Barnhill's Steaks and Buffet Menu with Prices, Calories and Popular Items
Looking for the classic barnhill's steaks and buffet menu, searching for historical buffet prices, or checking to see if your local restaurant is still open? Barnhill's Steaks and Buffet (frequently known as Barnhill's Country Buffet) was a wildly popular regional casual dining buffet chain across the Southern United States. Famous for cooked-to-order sirloin steaks, hand-breaded fried chicken, warm glazed yeast rolls, and a massive dessert bar, it served families for decades.
Quick Status Update: Most corporate Barnhill's Steaks and Buffet locations closed or rebranded following corporate acquisitions in the late 2000s. The menu listings, estimated prices, and nutritional references below reflect verified historical archive data to help readers looking for nostalgic references or evaluating similar active country buffets today. Prices and menu availability varied by location and time.
Official Source Verification
Menus, prices, calories, and availability can vary by location, delivery platform, and time. LatestMenus checks official restaurant sources where available and marks uncertain information clearly.
Latest Barnhill's Steaks and Buffet Menu Prices
Since there are no active official corporate menus, the table below provides a historical overview of Barnhill's classic menu categories and buffet pricing models prior to brand closures.
| Menu Item | Category | Price | Calories | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekday Lunch Buffet | Buffet Entry | $7.99 – $9.49 (Historical) | Varies by plate | Midday value | Access to Hot Bar, Salad Bar, Soups, and Desserts |
| Weekday Dinner Buffet | Buffet Entry | $10.99 – $12.99 (Historical) | Varies by plate | Hearty dinners | Includes Carving Station, Sirloin Steaks, Hot Bar |
| Weekend Steak & Seafood | Buffet Entry | $12.99 – $14.99 (Historical) | Varies by plate | Premium protein | Features Carved Sirloin, Fried Catfish, Shrimp |
| Sunday Country Brunch | Buffet Entry | $9.99 – $11.99 (Historical) | Varies by plate | Weekend mornings | Breakfast meats, eggs, biscuits & gravy, lunch items |
| Kids Buffet (Ages 4–8) | Kids Menu | $3.99 – $4.99 (Historical) | Varies by plate | Younger kids | Full access to kids-friendly items and dessert bar |
| Kids Buffet (Ages 9–12) | Kids Menu | $5.99 – $6.99 (Historical) | Varies by plate | Older kids | Discounted access to main hot stations |
| Senior Discount Buffet (60+) | Discount | $0.50 – $1.00 Off Standard | Varies by plate | Seniors | Discounted rate during designated senior hours |
| Unlimited Beverage Pass | Drinks | $1.79 – $2.29 (Historical) | 0 - 250 | Everyone | Free refills on sweet tea, soft drinks, and coffee |
| Carved Top Sirloin Steak | Carving Station | Included in Dinner | ~320 cal (Est. 6 oz) | Steak lovers | Cooked to order at the hot grill station |
| Southern Fried Chicken | Hot Entree | Included in Buffet | ~380 cal (Est. per piece) | Comfort food | Hand-breaded bone-in breasts, thighs, legs |
| Country Fried Steak | Hot Entree | Included in Buffet | ~450 cal (Est. portion) | Southern classics | Breaded beef patty topped with white pepper gravy |
| Fried Catfish Fillets | Hot Entree | Included in Buffet | ~310 cal (Est. fillet) | Seafood lovers | Cornmeal-crusted catfish with hushpuppies |
| Butter Glazed Yeast Rolls | Bread | Included in Buffet | ~140 cal (Est. per roll) | Side dish | Soft, warm rolls brushed with sweet butter glaze |
| Macaroni and Cheese | Sides | Included in Buffet | ~260 cal (Est. scoop) | Kids & adults | Creamy baked cheddar macaroni |
| Warm Bread Pudding | Dessert | Included in Buffet | ~320 cal (Est. slice) | Sweet cravings | Baked bread pudding with warm vanilla butter sauce |
Popular Menu Items
Barnhill's built its massive regional reputation on core Southern comfort foods and high-value carving stations. Here are the items guests remember most.
