An Iconic Restaurant Near Cole Camp IS Closing For Good This Fall

An iconic buffet restaurant voted Missouri's Best Buffet two years in a row by Missouri Magazine will open for the last time on October 1, 2022, according to a  post on the buffet's Facebook Page.

Charley's Buffet in Lincoln near Cole Camp will serve its last buffet on Saturday, October 1. According to their Facebook post, the restaurant says that it's time for them to say goodbye to the business and move on. The post goes on to say the family that owns the buffet is sorry they will no longer be part of the community, especially because many fans of the restaurant rallied around them and fought hard for the buffet to stay open.

Like many restaurants, the past few years have been difficult for the restaurant between Covid-19, supply chain issues, and rising food costs. While they didn't specifically address any of those issues as a specific reason for the closure, a post from the restaurant on Facebook warning of higher buffet prices from late July may tell part of the story.

The closure post on their Facebook page has drawn comments from many of the buffet's customers:

"I hope there is a way for you to stay open. I went for the first time in awhile a few weeks ago and the service was great and the food was still amazing. Your place is always worth the drive." - Doug Sokolowski

"This is so sad. My Dad was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020. Once he started feeling better we started to meet at Charley’s for dinner. My dad would plan out all the desserts he intended to try with his grandkids from their dessert buffet. We ate delicious food and talked for such a long time after. The staff was amazing and never made us feel rushed to leave. It felt like a home away from home. Sadly, last year my dad passed. We haven’t yet made the leap to come to Charley’s without him because the memories we have of him there with us were so great. Perhaps it’s time to go one last time." -Kristin Sneed

"I am so sad to hear this. I could always count on the food being just like my grandma would have made. It was always fresh and wonderful. I love the atmosphere. When i leave I always leave super sore and miserable, because i was unable to control myself with all of the breads and butters. The fried potatoes! Not very many places can you go and get those. I will miss the deserts too. My foodie heart is broken. So many moments of excitement making the drive not earing all day hoping to make extra room, standing outside in the pouring rain, smoldering heat, and even the cold. Thank you so much for the food and the service all of these years. This is one place i am sure gonna miss....." -Amber Smith

"Everyone reading this should make a special Point going and visiting and eating there as soon as possible and take friends and tell everyone else too.. it will either give them the Boost they need or send them off in Grand Style" -Kris Young

I think we all need to take Kris' advice and head out to Charley's to experience it at least once. Behka is the one who clued me in about it, unfortunately, Covid-19 hit soon after, and well my wife and I never made it there to check it out. It's something we should experience at least once, even if it is going away.

In addition to being named Missouri's Best Buffet two years in a row by Missouri Magazine, the buffet consistently gets great reviews on Trip Advisor and Yelp. As well as being featured on the Only In Your State website.

Charley's Buffet, 23785 Highway B in Lincoln, will be serving up Missouri's Best Buffet through Saturday, October 1. The restaurant is open on Friday and Saturday evenings only from 4:30 PM - 8:30 PM CDT.