Best Chinese buffet?

Submitted by Timcwelsh t3_z5bfl3 in pittsburgh

My (pregnant) wife always craves Chinese food, and I suggested next time we’re at West Penn for the baby dr we can head over to the Chinese buffet that used to be on Saw Mill Run blvd. I couldn’t remember what it was called and the last time I was there was like 2015, but I remembered it being awesome. Googling shows me that it was Old Town Buffet and it’s now closed. But of course ever since that conversation and the wheels started turning in both of our heads, we’re craving a good Chinese buffet now. I used to love [Dy]Nasty Buffet as a kid, but I went there like 10 years ago and it was absolutely terrible, and I haven’t even seen one of those in about as long.

So yeah, any suggestions?

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mikeyHustle t1_ixvns5o wrote

I mean, if you liked Old Town, try China Buffet King on Noblestown. I would personally classify both of them as "Not Great or Gross, But There Sure Is A Lot"

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murphysmom5 t1_ixvxvpb wrote

In the ok good category

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Extra_Security_665 t1_ixwiofv wrote

In the routinely shut down by the health department category.

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murphysmom5 t1_ixx30gs wrote

Happy cake day. Worked at the Shop n save up the hill. Really couldn't tell when it was open

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mikeyHustle t1_ixxdylw wrote

Oh really? I mean that's not surprising, but I never noticed.

EDIT: At least for China Buffet King, I'm seeing lotsa complaints, but no closures.

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Chihlidog t1_ixvbk77 wrote

I haven't been since before Covid but I used to really enjoy Hokkaido. The quality was better than most, especially the sushi. Pricier though.

No idea if its still as good but now that we're all vaxxed and Im not concerned about crowds anymore I need to get back there.

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x-jien t1_ixvkivb wrote

That's Japanese

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plzdontstealmydata t1_ixw19f8 wrote

They have what OP is looking for likely in the section titled Asian Delicacies

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ravia t1_ixzalq6 wrote

They have Chines stuff too. They probably figure: "Americans". LOL

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CARLEtheCamry t1_ixvemkq wrote

China Buffet King off the GreenTree exit was my go-to for a hangover chinese buffet years ago - quality has dipped a little post covid, they use disposable utensils for example.

A lot of people seem to like Sushi Bomb out in Robinson as well - and yes, it is a buffet - they just moved the buffet back to the kitchen and the servers bring you plates as you request it, all you can eat. The sushi is probably the best you can get at a buffet (per my wife, I'm not a sushi person personally).

As others are kind of ragging on you - I'm realistic, any buffet is not going to be as good quality as a non-buffet place. I'm not picky, but have been to my share of chinese buffets that make you go "ew" (looking at you whatever the place is by Beaver Valley mall). The two above, plus maybe Hokkaido (haven't been personally but heard decent things about) are the only ones I would recommend. Just manage your expectations.

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DeleteSystem33 t1_ixvpjqu wrote

China Buffet King is my go to since I work in Carnegie. Their food is always good and they have recently quick refresh rates due to how many customers they get so it rarely gets the chance to sit.

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CARLEtheCamry t1_ixw9pu5 wrote

What was that Mexican place on Noblestown towards Carnegie on the corner to turn to the post office, do you recall? Used to love that place too, shame it closed

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Shop_Til_U_Drop t1_iy3hlnu wrote

Big fan of Sushi Bomb! Never ate in for the buffet but always do sushi takeout

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AbsructCigar t1_ixvt33w wrote

Fortune star in Monroeville nd TJs at PGH Mills are the only two I know that are open.

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trickhater t1_ixwxds8 wrote

Fortune Star in Butler is decent

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Swaggles21 t1_ixxj3so wrote

They also have a hibachi grill option in the back which is so good

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Jessel66 t1_ixwi13f wrote

I would second Fortune Star. Most buffets are closed now or just are not good. It’s been a while but I remember it being the best one I’ve been to.

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[deleted] t1_ixzaut1 wrote

I’ve been there recently and it’s great. Best fried rice in the area

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imacryptohodler t1_ixze1kg wrote

We travel just to eat at the one in monroeville, definitely our favorite

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garvisdol t1_ixv9mb0 wrote

I haven't been there since before COVID, but I always liked the buffet at the Mills Mall. Price was decent, and food selection not huge but tasty. And they had a Mongolian bbq

Edit. Supposed to say tj buffet

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powderpup t1_ixvpu2j wrote

Its rough now, I went a few months ago and the food was ice cold. Everything I got was cold, even stuff that was just brought out.. Tastes fine, but I'm not risking food poisoning for sub par food. Its a shame because it used to be quite good for what it was.

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friskimykitty t1_ixvxgpq wrote

They had some health code violations a few years ago and I haven’t been back since.

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ChavoGuerrero_o t1_ixvam10 wrote

There’s a place in Oakland called Golden Palace that I went to while in grad school.

