Buffingtons - Milledgeville (GA)

1 /5 JT: A shell of its former self after the reboot. Gone from being a great reflection of Milledgevilles uniqueness to just another smash burger joint. I understand that such a complex menu was probably bad for the bottom line of the restaurant, however theyve gutted it to its core. Gone are the amazing chickerrones and the delicious quesadillas, with just a smash burger and fries to take its place. I went to take some friends here, as I have done multiple times the last few years Ive lived here. I was heartbroken when I was handed the new menu. I paid for my drink and left and went somewhere else in milledgeville that has a semblance of personality left.

4 /5 Greg Kimball: I recently visited Buffingtons at 120 W Hancock St, in Milledgeville, GA for the 2025 Burger Week. The burger for this year was a very good one. Maybe the best I have had there for burger week. I sat at the bar and was quickly greeted and my drink order taken. My burger came out later and it was very good. I have been there many times and always enjoy my times there.

1 /5 Keith Regentine: When Mike sold Buff’s to the owners of The Brick, or the original founders of Buffingtons, how long did they own it for again, I dreaded the day I’d have to rewrite my review of the first bar and grill I called home after moving to Milledgeville. Deep down, I hoped that not much would change, but my gut wrenched knowing that it would. The first time I came here, I was greeted by Callie’s southern charm and the friendliness of her regulars. The fried mushrooms had a crisp bite yet somehow melted in your mouth. There were enough burger options to try a new one every day for weeks, or swap in a thick, crispy chicken breast. Even the quesadillas, nachos, and loaded potato wedges were standouts. The menu was expansive and a true reflection of Milledgeville’s southern character. Gone are the days of being able to eat here a few nights a week. Gone are the days of dropping in for a quick appetizer, unless you like pickles (literally the only thing left on the appetizer menu). Gone are the days of coming in to watch the game at the bar with good company (yes, they even took the TVs down at the bar). When the new owners took over, they said one of their goals was to: "Bring the food & drink menu back to its original roots.” If the original roots were boring and spiritless, then I guess they nailed it. Your only choices now are well-done smash burgers (no pink to be found) or chicken that reminds me of lightly breaded Perdue strips, a shame to call it fried chicken (see the skimpy serving on my “William Nelson” sandwich photo). And while Buff’s didn’t always have a defined cocktail menu before, alcoholic milkshakes were definitely not what it was missing, especially when the bartenders were already great at recommending or crafting something to match your craving. They ended their takeover announcement with: "We’ll be back soon. Can’t wait to welcome y’all home to Buffington’s.” I’m sad to say that after going a few times in the past couple of weeks, for now, I don’t know if I can call this home anymore. I get sad every time I leave here, remembering the food I used to get versus what’s put in front of me now. It’s just a shell of its former glory. Whether their goal is to make it trendy with the current smash burger fad, fill the place with college kids like their other bar, or run it into the ground to justify a full rebrand, I couldn’t tell you. Hopefully it will always remain the home of live music in Milledgeville, as it was this weekend, and thankfully they kept the bartenders from the previous era, but that’s about all it has going for it right now. Their new focus is apparently on “speed and freshness.” But Buff’s already offered quality food, speed and freshness were never the issue. This isn’t (or wasn’t supposed to be) a fast-food burger chain or the next Shake Shack. The food certainly doesn’t taste better or fresher; in fact, I’d rather wait three to five times longer for a real burger than get a plank of one in three to five minutes. For a place to go back to a menu that might’ve been offered over 20 years ago when they last owned it doesn’t feel like a step forward toward something better, just backward. Welcome back another basket and fries restaurant to Milledgeville!

5 /5 Ellie Page: The verdict is in: the switch to Smash Burgers is a total game-changer. While the old menu featured thick patties that were often dry and tasteless, the new preparation has completely elevated the quality. These burgers are moist, fresh, and truly incredible—I’ve visited over a dozen times now, and the food is great every single time. The Potato Bun is STELLAR. ​However, it feels like the "smash" concept was taken a bit too literally with the menu itself. The selection has been smashed down to the bare essentials, and the lack of variety seems to be hurting business; the house is rarely busy unless there’s an event. The new boozy milkshakes are a fantastic addition, but the menu needs a bit more depth to help people get past the "change" factor. ​On the bright side, the restaurant is spotlessly clean and the staff is incredibly friendly. I do miss the old soul of the building—specifically the iconic dragon and artwork—but the new management is 100% capable of making the necessary adjustments to make Buffingtons THE place in Milledgeville again.

1 /5 Kevin Kerr: I visited Buffingtons again about 5 days ago, eager to try out the new menu. I found the ambiance almost unchanged , but the menu trimmed drastically. It was time for Buffington’s to have a menu review. Their offerings were varied and enticing, but there is no way that menu was cost-efficient. They offered too many choices for that. They offered too many choices that were not featured on every other menu you see. Too many choices that made the restaurant stand out as an obvious choice, above the many boring restaurants that it might otherwise have been. Now, under new/old management they have the most boring menu in Milledgeville. It appears they have embraced the T-Rump management style of improvement through destruction. I suppose the idea is to drive away all customers and go into bankruptcy in order to make some money. There is now no reason to visit Buffingtons. The menu resembles that of any high school football snack bar. Their beer selection is now as generic as it comes, unlike when they offered choices that were different enough to make me want to visit there, instead of any other burger joint, or the restaurant across the street or down the block. Congrtaulations: You have created a white bread restaurant out of one that offered so much promise.