Hong Buffet — Restaurant in Great Britain

Recently, Our group of 8 friends and our families visited Hong Buffet in Luton city centre for a dining experience. While the food was satisfactory, our overall experience left much to be desired. I feel compelled to share my thoughts on how the restaurant management could have handled the situation better, with a focus on treating customers fairly, respectfully, and responsibly.

Upon entering the restaurant, we encountered an issue with the receptionist, who happened to be an Indian girl. She immediately engaged in an argument, insisting that we pay upfront before being allowed to enter. Despite our explanations that we were still awaiting the arrival of additional friends with their families, she remained steadfast in her refusal.

Fortunately, the intervention of the manager resolved the matter, as he counted our group and granted us permission to dine. However, our experience took another unfortunate turn when it came time to settle the bill. We mentioned that our total party consisted of 26 individuals, yet the manager refused to accept this count. He claimed that two additional people from other table bookings were mistakenly included in our party. This situation made us feel as though we were being accused of dishonesty, and the receptionist's disrespectful behavior towards us continued.

Reflecting on the events later, it became apparent that this may have been a tactic employed by the restaurant to take advantage of our trust. Despite our repeated explanations and numerous head counts, the Indian receptionist adamantly refused to acknowledge that our group consisted of only 26 individuals. Her lack of respect and courtesy made us feel as though we were being treated as criminals for the alleged absence of two guests due to illness.

In my opinion, it is crucial for restaurant management to address such issues promptly and ensure that their staff comprehends the importance of treating customers fairly, respectfully, and responsibly. Encountering such behavior is disheartening, particularly when we, as paying customers, expect to be treated with kindness and hospitality.

I sincerely hope that Hong Buffet and other establishments can learn from this critique and make improvements to their customer service. It is essential for them to prioritize fair treatment, respect, and responsibility towards their patrons. As customers, we deserve to be treated with dignity and courtesy throughout our dining...

Went for daughters bday ( daughter went free with proof of bday) Really happy enjoyed the experience and was really happy with the food x Edit: changed 5 star review to 1 star We Usually go back every few weeks but will not be going back again after that truly awful experience.....firstly I got charged adult prices for 4 children ( 1 disabled) I explained to the owner that I'd pay adult prices for my 12 year olds but could I pay Childs price for my disabled 15 year old as she wouldn't be eating they refused which I was already upset with My daughter then thought it would be funny to fill up the popcorn tub I'd just paid £8 for at the cinema with chocolate fountain, seen as I'd paid for her .... I scalded her but was thinking oh well it cost me £22 instead of Childs price for other daughter to sit and eat her own food she bought in...but the staff grabbed it out of her hand on the way out so I lost my 6 year olds cinema tub aswel. Had her crying for half an hour outside while we waited for our taxi ....they could have politely told her ....when I asked for it ( the avatar tub)back ( thinking they emptied it, I was told they would not give it back it was in the bin) Is it really worth losing custom....obviously... £96 for 1 adult and 4 children (3 that ate) versus ....chocolate from fountain £1 or £2 definitely not the £22 I paid for a disabled child to be in the building eating her own food...would have thought they would have the sense to let it go....food can be good/mostly few greasy dishes but can't get everything right, but sad this has happened, as was intending on taking my parents there next month when they visit but not...

CONS: Website is very misleading. Went in for lunch today and majority of the lunch time items as claimed weren't even available. In the Indian section they only had two chicken currys which didn't even taste that authentic. The naan bread is not naan. It's more of a pitta bread. The chicken satay isn't even satay. It's just fried chicken. Usually buffets have their own house sauces, but not here. It's all shop bought. The pepper chicken in the Oriental section tastes like fish (Put me off from eating anything else). However on the website it says they have a ton of South-Asian food options when they didn't. There was also no grilled section even though it says it's included for lunch.

The drinking glasses are not as the same in their pictures on social media. The desserts tasted very bland. The cream on the cakes don't taste like cream, the entire dessert section just tastes cheap/poor quality. The seating is arrangement is awful. Tables are too close together. No privacy when you're eating. They need to utilise the entire restaurant.

Didn't see any Halal certificates, nor on the window outside or at reception.

PROS: Good level of service from staff. Still a decent variety of food. They labelled the non-Halal food on the stickers which was very helpful. I guess lunchtime offer of £13 is alright as it includes soft drinks too.

WOULD I GO THERE AGAIN:...