Hey. Since moving to Hendersonville five years ago, I’ve been going to China Buffet and Grill every few months. Two years ago I wrote a review, but I deleted it and wanted to give an update. There are plenty of reviews out there, and every person can be a critic on the internet, so I doubt mine will stand out much. My review will be a long one, but please take a moment to read if you care about food, service, or are interested in learning about cultures.The food at China Buffet can be great, especially in the mornings when it is fresh. In other times of the day it is not good, and is hard to recommend due to the inconsistency. The cooks never get enough credit, and no one ever speaks of them. They are always working hard to check on the food and put out more. The chow mein is especially good, and the potatoes are to die for (that is probably why everyone wants to eat them.)For one person, $11-12 would be a generous price to pay here if the prices were consistent. But… the prices are not always consistent, and I often feel they are trying to upsell me in a way. For example, when you enter the lobby they have a board with prices listed at different times in the day, $11.99 in the afternoon for lunch and so on. But at times, I’d visit during the afternoon and would be charged $13-14 which does not match the advertised price on the board. Adding to this, for the same size plate you would receive for takeout before, they recently started charging $2 extra for the same plate, while offering a smaller plate option. If you don’t mind spending a few bucks extra, go for it - but please keep this in mind. I feel this could be due to inflation, or higher costs to maintain restaurant, but I would like to know for sure.The atmosphere can be slightly noisy, but comfortable. It is well decorated but certainly not like the China Star Restaraunt in Madison that I was familiar with as a small child. Perhaps it is unfair of me to compare though. China Star Restaurant was always so peaceful, and the rooms were big. Every room was decorated to fully immerse you in the setting, as if you were in the heart of China itself eating food while keeping you interested in the culture. From the moment you walked in, the entrance was decorated with ornaments, dragons and other mythical creatures. As a kid I found it so beautiful, it made me more interested in learning the culture. Sadly, they went out of business. If I could give the owner a hug I would.For years, I tried other Chinese restaurants in Tennessee, from Hibachi, to Panda Express, to China Wok, Panda Cafe, and even China One, but none of them were quite like the China Star Restaurant I remember as a kid. They all struggled with consistency, and delivering that same feeling. No one could replicate the quality of China Star until China Buffet.When people come to a restaurant, people expect great food as they should - but it seems no one else is interested in the culture or has any respect for it. I think part of this is because most Chinese restaurants do not fully commit to teaching people about it, and we are often careless people. This restaurant does convince you that it is a chinese restaurant, but it feels like something is missing I can no longer find again.As for service, China Buffet is okay. The waitress is quick and responsive, and the guy at the front desk is cool. But at times, some of the people don’t respond to words like “thank you” and appear to ignore me. Instead of seeing this as rude, which I did, I try to think of it as my lack of understanding or a difference in language. I understand that in other cultures, people do not share or express kindness in the same small ways that we do in America. So I try to keep an open mind. I don’t know. I think that is the right way of seeing it.Taking this all into account, is China Buffet worth it? Yes and sometimes no. Food can be great but inconsistent. The atmosphere can be noisy in afternoons, but it does okay to show the theme. The service is good.I took several hours to write this. Hope it was worth it.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Kim Wilson
JUST NASTY ?
Elizabeth Lund
Went around 11:45 lunch time food is fresh and plenty to choose from. The staffs is nice and the place is nice .
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jared Johnson
Buffet was not kept stocked. Food was cold. Food was poor quality. Yes I know it's a buffet but the one in Gallatin is way better. I don't recommend this place.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Dee Dee
How do you just automatically give yourself a tip on a credit card purchase not knowing if a cash tip will be left on the table which in terms you screwed yourself out of a better tip. I wouldn’t recommend this type of service and personally I will not return because of
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 2
Kirk Peterson
Food was cold at 11 am when they opened. Not very good at all.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Mrs. Martinez
Ok so if you are going to eat before 3pm it’s good now after that time it’s up to you. I went a Saturday at 2:30pm everything was still fresh and good. Great price at Panda Express they charge 10.00 for a plate that they serve once so for $2 more you can eat what ever they have and you serve you, that’s good so yes I recommend it if it’s before 3pm.
Food was bland, sushi big selection but didn't seem freshly done ..
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Leticia Perez
Unfortunately I gave a 1 star because I can’t put 0. We were not pleased with any food that they had. There was not a wide variety of things to choose from. We decided to leave without getting any food but they made us pay for drinks which we did not even touch. I will NEVER be back again. Extremely disappointed…
Service: 1
Beth L.
