A sign in the parking lot at Buford's Grill encourages people not to leave if the few parking spaces in front of the diner are taken. Around back, there's more parking, and during our Saturday morning visit, the extra space was used by everyone from single diners to large groups gathering to kick off their weekend.
SPECIAL STARTER
The cash-only restaurant near Main Street, owned by Jack and Cheryl Grissom, serves breakfast until 11 a.m. Monday-Friday, and it's the only thing you'll get on Saturdays, when it's open from 7 a.m.-noon. The menu has the usual assortment of eggs, biscuits, pancakes and everything else — potatoes, meats, grits — that come with it. Only on Saturdays, diners receive complimentary banana muffins, which Jack said are meant as a weekend thank-you to customers, especially repeat diners. They're not to be missed. The homemade muffins, which are whipped up from a recipe Cheryl has been using for 36 years, are warm and delicate.BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS
Our short stack of pancakes is buttery and fluffy. Our scrambled eggs are cooked to perfection, accompanied by lackluster grits and two pieces of toast. Meats include crispy bacon, salty country ham and meaty sausage patties. More hearty options like tenderloin with eggs also are on the menu. The hash browns are cooked just long enough to have a crunchy topping; they're a better pick than the home fries, made of sliced potatoes. The gravy is Grissom's simple recipe of flour, milk and lard, and joins biscuits that are tasty enough to be eaten by themselves. Drinks include tall glasses of orange juice, milk and, of course, coffee.COMMUNITY SETTING
Grissom, who previously worked in the construction industry, bought the restaurant four years ago after getting tired of the ups and downs in work due to the weather and other factors. "When it's raining, you sit at home and watch 'Bonanza,' " he said. The busy spot also has an animated piece of decor — a huge Styrofoam replica of Homer Simpson that Grissom bought for his son's birthday a few years ago. Regulars get hearty welcomes, and even some hugs from waitresses while oldies play on 106.7 FM. "It gets quite noisy in here, but everybody seems to enjoy it," Grissom said. The grill's location near railroad tracks also provides entertainment for the kids when trains chug past.• Hours: 6 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 7 a.m.-noon Saturdays, closed Sundays
• Payment: No credit cards; no checks
• Reservations: Yes, for groups
• Price range: Breakfast entrees, $1.35-$6.49
• Recommended dishes: Pancakes, eggs and bacon, banana muffins
• Web site: None
• Verdict: A go-to spot for breakfast in Buford.
