Red Wok Buffet

Red Wok Buffet is deceptive: its location next to a grocery store and a Subway makes it seem from the outside like it may be only a small take-​out Chinese joint, but once inside it opens up to a decent-​sized dining room with a three-​unit buffet. It’s a bit worn around the edges, sure, but overall it’s clear they try to keep it clean and tidy-​they even had Christmas ornaments up for the season when I visited in early December of 2015. The owners/​staff are not too talkative but seem concerned with running a quality restaurant, too.
I’m not in general a fan of Asian buffets as I fear often the food isn’t the highest in quality, probably over-​laden in salt and possibly MSG, and may have sat out too long on top of it all. However, after reading the overall good Unilocal reviews of Red Wok, I decided to give it a try since I was out in Newberry today anyways. Overall, the food was pretty good. Not exceptional, it was also in the style you’d expect for take-​out type American Chinese, but certainly wasn’t bad. They were bringing out fresh food while I was there and a couple local high school kids and I circled the buffet like sharks awaiting the fresh honey chicken and teriyaki chicken on a stick to arrive from the kitchen. They also had General Tso’s chicken, some pepper chicken dish, egg rolls, crab rangoons, a few other typical meat and stir-​fried veggies type dishes, sushi (in a little fridge in the back), and some little desserts like cake and cookies. Out of what I sampled, here’s what I thought:
The teriyaki chicken on a stick was great and good portions, too. The honey chicken was fresh from the kitchen and very tasty, the General Tso’s had sat out a while but if fresh I think would have been very good as well. The crab rangoons were pretty good though the egg roll was just ok. Most of the stir-​fry dishes were also ok, but had sat out and were not fresh from the kitchen and since some dishes were, that made those that were not kinda stand out in a bad way. Most of this food, mind you, is not any too healthy: the salt alone is probably off the chain, but for now and then it’s not a bad meal and the buffet format is appealing. I’d certainly come back.

This is a good chinese buffet. We were warmly greated upon arrival and directed to a booth. Our drink order was taken and delivered promptly. I always hit the hot n sour soup first and it was tasty. Then I tried a number of dishes offered. Some were definately better than others but all in all the food was good. The staff here is very good about removing used plates and refilling soda. After a few trips I was happy and we were happily thanked by the owner and asked to visit again.
I will definately try it again.

Just ate at the Red Wok this evening. For a Chinese Buffett it was very good, I had a little of just about everything they had, it was all very good and fresh. When I walked in they sat us down immediately, took our drink order and had brought them within 3 minutes. Thru out the dinner they kept our drinks full. The food was very good, and based on other places around Gainesville they were the best in my opinion. I didn’t look at the prices when I came in and got worried as we ate. But when we were finished and the bill arrived I was presently surprised! This will be my new best Chinese Buffett of the area,

Red Wok has three buffet tables of hot food, one of salad and desserts, and an ice cream cooler.
All the food was fresh and appetizing, even though we ate at the worst time for that (late afternoon, but not yet «dinner hour» — the time when many buffets have a bunch of drying remnants instead of fresh fare). Several varieties of chicken, ranging from mild to spicy (Tso’s); the best teriyaki «chicken on a stick» I’ve had in a long time if ever; a couple of pork dishes; several seafood offerings (salmon, shrimp and frog legs); the usual rice, veggie and egg fu yung selections, all attractively presented and well-​made.
The service was friendly, courteous and efficient without being intrusive or overbearing.
Not as full-​featured as Ocean in nearby Gainesville — only a couple of sushi roll selections and no «custom cook hibachi» service — but less expensive (especially for a Sunday!) and not as crowded. A very solid Chinese buffet.