Booty's Fish House - Royston

The food was really not what I expected. To even get to the food you had to stand and wait for all of the people ahead of you to decide what they wanted and how much. They should not even have shrimp on the line since all it is really salad shrimp which is at best 160 count. To a person that is used to going to sea food buffet I am used to much larger shrimp. I am not sure if this is the best in this area and if so then you have not eaten at a real sea food buffet.

DOV: Friday, March 31, 2023 5 pm So, apparently Booty's is a southern style Fish House that draws folks from miles around to its all you can eat buffet featuring fried catfish, fried (baby) shrimp, fried flounder pieces, deviled crab, and several sides including fried okra, hushpuppies, slaw, green beans, and french fries. It all starts with a long wait outside for them to open...we got there around 4 pm, and there was a line 30 people deep waiting to get in when they opened at 4:30 pm. Once the place opens, the line moves fairly quick, but then you have another long line to wait in the food line, which seemed to take a long time in itself. Finally, however, after a protracted wait in two lines, you get to your table with your food. The food at Booty's was okay, nothing special, if I'm being honest. It is a buffet with almost all fried offerings, all of which were okay, not great. I was among the second wave of folks to make it to the buffet after getting in the restaurant, and already a couple of items were depleted on the bar items that were a big part of why people go to Booty's in the first place fried baby shrimp and fried flounder pieces some of the only seafood offerings they have. I'm sure these items were replenished at some point, but that didn't do me any good...it's not like you can just stand there and hold up the line hoping they will bring those items out soon...I just had to miss out on them. The price for the all you can eat buffet was $15.89 per person this was the breaking point for me. I can say without hesitation that I will not be going again. I just don't see paying to eat a bunch of cheap, fried food that leaves me feeling heavy, like I need a nap, especially for that amount of money. It's not like there is anything special here...it's a small buffet with a scant offering of mostly fried food that certain people think is just grand, and will pay $16 a head to go and eat until they waddle out the door. If that's your vibe, then Booty's is the place for you. If not, then you might want to look elsewhere for your dining experience...this place is charming (in a weird sort of way), but overall, it is overrated, and way overpriced for what you get. $16??? Really? I think they are confusing themselves with Red Lobster. I do not recommend Booty's Fish House. Oh, one other note...you can pay $5 extra to get fried oysters brought to your table. I did this, and the oysters were very good...cooked just right, and they brought out five. But, back to reality...the price is now $20.89 (with oyster add on) a number reserved for places with bigger and better buffets.

I'm really surprised to read the negative reviews about this place. I've been going to this restaurant since I was a child. I've never been disappointed in the quality of the food. The fried catfish is better any I've ever had. Seafood is my favorite and I've eaten at many restaurants all across the Southeast. There are none that compare to Booty's for fried seafood. The price is very reasonable for what is available on the buffet. I guess there is just no pleasing some folks.

For what it is-an all you can eat buffet for $12.99 that is extremely popular with the locals we had some delicious catfish. These are the small 5 inch catfish. They were lightly coated and not greasy at all. Cole slaw was also good as was the special sauce that you request from your waitress for the chicken. The waitresses, staff and even the fellow diners were friendly. Our waitress checked on us throughout our meal. We met a guy in line who eats there weekly and has for 10 years.

Always get the bone in catfish. It's always good. My only complaint is that they are not open more than two days a week.