I've visited this location several occasions. The food is "decent". It's Chinese buffet; it's as expected. Service is as expected. The owner/manger/waitress has a terrible habit of walking around the restaurant with gloves on, cleaning off dirty tables and collecting dirty plates. Then goes to the next table with same said (dirty) gloves on and refills people drinks, gives napkins, etc. I'm guessing not many sanitary practices happen here. It's just
sammie whitfield
We went for lunch. The food was just ok. Some of the sauced chicken just didn't taste right. The pot stickers didn't have any taste. The fried catfish was okay but didn't have any seasoning. However, we got some of the wings that just came out of the kitchen, and they were great. Didn't get to try the sushi. Also, the diet coke tasted funny
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Orange Chicken, Fried Rice
Roy Crouch
Good value for a quick lunch. Nice variety of choices. People who like Sushi might like the selection they have. (I'm not a fan)
Low price and good food
Hey. Since moving to Hendersonville five years ago, I’ve been going to China Buffet and Grill every few months. Two years ago I wrote a review, but I deleted it and wanted to give an update. There are plenty of reviews out there, and every person can be a critic on the internet, so I doubt mine will stand out much. My review will be a long one, but please take a moment to read if you care about food, service, or are interested in learning about cultures.The food at China Buffet can be great, especially in the mornings when it is fresh. In other times of the day it is not good, and is hard to recommend due to the inconsistency. The cooks never get enough credit, and no one ever speaks of them. They are always working hard to check on the food and put out more. The chow mein is especially good, and the potatoes are to die for (that is probably why everyone wants to eat them.)For one person, $11-12 would be a generous price to pay here if the prices were consistent. But… the prices are not always consistent, and I often feel they are trying to upsell me in a way. For example, when you enter the lobby they have a board with prices listed at different times in the day, $11.99 in the afternoon for lunch and so on. But at times, I’d visit during the afternoon and would be charged $13-14 which does not match the advertised price on the board. Adding to this, for the same size plate you would receive for takeout before, they recently started charging $2 extra for the same plate, while offering a smaller plate option. If you don’t mind spending a few bucks extra, go for it - but please keep this in mind. I feel this could be due to inflation, or higher costs to maintain restaurant, but I would like to know for sure.The atmosphere can be slightly noisy, but comfortable. It is well decorated but certainly not like the China Star Restaraunt in Madison that I was familiar with as a small child. Perhaps it is unfair of me to compare though. China Star Restaurant was always so peaceful, and the rooms were big. Every room was decorated to fully immerse you in the setting, as if you were in the heart of China itself eating food while keeping you interested in the culture. From the moment you walked in, the entrance was decorated with ornaments, dragons and other mythical creatures. As a kid I found it so beautiful, it made me more interested in learning the culture. Sadly, they went out of business. If I could give the owner a hug I would.For years, I tried other Chinese restaurants in Tennessee, from Hibachi, to Panda Express, to China Wok, Panda Cafe, and even China One, but none of them were quite like the China Star Restaurant I remember as a kid. They all struggled with consistency, and delivering that same feeling. No one could replicate the quality of China Star until China Buffet.When people come to a restaurant, people expect great food as they should - but it seems no one else is interested in the culture or has any respect for it. I think part of this is because most Chinese restaurants do not fully commit to teaching people about it, and we are often careless people. This restaurant does convince you that it is a chinese restaurant, but it feels like something is missing I can no longer find again.As for service, China Buffet is okay. The waitress is quick and responsive, and the guy at the front desk is cool. But at times, some of the people don’t respond to words like “thank you” and appear to ignore me. Instead of seeing this as rude, which I did, I try to think of it as my lack of understanding or a difference in language. I understand that in other cultures, people do not share or express kindness in the same small ways that we do in America. So I try to keep an open mind. I don’t know. I think that is the right way of seeing it.Taking this all into account, is China Buffet worth it? Yes and sometimes no. Food can be great but inconsistent. The atmosphere can be noisy in afternoons, but it does okay to show the theme. The service is good.I took several hours to write this. Hope it was worth it.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
JUST NASTY ?
Went around 11:45 lunch time food is fresh and plenty to choose from. The staffs is nice and the place is nice .
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Buffet was not kept stocked. Food was cold. Food was poor quality. Yes I know it's a buffet but the one in Gallatin is way better. I don't recommend this place.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
How do you just automatically give yourself a tip on a credit card purchase not knowing if a cash tip will be left on the table which in terms you screwed yourself out of a better tip. I wouldn’t recommend this type of service and personally I will not return because of
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 2
Food was cold at 11 am when they opened. Not very good at all.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Ok so if you are going to eat before 3pm it’s good now after that time it’s up to you. I went a Saturday at 2:30pm everything was still fresh and good. Great price at Panda Express they charge 10.00 for a plate that they serve once so for $2 more you can eat what ever they have and you serve you, that’s good so yes I recommend it if it’s before 3pm.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Crab Rangoon 10pcs, Fried Rice
It was lacking but we ate an hour before closing.
Great place to eat. Best China in
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chow Mein, Yang Chow Fried Rice, Sweet & Sour Chicken, Fried Rice
Restaurantji Recommends
Food was bland, sushi big selection but didn't seem freshly done ..
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Unfortunately I gave a 1 star because I can’t put 0. We were not pleased with any food that they had. There was not a wide variety of things to choose from. We decided to leave without getting any food but they made us pay for drinks which we did not even touch. I will NEVER be back again. Extremely disappointed…
Service: 1
I've visited this location several occasions. The food is "decent". It's Chinese buffet; it's as expected. Service is as expected. The owner/manger/waitress has a terrible habit of walking around the restaurant with gloves on, cleaning off dirty tables and collecting dirty plates. Then goes to the next table with same said (dirty) gloves on and refills people drinks, gives napkins, etc. I'm guessing not many sanitary practices happen here. It's just
We went for lunch. The food was just ok. Some of the sauced chicken just didn't taste right. The pot stickers didn't have any taste. The fried catfish was okay but didn't have any seasoning. However, we got some of the wings that just came out of the kitchen, and they were great. Didn't get to try the sushi. Also, the diet coke tasted funny
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Orange Chicken, Fried Rice
Good value for a quick lunch. Nice variety of choices. People who like Sushi might like the selection they have. (I'm not a fan)
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5