Big Boys Country Cooking in Summerville — All-You-Can-Eat Southern Comfort Food

What Big Boys Country Cooking Serves

Big Boys Country Cooking is a buffet restaurant in Summerville that serves traditional Southern comfort food—fried chicken, collard greens, mac and cheese, cornbread, biscuits, and rotating daily specials. You pay one price and eat as much as you want from the hot line. The restaurant focuses on home-style cooking rather than fine dining, so expect generous portions and flavors built on butter, salt, and time-tested recipes.

The buffet changes daily, so what's available depends on when you visit. Fried chicken and a starch (usually rice, sweet potatoes, or dressing) are constants. Vegetables rotate through Southern staples—green beans, okra, squash casserole, black-eyed peas. Desserts typically include peach cobbler, sweet tea cake, or banana pudding. The restaurant does not take reservations, so you arrive, get seated, and head to the line.

Key Takeaways

• Big Boys Country Cooking charges one flat price for unlimited food from the buffet line, with no separate charges for drinks or dessert.
• The menu rotates daily, so the vegetables, meats, and sides available change depending on the day you visit.
• Fried chicken, cornbread, and biscuits are available most days; call ahead if you have a specific dish in mind.
• The restaurant is located in Summerville and does not take reservations, so seating is first-come, first-served.
• Summerville is about 30 minutes northwest of downtown Charleston, in the heart of Dorchester County's historic district.

Location and Hours

Big Boys Country Cooking is in Summerville, a town known for its moss-draped oaks, antebellum homes, and slower pace than Charleston proper. The restaurant sits within easy reach of Summerville's downtown square, where you can browse antique shops and historic sites before or after eating. Summerville itself is about 30 minutes from downtown Charleston via US-17 North or I-26.

Hours vary by day and season, so call ahead to confirm when you plan to visit. Most buffet restaurants in this region operate lunch and dinner service, with lunch typically busier than dinner. Arriving early—right when lunch opens—usually means shorter lines and hotter food.

What to Expect at the Buffet

You will walk in, be seated by staff, and then walk to the buffet line to fill your plate. Unlike some buffets, Big Boys does not charge per plate or per visit—you pay once and return to the line as many times as you want. The line moves steadily, and staff keep the hot trays stocked throughout service.

Southern buffet etiquette is informal. Bring a clean plate each time you return to the line; do not reuse a dirty one. Take reasonable portions so others get a turn at each dish. Tea and dessert are usually included in the price, though you should confirm this when you arrive or call. The atmosphere is casual and family-friendly, with a mix of locals, tourists, and multigenerational groups.

Typical Dishes and Rotating Specials

Fried chicken is the anchor—crispy outside, tender inside, seasoned the way most South Carolinians grew up eating it. It appears nearly every day. Alongside it you will find starches: rice pilaf, sweet potato casserole, cornbread dressing, or mashed potatoes with gravy. Biscuits and cornbread come hot from the kitchen and are meant to be eaten with butter or gravy.

Vegetables change by the day but stay within the Southern repertoire: collard greens cooked with ham hock, green beans with bacon, okra fried or stewed, squash casserole, black-eyed peas, or butter beans. Desserts rotate too—peach cobbler, sweet tea cake, banana pudding, and chess pie are common. The restaurant sometimes offers a meat special like meatloaf, pork chops, or beef stew, especially in cooler months.

Pricing and What's Included

Big Boys charges a single buffet price per person, which covers all the food you can eat from the line. Drinks—usually sweet tea, unsweet tea, lemonade, and soft drinks—are typically included, though some buffets charge separately for beverages. Dessert is almost always included in the buffet price. Children under a certain age may have a reduced price or eat free; ask when you arrive.

The exact price varies and can change seasonally. Call the restaurant directly to confirm current pricing before you go. Many buffet restaurants in South Carolina offer slightly lower prices at lunch than at dinner, and some offer senior discounts on certain days.

Parking and Accessibility

Big Boys has its own parking lot, which is typical for Summerville restaurants. Parking is free and usually ample, even at lunch. The restaurant is ground-level and designed for walk-in traffic, so wheelchair access is generally straightforward, though you should call ahead to confirm specific accessibility features if you need them.

Summerville's downtown area is walkable if you want to explore before or after eating. The town's historic district is compact, and many shops and galleries are within a few blocks of the main square. If you are visiting from out of town, plan 30 minutes for the drive from Charleston and another 30 to 45 minutes to eat and return.

Why Summerville Matters for This Restaurant

Summerville has deep roots in Lowcountry culture and was founded in the 1700s as a retreat for Charleston planters. The town's character—its tree-lined streets, historic homes, and slower rhythm—makes it a destination for people seeking authentic South Carolina experience beyond Charleston's tourist core. Big Boys fits that character: it is a local spot where Summerville residents eat regularly, not a themed restaurant built for visitors.

The restaurant sits in a region where home cooking and family meals still matter. Summerville's population includes longtime residents, retirees, and families who value tradition and know the difference between restaurant fried chicken and the real thing. Big Boys serves that audience, which is why the food tastes the way it does.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation?

No. Big Boys operates on a first-come, first-served basis. You walk in, get seated, and head to the buffet line. Lunch is typically busier than dinner, so expect a wait during peak hours (around noon to 1 p.m.). Arriving early or going mid-afternoon usually means shorter waits.

What if I have a dietary restriction or allergy?

Call the restaurant before you visit to ask about ingredients and preparation methods. Buffet kitchens use shared equipment and cooking surfaces, so cross-contamination is possible. Staff can tell you which dishes contain common allergens like nuts, shellfish, or gluten, but you should speak directly with management if you have a severe allergy.

Can I take food to go?

Most buffet restaurants do not offer to-go plates from the buffet line, since the pricing model assumes you eat there. Some may sell individual items like fried chicken or biscuits separately if you ask, but this varies. Call ahead if you want to know what to-go options exist.

Is Big Boys good for families with young children?

Yes. The casual atmosphere, variety of mild foods (mac and cheese, cornbread, fried chicken), and family-friendly pricing make it popular with parents. Children can eat smaller portions and return to the line as often as they want. High chairs are usually available, and staff are accustomed to families.

How far is Big Boys from Charleston?

Summerville is about 30 minutes northwest of downtown Charleston, depending on traffic and which part of Charleston you start from. If you are staying in downtown Charleston or near the airport, plan 45 minutes to an hour total travel time including parking and getting seated.