Szechuan Restaurant

Food was decent, but lacks a little of the authentic flavoring I was looking for. Definitely one of the better options for chinese food in the area. I would highly recommend their ja jern mien (or however they spelled it)!

In a word — YUCK! I ate lunch here over the weekend as part of my effort to find a good Chinese food restaurant in the Roanoke Valley. This is definitely not it. First of all, the place was empty — that should have been a clue. The condiments on the table had a layer of film (dust?) over the top. The buffet was sparse and the food was cold. Part way through the meal I heard the LOUDEST sneeze ever come from the kitchen. At that point I gave up, paid the bill and left. The quest continues…

Well my fellow Unilocalers, I guess it isn’t just me who has noticed changes at this place! I stopped in for lunch instead of the (larger, newer, cleaner, less than a dollar more expensive) buffet across the street. I had been here once before and enjoyed the mongolian style grill, fresh options, and friendly service.
This place is a shell of it’s former self. The service is still friendly, and the manager is nice, but I felt like I was in an episode of kitchen nightmares or restaurant impossible. The décor was dated and, well, gross (dirty ceiling tiles, lights w/​o bulbs, dust on fixtures, etc). The food looked horrible in the serving dishes and very little of the food was hot. It was not flavorful and I am convinced that some of it was reheated (poorly) from the previous day as it retained it’s tupperware container configuration on the buffet line. I just kept thinking this CAN’T be the same Szechuan chain as across town.
If I am looking for trough style Chinese food, I will drift across the street just as many Szechuan customers have before me. I just can’t risk giving them «another chance». I didn’t notice a Unilocal sticker on the door, but perhaps someone has already peeled it off.

Well I wish I could say positive things
ABout this place. Honestly I did eat there a while back. I will not again. The quality of the food is not good. They have lost business to a new competitor across the street and have lost focus on quality over price. The only decent Szechuan in Roanoke is the rt. 419 location. The original store. I do not care for cheap buffet with poor quality. Sorry it sounds harsh, but it is what it is. The manager seems extremely nice and that is why it is hard for me to write this. Hopefully he will see the review and focus on quality. Food lacks fresh taste. Taste like fast food. Service is o.k., but it is a buffet!

BAD! Use to be about the best Chinese in Roanoke, but this was pretty disappointing. Looks like the place is having a hard time surviving because there was a little pile of dried food in the center of each buffet pan and the Mongolian grill was closed! Used to be the grill was great, fresh, etc. but this evening it was really bad. I should have refused to pay. One couple walked out without eating. Expensive also. It was 26 for two people just for the really terrible «leftovers» on the buffet and soda. It was early evening also so no excuse for the sparse buffet. Friendly staff but I won’t be going back.

It may be better than 1 star by some people’s standards but I need to weigh down the rest of these raving reviews. I know I can’t expect too much from a Chinese buffet in the middle of nowhere Roanoke, VA but 4 stars made it seem at least edible. The food was mediocre, greasy, and sugary. The hot and sour soup tasted. sweet? The only saving grace was the Mongolian grill, which was bearable.
I guess I have too high of standards for Chinese food since I eat it regularly so if you’re looking for a cheap buffet, you’re getting what you pay for

We went to Szechuan Restaurant once when we moved here last year and never went back. My husband and I probably have different expectations on Chinese food than most people here because we had experienced various kind of Asian food when we lived and traveled in Asia. I also enjoy cooking Asian food in my free time.
On our visit we asked the waitress for her recommendations on a couple authentic Szechuan style dishes. The waitress consulted the chef and came back with her recommendations on 2 dishes. But then she added that «the chef is not really good at making real Chinese food.» With that said, we tried to experience the food with an open mind but realized later her comment was right on the mark. It was real greasy and we had indigestion when we went home.
There is a bunch of ready-​made seasoning mix available (which cost just a few dollars) at Kroger and online websites if you are unfamiliar with Chinese food and would like to create something with 15 minutes of prep time. Probably might taste better than what you get at most Chinese restaurants here.

Good food. Definitely better than most.

10 bucks for a weekend lunch buffet? What?! And that includes the Mongolian grill? Shut… up. Note: If I ever talk like this, please punch me in the face.
But seriously, it’s the cheapest Chinese buffet I’ve encountered. This seemed like it had more options than Red Palace and for less. Granted, I could be wrong, but I’m probably not. Everything on the buffet was pretty good and not everything was cooked in a sugary sauce. Granted, you do have your sugary General Tso’s (if that’s your thing) and other options if that’s what you’re looking for. The Mongolian grill consisted of pretty basic options (beef, chicken, pork) and limited vegetables (bean sprouts, carrots, onions). You have your choice of three sauces (soy sauce, terriyaki, and garlic sauce). Not horrible. The thing that irks me about Roanoke thus far is the lack of soft serve at Chinese buffets. Come on… I need something to top my fried donuts with. It’s just common sense… Chinese buffet… finish with soft serve. Ah well.
Service was good. Drink refills were efficient. The place was pretty crowded. Red Palace is closer to me… granted I still have yet to try the Valley View location… but I think Szechuan is better. I’ll have to come out here a few more times before tacking on that 5^th star.

Had their lunch buffet today. Everything seemed pretty fresh which is great. There was a big line waiting for a table around noon — a good sign.
Everything was pretty tasty, chicken balls in garlic sauce, generals chicken (orange chicken), and the chicken with mushrooms had LOADS of mushrooms. The hot and sour soup was tasty, and the donut dough thingies were delicious.
About $ 7.50 for the buffet without a drink. Good deal!

Yummy food — great buffet at lunch and dinner. Service is friendly and attentive. If you’re vegetarian you might want to check out the buffet before ordering it — you might do better ordering from the menu. I’ve noticed they usually have a tofu dish on the lunch buffet but not always at dinner.