Families Keep Returning To This Florida Country Buffet For The Crispy Fried Chicken

Fred’s current menu states that its fried items are cooked in beef tallow. That one detail tells you a lot about how seriously this kitchen takes its golden crunch.

The chicken shows up all day long, from the lunch spread straight through dinner. It shares the line with fried catfish, smoked pork ribs, collard greens, and skillet cornbread. More than 90 percent of the dishes get made in-house every single day.

I like how this place feels rooted in Florida farm country without trying too hard. A family has been cooking for hungry neighbors here for generations, and that steady hand shows in the menu.

I can’t imagine a better excuse to gather the whole crew around one big table. So what keeps families circling back for another plate, and then another?

Peanut Oil Is The Secret Behind That Golden Crunch

Golden Fried Chicken is the star that pulls families into Fred’s Market Restaurant in Riverview. It sits on the MarketTable all day, so nobody misses out based on timing.

Here’s a detail worth knowing before your first bite. Fred’s current menu states that its fried items are cooked in beef tallow.

Peanut oil is a classic choice in Southern kitchens. It handles high heat well, which helps fried food turn out crisp and golden.

The restaurant calls its approach Slow Food, Fast. That means home-style cooking that still lands on the buffet quickly for hungry diners.

Fried chicken is one of those dishes everyone at the table understands. Kids know it, grandparents love it, and picky eaters rarely argue with it.

That makes it a smart anchor for a family meal. You can grab a drumstick for the little ones and a wing for yourself.

One practical tip helps a lot here. Anyone with a peanut allergy should talk with staff before eating anything fried.

Otherwise, go ahead and plan your plate around the chicken. Everything else on this buffet happily plays the supporting role.

Your Sides Plate Might Get Bigger Than Your Main Plate

Collard greens, rutabagas, and black-eyed peas sound like a Sunday supper at a country relative’s house. At this Florida buffet, they show up as everyday regulars on the MarketTable.

The side lineup is where things get tricky for your plate space. Mac and cheese sits near sweet potato souffle, and both make strong cases for a scoop.

Rutabagas deserve special attention if you’ve never tried them. They’re a root vegetable that many Southern cooks treat like a comfort classic.

Skillet cornbread and yeast rolls round out the bread situation. Good luck choosing only one, because nobody’s handing out awards for restraint.

Here’s a helpful strategy for families. Let each person grab a small spoonful of something new and pass around the tasting notes.

Kids who won’t touch greens might still try sweet potato souffle. It leans sweet enough to feel like a treat while still counting as a vegetable.

Many of the dishes are prepared in-house, so these sides aren’t treated like afterthoughts. They carry the same homemade spirit as the chicken.

Honestly, the sides alone could justify the trip. The chicken just seals the deal.

Dinner Brings Out The Smoked Ribs And Pot Roast

Jack Black Oak Smoked Pork Ribs. That name alone could make anyone rearrange their evening plans.

When the Dinner MarketTable opens, the lineup expands in a big way. On weekdays, dinner runs from 5 PM to 9 PM.

Pot roast with vegetables joins the party, along with roasted turkey in gravy. Country fried steak and Mom’s meatloaf bring even more old-school comfort.

Seafood fans get their turn too. Fried shrimp, shrimp creole, fried catfish, and rainbow trout all appear among the selections.

Chicken lovers aren’t stuck with just one style either. Baked chicken, chicken n’ dumplings, and honey barbecue wings give the fried chicken some friendly competition.

That variety helps when a family can’t agree on anything. One person goes for ribs while another heads straight for the meatloaf.

Sunday works a little differently, which is good to know. Dinner MarketTable starts at 11:30 AM and runs until 9 PM.

That makes Sunday afternoon a sweet spot for a long family meal after church or errands. Grandma gets her turkey, and the kids still get their crispy drumsticks.

Early Risers Get Biscuits, Gravy, And A Fruit Bar

Biscuits smothered in gravy at 7 AM? Fred’s Market Restaurant opens its doors early, and breakfast is ready when you are.

The breakfast spread covers the Southern basics with confidence. Eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, gravy, and hash browns all make an appearance.

A fresh fruit bar balances things out nicely. It’s handy for anyone who wants something lighter alongside that second biscuit.

Timing matters here, so set an alarm if needed. Breakfast runs until 10:30 AM on weekdays and until 11:15 AM on Saturdays.

Sunday starts a bit later, with doors opening at 8 AM. Breakfast then runs until 11:15 AM before the later meal service begins.

A morning visit can be a clever move for busy families. Kids are often hungriest early, and a hearty breakfast keeps everyone fueled for the day.

Hash browns and bacon tend to win over even the sleepiest teenager. That alone might be worth the early wake-up call.

Fried chicken is also available during breakfast.

Save Room, Because The DessertTable Plays Dirty

Strawberry shortcake in Florida feels almost like a hometown tradition. The original Fred’s Market started in Plant City, a town famous for its strawberries.

