Dragon China Buffet — Restaurant in Carlsbad

In the heart of Carlsbad, NM, tucked away from prying eyes, lies a Chinese buffet that defies all expectations. "Dragon China Buffet" promises an unforgettable dining experience, but be prepared for more than you bargained for.

The moment you step through the ornate doors, you're greeted by the tantalizing aroma of Chinese cuisine, drawing you further into the maze of tables and culinary delights. The atmosphere, while dimly lit, carries an air of secrecy, making you feel like you've discovered an exclusive treasure.

As you approach the buffet line, your eyes widen at the sheer variety of dishes. Steaming dumplings, broccoli beef, and fragrant fried rice beckon from their chafing dishes. However, this is where the illusion begins to unravel.

It becomes apparent that the hygiene standards at Dragon China Buffet are far from satisfactory. Sticky utensils cling to your fingers, and the dining area shows signs of neglect. If you dare to look closer, you might spot a few unwelcome guests scurrying in the shadows.

Now, let's talk about the food. The flavors, admittedly, are something to write home about. Every entree bursts with authenticity, transporting your taste buds into a global tour. The sweet and savory General Tso's chicken is a standout, as is the egg drop soup. However, the taste is marred by the constant awareness of your surroundings.

The presence of rats and cockroaches is a stark reminder that not everything that glitters is gold. It's as if the culinary excellence and the restaurant's unsavory secrets are engaged in a constant battle for your attention,

In summary, "Dragon China Buffet" is a paradoxical experience. Its cuisine tantalizes your senses, but the deplorable hygiene and the unwelcome company of pests make it a place you'd...

Food/Taste/Flavor: 4/5 - very typical of a Chinese buffet where the food does lean on the saltier side but options for carbs, beef, pork, chicken, seafood, “sushi”, fried food, and some desserts. The food was hot and we saw fresh food put out fairly consistently. Most of the sushi are crab salads (imitation crab with mayo) with one that’s more similar to spicy tuna. Crawfish was good but does have an odd seasoning to it. The broccoli beef/chicken was yummy and one of the better dishes. The sweet and sour soup was very spicy from dried red peppers. There is an ice cream machine for dessert but it is more runny.

Ambience: 5/5 - multiple TVs along the wall playing different sports games. No music with only minor decorations but clean overall with someone going by the food stations and wiping quite often

Service: 5/5 - dedicated staff to each section of the seating. Since we did get an early dinner, at one point, we were the only table on his section so he was there every time we finished a plate or the drink ran low. While his English wasn’t the best, he was friendly and very attentive

Value for price: 4/5 - all you can eat price of $16.73 which comes out to an even $18 with tax. Great service, clean environment,...

We decided to eat here since it was already late and we were a big party. Surprisingly when we arrived it was still pretty busy at 830 pm on a Monday night, and more people were still coming to dine in.

It's $11 per person plus like $2 for a drink. Water is free. We were seated and our drink orders were taken. I was surprised as to how little the buffet line is. The mirror tricked me into thinking that the buffet line was big, lol.

There weren't so many options to choose from, and there was no more sushi. It's actually sad as to how little options of entrees there is. I guess I'm just used to going to Chinese buffets where you have a never ending amount of food no matter what time of day it is.

The egg drop soup was good, and so was the fried rice. Everything else tasted like it had been sitting out all day. There were even some food trays where there was no more food in them. Oh and the ice cream tasted gross, idk how.

All in all this is not worth $11. There is nothing special. Oh and the bathrooms were DRENCHED with stinky mop water. The employee was literally making it rain in there..

Two stars just for the egg drop soup...