Best Buffet

NOTABLES
— Hot & Sour Soup (⁰⁄₁₀)
— Crab Rangoon (⁸⁄₁₀)
— Egg Foo Young (³⁄₁₀)
— Egg Roll (⁰⁄₁₀)
— Sesame Chicken (⁴⁄₁₀)
I got back to the hotel from work around 5, but then had to go straight back to working, but from the hotel. After a 3 hour push, when I got to a stopping point, I realized I was REALLY hungry! Worse off, I was only at a stopping point, I still had more work to do tonight! So, I wanted to go somewhere quick, but not fast food. Old Country Buffet came to mind. I can go in and immediately start eating and then leave with minimal fuss. Also, all OCBs in my neighborhood have closed, so in a weird sort of way, this was a «local» joint. That… and I wanted chocolate milk!
Lo and behold, they close at 8:30, so I had to think fast… Since I had a lame experience at Buffet City, I thought, perhaps, Best Buffet across the street would be better?
I took one step inside, and had all the confirmation I needed. NO! Best Buffet was NOT better than Buffet City. In fact, it was almost horrifying, but I had to eat, and I was already in so I dove in. Unlike Buffet City, this is not a hibachi buffet, it’s a straight up Chinese buffet… and a tiny one at that! They probably only had maybe 15 – 20 actual items to choose from. Oh, and also unnerving, I was the one and only, singular, guest in the entire restaurant!
HOT & SOUR SOUP
Oh my GOD! Have they no shame?! I’m sure there’re ways to make microwave or «just add water» hot and sour soup, and I’m sure it’d have been much more acceptable than this! It «looks» like hot and sour, but it did have a pale complexion. First spoonful, and the immediate taste was — bland! It wasn’t Hot & Sour, it was actually Lukewarm & Boring. However, as the first second passed, I noticed a new taste, something… mechanical, something… not natural, not biological. Then after a few more tortuous spoonfuls (because nothing’s more tortuous than having something be on the tip of your tongue, quite literally, and not get it), I realized what it was. BURNT CLUTCH! If you’re not a car person, you probably don’t know what that is. Chances are, you’ve probably smelled this driving behind a truck that’s braking a lot. OMG! It’s nasty!
CRAB RANGOON
Now, here was a surprise! The crab rangoon was awesome! Some pieces actually still maintained a crisp, and the filling was substantial for one, and also tasted great. It was cream cheesy, but unlike some, it didn’t taste like just pure cream cheese, there was something else in it. And unlike the Hot & Sour, this «something» was actually welcome! I must’ve had like 3, because it was the best thing they had.
EGG FOO YOUNG
There was nothing special about this egg foo young at all, except the gravy. I should dock it points for presentation, but I won’t. The gravy tasted fine too, surprisingly, but it was just disgusting looking. There’s a small bin where the gravy is in, and as you know, if you leave gravy unattended for a while, it’ll start creating a film at the top. Well, apparently, there were such long periods of idleness between scoops that it actually formed about a 1 – 2 inch solidified gravy shelf along one of the sides! Why do I call it a shelf? Because it was suspended in the air, about an inch above the current level of gravy! I don’t know what kind of super macho bravery came over me, but I scooped the gravy anyway!
EGG ROLL
Oh my god! Usually, I’m not a fan of egg rolls at Chinese buffets, but considering that a lot of the dishes out were either empty or inedible, I had to eat what I could! This thing tasted like dirty old cabbage! And I’m Korean, kimchi is essentially old cabbage! But this was not normal. This was foul!
SESAME CHICKEN
The only real protein that was somewhat worth eating. It was really nothing special, and the chicken has been swimming in this sauce forever, so it’s soggy. Plus, it’s been «heating» forever, so some of the pieces were tough. The sauce was sweet enough that it covered most of it and made it edible, so it had to do.
WORST BUFFET
Ok…HOW do these places stay in business? Someone at work mentioned that some of these places rock during lunch, and that may very well be so, but the state of this place looks like it hasn’t seen success in years! A lot of the booths were cut up and the wooden beams were poking through. The ice cream freezer hasn’t been used in years, and there’re electrical cords and wires inside it. They had a drink fountain mixer that just looked mildewy and unused. Salad, ranch dressing, cream puffs, etc. all need to be refrigerated, but they really didn’t look like they were doing their job!
Even though dinner was less than $ 9, I didn’t even think I really got my $ 9 worth. The thing is, it was bad, but it wasn’t like they were maliciously bad. I actually felt sorry for the owner. They may have spent their life’s savings on this, and this is the state of it! Or… maybe lunch is so successful, they’re filthy rich? Who knows? Not coming back to find out though!

The food is of very consistent quality. I’ve been coming here for about 10 years, and one meal tastes like the next whether it is the next day or next month or even next year.
Regular authentic Chinese dishes along with salad, drink and desert for $ 5.65 for lunch and $ 7+ for dinner. This is an excellent value in comparison to a combo meal from the local fast food restaurants in the area, which will cost you a similar price or more for less food. The place is always busy with regulars during lunch time varying from local tradesmen to office people that work in the area nearby.
The sushi is pre-​made California rolls. Siu Mai, crispy fried fish. The fried chicken wings and drummettes are above average size and very meaty. General Tso’s Chicken, and Bourbon Chicken, Twice-​Cooked Pork or chicken are all well prepared and a favorite here.
When in season vegetables are fresh and vibrant, yet not overdone. Self-​serve Coke products at no extra charge. The waitstaff are very polite and quick and efficient to clear empty plates. I’ve enjoyed being a customer here and look forward to many more meals in the future.