Empire Buffet

The place is just awful. The food is decent in regards to the sweet and sour chicken, and the white rice was fresh. Limited selections and the variety was also lacking. I was greeted by the hostess, a 10 year old kid, who I found out later was one of the waitresses sons. She also had another son there who was 12. He was seating customers, and changing food trays, like he was an adult. I spoke to his mother and said that he should not be working there, and he was told to do his homework. I also warned her that I would contact child labor officials if he continued working there. I went in last night and he greeted me (the ten year old). The place is cheap, and run down.

As others have said, it’s not the best place in the world, but it is good.
FOOD: (3.5) The buffet is limited, let’s be honest here, very limited. Typically when you think Chinese buffet you think 3 or more buffet tables filled with an abundance of choices but little flavor variety. What you will get at Empire Buffet is a small collection of food choices that are made well and distinctly different from each other. They put out smaller portions and refill often, so you know the food is fresh. Nothing has that «I’ve been sitting under this heat lamp too long» film on it. This is reflected in the chicken choices, which can ten to be dry and chewy at most buffet places, whereas here they are moist and tasty. If you have the chance, try the Walnut Chicken.
DECOR: (2) Ok, it sucks. Not much to say other than its old, outdated and in need of a good once over with some fresh paint. But everything is clean, just old.
SERVICE: (4) This is obviously a family owned business. When you walk in you are greeted by a young man who is exceptionally polite and respectful. He will seat you and immediately send someone over to take your drink order and bring your silverware. The servers are attentive without being intrusive. They are actually the best servers I have ever seen in a buffet. Everyone is courtious and helpful.
OVERALL: (3.25) It’s not the best place, but it’s better than most buffets. Their great service makes me want to go back again and again. We will go back again.

The décor as everyone has said is a bit run down, but it is clean as a whistle!
The number of dishes on the buffet is fewer then average but the good is rotated often so it is fresh and it is all good.
It is not the best restaurant to look at or the best Chinese you will ever have. It’s good food in a clean restaurant for a good price, and most important to me it is a good family who owns and operates it!
The three times I have eaten here one or both of the owners young sons have been working. They take orders, they clear tables, they seat guests, they do it all. They talk to adults with respect and honestly they do a better job the. 80% of the wait staff you will run into!
Local business, good family, clean restaurant. Too far to be a regular stop but if I’m in The area it is always in consideration!

Honestly, you can’t have children placing the food into your buffet. I watched this take place and will never go back. If you want to take your business seriously, have the owner’s kids do something other than handle food. This must be a major health violation. We’ve given it several chances, and continue to be disappointed. No adult around while two kids run the place? As an oddity, I guess this is a funny thing to see. As someone concerned about cleanliness and safe food handling, it’s gross. The desert freezer ice cream said everything. YUK. Place is run down and just not a pleasant experience. I guess if you enjoy little children waiting on you, go for it. I’m sure the lady and family work very hard, but this is the wrong image to project. You simply can’t have your kids be the main attraction and trust someone 8 or 9 years old to be safety aware of proper food handling. Final straw was getting way overcharged. A 10 year old completed the transaction. My daughter was not feeling well, so I just paid the bill. However, it was more than $ 10.00 over. Guess that will be a going away gift to them. Clean up the place and have your kids clean tables and not handle the serving and buffet, I’d consider coming back…

Pros: Very good service. Family owned restaurant. Inexpensive.
Cons: Very very small buffet with little variety.
Summary: You get what you pay for. But the family’s little boys are so cute! :)

Food isn’t half bad but the place is falling apart. Tiles on the floor are missing, wallpaper is hanging off the wall. The food selection isn’t big and the price is a little much for such a small selection. Not only that their employee that waits tables and the register is like 9.

Just ate here. The place is ok, but just ok. Not very expensive but truth be told, you get what you pay for! Seemed good for my two year old while I was there because the place was empty!

We were in the area around 3pm and were very hungry.
We went here for the lunch buffet. The décor is old and it seems like maybe the place was previously another buffet and Empire Buffet simply bought the space. I realize it is just a buffet so I don’t expect fancy décor, but the place could definitely use an inexpensive repainting, etc.
Lunch buffet was pretty small, but it had all the favorites you would want. There were only 3 people in the restaurant when we went in, and that includes my husband and me. Some of the buffet options were running low on supply and were not refilled; that was annoying.
Overall, food was average. They did have a good array of choices if you are looking for the general Chinese food favorites. The dessert choices did not look appetizing though. Price was decent: $ 6.50 for lunch buffet; $ 1.35 additional for soda w/​free refills.
I’d go here again if I was in the area and hungry, but I wouldn’t intentionally drive to Stanhope for this buffet.

I haven’t been to a chinese buffet in a while, and this one makes the return worthwhile.
The décor is sparse at best, but the food is delicious. They have a good aray of food.
Tip: Make sure to go during lunch or dinner as the food gets refreshed much quicker.
Price for dinner buffet is $ 10.95

Pretty good & flavorful, but also pretty expensive.