Dynasty Buffet — Restaurant in Davenport

The following is a copy-and-pasted report of a food safety inspection done on 11/14/2024.

Dynasty Buffet, 5388 Elmore Ave., Davenport – During a Nov. 14 visit, a Scott County inspector cited the establishment for 10 risk-factor violations, an unusually high number, and noted that the “person in charge was unable to demonstrate knowledge of food safety.”

The inspector found multiple sauces and juices that were labeled as requiring refrigeration but were being stored at room temperature and needed to be discarded. “Live and dead roaches were found in multiple areas of the facility: floors, garbage cans, in three-compartment sink, dish-machine area, etc. … Multiple food products stored on the floor.”

In addition, the employees were handling cooked and ready-to-eat foods with their bare hands, the inspector reported, adding that multiple food items had been stored uncovered.

Also, sweet-and-sour chicken was measured at 59 degrees and green beans were measured at 73 degrees, with both items having been stored at room temperature for “an extended period of time.” No detectable amount of sanitizing solution was found in the dishwashing machine despite several test runs. “Hand sink blocked by door and garbage can,” the inspector wrote. “Employees were not washing their hands.”

The inspector also found improperly stored chemicals with Raid pesticide store in the food-prep area, and Windex glass cleaner “stored on top of cookies.” The inspector also reported finding “a basket of Raid and insecticides” in the employee restroom, and observed that some of the pesticides were prohibited in commercial food establishments.

The floors in the kitchen, the waitstaff areas, the bar, and the dish area were all reported to be littered with “debris and gunk.” The inspector also reported that “old vegetables and peels” were being stored inside a walk-in cooler, and that there was “trash and debris” in the “back area around and behind the building.”

According to the inspector, the visit was triggered by complaints, at least one of which alleged that Delimer – an acid-based cleaner commonly used to remove mineral deposits and lime scale – was being “poured into the buffet islands,” and that roaches were observed in the dining room.

“Live and dead roaches were observed in multiple areas of the establishment,” the inspector reported, “All age groups were discovered.” The inspector did not witness anyone pouring Delimer into the buffet islands, but reported that he did provide management with “education” on the issue. “Complaint was verifiable,” the inspector reported.

(My own words again) I have eaten here a couple times, and while I knew that it wasnt a 5-star establishment, these food safety concerns are very, well... Concerning. This is a popular place, and while it is a buffet where you accept some risk, the amount of violations found are concerning, especially because many of them are easily controlled. The handwashing sink being blocked off is especially concerning, along with whole generations of roaches and the dishwasher not even having sanitizing solution in it. I don't think people should eat here until the establishment can demonstrate it knows food safety, which it very clearly...

Save your time and your tummy! If ordering off the menu (not buffet) be extra attentive. My order was written on a NAPKIN, which should've clued me in to the crapshow that was ahead. However, I ignored my better judgment and ordered chicken and a few other things. All the other items came out except the wings. After waiting awhile with no ETA nor explanation, I inquired with the lady HOVERING next to our table what happened. She acted like they were still cooking, and "went to check ". She came back with some sad looking wings that were barely warm. A direct contradiction to her first answer. I then asked for them to be replaced with fresh chicken. She quickly brought back some wings soaked in grease. Sure they were hot, but also inedible. Pools of grease were under each piece. At that point I asked for the chicken to be removed off my tab, and removed from the table. I also asked for extra eel sauce for my eel rolls and was told they didn't have any. I questioned how they put it on my rolls that I ordered, and then magically, I was directed to get the sauce myself from the buffet. I thought this was oddly lazy, as I did not order the buffet experience.

The service here is pretty much nonexistent, except for this hovering lady, who never offers help, and acts like she speaks very little English. When the bill finally comes only one item matches the price on the menu. I requested to see the menu again and began asking why the prices were different. Lady hover-er got a male employee involved who said the menu is over 10 yrs old, and proceeded to point to some handwritten note at the top of it. The note said something about 'AT LEAST $2 extra for each item'. I hadn't noticed this before, because it was near illegible and not boldly printed. I refused to pay what was on the receipt and stated they are falsely advertising. They then went to get the manager. I explained the many issues with the service and meal and told him he was being deceptive with his menu. STEVE, the manager, agreed to give me the prices printed on the menu but said he could not print an updated ticket. To top it all off: hours later my 6 yr old started vomiting, probably, from the vegetable fried rice that likely came from the buffet and was not held at the proper temperature. Never again.

TDLR: Based on this visit, the upcharges, horrible pretend service, mediocre to gross food, and previous health inspections I would never visit this place again. First and last...

I ate lunch at 11:00 on a Tuesday ( they open at 11). This is a very large restaurant, and even though there was a good sized number of customers there, many tables and booths were open and the huge selection of food was kept full. Lunch on weekdays is $8.99 (beverage may be extra-- I only had water).

There is a small sushi bar ( which I didn't try), a large section of salads, many desserts ( including multiple flavorsof hard packed ice cream), three flavors of soup, and a very large selection (probably at least 30 items) on the main buffet tables. I noticed some American items like mac and cheese, and fried potatoes, and I assume they have more ( I didn't look at everything).

Many of the things on the main buffet tables are things like Mongolian Beef, General Taos chicken, BBQ ribs, buttered shrimp, and multiple dishes that included a baked or battered/stir fried chicken. Everything I tried was hot and tasty. If you want to have a more spicy stir fry, they have a table of raw ingredients that include sliced beef, sliced chicken, shrimp, and various vegetables and noodles. You help yourself to these ingredients and then take them to a chef at a large stir fry station. He will then cook your ingredients with things like garlic, pepper sauce, soy sauce, etc to your request. I did this with shrimp, beef, mushrooms and onions, then cooked with garlic and pepper sauce to make kind of a Szechuan dish-- it was tasty, but a little oily.

I felt the lunch was a great value at $8.99, and ate my fill. The waitress was friendly and attentive, bringing fresh plates and refilling my water as soon as needed. The restaurant and bathrooms were clean and well lit.

I've edited and reduced my initial rating from a five to a four after eating lunch there three times. The reason for the reduction is that I find that many of the Chinese dishes that use breaded chicken have chicken pieces that are cut too small, breaded too much, and then overcooked so that it becomes somewhat hard and crunchy/chewy nuggets. That is obviously a personal preference thing-- it is still a good value for lunch.

If you don't want a buffet style meal, or want a little cheaper price point, the China Cafe ( located in the strip mall next to Dynasty Buffet) has good food. They will cook it to order for level of spice and allow you to substitute vegetables ( for example if a dish usually comes with broccoli you could substitute pea pods if you don't...