China Inn Buffet
China Inn Buffet
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
3 reviews
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WOOOOAAHHHH
This place is seriously BAD.
Now everyone knows that Chinese buffets very rarely have excellent food. But this place– I can't even describe it. I'm kind of upset that I'm wasting my 200th review on it.
Their Chinese food is HORRIBLE. Their Singapore Mei Fun had— oh I can't even say it– IT HAD NO CURRY!!! How do you even make it without curry? Their meat tasted really funky and weird.
The only good things were their garlic bread and macaroni and cheese.
Not to mention that it's pricier than the buffet on Bartow Avenue, which I hate to say it, but has far better food than this one. The waitress is also really rude, you pay before you sit. We didn't order any drinks so we didn't feel a hefty tip was necessary, but man did she give us the staredown of the century with an awkward passive aggressive "thank you, THANK YOOOOOU… *nudge nudge*"
NEVER. AGAIN.
Brotip: no no no no no spare yourself!
Okay, let me preface this by saying that before I even stepped foot in China Inn, I was filled with several preconceived notions, fueled mostly by reviews from this forum. I'm happy to say many, if not most of them, did not materialize.
I came in just after 6pm on a Saturday, and was seated promptly. Although the dining room was less than 1/2 filled at the time, the hostess tried sitting me, as a single diner, on a table for 6, right next to the buffets. I asked if I could sit further from the food, and after acting a bit like I was from outer space, she sat me in a more appropriate table. Immediately I was asked what I'd like to drink, and it was brought to me quickly.
One thing that struck true from the reviews I read was the surliness of a few of the waitresses. The older ones seemed to share jokes in Chinese about most everyone that came in, including me. Not to be undone by this quasi-rudeness, I set off to explore the three large food bars.
First the cold area. One half was filled with dessert fodder of many kinds, including loquats, pineapple, bananas in strawberry-ish sauce, Jello, etc. The other half was dominated with shrimp, clams, baby tako (octopus, head, tentacles and all) and several types of sushi. I had about one of most everything, and was impressed by the freshness of the seafood.
First hot bar, mostly appetizer fare, such as dumplings, fried chicken wings, spare ribs, et al. I found nothing to complain about. Not gourmet, but decent quality, and nothing looked or tasted tired.
The entree bar was much of the same. Typical, familiar food, save for the white Singapore mei fun. I did not feel rushed in the slightest, maybe because several of the waitstaff were counting their tips in plain sight. Yes, I feel it is proper to tip at a buffet, for any modicum of service, and my waitress was attentive enough to remove my used plates, and offered me a second drink.
One thing I did notice was what has to be called Crustaceal gluttony. It seemed like every 5th or 6th person loaded their plate with crab as if were the only thing available. Sure, it's all-you-can-eat, but REALLY, save some for the other folks! One lady in particular went up three times with different plates, so her table was covered with end-to-end crab. Well, to each their own, I suppose. I didn't have any crab, so all things even out…sort of
I'm glad I checked this place out, despite the many negative reviews. Who knows, maybe I got there on a good day!
I have definitely experienced better. It's cheap and it's Chinese food dished out in mini troffs. The food is comparable to the neighborhood Chinese food spot and for the price it's not too bad but the customer leave much to be desired.
I have seen arguments ensue but the worst would have to have been a family that commandeered the crab leg tray and brought the entire container to their table to devour. I know its "all-you-can-eat" but damn! Not the type of people or environment I want to be in.