homemade Chicken & Dumplings

Traditional Southern chicken and dumplings, featured as a Wednesday buffet meat and on the Wednesday take-out menu.

Main

Granny’s Turkey, Dressing & Gravy

Roast turkey served with cornbread-style dressing and rich gravy, highlighted as a Thursday feature on both buffet and take-out menus.

Main

Meat Loaf

Classic homemade meatloaf made with ground beef and sauce, offered as a Thursday feature meat for both buffet and take-out.

Main

Fried Alaskan Pollock

Breaded and fried white fish, served as a key Friday buffet item and available on the Friday take-out menu.

Main

Popcorn Shrimp

Fried bite-size shrimp, featured as a Friday buffet and take-out option.

Side

25-Item Salad Bar

A self-serve salad bar with approximately 25 items, including homemade pasta salad, potato salad, coleslaw, and pickled beets, included with lunch and dinner buffets.

Best For

  • Families looking for hearty meals
  • Visitors wanting a casual dining experience
  • Those seeking authentic Southern cuisine
  • Casino-goers looking for a quick meal
  • Groups needing catering services

Know Before You Go

  • Park in the available on-site lot for easy access.
  • Call ahead for catering or large takeout orders.
  • Expect seasonal closure from December through mid-March.
  • Check for seasonal menu changes.
  • Consider making reservations for large groups.

What Visitors Say

Featured from 4,892 reviews

Visitors frequently mention the generous portion sizes.

Opening Hours

MondayClosed
Tuesday7 AM to 8 PM
Wednesday7 AM to 8 PM
Thursday7 AM to 8 PM
Friday7 AM to 8 PM
Saturday7 AM to 8 PM
Sunday7 AM to 7 PM

Best Times to Visit Granny's Kitchen

Check the restaurant's current seating policy before weekend evenings; popular spots can have waits.

01Buzzing
Weekend dinner rush 5PM - 8PM
02Relaxed
Right after opening

Tags

Popular

Traveler Questions

When does it reopen in 2026?

Public sources conflict on this listing's hours. Verify hours before driving.

What are the hours?

Public sources conflict on this listing's hours. Verify hours before driving.

Is it buffet or menu?

Cafeteria-style buffet with daily fixed selections (2 meats + 3 veggies); takeout mirrors dine-in.

Are vegetarian options available?

Yes, multiple vegetables daily (e.g., Green Beans, Spiced Apples, Macaroni & Cheese); vegetarian-friendly.

What is the takeout process?

Remain in vehicle; staff delivers food and takes payment (cash/credit).

Is it wheelchair accessible?

Yes, plus highchairs, table service option, and parking available.

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