Barnhill's Buffet Offers Good “Stick to the Ribs” Food on a budget

It’s not brunch at the Vinoy or Don Carlos, but offers a great buffet featuring your down-home favorites and comfort food for not a lot of money. I’ve heard complaints that “[this] is tough” or “[that’s] salty,” but, let’s be realistic, it’s a buffet… if you don’t like one dish, move on to another.

Barnhill's has an extensive salad and fruit bar, constantly replenished and very fresh. The fried chicken, a personal favorite, is consistently excellent; crispy and moist. The hush puppies are superb. The carvery has a different selection every night and the seafood table offers several selections including fried shrimp, catfish and other specials that change regularly. There is always mac & cheese and spaghetti & meatballs on the children’s table. Recurring specials are kielbasa, skirt steak, brisket and barbeque (ribs or pulled pork).

To finish, their desserts are made on premises. The freshly baked cookies are a special treat (although I’ve learned to stay away from the sugarless) and there’s a soft-serve ice cream machine, with an assortment of toppings, including caramel and hot fudge sauces. The dessert bar also features a selection of pies, bread pudding and usually some type of cobbler.

The large dining room is undergoing a redo. Booths are replacing the open tables around the perimeter and the place is, in general, being spruced up.

They can be a little lax on certain logistics. There are often no bowls by the ice cream station, so the soup area ends up being ransacked for theirs, until they run out, as well. Service can be spotty. Some are attentive, others less so. But the fact remains that whenever I’ve been in Barnhill’s they’ve always been doing a brisk business. No, it’s not a five-star dining experience, but it’s well worth the price of admission.

Barnhill’s Buffet
6301 Sr-54
New Port Richey, FL 34653
(727) 841-0444

Open for Lunch and Dinner
Mon – Sun: 11:30 am – 10 pm
Price varies depending on time of day