Why Golden Corral's Chili Deserves A Spot On Your Buffet Plate

Golden Corral boasts that its endless breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet offers such variety that there will always be something new to sample. That may be true, but the chain — which has been in operation since 1973 — includes some underrated items that you may just return to. One such dish is Golden Corral's Timberline chili, and there's a reason it ought to be on your buffet plate.

The quality of the Timberline chili was more than sufficient to earn it a spot on our list of underrated Golden Corral menu items you shouldn't skip. When our correspondent arrived at the buffet, the chili stood out as the most appetizing. Fortunately, it did more than look good. Though our critic confessed a preference for chunkier chilis, Golden Corral's offering impressed with a pleasing spiciness that was greater than expected. It also boasted a distinct but not overwhelming element of sweetness that brought balance to the dish.

While our critic would have preferred more substantial pieces of meat and firmer beans, it still earned a thumbs up. In fact, the Timberline chili was notable enough to be featured on our more extensive ranking of 21 Golden Corral buffet items. Coming in sixth place, this assessment proved similar, with our reviewer adding that the spiciness of the dish was pleasant but would not be excessive for any spice-averse diners.

Some online have compared the Timberline chili to Wendy's chili, albeit boasting more red kidney beans than its fast food counterpart. Others, like our taste tester, have also noted its relative thinness. However, given the heavier nature of some of the other options on the Golden Corral buffet menu, this may be a welcome change of pace. As our reviewer noted, "If you're a general chili fan, there's a decent bet you'd be happy with this dish, even if not blown away."

One test of whether a chain restaurant menu item is worth its salt is whether it merits the existence of copycats online — and Golden Corral's Timberline chili certainly does. As is often the case with copycat recipes, the details vary and are unofficial, so there's no guarantee it will be an entirely accurate recreation. However, common ingredients include ground beef, beef broth, tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, corn, onion, and garlic. Feel free to seek out these copycats yourself or see how Golden Corral compares to what we humbly consider the four best chili recipes you'll ever try.