China Buffet, Wedgewood Lane (466)

[Joan Testa]

I've never been much of a fan of buffets but I am really impressed by the selection, quality, cleanliness and service of China Buffet near Ace Hardware in the Publix Center on Wedgewood Drive (466). They just had a grand-reopening today, having completely redecorated the interior, expanded the kitchen and enlarged to 4 buffet table lines. Every item I tasted was good, but I have to admit, I made a pig of myself on the crab legs with drawn butter, huge cold shrimp and steamed clams. My friends loved the kung pao chicken best. Their lunches are a bargain and $12.50 for all you can eat dinner is fine by me!

[sharonga]

It used to be the worst of the worst!

[Barefoot]

I've never been much of a fan of buffets but I am really impressed by the selection, quality, cleanliness and service of China Buffet near Ace Hardware in the Publix Center on Wedgewood Drive (466). They just had a grand-reopening today, having completely redecorated the interior, expanded the kitchen and enlarged to 4 buffet table lines. Every item I tasted was good, but I have to admit, I made a pig of myself on the crab legs with drawn butter, huge cold shrimp and steamed clams. My friends loved the kung pao chicken best. Their lunches are a bargain and $12.50 for all you can eat dinner is fine by me!

You are the second person who has started a thread about the positive changes at China Buffet.
It is very good to hear positive feedback on restaurants.
Thank you for starting this thread!

[TheVillageChicken]

I tried to eat there once. I asked for a takeaway. The lady seemed to not understand, so I said, "Carry out." Finally, I pointed at the Styrofoam boxes. She looked quite pi55ed off and glared at me as she said, "To go!" Then she said, "NO SHE FOO!" She could tell we were still have commo problems, and said, "To go...no fish!" I left, and got a burger at Steak and Shake.

[rubicon]

I am waiting for Bonny's review before proceeding

[Bonny]

We have always liked that place. We go quite often. Their food is always good and they always take good care of the buffet. So glad to see it got some remodeling. It was definitely needed.

[rubicon]

Yes, I saw you there once

[Bonny]

We might go there tomorrow.

[gerryann]

I'll stop in myself when I get into that area, but does anyone know about their MSG content?

[REDCART]

If memory serves me correctly China Buffet was closed by the health department six months ago. While everyone deserves a second chance, I can't bring myself to go back there. Many if not all restaurants have some health code violations but how many restaurants do you know have so many critical violations that they're actually shut down.

[Barefoot]

If memory serves me correctly China Buffet was closed by the health department six months ago.

I've never been much of a fan of buffets but I am really impressed by the selection, quality, cleanliness and service of China Buffet near Ace Hardware in the Publix Center on Wedgewood Drive (466). They just had a grand-reopening today, having completely redecorated the interior, expanded the kitchen and enlarged to 4 buffet table lines.

That is the whole point of this thread! The fact that China Buffet has changed.
Apparently, according to reviews, China Buffet has renovated, remodelled, the food is good, and people are impressed by the cleanliness.
I vote to give them a chance.

[rubicon]

If memory serves me correctly China Buffet was closed by the health department six months ago. While everyone deserves a second chance, I can't bring myself to go back there. Many if not all restaurants have some health code violations but how many restaurants do you know have so many critical violations that they're actually shut down.

gryoung: you may want to research the state's Health Department website. It would appear if this restaurant did a complete restoration they corrected the issues that created their problem. Again it may be a psychological issue as it is for many and then anything they did or will do in the future is going to make a difference. To each his own

[REDCART]

gryoung: you may want to research the state's Health Department website. It would appear if this restaurant did a complete restoration they corrected the issues that created their problem. Again it may be a psychological issue as it is for many and then anything they did or will do in the future is going to make a difference. To each his own

I was mistaken it was March 2014, nine months ago when China Buffet closed. If you search "China Buffet" on TOTV there were several posts about the incident. Here is the violations summary for China Buffet https://www.myfloridalicense.com/ins...716&id=4090709
You can search by restaurant on this page https://www.myfloridalicense.com/wl1...arch=Name&typ= Then click on date to get the report summary.

If you are not concerned by a restaurant's management or oversight of sanitary practices, then go ahead and enjoy. I'm certain in my lifetime that I have eaten in restaurants that were equally as bad or worse and survived. But I can't get past the image to try this one again.

[gerryann]

That is the whole point of this thread! The fact that China Buffet has changed.
Apparently, according to reviews, China Buffet has renovated, remodelled, the food is good, and people are impressed by the cleanliness.
I vote to give them a chance.

I guess the best solution is to wait for a new health report. If they have cleaned up their act, they won't have any of the "nasty" violations......I know mostly ALL resturants have those kinda trivial minor violations.

They deserve a new chance. If it has not changed, it won't take long for it to show.

[njbchbum]

gerryann - The restaurant had to have inspections *before* it was allowed to open after having been closed down! This remodel is above and beyond the correction of violations. For your comfort you can call Florida Health and they will tell you when the next inspection is set for that restaurant.

[gatherer47]

If it's good enough for Bonny,trust me,it's fine!

[REDCART]

If it's good enough for Bonny,trust me,it's fine!

Bonny loves everything!