| Popular Item | Why People Order It | Price Note | Calorie Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flame-Grilled Sirloin Steak | Freshly cooked to order at the hot station, offering steakhouse value at a buffet price. | Included in Dinner/Weekend Buffet | High protein, lower carb without sides |
| Southern Fried Chicken | A constant hot-bar staple featuring crispy, hand-breaded bone-in chicken. | Included in all buffets | High in calories and fat due to frying |
| Butter Glazed Yeast Rolls | Oversized, pillowy, and baked fresh all day, these were Barnhill's signature side. | Included in all buffets | Carb-dense |
| Country Fried Steak | Tenderized, breaded, and smothered in traditional white pepper gravy. | Included in all buffets | High sodium and fat |
| Warm Bread Pudding | A classic Southern dessert served warm with a rich vanilla butter sauce. | Included in all buffets | High sugar |
Editor Picks: Best Things to Order
These are LatestMenus historical editorial recommendations based on available menu research, popularity, and practical ordering usefulness at classic country buffets. They are not official restaurant rankings.
Weekend Steak & Seafood Buffet
Combining the premium carved sirloin station with fried catfish and shrimp gave diners the absolute best of the hot bar.
Weekday Lunch Buffet
Skipping the carving station during lunch hours historically offered full access to fried chicken and sides for under $10.
Kids Buffet (Tiered by Age)
Charging children by age bracket rather than a flat rate made taking the whole family highly affordable.
Garden Salad Bar & Grilled Meats
Bypassing the fried foods and gravies in favor of the fresh salad bar and a small portion of carved meat keeps the meal balanced.
Butter Glazed Yeast Rolls
No trip to Barnhill's was complete without grabbing a fresh batch of these warm, sweet rolls straight from the bakery station.
Soft Serve Dessert Station
The unlimited soft serve with various cobblers, hot fudge, and sprinkles allowed for endless dessert combinations.
Cheapest Items and Best Value Picks
Because Barnhill's operated as an all-you-can-eat buffet, value was built into timing and demographics rather than individual à la carte menu items.
| Value Pick | Why It Can Be Good Value | Watch Out For | Best Ordering Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekday Lunch Entry | Significantly cheaper than dinner while retaining 80% of the hot bar. | Carving station and steaks are typically absent. | Arrive right at 11:00 AM for the freshest lunch batches. |
| Senior Early Bird | Buffets often stack senior discounts with mid-afternoon dining prices. | Valid only during specific afternoon hours (e.g., 2 PM - 4 PM). | Bring a valid ID to confirm age (typically 60+). |
| Unlimited Drink Pass | One flat fee for endless sweet tea and sodas. | Liquid calories can fill you up before you hit the food bar. | Stick to water if you want to maximize food value and lower your bill. |
Calories and Nutrition Notes
Official nutrition guides were never centralized online before Barnhill's corporate operations ceased. However, general dietary context based on standard Southern country buffet items includes:
| Menu Area | Nutrition Note | Best For | Source Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carving Station (Steaks/Roast) | High in protein and iron; lower in carbohydrates. | Low-carb or high-protein diets | Low (Estimates only) |
| Fried Hot Bar (Chicken/Catfish) | High in calories, saturated fat, and sodium due to breading and frying oil. | Cheat meals | Low (Estimates only) |
| Country Sides (Mac & Cheese, Gravy) | High in dairy fats, sodium, and simple carbohydrates. | Comfort food cravings | Low (Estimates only) |
| Salad Bar | Base greens are low-calorie, but dressings, cheeses, and croutons add calories fast. | Lighter appetites | Low (Estimates only) |
Allergen and Dietary Notes
Guests evaluating menu options for dietary restrictions should note the structural realities of all-you-can-eat buffets like Barnhill's:
| Dietary Need | What to Check | Important Note |
|---|---|---|
| Cross-Contact Warning | Shared utensils at buffet stations. | Self-serve buffets present a very high risk for cross-contamination. Not recommended for severe allergies. |
| Gluten / Wheat | Fried meats, gravies, yeast rolls, macaroni, desserts. | Gluten is heavily prevalent across the hot bar; stick to the salad bar or un-breaded carving station meats. |
| Dairy | Mashed potatoes, cream gravies, mac & cheese, butter glaze, soft serve. | Many Southern side dishes are prepared with butter, milk, or cheese. |
| Soy / Peanut | Frying oils. | Commercial vegetable oil blends were standard for deep-frying stations. |
Special Menu Sections
Sunday Country Brunch
Many locations offered a Sunday Country Brunch that blurred breakfast and lunch.
- What It Included: Scrambled eggs, bacon strips, sausage patties, buttermilk biscuits, sausage gravy, grits, french toast, and carved ham.
