What's for dinner?

It's one of the hardest questions to answer come lunchtime on Sundays.

• Photos

Where to eat?

In Thomson, there are several contenders who are vying for everyone's post-church dollars, each tempting tummies with bountiful buffets.

Consider Ivery's, a Thomson fixture for several years. Owner Nether Ivery is isn't bashful about his restaurant, located just off Main Street near the Depot.

//

"My fried chicken is among the best I've seen," he said. "My fried chicken has been put up against the best of them."

Helen Drake from Norwood dishes up dessert at Randy's Country Kitchen. The eatery is one of several Thomson restaurants competing for the communitys after-church dining crowds.

Photo by Elwood Hamilton

Ivery's offers a Sunday buffet for $7.49 per person, which includes three different types of meats, the aforementioned fried chicken, baked chicken and fatback.

"The food is down-home cooking," Ivery said. "It's just old fashioned food. Some (customers) relate to the food."

He added that he often sees many repeat customers.

"They think the fried chicken is the best in the world," he said. "Most of my customers are repeat customers. The atmosphere here is real nice, and I don't think anyone can beat my price."

Millie Holbrook of Harlem drives to Thomson for Ivery's food.

"I love the food, especially the seasoning in it," she said. "I love all the vegetables and the macaroni and cheese."

But, Ivery's now has some competition. Randy's Country Kitchen opened on West Hill Street in January. Owner Randy Wiley is confident that his restaurant is one of the best Thomson has to offer.

"I've been cooking for 28 years," he said. "I learned from my grandmother and mother, and I still cook the old way."

Randy's Country Kitchen offers a wide variety of foodon buffet, which for lunch on Sunday costs $6.99 per person.

"I serve country-cooking type food, we have great friendly waitresses, and we just make everyone feel at home."

He's also quick to point out that his is the only restaurant he knows about that serves fried cornbread.

"My peach cobbler is my trademark," he added.

Customers are thrilled with the restaurant.

"It's very good," said Pam Faglier of Thomson. "It's delicious, the people are very friendly, and everything's clean. And you get hot food!"

Also in Thomson is Ryan's, which offers a buffet similar to Ivery's and Randy's Country Kitchen for $7.79 on Sundays.