So it fits that strawberry shortcake has a spot on the DessertTable. It sits alongside pecan pie, banana pudding, cakes, pies, and ice cream.

That lineup can wreck the best-laid eating plans. You promised yourself one more piece of chicken, then you spot the pecan pie.

A smart move is to pace yourself from the start. Take smaller portions on the first trip so dessert doesn’t feel like a challenge.

Banana pudding is a Southern staple that families tend to share and fight over. Ice cream gives younger kids an easy, familiar finish to the meal.

Mixing and matching is half the fun here. A little pie with a scoop of ice cream never hurt anybody.

Dessert is also where a family meal slows down. Conversations stretch out, and nobody rushes for the car keys.

That’s the quiet magic of a good country buffet. The sweet stuff gives everyone a reason to linger just a little longer.

A Family Story That Started Back In 1954

At least three generations of the Johnson family are documented in the history of the business. That kind of staying power doesn’t happen by accident.

The family’s restaurant roots trace back to 1954 in Plant City, Florida. Elton and Evelyn Johnson started a tradition of family dining that still shapes things today.

Fred Johnson and his wife, Tammy, opened the first Fred’s Market Restaurant in 1998. They introduced the Slow Food, Fast concept in Plant City.

The Riverview location came later and has been serving the area for over a decade. Today, the family runs three Florida spots in Riverview, Plant City, and Lakeland.

Knowing this history adds flavor to the visit. Your fried chicken comes from a family that’s been feeding neighbors for about seventy years.

The goal has always been a warm, hometown feel. The restaurant often describes its hospitality as something like a hug from Grandma.

That’s a pretty high bar to set for yourself. Grandmas, after all, are tough competition in the kitchen.

Still, family-owned places carry a certain pride. When your name is on the sign, every plate matters.

Farm-To-Plate Cooking Keeps The Kitchen Busy

Fred’s emphasizes in-house preparation and home-style cooking across its menu. That’s a lot of chopping, simmering, and frying before the doors even open.

Fred’s Market leans on a farm-to-plate philosophy. The focus stays on fresh, local food whenever possible.

This approach makes sense given the family’s Plant City roots. That area sits in the heart of Florida farm country, surrounded by fields and growers.

Why should a buffet diner care? Fresh ingredients and daily cooking usually mean food that tastes closer to a home kitchen.

For parents, it’s also comforting to know what’s being served. Scratch cooking tends to feel more wholesome than heat-and-serve shortcuts.

The veggie side of the buffet shows off this mindset best. Greens, peas, rutabagas, and sweet potatoes all reflect classic Southern farm tables.

Here’s a tip for curious eaters. Ask staff what’s freshest or in season, since farm-focused kitchens often shift with the calendar.

You might discover a new favorite you didn’t expect. And yes, the crispy chicken will still be waiting when you return for seconds.

Bring The Kids, The Grandparents, And Everyone In Between

Toddlers, teens, and grandparents rarely agree on dinner. A country buffet solves that problem with remarkable ease.

Fred’s Market Restaurant sets out to create a warm, family-friendly atmosphere. The space is casual and relaxed, so nobody needs to dress up.

Kids can be picky, and that’s fine here. A plate of fried chicken and mac and cheese keeps many young eaters perfectly happy.

Watch for special deals that help stretch the family budget. The restaurant occasionally offers promotions like Kids Eat Free on certain days or seasons.

Checking the restaurant’s social media before visiting is a smart habit. Promotions can change, and timing your trip could save a little money.

Wheelchair accessibility makes visits easier for older relatives or anyone with mobility needs. Air conditioning is a welcome relief during those steamy Florida afternoons.

Free Wi-Fi might buy parents a few calm minutes too. Not that anyone at the table should be staring at a phone with pecan pie nearby.

Big families often struggle to find one spot that pleases everybody. This one makes the decision feel pretty easy.

Easy To Find, And Takeout Is On The Table Too

Busy weeknight, tired kids, and zero energy to cook. That’s exactly when knowing your options really pays off.

You’ll find the restaurant at 6501 US Highway 301 S, Riverview, FL 33578. Customer parking is available, which takes some stress out of the arrival.

Hours are generous for a family schedule. Doors open at 7 AM Monday through Saturday and 8 AM on Sunday, closing at 9 PM daily.

Can’t sit down for a full meal? Takeout is available, so the fried chicken can come home with you.

The Market Cafe offers convenient options for folks on the go. It’s handy when you want comfort food without the full buffet experience.

Planning a party, reunion, or office lunch? Catering lets you bring Southern home cooking to your own event.

Credit cards are accepted, so nobody needs to hunt for cash. Little conveniences like that matter when you’re herding a hungry group.

Fred’s Market Restaurant keeps things simple, and that’s a big part of the appeal in Florida. Good food, easy access, and a family that knows how to fry chicken right.