Ivery’s

It’s a good thing that customers are allowed to return to Ivery’s buffet line as often as appetite demands: There are too many tempting items to put decent portions of everything on a single plate. Of course you want fried chicken, but if it’s Friday, consider mullet. Other frequent presences: pork chops, country fried steak, baked chicken, baked ham. As for vegetables, the broccoli casserole is a cheesy delight; creamed corn is luxuriously creamy, mac ‘n’ cheese strikes the right balance between custard-soft and chewy. Then there are greens and braised cabbage and rutabagas and blackeyed peas and butter beans and, of course, squares of cornbread and usually two different cobblers for dessert. All this — as much as you want — is available for well under $10.

No wonder Ivery’s is a favorite of not only Thomson townfolk, but also of visitors from Augusta and beyond. Just a few miles off I-20, it makes an ideal destination restaurant if what you seek is expertly prepared southern comfort food.

Note: Ivery’s is open for lunch every day but Monday. Dinner is served Thursday through Saturday.