Carolina Kitchen

Introduction to Carolina Kitchen & background of November 18, 2023:In honor of my 495th review, I'm writing a review of a business off 495. I was at a Yelp event in January in DC close to Rhode Island Metro. One of the people at my table said she lived right by here, and I mentioned that I went to an event at Carolina Kitchen by the Metro one time maybe 10 years ago, and she said that location closed. I said that was unfortunate.So, this is topical to this year, but I went here one time on Saturday, November 18, 2023. It was a strange day, where I was kind of winging it. Prior to my girlfriend, who we became a couple in February 2024, I was kind of a free agent on a Saturday. That Saturday I had a 1st date in Greenbelt for coffee (and didn't have anything set in stone after that since I was being flexible on the time), which had ended going well. After coffee, we got lunch over there, and then I suggested a walk. I didn't know as she was from online, but she didn't have a car and got rideshare to Greenbelt from Lanham area. I had said we could get a walk at Watkins Mill Park & could take you back.After dropping her off around 4:30, I looked on my phone at various options of stuff to do. I opted for a movie on my AMC A-List at neighboring AMC Magic Johnson. I knew there was a birthday party in Dupont Circle area of DC (of someone I hadn't really talked to or seen in years), which I was considering especially considering I was right at 495 in Largo and quite a bit closer than from home. It would've been doubtful I would've gone to the birthday party from home, 10 miles to 495, 12.5 miles to my nearest Metro (Greenbelt).After my movie, I was weighing options of food to eat, en route to the birthday party in DC, which I was leaning to going, or on the way to another possibility or two (including simply driving home). But I decided I would just try this Carolina Kitchen right next door to AMC movie theater.Experience with Carolina Kitchen:I walked in here, and it was a cafeteria style, basically a meat & three (or technically meat & two in this case; still plenty of food). The line was kind of long a little after 7:30, but I was patient. They have a good variety of various Southern cuisine from fried chicken, catfish, fried whiting, etc. I wanted to go less unhealthy with not getting one of their fried options. I got the rotisserie chicken. I opted for a healthy green side, green beans, and my favorite "vegetable" mac & cheese. Staff was cordial.As for the food itself, it was tasty. Chicken was a good size and tasty, but I've had some better ones. Mac n cheese was solid. I feel like I should try their fried chicken, catfish, or other food at some point. If I'm ever at AMC Magic Johnson or other reason over here, or other location in Hyattsville or elsewhere, I'd definitely consider this a good option. After this, I ended up driving to the birthday party, parking was terrible, but I walked to the Dupont Circle bar and was fun seeing a couple of people I hadn't seen in many years.

I stopped here on the way home from a work trip. It was not the quick satisfying lunch break I was hoping for. I came in about 2:30, & there was quite a line. I ordered the BBQ sandwich, macaroni, & fries. It took over 30 minutes to receive my sandwich. They only included the macaroni, when I asked about the fries they said it'd take 15 minutes to make them. This was after I already waited for the sandwich, so I fully declined. They did not offer an alternative or refund. The BBQ was terrible, I've had better frozen bbq from Costco than this, and it wasn't cheap either. I would not describe it as Carolina style either as it was completely sweet, no vinegar or tang.

Food was good! Service was fast and no issues. The place was empty for mid afternoon during the week. There was a guy out front opening the door asking for money which was a turn off because he was asking when you walk in and out.

They definitely provide large portions of EVERYTHING I had ribs, potatoes, and cornbread.

Meh. It's mediocre food except the green beans and baked beans. Because it's a served buffet, service is quick.

The variety of food selections is amazing. I got fried chicken, mac & cheese, and collared greens. My husband got the meatloaf, corn, and yams. We both loved our meals!

First time visit. This is cafeteria style. All of the food we got was very good. Fried whiting, fried pork chops, baked chicken, peach cobbler, greens, sweet potatoes, black eyed peas, carrots cake, rice, cornbread. The portions were huge. The staff was polite and very patient with questions from 1 st time visitors.

Good southern cooking albeit with high prices. I called in my order which was prepared by the time I arrived. I've been to this location before and the atmosphere is good.

Best Mac cheese you can buy that's not a homemade. Always cheesy and always good. I get the dark meat jerk chicken again always flavorful and good. I never had one bad time eating here in all 13years. Way better than Levi's

Hello, we came in the restaurant at 9:10 pm. We had scraps left. No fried chicken, no fish. They said they were not make anything else. Spent over $50 for food we didn't really want to eat.