International Buffet opens at former Golden Corral in Poughkeepsie

The signature red and yellow of Golden Corral, known to Route 9 drivers as an eyesore for longer than it was a functional restaurant, is gone.

But while the final exit of the buffet chain itself left the Town of Poughkeepsie with an empty building for close to two years, the exit of the chain's familiar exterior has led to something new.

Sporting a gray-and-white paint job, International Buffet & Grill opened its doors Tuesday, bringing a new option for buffet dining to Dutchess County.

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International Buffet, located at 2345 South Road, offers an eclectic selection of cuisine, including American, Mexican, Italian and Dominican food. The buffet also features a chocolate fountain and weekend breakfast hours.

The embattled Golden Corral had not been open since the pandemic began. Its future had seemed uncertain after a "for sale" sign was placed in front of the restaurant earlier this year, but the company said this was only a temporary closure.

It had previously been closed for roughly 20 months under a former owner, and has been a source of frustration for diners eager to visit, with many disappointed when they could.

Golden Corral was first announced to open in Poughkeepsie in June 2015, with plans to open in summer 2016. That finally happened on Jan. 27, 2017, but it closed 11 days later to "get all the kinks out" in its operation. It closed again in late March that year, amid concerns regarding service and sanitation, and accusations it failed to pay multiple employees.

It reopened its doors in November 2018 under a new owner and remained open for roughly 16 months. The restaurant was listed as "temporarily closed" March 2020, according to a post on its Facebook page.

For more information on the new buffet, visit facebook.com/International-Buffet-Grill-102975208901666/ or call 845-501-4236.

Geoffrey Wilson: gwilson@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4882; Twitter: @GeoffWilson_

This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: International Buffet opens in Poughkeepsie at former Golden Corral