The buffet is as American an invention as the car. It's also a great way for people strapped for cash to stretch their dollars while filling their stomachs. 

And one TikToker, who goes by @ugh_madison wanted to test the limits on how long she could stay at a Golden Corral before being kicked out or keeling over.

A challenge like this is much more than just sitting and eating endless amounts of food for hours on end. It’s a game that is as much mental as it is physical. And Madison exhibited dad-like levels of perseverance in staying frugal.

@ugh_madison I cant believe this happened! I wanted to see how long i can stay at golden corral. #goldencorral #buffett ♬ original sound - Madison

Madison's day started at 8:30 a.m. when she set herself up in a booth for breakfast. And even though her first meal wasn't all that great as she found a hair in her "cotton candy cake" (for breakfast mind you) the dish was still "her favorite." 

When lunchtime came, Madison realized her table had been cleared. Her waitress had thought she left, though she kept serving her refill after refill of drinks.

“I think she was trying to make me full so I would leave but I’m not falling for that,” Madison said.

When dinner came around, management informed her that they needed to move her table and instead of leaving, she got up and helped. 

Madison, who had now been there longer than her server, whose shift ended, made sure to tip her before she went. Despite being there for over 6 hours, the managers didn’t mind that she was there that long.

Madison eventually left the Golden Corral at 8:30 p.m. and paid a total of $12 for all of her meals. If you look over the mysterious hair and general yuckiness of food sitting under a hot lamp, you can make your dollar stretch. And Madison feels she got her money's worth.

“Golden Corral?? girl there are less painful ways to end it all” said one commenter. 

Still, it was all $12 bucks. And for that, every middle-aged Dad watching has tears in their eyes filled with pride.