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chuckie512 t1_ixvfegd wrote

Went there plenty in school too. Don't know that I'd describe it as "good", but definitely cheap haha

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ChavoGuerrero_o t1_ixvfm6n wrote

It’s one of the restaurants in Pittsburgh, no doubt about it.

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ElJamoquio t1_ixw5s55 wrote

Of all the Asian restaurants in the county, it might be one of them.

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Polishwiz14 t1_ixvprt6 wrote

Not a buffet, but best chinese ever: Sesame Inn over near McKnight Rd in the North Hills

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jafomofo t1_iy1mulh wrote

they serve sugar chicken and their pad thai is an affront. Might as well just go to panda express.

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SpaceLord_Katze t1_ixw4o1b wrote

I would still go down to Squirrel Hill, definitely the best Asian food selection in the city. I don't think there are buffets there anymore, but I would go to Chengdu Gourmet for some authentic Chinese food.

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bluepisces1980 t1_ixyamyk wrote

They are also on Mcknight now… Chengdu Gourmet 2. Awesome yumminess!

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JWsWrestlingMem t1_ixvqtcz wrote

China Palace in Monroeville. Not a buffet and since Covid it’s take-out only, but you won’t regret it.

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die-jarjar-die t1_ixw2s1f wrote

China Lobster in Lower Burrell is decent

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The_Year_of_Glad t1_ixwysv0 wrote

Is the buffet open there again? Last time I went, they were just doing menu service.

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die-jarjar-die t1_ixx1vky wrote

I have not been there since before covid so you may be right

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Verniloth t1_ixw722v wrote

Go dahn fortune star in pleasant hills. They got one aht monroeville too. It's good

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Extra_Security_665 t1_ixwijud wrote

Sushi bomb in Robinson never gets enough recognition. It’s all you can eat but they serve you. Includes hibachi and more than just sushi. Not a full Chinese menu so look at the menu online so I’m not misleading, since it’s not exactly what is being discussed.

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trlm420 t1_ixz6ti2 wrote

I was also going to mention here. Never been due to my own bad timing and them always being packed. My go to is Asahi down in Washington, a bit of a drive but never a wait!

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McJumpington t1_ixwze0r wrote

Fortune star Asian buffet on 51 is pretty good. If you like sushi as well, Hokkaido is good. It used to be great but still decent.

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nrbrjc1030 t1_ixxwjbi wrote

There is a China Buffet in the same plaza as Trader Joe’s on Penn Ave that has always hit the spot for a quick work lunch, both dine in and take out by the pound.

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chb66 t1_ixzro1x wrote

That place is pretty legit, good lo mein.

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wineabout-it t1_ixwnivt wrote

China house and Wai Wai are right down the street from West Penn! Not buffets but still good!

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ravia t1_ixzafzo wrote

Hokkaido seems to be kind off good at times, quite a wide Chines/Japanese (including something like hibachi) selection. Some pretty authentic looking stuff at times maybe (saw an old Asian woman eating chicken feet). Big hunks of baked fish were tremendous. Little shrimp burst with a little bite and were like butter at the same time. Is it great? Don't ask me.

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evilash05 t1_iy6h9qm wrote

I know you want in the city, but depending on where you live/coming from the 2 best Chinese food buffets in the tristate area are King Buffet in East Liverpool Ohio and Grand China Buffet in Washington PA

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Lapras1407 t1_ixwgfx1 wrote

I can't find many either. The only one I know of is in Crafton and it isn't that great

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V_I_I t1_iyd8zox wrote

Nobody mentioned the lawsuits and the chinese food warehouse in mckees rocks?

I love Chinese buffets but most use the same suppliers, I can't trust eating from them, the food tastes the same because they all get the food from the same vendor

Sushi tomo on mcknight is good but their prices are higher because they really make the food from scratch (and it's not a buffet)

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Timcwelsh OP t1_iydkfye wrote

I don’t thinks that’s quite the case. I used to work for Sysco years ago and a decent number of their accounts were Asian and Chinese restaurants/buffets. Like I don’t wanna say majority, but a large amount for sure.

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V_I_I t1_iydl2a6 wrote

Yea i agree a large amount, not every single one but thats the problem, it's hard to differentiate.

I wish I had a list of chinese restaurants who got product from sysco, us foods, etc

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Timcwelsh OP t1_iyeuwog wrote

I mean honestly, most Chinese places are gonna be the same health wise, it’s just a cultural thing I guess. Outside of legally speaking they really don’t see it as a priority. Guess it’s just a risk I’m willing to take lol.

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ravia t1_ixza74e wrote

LOL "Old Town". Can we have a "Grandmas Country Fried Chicken Chinese Food Buffet"??

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DaleGribble312 t1_ixv5fue wrote

There are chinese buffets normal people call "good"?!

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Will "meh" do?

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chuckie512 t1_ixv87ks wrote

There's lots of good Chinese food around, but any "buffet" place won't have it.

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