[Bonny]

Bonny loves everything!
Definitely don't love everything. I just don't say much about where I don't like unless someone asks.

[gerryann]

gerryann - The restaurant had to have inspections *before* it was allowed to open after having been closed down! This remodel is above and beyond the correction of violations. For your comfort you can call Florida Health and they will tell you when the next inspection is set for that restaurant.

Maybe you misread my posts regarding this. I say to give them a chance. Why would I call Florida Health? Of course they were inspected before opening.....and of course it passed. All I'm saying is if they can't keep it clean, it will show. I asked folks to give them a chance...they deserve it.

[Barefoot]

Definitely don't love everything. I just don't say much about where I don't like unless someone asks.

And I applaud that approach! :clap2:

[njbchbum]

I guess the best solution is to wait for a new health report. If they have cleaned up their act, they won't have any of the "nasty" violations......I know mostly ALL resturants have those kinda trivial minor violations.

They deserve a new chance. If it has not changed, it won't take long for it to show.

Well, By golly! I guess I *did* misunderstand!

[Bonny]

We went to China Buffet last night.
They did a great job remodeling. Love the all new buffet stations.
Everything was delicious. We have always liked the food.
The one thing we always like is they bring food out in smaller batches so it's a little fresher than when they fill the pan to the top.
I must say, we were happy to see that the whole time we were there almost every table and booth was filled. Some would leave, more would come in.
There was also a lot of take outs being picked up.
Good for them. They are very nice people !!

[jimmy the n]

not impressed with the lunch selections.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

It used to be the worst of the worst!

I don't know about that. There's one down on 27/441 in Leesburg that is the worst I've ever been to.

The China Buffet on Wedgewood was almost mediocre the last time I was there. They also have had several problems with the board of health.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Wow!! We went there tonight and were very disappointed. Yes, they did remodel but it just looks like they cleaned the place up a bit. If I'm not mistaken, the carpeting in the dining area hasn't been changed. It did seem that the lighting was improved.

The food was improved since I last ate there a few years ago, but it was fair at best. I can't believe the rave reviews in this thread. The selection is very limited compared other Chinese buffets I've been to. The sushi selection is a joke. I didn't see any Alaskan King crab legs.

The condiments are all in little squeeze packages like you get with take out. Service was good but overall, I was very unimpressed.

I honestly don't believe that this place will stay in business with Evergreen right down the road.

By the way, if you want to try a really great Asian buffet got o Koy Wan in altamonte Springs. The sushi bar alone is worth the trip. They have a Mongolian grill and a huge selection. The quality of the food is very good.

If you don't want to drive that far, the next best is Ocean Buffet in Ocala. Not up to Koy Wan standards but the second best as far as I'm concerned.

[spofford]

Remodel, carpets are awful, meal was going fine until bugs on the floor. Will not go back. Chinese Buffet at Evergreen in Pinellas Plaza a better place.

[Bonny]

Wow!! We went there tonight and were very disappointed. Yes, they did remodel but it just looks like they cleaned the place up a bit. If I'm not mistaken, the carpeting in the dining area hasn't been changed. It did seem that the lighting was improved.

The food was improved since I last ate there a few years ago, but it was fair at best. I can't believe the rave reviews in this thread. The selection is very limited compared other Chinese buffets I've been to. The sushi selection is a joke. I didn't see any Alaskan King crab legs.

The condiments are all in little squeeze packages like you get with take out. Service was good but overall, I was very unimpressed.

I honestly don't believe that this place will stay in business with Evergreen right down the road.

By the way, if you want to try a really great Asian buffet got o Koy Wan in altamonte Springs. The sushi bar alone is worth the trip. They have a Mongolian grill and a huge selection. The quality of the food is very good.

If you don't want to drive that far, the next best is Ocean Buffet in Ocala. Not up to Koy Wan standards but the second best as far as I'm concerned.
Alaskan King Crab Legs ?? Not sure where you heard that from. It's snow crab. Not the best in the world, but not the worst. For the price, we like it. I'm not going to say there aren't better places, but I'm not driving to Orlando to get a fix for a Chinese Buffet. I think for the price, it works for us.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Alaskan King Crab Legs ?? Not sure where you heard that from. It's snow crab. Not the best in the world, but not the worst. For the price, we like it. I'm not going to say there aren't better places, but I'm not driving to Orlando to get a fix for a Chinese Buffet. I think for the price, it works for us.

Sorry about that, but I didn't see any crab legs at all. If you like it fine. I hope that you enjoy it. But for my money Evergreen on 466A is much better. Like I said, I can't imagine these people staying in business.

Altamonte Springs in nor Orlando, but it is an hour and fifteen minutes. We usually only go there if we happen to be in that area for another reason or we stop on the way back from Disney. we don't normally go down just for the buffet. But if you're ever in the area give it a try, you won't regret it.

[Bonny]

Sorry about that, but I didn't see any crab legs at all. If you like it fine. I hope that you enjoy it. But for my money Evergreen on 466A is a thousand times better. Like I said, I can't imagine these people staying in business.
Crab legs come out at 4:00. It's all good. We like what we like and / or what we are willing to pay. LOL ;)