Golden Corral, an all-you-can-eat chain buffet restaurant currently undergoing construction on land at the south side of the Lehigh Valley Mall, did not open as expected in time for Thanksgiving.

Some reports say the owners now are looking for the restaurant to open by Christmas.

Other indicators mention it could be later.

The popular all-you-can eat buffet restaurant had a ground-breaking ceremony in July. The restaurant is going up at site of the former Chi-Chi's Restaurant, across from Macy's at the Lehigh Valley Mall.

Whitehall Township Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. said, "There are rumors" regarding when Golden Corral may open.

"No comment," Hozza offered on not giving credence to the timelines of a possible opening.

The mayor said no certificate of occupancy has been issued by the township.

The township, during the construction process, has had inspectors at the site. While the facade seems to be complete, there is work still being done inside.

The parking lot also needs to be constructed.

Kal Patel and Hiren Patel, co-owners, are known for operating Dunkin Doughnut franchises in the region.

Seating more than 400 patrons, the Golden Corral is approximately 11,000 square feet.

For the area residents anticipating the Golden Corral opening its doors, it is not the first Golden Corral in the Lehigh Valley to operate. There was a Golden Corral in Emmaus, which closed in 2005.

This marks the first Golden Corral franchise for the Patels.

The chain is based in North Carolina. It has over 450 locations in the United States, eight in Pennsylvania.