Mother's Day Restaurant Review: Golden Corral of Colorado Springs

On Mother's Day this year, we didn't have a huge sum of money just hanging around in our bank account. We wanted to go to a restaurant where we could eat our fill without overspending. My husband didn't get home from work until about 8:15, and it took us a while to get out of the house. We knew a lot of the casual dining restaurants would be closing soon, but we hoped we'd find somewhere decent to celebrate the holiday anyway.

We decided to go to Golden Corral, which is located off of Powers and Palmer Park here on the eastside of Colorado Springs. We arrived at 8:45, 15 minutes to closing. We had hoped they would be open later than that, but we figured we would just eat quickly. As I walked in, I hoped they were still letting people in, but I was prepared to be sent away. One lane had a closed sign on it, and the other appeared open.

As I approached the counter, the manager said "I'm sorry. We're closed." Disappointed, I said "Oh, all right" and turned to leave. Right then, my husband and son walked in. The manager said "Nevermind, come on in. I can't turn away a family on Mother's Day." What a nice man! Our hopes of a great Mother's Day meal were restored. I was afraid we were going to end up at a fast food drive through, but we got to eat at Golden Corral after all.

A lady served us our drinks and wished us a great meal. We mosied down the line to pay expecting her to follow us. She went back to wiping the counter. I asked if she was going to ring us up. I was informed that the register was already closed, so our meal would be free. She smiled cheerfully and wished us a good meal again. We thanked her whole heartedly. As we made our way to the table, we knew we'd have to leave a good tip to make up for the freebie somewhat. A free meal at Golden Corral! What a Mother's Day gift, but that wasn't all.

My husband went to grab a high chair, which I am sure the server would have fetched for us if my husband had given him the chance. I sat down, and the server approached me immediately. I was immediately struck by what a nice young man he seemed to be. He was very polite and cheerful, had a friendly smile, and was overall just very upbeat but without being fake. All through the evening, he displayed an incredible attitude. We asked if he had change for a $20, and he said "Yes, I've been here since 10 AM!" He had worked almost twelve hours and was still in a great mood. He was quick to refill our drinks and talked to us a bit, but without hanging around so much as to be an intrusion. His name was Vincent, and if ever you dine at the Golden Corral here in east Colorado Springs, I hope you have the pleasure of having him for your server.

I wasn't just impressed with him though. Everyone at the Golden Corral was in high spirits. The manager had displayed kindness towards us, and the lady who served our drinks had been extremely hospitalable as well. The other waiters and waitresses that we saw walking around all seemed in great moods. Usually, at restaurants, they go about their business, being friendly but not really seeming 'into it.' The servers all seemed very happy to be there. I caught a waitress jumping excitedly about something out of the corner of my eye. She noticed me and apologized. It was no bother to me. It was refreshing to see everyone in such awesome moods. Thinking back, the people at Golden Corral in Colorado Springs have always been friendly like that, and it's been that way at every visit since this experience.

I told our waiter what an awesome attitude he seemed to have, and he graciously accepted the comment. He handed me a coupon to come in for another free meal--just for myself, this time. They were passing them out to all the moms. Then, he thought about it for a moment and handed me two more--his extras that he wouldn't need, since we were the last ones in. I was thrilled, because I knew two other mothers who would love a free dinner at Golden Corral. Later that evening he found two more abandoned at an empty table, and he gave them to me as well. I was sure I could find two more friends who would love a free post-Mother's Day meal at Golden Corral. It is, after all, a favorite of most families in Colorado Springs. The place is always packed! Yet the food is always delicious, and the staff always makes an impression.

The food at Golden Corral is always good, and they always have a variety of selections. For Mother's Day, they seemed to have taken extra care when preparing the dishes. Both the baked and fried chicken were juicy and tender, just like my husband's flavorful steak. They had fried clams and jumbo shrimp, which my son and I both found delicious. They had pot roast, polish sausage, and fried catfish. A variety of vegetable dishes were available, including their amazing mashed potatoes and two kinds of gravy. The salad bar has nearly everything on it you could want. The dessert bar is awesome, too. They have something for everyone: cakes, cookies, fruit pies, jello, candy, even ice cream. This was a special Mother's Day ensemble of food, but at the Golden Corral in Colorado Springs, there's always plenty of good food year-round.

I had a fantastic Mother's Day meal at the Colorado Springs Golden Corral. Usually the cost is about $11 a person, which is very affordable, but our lateness ended up being our luck. The manager of the Golden Corral let us in to eat, even though they could not accept our payment. That was a very kind and charitable act, and it definitely made my evening. Not only that, the people were in high spirits, and the atmosphere was very welcoming. I was impressed by the level of service and the overall attitude of the Golden Corral team. I always am, at this particular branch of the popular restaurant chain.

Our server was excellent, and he only increased my awe at the generosity of the establishment. I certainly hope my writing this doesn't get him in trouble for giving me all those extra coupons, which my friends were thrilled to receive by the way. They'll be bringing their children and husband in to the Golden Corral to redeem those certificates quite soon. Golden Corral should actually be happy that he gave me his extras, because I put them to good use. That means more business for Golden Corral. Those mommies will eat free, but their husbands will have to pay! A few of those mommies have several children for whose dinners they'll have to pay as well. Golden Corral can be watching out for my family and a few others to come in (and spend their money)!

If you're ever in Colorado Springs and need a good meal, I definitely recommend you swing by the Golden Corral. Don't show up late expecting a hand-out, though; I'm sure that was a special exception they made for us in honor of Mother's Day. Eleven bucks a person isn't much to spend on such a wonderful meal. You'll love the food and eat your fill, while being served by the greatest restaurant team in the city--maybe even the country. Kick back, relax, and let Golden Corral do the cooking! You won't be sorry.