Modern Alternatives for Country Buffet Diners
Because corporate Barnhill's locations are gone, you might be looking for a similar experience today. If you loved the massive variety and hot bar stations, checking out the Royal Buffet and Grill menu can offer a modern buffet experience.
If you were specifically a fan of Barnhill's cooked-to-order sirloin steaks and fresh yeast rolls, the Texas Roadhouse menu provides excellent à la carte Southern steaks and endless fresh bread. Alternatively, the Outback Steakhouse menu offers robust steak and potato combinations that hit similar comfort food notes.
| Item or Section | What It Includes | Price/Calorie Note | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast/Brunch Station | Biscuits & gravy, eggs, breakfast meats | Included in Sunday Brunch pricing | Sunday morning dining |
| Kids Menu Offerings | Mac & cheese, corn dogs, soft serve | Tiered pricing by child's age | Picky eaters |
Best For: Who This Menu Guide Helps
This historical Barnhill's Steaks and Buffet guide is most helpful for:
- Nostalgic Diners: People looking back at classic Southern country buffet offerings.
- Price Checkers: Readers curious about how much buffets used to cost compared to today.
- Status Inquirers: Those checking to see if the corporate chain is still active (it is not).
- Alternative Seekers: Diners looking for current steak and buffet recommendations.
Ordering Tips From LatestMenus
While Barnhill's is closed, these buffet strategies apply to active country buffets you might visit today.
- Check the official app or local restaurant for exact prices. Menu prices at any surviving independent buffets will vary by city and ownership.
- Time your visit for the carving station. Steaks and premium carved meats are usually reserved for dinner hours (after 4:00 PM) or weekends.
- Ask about senior and kids discounts. Traditional buffets almost always offer tiered pricing based on age, which can save families a lot of money.
- Use a fresh plate every time. For food safety and allergen protection at any buffet, never bring a used plate back to the self-serve line.
- Watch for hidden liquid calories. If you're trying to eat lighter at a buffet, skip the sweet tea and stick to water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Barnhill's Steaks and Buffet still open?
Most corporate Barnhill's locations closed permanently or were converted/sold following corporate bankruptcy and acquisitions by Star Buffet, Inc. in the late 2000s. There is currently no active corporate chain or national website.
Does Barnhill's have a menu with prices?
Official current menus and prices are not available from official sources because the chain is defunct. Historically, adults paid between $7.99 and $14.99 depending on the day and time.
Do prices vary by location?
For any independent restaurant that may have kept the "Barnhill's" name locally, prices and menus will vary entirely by that specific location's independent ownership.
Where can I find calories for Barnhill's Buffet?
Barnhill's did not publish a centralized online nutrition or calorie guide prior to the closing of its corporate locations. Calories for standard Southern buffet items (fried chicken, gravy, mac & cheese) are generally high.
Does Barnhill's have an allergen menu?
No, there is no official allergen menu. Furthermore, self-serve buffets carry an extremely high risk of cross-contact for gluten, dairy, and soy.
What were the most popular items at Barnhill's?
The chain was famous for its flame-grilled top sirloin steaks, hand-breaded Southern fried chicken, warm glazed yeast rolls, fried catfish, and warm bread pudding.
What are the best things to order at a country buffet?
Carved meats (like sirloin or turkey) offer the best value and protein. Pairing them with fresh vegetables from the salad bar is the most balanced way to navigate a buffet.
What were the cheapest value items?
The weekday lunch buffet was the cheapest entry point, and kids under the age of 4 frequently ate for free or for a very minimal charge with a paying adult.
Was breakfast served at Barnhill's?
Yes, many locations offered a popular Sunday Country Brunch featuring biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and grits alongside standard lunch entrees.
Can I order online or in the app?
No, Barnhill's was a dine-in only self-serve buffet model and closed before modern restaurant delivery apps became mainstream.
Conclusion
While the original corporate Barnhill's Steaks and Buffet locations are no longer active, the brand remains an iconic piece of Southern buffet history. Diners looking for that classic mix of carved steaks, fried chicken, home-style vegetables, and full dessert bars can find similar menus at active chains today, or by exploring the provided steakhouse links above.
Menus, prices, calories, and availability can change by location, time, delivery platform, and restaurant updates. Always confirm the latest information with the official restaurant website, app, or your local restaurant before ordering. Information verified for 2026 where available.
