Home Folks Restaurant

My wife and I have been there a few times and I have to say that there really isn’t anything that special about the place. The chicken was really good in the past, and I went back yesterday just for that. I was terribly upset. The breading was extremely salty, while the pieces were extremely small. Even though it’s a buffet, a two inch drumsticks are ridiculous. There was several vegetables and those were just ok. The desert area was in disarray. And I wasn’t sure if it was supposed to be or not, but the cakes were wet. ??? I’m at a loss for an explanation. The server was a young man who tried to engage in conversation. I was surprised at the checkout because the ticket did not have the total amount due. For dinner for two was $ 26! There was a price increase since the last time I was there. so i was definitely not expecting that. I really like to support small and local businesses. I don’t know if I can return.

They do serve a lot of different items. My Senior Mom and her friend thought the food was really good. My husband and I thought it was ok, but nothing special and made us think it was institutional-​type food. The servers are prompt and friendly.

Carolyn and I have been customers of Home Folks Restaurant for several years. My favorite day is Friday when they feature their fish buffet. Generally I lean toward the fried fish but they recently added a baked fish that finds a place on my plate. I’m bad on Fridays, not allowing any vegetables on my plate.
Carolyn on the other hand likes to come for the vegetables and cobbler. Peach is most common but occasionally there will be Strawberry/​Rhubarb or Cherry.
The reviewers have it right, «Excellent country cooking!» Highly recommended.

I work in Soddy and usually eat at Home Folks every time I’m there. I can’t say enough about the vegetables, reminds me of my mom’s cooking. Excellent country cooking, you will not be disappointed!

Winter, though short in this latitude, has the unseemly power to make hermits of us all. The rut of burrowing-​in; the survival mode of eat-​sleep-​work; the natural tendency of hunkering down until the days lengthen and the sun warms, overtake us.
This evening, on what may very well be the coldest night in 20 years, found me bored with my usual culinary efforts, and equally bored with my usual fare of eat-​out pizza, burgers, and kangaroo. Bored to the point that I decided to brave the biting NW wind, the swirling snow, and my natural dislike of darkness and cold. I found myself driving Rattler, my trusty 29-​year old pick up, deep into the heart of Soddy-​Daisy, in quest of home cookin’. And I found it.
Home Folks is low key dinning; not fancy; and certainly not contrived. As the big blue and white sign says, it’s a Buffet. I tried four of the five meats, eight of the ten veggies, and polished off a good-​sized salad this evening. If you are lucky, you have a wife, mother, or granny that can cook food as well as the buffet items featured this evening.
The atmo was wonderfully warm, lighted; but not glaring. The quiet murmur of conversation and gentle laughter filled the room. My tea glass never made it past half-​full, and it was some of the best tea I’ve tasted in ages. I intended to take a few pics, but once I began eating, the «all you can eat» mode kicked in!
When Chekhov wrote of winter, he wrote of a long winter; bleak and dark, and bereft of hope. Yet we know that winter is just another season, a point of reference in our circle of life. But sitting amongst the happy patrons of Home Folk’s, basking in the well-​seasoned scent of home style foods, and the warmth of the dinning room, I could not imagine a better fate than a long winter spent within driving distance of Home Folk’s Restaurant.
(apologies to phil conner)

The best chicken ‘n dumplings in the history of the world! …but only served on Thursday nights so plan accordingly. This is a true family Southern style restaurant where everyone knows each other. You don’t come here for fancy surroundings or classy ambiance. You come here to feed your soul with country home cookin’ like grandma used to make. The fried chicken is ah-​mazing too so be sure to getcha some of that finger licking goodness. Another surprising highlight of the buffet is the homemade coleslaw. It’s true «southern slaw» that is sugar based and on the sweet side instead of a tangy vinegar base. But let’s get back to those chicken ‘n dumplings. Seriously, they are better than any I’ve ever had (even my mom’s, shhh). Come give them a try; you can thank me later.

When i go home with my friend to Chattanooga, I want to eat here. It is a pig out fest of wonderful southern home cooking. I get a little jealous when she goes home, because I know she will get to eat this food. They always have several meats and all kinds of veggies. Some of my favorites off the buffet are chicken and dressing, fried chicken, fried catfish, pinto beans, mac and cheese and corn bread. The peach cobbler is also pretty spectacular.
My friend and her family have been coming here for years. The waitresses are really friendly and always ask about her family. Its a really simple place that has some great southern food.