Buffet Tonight — Restaurant in Great Britain

I don’t even know where to begin with this place, but let’s start with the only two positives: it’s halal and the grilled chicken wings along with the Costco cake were actually alright. And yes, I said Costco cake, the kind you buy in bulk for your cousin’s wedding. When that’s the best part of your buffet, something has seriously gone wrong.

Now for the rest. The food was downright awful. The rice was stale, the onion bhajis were dry and old, and the chicken tikka masala had a weird off-putting sourness that made me question if someone had mixed spoiled cream into it. The mint sauce had no salt in it whatsoever, just bland and watery. The lamb and chicken kebabs were so dry I honestly thought I was biting into seasoned cardboard. As for the noodles, I’ve had more flavour from plain boiled spaghetti. Every dish was either tasteless, dry, or stale. It was as if the chef had lost a bet and was forced to cook without passion, seasoning, or quality control.

To make matters worse, the food didn’t just taste bad, it punished me afterwards. I had the worst bout of diarrhoea I’ve had in years. I spent more time in the bathroom than I did at the table. If there was a loyalty card for toilet trips I’d have earned a free meal by now, not that I’d want it.

The decor, oh wow. Imagine your uncle back in Bangladesh trying to decorate a wedding hall with fake floors, plastic mirrors, dirty chairs, and plug extenders hanging off the walls. That’s exactly what this place looked like. Everything felt cheap, plasticky, and completely tacky. The chairs were filthy and sticky, the tables mismatched, and the whole vibe screamed bargain bin renovation gone wrong.

Staff wise I have to give credit where it’s due. The waitress in the cap was genuinely kind and helpful but that was completely overshadowed by the waiter in the Hugo Boss top who looked like he’d rather be anywhere else. He was miserable, disinterested, and looked at us like we were bothering him just by ordering food.

Now here comes the real horror show, the hygiene. Since the kitchen is open for diners to see, I had the misfortune of watching the chef prepare chicken while wearing gloves, but then casually pick up his phone with those same gloves, have a quick chat, and go right back to handling the chicken. So much for food safety. And as if that wasn’t enough to turn your stomach I also saw one of the waiters leave the toilet without washing his hands and then go straight to the dessert section to scoop out ice cream. I felt physically sick watching it unfold.

On top of all that the restaurant has poor WiFi, especially if you’re seated towards the back. In 2025 you’d think they’d at least invest in mesh WiFi or something remotely functional. It’s especially frustrating for families with autistic kids who rely on access to the internet to stay calm or entertained during meals.

The only redeeming feature is the free parking. And after everything I went through it felt like the universe threw me a bone. But honestly free parking doesn’t make up for stale food, poor hygiene, tacky decor, and a deeply unsettling dining experience.

In short, avoid this place like the plague. You’re better off having a meal at home or licking a spice rack and...

I visited Buffet Tonight at the Red Dragon Centre to treat myself after receiving some good news—I wanted to celebrate and try somewhere new. At first, I was pleasantly surprised. Even though it was a Wednesday at 4 PM and I was worried there might not be much variety, there were actually plenty of food options available, and everything looked and tasted lovely.

Unfortunately, the experience quickly went downhill, and due to several hygiene and service issues, I won’t be returning.

First, all the staff on the floor were wearing gloves, which at first might seem hygienic—but in reality, it was quite the opposite. Gloves can give a false sense of cleanliness. If staff aren’t changing them regularly or washing their hands underneath, they’re just spreading germs from one place to another. I could clearly see how greasy the gloves were when staff came to collect used plates.

On top of that, the service was chaotic. Different members of staff came over to my table three or four times, asking if I was done with my plate—even while I was still eating. It felt like there was no organisation or assigned sections, and the interruptions made it impossible to relax and enjoy my meal. I even had to explain that I would move my plate to the side when I was finished.

The person who seemed to be the manager was particularly off-putting. He was constantly rearranging the food and reading the labels aloud, which felt unnecessary. Worse, I saw him blow his nose while wearing gloves and then continue working without changing them. He was also seen eating directly from the food trays—something that I believe can be verified on the cameras around 4:30 PM on the 18th.

There were also other frustrating details. For example, there were three bowls of soup or curry placed up high behind the counter, with no one available to serve or explain what they were. And they didn’t provide small trays or pots for sauces, which made it difficult to enjoy items like poppadoms with the traditional pickles or chutneys.

Overall, the food itself was decent, but the unprofessional and unhygienic behaviour of the staff completely ruined the experience for me. They seemed disorganised, overwhelmed, and not properly trained in basic service etiquette or cleanliness. I won’t be coming back. They were also playing the whole es...

A quick knock-up!

£18 (Monday-Thursday), £20 (Friday-Sunday). Children (£8-£10).

When you first come in, the staff feel disconnected from you as if they just want you to sit, eat, and then leave as quickly as possible.

I had all the dishes minus the fish dishes. I can confidently say that the food is quite mediocre. The starters/appetisers are basic, and there is little choice. Most of them are similar to those you can buy in a shop. For example; the samosas, spring rolls, and shawarma all taste store-bought. However, the wings are great.

The mains are decent, but they are two-dimensional as if they lack something. The butter chicken is especially disappointing it's almost exactly the same as the korma, and most of the chicken curries are extremely similar. The Nihari is perhaps the best thing you can get. It tastes exactly like one you would receive as a guest in a house, perfectly authentic. The rice is quite good as well, the best being the pea rice.

As for the dessert.. well, it's abysmal, to say the least. The choice is extremely disappointing, it's one small counter with some ice cream and a chocolate fondue. If you are going to get some dessert, ensure that you ask for more as they are very stingy.

The atmosphere is nice, but everything feels cheap and quickly put together. The Interior Deco is the same as the restaurant before it, and the tables are cramped and pushed together. You have to squeeze past the other tables to get to your own. The food labels are just pieces of paper sellotaped to the counter. Try and avoid talking to the staff as they are rude and will always dismiss you.

It's quite clear that this Buffet has been quickly knocked up to make a swift profit before the Red Dragon Centre is knocked down. This is clearly reflected in the quality of the food service, and atmosphere.

Overall, if you have a more 'British palate' and are not looking for something authentic, then this is a decent choice. But, there are better...